Being huge fans of Ailsa Black's whimsical work we invited her to write a post for the blog. Her work is characterised by wonderful skills of observation, an amazing attention to detail and a unique perspective on the world around her. In short... we love her quirky, contemporary naïve style which really distills life on the Solway Coast and connects with those who love the area. This is one of my own particular favorites (but then again being a Collie owner I am biased!):
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| Pep talk by Ailsa Black |
Ailsa lives on the Solway Coast here in Dumfries and
Galloway and it is from the countryside, coast and seascapes of the area that she takes her inspiration.
Ailsa describes her work as an expression of Scottish contemporary rural
life and she focuses on the interaction of landscape, animals, birds and people
that surround her. She is
interested in the use of these core influences, which merge with her
imagination, to convey a light-hearted, quirky and whimsical narrative on
aspects of rural life.
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| Hoppity poppity by Ailsa Black |
Her works, in acrylic paint on canvas board, utilise a
limited, but bold, palette of signature colours and simplify form to bring a modern decorative clarity and
simplicity to the image.
So, over to Ailsa…
I'm very
lucky to live in a tiny coastal hamlet in South West Scotland, it has a few
houses, a ruined pier, a phone box and a pub. My studio is in the
converted attic and looks onto hills and fields at the back and the sea at the
front. Out the front I often can see porpoises, seals, boats and
sometimes otters, but mostly I see people walking their dogs and wandering
about quite unaware that they are being watched.
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| Salty seadog by Ailsa Black |
Out the back of the
house I can watch cows and sheep. Everywhere there are birds of all
shapes and sizes. I feature all these aspects in my work...what more
inspiration would you need?
I have
always loved drawing and painting and would do so at every opportunity
throughout my life. I was lucky to have a couple of great art teachers at
both primary and secondary school. When I left school I went to art
school and had a great tutor there. Also my mum is a keen painter and I
remember having to sit for her while I was quite young so she could draw me,
she has always been very encouraging.
I have a
need to capture and express my experience of life and the things that surround
me. I try to add a touch of humour and sometimes a word or two of Scots
to my painting titles. Life is too precious not to try and have some fun!
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| Moonlit escapade by Ailsa Black |
Currently….
Ailsa sells cards and prints to trade at over 30 outlets across the UK. She has exhibited paintings at the
Royal Glasgow Institute and the Paisley Art Institute. She has completed many private
commissions and her work is increasingly being collected across the UK and
internationally.
You can
see Ailsa’s work at www.ailsablack.com or follow her at
