Laura Drever

February has started with the end of The Northern Isles at the Scottish Gallery.

Unfortunately I didn’t make it down to see it in person as it’s been fairly busy at home getting ready for my Solo in March. It has been really encouraging to see the positive coverage of the group exhibition – a four star review in the Scotsman, articles from Orkney and Shetland press including a live visit to BBC Radio Orkney, Orkney Arts monthly programme where I had the opportunity to speak a little about representation of Orkney artists exhibiting in Edinburgh.

Christina Jansen from the Scottish Gallery curated this exhibition with careful consideration:

“The exhibition is not only about geography but about dialogue between place and person, between past and present, and between artists who’s circles overlap and intertwine”

If you missed it, there is still time to view a selection of the exhibition online and purchase the accompanying publication. The gallery has also extended the exhibition into February with a selection of works being hung in their downstairs space (mine will not be included).

This time next month I will be down in Edinburgh delivering the last few bits for my solo before it opens to the public – the limited edition print that I’m working on, Eerie Orums for the display cabinet. It will be wonderful to see the works framed and hanging on The Scottish Gallery walls. This collection of work will be my biggest yet, with over 40 artworks included. I’m looking forward to sharing, telling you about walks in Orkney and my inspiration for this body of work.

I plan to be down in Edinburgh for two weeks where I hope to meet up with friends old and new, visit galleries and enjoy the city for a peedie while. It would be really lovely to see you. If you’d like to come along to the private view or find out more about the exhibition, please let me know by sending a message or subscribing below.

For now, I am working away behind the scenes quietly on a large drawing. It initially started as a quick study of the view from the studio – a personal project that was to be quick and allow me to explore new ideas. It has been worked on outside in the sun, covering the floor while paint has been splashed and now pinned to the wall, where it has completely taken me under it’s spell of spending hours making tiny marks. It has been a welcome addition to the other work that needs done and helping me stay calm in the excitement and anticipation of what is next.

My hope is to keep in touch a bit more this month and spread the word of my exhibition, maybe encourage you to get your hat and gloves on and go a walk and find something amazing. The other day when out walking the coast I found this heart stone and left it on the path for the next person to find. A small gesture to make someone else smile – think it is well needed at the moment.