Ah well, no rudeness really but hopefully the title got you intrigued, haha! The collaboration I speak of is the latest arty adventure I've been up to, "AUTOMISTIC". In the last few weeks I joined forces with my friend and textile designer Lynsey Cosham, in a drawing frenzy. We decided to make some site specific work, inspired by our own existing works, for the wall of the 13th Note's exhibition area and have produced 3 large drawings. The exhibition will show these works as well as some smaller ones.

The creation of these large drawings was influenced by the Surrealist automatic drawing technique where the artist's chosen medium is moved by the "spirit" (or whatever else affecting!) in an unconscious manner. The resultant drawing is essentially a large squiggle but eventually forms and shapes come about. These shapes are recognised in a much more conscious state of course but it makes for a very exciting process as there is no way of knowing what will be the result. Automatic drawing (Automatism) was pioneered by French artist Andre Masson who said that his "'automatic' imagery involved a two-fold process of unconscious and conscious activity...". We also took inspiration from Catalan Surrealist artist Joan Miró as well as a healthy amount of humour and tongue in cheek.


It's pretty different to my normal fare so you can judge for yourselves what to make of it; we certainly had fun producing it. We hope you can join us for our opening on Monday 16th March from 7.30pm. The exhibition will be up for two weeks until the 29th March. Facebook event to check out here.øo

Well, the Curves exhibition at The Thistle Gallery went extremely well for me. I am delighted to say that I sold all four paintings I had on show with major thanks to Carol Dunbar and her team. The Thistle Gallery is a lovely space and I'm looking forward to showing there again. 

Next month I'll be showing work at the 13th Note again and planning to collaborate on some work with my good friend Lynsey Cosham so expect something a little bit different. Stay tuned for that, more details to follow.

Also been doing the 28 Drawings Later: February Drawing Challenge again this year. It's a Facebook happening where loads of people draw something every day of February and post it up on the group. I did it in 2012 and at the end we had an exhibition of all the works in the Old Hairdressers in Glasgow. People from all over the UK and even quite a few internationals have taken part over the last few years. It's a great way to get you drawing and to see all the wonderful works everyone posts. It's open to absolutely anyone regardless of ability, it's a great project and run entirely by volunteers. Not sure whether there will be an exhibition for this year but I'll let you know as soon as I do. You can see my album of drawings here.

Thanks to everyone who has shown me support, encouragement and interest in my work. Couldn't do it without you.

The opening night for my 13th Note show is coming soon. Next Monday in fact. So if you'd like to join me for a wee tipple from 8.30pm on the 1st September, I'd be most joyous to see you. The Note is situated in King Street, Glasgow for those not in the know. I have a natty little Facebook event that you can invite yourselves to if you're not already there. It won't be a late one for me though as I'll be getting up at silly o'clock on Tuesday morning to get to the Prestwick airport because I'm off to the wilds of Catalonia.

My pals Sarah and Chris, who I met during my art adventure in Cyprus in 2006/7, have settled in a little valley near Riba Roja d'Ebre in Catalonia, Spain. Catalonia is fiercely proud of its heritage and has been campaigning, much like Scotland, for independence from the rest of Spain so it will be interesting to see if I get questions about our Referendum. However, I'm not going over there to talk politics, I'm going over to help out and take photos for their wee music and arts festival Riba Rocks happening 5-7th Sept. I missed their inaugural year last year so I was determined not to miss this one. There will be musicians and artists coming from the UK as well as local bands and DJs. I just hope I can do it justice, photographically speaking.

Well, enough of this blethering, better go walk the dog. She's giving me the look. Hasta la vista baby!