I hope you all have a lovely weekend
During the opening of the Lisle/McArthur spectacular, I was lucky enough to meet Richard, aka the model for "Half Way Home". A really charming chap who was telling me that by the time he and Patsy McArthur had finished the shots for the piece, he was up to his knees in the sea!
"Half Way Home" by Patsy McArthur
This doesn't surprise me; I can tell that Patsy puts her models through their paces to get the desired effects. This accounts for the movement and energy in her work. I wish I could have met the brave and athletic model who was daring enough to do this:
"Endless Possible Futures" by Patsy McArthur
This has to be an all-time favourite of mine from Patsy's new body of work. I look at it everyday and am completely fascinated by the idea that these men are destined to be forever tumbling. That a 'static' painting can so successfully capture the feeling of these people in free fall, spining out of the sky, is remarkable.
A couple of interesting facts to tell you about award winning artist Patsy McArthur: a few years back, the Royal Scottish Academy, here in Edinburgh, bought one of her pieces for their own collection - a serious accolade indeed. Not long after that, she was highlighted in The Scotsman as one of the best up-and-coming artists in Scotland - a remarkable achievement when still only in her 20's. I hope that she won't mind me telling you that a number of years ago she said something to me in relation to my own work that has stayed with me ever since. I was struggling with classic artists angst over my paintings, and she simply said, "Alison, you can't help what comes out of you". It has stuck with me all these years and I suspect I may have even quoted her when talking to other artists. Experience and wisdom beyong her years.
I'm annoyed that I didn't spot Amy Mackie at the opening. Amy is the superb model for:
"Knowledge" by Dylan Lisle
Having been lucky enough to have seen much of Dylan Lisle's paintings as works in progress (and, wow, that really is fascinating!), I feel in an odd way that I have got to know her, and that I would recognise her immediately. Although it was rather busy that night, with lots of lovely people to meet. Thank you, Amy, for your wonderful contribution.
"Decima" by Dylan Lisle
Yes, I confess that I am the model behind this beautiful painting (Dylan Lisle truly CAN work miracles!), and I also modelled for "Gemini", which you can see on his page on our website.
Ending with:
This happy picture of Dylan was taken way back in February. Both he and Patsy were already working hard on this exhibition, and he looks really calm! The point is, it just goes to show how long and how labour intensive it is to put on an exhibition such as this. Dylan Lisle and Patsy McArthur have put everything into this incredible show: they have pushed their skills, techniques, imaginations and creative capabilities to the absolute limits. It shows, and if you haven't already been in, you really should.
To say I am really proud and grateful would be an understatement.
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