Bank Street Gallery
elizabeth watson
The energy of Elizabeth Watson’s paintings is surpassed only by the vigour of her output. She is prolific; her style (should you dare to catalogue) eclectic. In this exhibition of mixed media pieces, Watson reveals her journey of passions and influences.
Her signature is her zeal for colour. She pursues a confident palette, reflective perhaps of her early career travelling, soaking in the landscapes she witnessed and pouring their vibrancy on to her canvasses.
Graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee in 1964, this exhibition still reveals her inexhaustible thirst for learning. Although she carries with her now half a century of educated experience, it is still possible to detect experimental consideration in her work. And, of course, there is energy. Whether in the manicure of a still life or the calm of a botanical drawing, Elizabeth Watson always uses her brush to add an optimistic vitality.
That vivacity comes from deep within her soul. She is the personification of her paintings, using colour – and her wit – to sally the world. And the world responds – she is collected globally. Although she spends more time now recording the varying coastlines of Scotland and less on commissioned work, her focus remains curious, inquiring and vibrant. She speaks fondly of early days, learning in the field with the likes of Joan Eardley and Dennis Buchan. Inspired by their alfresco approach to landscape painting, she seems just as influenced by bothy nights with her mentors munching on sandwiches and drinking beer. Although the decades have rolled on, it would be no surprise to find Liz still in such a bothy after a day of painting, huddled round the fire, cracking with her conspirators who, by their very presence, share her love of Scotland.
This show runs from Friday 17th June 2016 to 29th July 2016.