A GROUP of artists are putting the final touches to their first exhibition in Kettleholm.
The Cafe Art Fair will run in the Kettle-home cafe, at the village hall, from May 27-29.
Nine artists are taking part and for some it’s their debut show.
Organiser Christine Gilbert, of Lockerbie, said: “The group have a passion and paint from their hearts, a passion we want to share with the world.
“It’s difficult to get into some shows without the experience which becomes a catch 22, so we are coming together with a mixture of talent using different mediums to create abstracts, landscapes, florals and animals.
“We will have original artwork alongside prints, cards, cushions, mugs and coasters for sale, all unique to each artist.”
Taking part are Christine, who paints as ChrisG and specialises in wildlife and farm animals and works mainly in oil.
She said: “I love using the natural colours of the animals then adding subtle purples, plums and red to show the movement of the fur, sagging of the skin or smoothness in their tusks.”
Kirsty Soarhill, from Lockerbie, creates illustrations using a mixture of watercolour and acrylic. She’s inspired by the world around her and often uses maps as her canvas.
Johnstonebridge-based Rachel Brown paints flowers and wildlife, capturing the character of animals and plant life in an almost Japanese minimalism.
Susie Niven and Fran Dobbin are both local artists too, with Susie inspired by the Scottish landscape, beaches and coastal walks. She paints using bright bold colours, particularly purples, pinks and blues.
Landscapes are Fran’s speciality also but she creates mainly in oils and soft pastels.
Coming from Ayrshire are Lynn Cambell McGregor, Elizabeth Lawson and David Tomkins, whilst Pippa Chapman is from Norfolk.
They are all part of the same online Art Academy run by Gillian Park.
Lynn is an abstract artist with a passion for rugged coastlines and the ever-changing natural environment; Elizabeth’s work ranges from seasonal changes in her garden, to the dramatic colours of the Ayrshire landscape and coastal weather.
David is inspired by creative people, beautiful landscapes and colour, be it floral, abstract, seascape, landscape or still life; and for Pippa, it’s the sea, wind and trees. She uses watercolours and inks and paints from her imagination and memory, and as bright as she dares.
The show opens at 10 am each day and admission is free, but there will be a donation bucket for the RH Youth Organisation.
