Tag Archives: edinburgh

The WhereArtI Quiz, 14th July

WAI_140714WhereArtI time and we are back in Edinburgh. No further clues just yet, can you locate this week’s sketch?

 

There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers, and keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.

 

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

 

Also remember to buy a copy of the Edinburgh Evening News and play along in the print version of WhereArtI too. You could win a crate of beer!

 

A cycle and a sketch in Edinburgh city

Bike_CloseUpShowcasing my EdinburghSketcher merchandise across the city on two wheels.

Today I was delivering merchandise to a few shops, Concrete Wardrobe on Broughton Street, ICE retail in the St James Centre and Looking Glass Books in Quartermile near the Meadows.

 

I find the best way to speed around the town centre is on two wheels, so I loaded up the panniers and took the racer into Edinburgh. After climbing from the coast to George Street I needed a wee break, so I sat in the sunshine outside the coffee bar in St Andrews Square.

 

One Americano later and I had sketched this pen and watercolour drawing of my workhorse.

The WhereArtI Quiz, 30th June

WAI300614WhereArtI time in this sunny city of Edinburgh. Do you recognise this close up, can you tell me where I’ve been sketching this week?

 

There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers, and keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.

 

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

 

Also remember to buy a copy of the Edinburgh Evening News and play along in the print version of WhereArtI too. You could win a crate of beer!

 

An inspirational garden supported by Jo Malone

JoM_GardenJoM_RoundhouseJo Malone London and the Scottish Association for Mental Health have created a new herb garden and roundhouse within Redhall Walled Garden in Edinburgh.

 

Personally I know how working outdoors can be great for your health, and your overall well being. I love to sketch in the great outdoors, to break free from the computer screen and breathe in fresh air and fresh perspective. So it makes sense to me that gardening can be good for the soul too.

 

That’s the theory behind Redhall Walled Garden in Edinburgh’s Slateford area. A beautiful 18th Century Walled Garden within a 6 acre estate where the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) offers training in horticulture, conservation, maintenance skills, ITC/admin and life skills for people with mental health problems.

 

I was there for the opening yesterday and was blown away by the good work which goes on within the garden and the beauty of a place I have not been before. I love that Edinburgh and the people of Edinburgh continue to surprise in this way. It is wonderful that Jo Malone have chosen to invest and work with SAMH to help create a wonderfully peaceful place in the city.

 

Visit Redhall Walled Garden today and see the beauty at work, follow the link below for more information.

 

 

The Scottish Association for Mental Health and Redhall Walled Garden

 

Jo Malone London

The WhereArtI Quiz, 23rd June

WAI_230614WhereArtI time in the wonderful city of Edinburgh. Can you name this building, I love the reflections on this sketch, but can you name the building?

 

There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers. Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.

 

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

The Lion of Scotland, in St Andrews Square Edinburgh

StAndrewsSq_LionThe sculpted lion of St Andrews Square looks splendid in the Edinburgh sunshine.

I love this beautiful sculpture by Ronald Rae which lies in the city centre grassland. Carved with hand tools only from Aberdeenshire pink Corrennie granite, the charming animal is a firm favourite of visitors and residents of Edinburgh. I remember first seeing the mighty piece of art outside the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, near Arthur’s Seat, which itself looks a lot like a crouching lion. The ‘Lion of Scotland’ sculpture moved to St Andrews Square in 2010.

 

Until now I was unaware that the lion is for sale, currently on loan to Essential Edinburgh and not a permanent feature of Edinburgh. Let’s hope this can change at some point as to me, and many others it is an Edinburgh landmark.

 

Ronald Rae website

 

 

StAndrewsSq_Lion_crop

The WhereArtI Quiz, 16th June

WAI_160614_1Morning Edinburgh, and what a beautiful day it. If in town today lookout for this wee fella in the buggy!! Can you name the street he lives on?

 

There are leader board points on offer for the first three correct answers. Keep an eye on the facebook and twitter throughout the day for clues if they are needed. Answers to come later in the week.

 

If you would like to donate a prize for the quiz or indeed feature in the quiz, then get in touch HERE.

The Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

FestivalTheatreCurrently celebrating it’s 20th birthday, this impressive glass building on Edinburgh’s Nicolson Street is home to wonderful performance art; opera, ballet and musicals are regularly on the bill at The Festival Theatre.

 

I was invited recently to watch the Nederlands Dans Theatre 2 company and it struck me how diverse the range of shows on offer were. My previous visit was to watch the lovely Snowman. Take a look at their website, link below, to see their upcoming shows.

 

My sketch is in black ink, with a water colour wash. A limited number of mounted prints are now for sale from my online shop HERE, along with my recent sketch of the King’s Theatre, below.

 

Edinburgh Theatres website

 

Kings_Theatre_Colour

 

 

From the New Town to Fife

HoweStreet_viewThe view from the New Town in Edinburgh down Howe Street and over the Firth of Forth into Fife is one of my favourites in Edinburgh.

I’m lucky enough to see this view most days, in all seasons. But this week, on a sunny spring day I had to stop the car and sketch it. The Church in the foreground is St Stephens Church and if you follow the road to the left you drop into Stockbridge, a beautiful part of the city full of eateries and charity shops.

The sketch is in fast drying black ink with a watercolour wash over the top. The original is still for sale and prints are available from my shop, starting at £18.

Nederlands Dans Theatre 2 at the Festival Theatre

NDT2_FestivalTheatreThis afternoon I was one of a lucky few to preview the Nederlands Dans Theatre 2, a contemporary dance company visiting the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh.

 

After receiving rave reviews and standing ovations across the globe the dance company bring their mix of spectacular movement and flamboyant theatre to the Festival for just two nights, their only UK appearance.

 

I loved the great music and completely new dance moves. If there are tickets left I thoroughly recommend seeing the show, the website link is below.

 

The sketch is a montage of different parts of the show, scribbled in black ink and then coloured digitally later.

 

Festival Theatre website