90 DDUUMMFFRRIIEESS && GGAALLLLOOWWAAYY LLIIFFEE April 2013

FLING’S NEW FACES

Helen AcklamMixed media artist located in DumfriesHelen, a recent graduate, createsdramatic 2D and 3D works ofmany kinds. Inspiration comes frommany sources such as her love ofOrkney, its geology, archaeologyand Viking heritage.

Orange Route. Studio 70. Bellevue Villa, 113 LockerbieRoad, Dumfries, DG1 3BN.

Katie AndersonKirkcudbright-based creator ofsmall-scale sculptures andinstallations

Recognised as one of the region’s emergingtalents, Katie is a recent graduate who hasa fascination for collecting discardedephemera and transforming it intosomething new and special.

Purple Route. Studio 31.WASPS Studios, 117-119 High Street,Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JG.http://katiejanderson.wordpress.com

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Colin BlanchardOriginal printmaker basedin WaterbeckThe wildlife of Dumfries &Galloway are among thefavourite subjects for Colin’sbeautiful prints, which hecreates in a converted farmbuilding shared with wife andfellow artist Heather.

Red Route. Studio 85. Craigshaw Barns,Waterbeck, Lockerbie, DG11 3AH. www.colinblanchard.com

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More artists and makers than ever before will be opening theirdoors to visitors during Spring Fling’s 2013 open studios weekendin Dumfries & Galloway. This year, Spring Fling stalwarts arejoined by 25 new talents, some established, some emerging, fromlandscape painters to installation artists, furniture makers toceramicists. While some have been born and bred here, othershave been drawn to the region, some have moved away but are

keen to maintain strong links and others, who live and work in Ayrshire, Cumbria and the Borders,have been brought to the region for the event through the Spring Fling Neighbours Scheme.

Dave BrittainMaker of thrown stoneware

from CanonbieDave loves the tranquility of theold farm steading where he usesclay from his own land and ashfrom household fires toproduce charming decorativeand functional pottery.

Red Route. Studio 86.Hughsrigg, Canonbie, DG14 0XJ.

Deborah CampbellLandscape painter and textile artist from PeeblesThe shorelines of Dumfries & Galloway influencemuch of Deborah’s work. Indeed, she says: “Inever lose that feeling of excitement that comeswith the first glimpse of the sea.”

Red Route. Studio 92. Langholm Town Hall, Market Place, Langholm,DG13 0JQ.www.deborahcampbell.com

Michael ClarkPainter from AyrA former golf pro who once produced banners for theRyder Cup, Michael is now internationally known forhis oil paintings which touch on many themes, embracing thespirit of landscapes and cultures from Scotland to France.Yellow Route. Studio 8. The Stables, Lochinch Castle and Castle KennedyGardens, Stranraer, DG9 8SJ.www.michaelclarkartist.co.uk

River Doon

Holly ClothierTextile artist living inLeicestershireThe unconventional 3Dtextile sculptures whichare Holly’s specialityboth delight and disturb– not surprising as herwork explores how ourdeepest feelings expressthemselves in our dreams.Brown Route. Studio 53. Wallaceton Village Hall,Wallaceton, near Dunscore, DG2 0TG.http://hollyclothier.tumblr.com

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Myer HallidayCeramic artist working in LeithMyer was brought up in Dumfries& Galloway and his stonewareceramics are in demand as far awayas Philadelphia and Toronto. He hasloved clay since childhood and hiswork reflects his deep interest in theinteraction between form anddecoration.

Purple Route. Studio 30. Studio 3, Lochdougan House,Kelton, Castle Douglas, DG7 1SX.www.myerhalliday.co.uk

Joanne B KaarYarn spinner from CaithnessQuirky and fun, Joanne is the Wigtown Book Festivalartist in residence who has spent the winter weaving anew collection from grasses and leaves. Visitors canmake their own plant yarn.Yellow Route. Studio 2. Wigtown County Buildings, Wigtown, DG8 9JH.www.joannebkaar.com

Rob JarvisThornhill furnituremakerRob modestlydescribes himself as “a maker of simple,practical, handcraftedfurniture from localwood”. Visitors willappreciate hisconsummate skill andcommitment toexcellent craftsmanship.

Green Route. Studio 60. Craignee Cottage, Scaur Water,Penpont, DG3 4NW.www.jarvisfurnituremakers.co.uk

Gary CraigPortrait and figurative artist living off thebeaten track near Newton StewartGary is temporarily setting up studio inWigtown, giving visitors a great opportunity todiscover what portrait painting involves – bychatting to an artist with an enviable ability tocapture the essence of each sitter’s character.Yellow Route. Studio 1. The Reading Lasses, 17 South Main Street,Wigtown, DG8 9EH.http://garycraiggallery.co.uk

Jane B GibsonKirkcudbright miniaturistDetermined to revive Scotland’s love ofminiature painting, Jane’s work ismainly in oils and displays amazingattention to detail. She is creating acollection based on local wildlife andlandscapes especially for Spring Fling.

Purple Route. Studio 40. Cornerways Studio, 7 Selkirk Road,Kirkcudbright, DG6 4BL.www.cornerwaysart.co.uk

Emma KerrTextile designer located inKirkcudbrightVisitors to Emma’s studio will be ableto enjoy fine arts and fashions. A recentgraduate, she is producing large-scalehand screen printed artworksspecifically for Spring Fling plus hernew fashion accessory range.

Purple Route. Studio 35. WASPS Studios, 117 High Street,Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JG.http://estherbird.wordpress.com

Geoff ForrestWillow weaver based near Loch DoonFrom baskets, structures and sculptures todelicate leaf-shaped platters, Geoff says hefinds a sense of magic in weaving –whether he is using contemporarytechniques or those passed downthrough many generations.Blue Route. Studio 18. The Catstrand, High Street, New Galloway,DG7 3RN.www.willowcraftdesigns.co.uk

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Wendy KershawDalbeattie ceramicistSometimes witty, other timesweighty, Wendy’s ceramics have awonderful narrative quality. Threeresidences in China, with its longhistory as a centre for ceramics,have hugely enriched her work.Orange Route. Studio 76. Barnbarroch Pottery, Kippford,Dalbeattie, DG5 4LE.www.wendykershaw.org

Suzan MalcolmPainter based in PortpatrickSuzan is a weel kent face on theScottish Arts scene and formerPresident of PAI. Her paintingsmagically play with the imaginedand remembered as well as the observed.Yellow Route. Studio 7. Westward, 17 Golf Course Road,Portpatrick, DG9 8TB.www.suzanmalcolm.com

Susan MetcalfePainter from RingfordOnce a market trader, Susan hassuccessfully made the transition tobecoming a full-time artist. Herpaintings, in oils and watercolours, range from vivid floral images to tranquillandscapes.Blue Route. Studio 15. Leggatecheek, Ringford, CastleDouglas, DG7 2AU.www.susanmetcalfeart.co.uk

Laura PerryTextile artist from AyrBold, bright fashions –Laura’s scarves anddresses reflect apassion for beauty andpracticality. Visitorswill get a real insightinto how her earlysketches evolve into afinal product.

Brown Route. Studio54. WallacetonVillage Hall, Wallaceton, near Dunscore, DG2 0TG.www.artsthread.com/p/lauraperry

Paula McQuistonInstallation artist from AnnanInteractive and intriguing, Paula’s largeinstallations will dominate the ground floor of her18th-century townhouse, using sound and visionto generate a dystopian view of domestic life. Red Route. Studio 83. 3 Hare’s Den, High Street, Annan, DG12 6FE.

Pauline LawtonPainter from KirkcudbrightThe land and colour of theMiddle East and rural Britainhave a powerful impact onPauline’s striking paintings. Arecent arrival in Dumfries &Galloway, she loves the region’sgreen spaces, forests and light.Blue Route – Studio 14. Mill on the Fleet, High Street, Gatehouse of Fleet, DG7 2HS.www.greendoor.org.uk

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Katie RussellCastle Douglas tapestry weaverA chance to see a weaver at work onher upright loom. Katie is a keenadvocate for weaving and visitorscan see the materials and equipmentshe uses, plus works in progress andfinished tapestries.

Purple Route. Studio 25. Duneaton, 59 Abercromby Road,Castle Douglas, DG7 1BB.http://katierussellweave.com

Helen RymanPainter from North KildarrochHelen is a shepherdess and artist, and her oilpaintings and ink drawings are rooted in theworld of farming. Her pictures of sheep andcattle are dignified and decorative, while her landscapes are all about the realities of lifeon the land.

Yellow Route. Studio 4. North Kildarroch, Whauphill, NewtonStewart, DG8 9PD.www.helenrymanarts.co.uk

Jenny SmithFloral and abstract painterbased in DundeeExotic and British flowers are Jenny’s main themes. A background in printed textiles hasgiven her a keen interest in colourand texture. Jenny went to Duncan ofJordanstone art college and splits hertime between Dundee and the familyhome near Milton Loch.

Orange Route. Studio 80. Beech Cottage, Milton, Dumfries,DG2 8RJ.http://jennyesmith.co.uk Robyn Wade

Canonbie painterMeadows, woodlands and landscapes – Robynadores nature at its most riotous. A nice touchto her exhibition is the inclusion of a film abouther work. Robyn is also excited to be exhibitingalongside the established artist Philip Gunn.

Red Route. Studio 90. Art Corner Gallery,High Street, Langholm, DG13 0JH.www.robyncharlottewade.com

Allan WrightPhotographer from Castle DouglasWith an eye fornatural andmanmadebeauty, Allan’sphotographymakes you takea long look …then look foreven longer.Country scenesor cityscapes,his images –from all roundScotland – arerich and lyrical.

Blue Route. Studio 17. Parton Stables, Parton Estate, Castle Douglas, DG7 3NB. www.allanwrightphoto.com

❉ We’ll have more on Spring Fling inthe May and June issues ofDumfries & Galloway Life.

See www.spring-fling.co.uk for more information.

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