Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year

What's it like to have to do an "en plein" painting under the watchful eye of a television crew and celebrities?
Well, local artist Laura Gill did just that. She says it was "challenging".

I met her this afternoon in Dunblane museum where she is holding a solo exhibition of her work.  And it's selling like the proverbial hot cakes. Already she has had to do five rehangs , such is the demand for her work. 

 Taking part in the Sky Arts programme had unexpected difficulties due  to the weather.
 
Also, when there is a television crew involved it’s never that straightforward. They wanted constant re-takes making concentration difficult. The location was an estuary near Belfast and all artists had to be in their pods by 7 am to begin work and they did not finish until 5pm. The weather was freezing and the day overcast .  This was about the  worst possible conditions for an “en plein “painting which relies so much on light and atmosphere.

At the end  Joan Bakewell came up to congratulate her because she was the only one in the group of finalists who actually painted the scene in front of them.
  My favourite painting in the exhibition is her very large canvas of a giant wave- see extra.

Certainly, there is something in this popular show for everyone. It runs until the end of the month ( museum closed Sundays).

Background info- Laura was one of the four finalists in the 2018 Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year.

More info: Facebook: Laura’s Painting Page
Instagram: Laura_gill_artist
www.Lauragilldunblaneartist.co.uk