Gerry Irvine

My art is solely about Coigach, a group of tiny villages strung out on the northwest coast of Scotland where I live. Coigach is a very remote area wit few people living in it, a unique, prehistoric landscape of hills, bare croft land, beaches and islands. I love to be outside walking or out on the water. I feel driven to make work about this special place and my experience of moving around in it. I take many photos as I walk around and make rudimentary sketches and they act as references for my work. My interest lies in the shape of the land, the colours in the landscape, the changing light, the wild weather as well as the marks left by humanity - old walls, fence posts, telegraph poles, ruined crofts and lazy beds. I feel immersed, physically and emotionally in this landscape of my home. These are the things that interest me and why I want to come back to the studio and create.

How I make paintings.

The way I work is not set down in stone. Usually I begin with acrylic paint, inks and oil pastels and sometimes with collage. I don't have anything particular in my head apart from knowing it's going to be about the landscape. I start with the surface of the canvas or board and make marks in a very free way with nothin...

During my childhood my family moved home every couple of years, often abroad. It was only when I moved to the Highlands to run a Hotel and restaurant with my husband that I really felt I'd come home. It was during this period that I discovered my need to make art. I studied for 2 years at Bridge House Art in Ullapool. I quickly began making and selling my work widely and eventually sold my business to concentrate fully on my art.

2019 Coigach Collective, Ceilidh Place, Ullapool
2019 Achiltibuie Artists
2019 Alder Art, Beauly
Achiltibuie Artists
2018 Alder Art, Beauly
Achiltibuie Artists
2017 Alder Art, Beauly
Achiltibuie Artists
2016 Alder Art, Beauly
Achiltibuie Artists
2015 Alder Art, Beauly
Achiltibue Artists
2015 Celebration, Ceilidh Place, Ullapool
Achiltibuie Artists
2014 Cabinet, Ullapool
Achiltibuie Artists
2009 Members Show, An Talla Sollais, Ullapool
2008 West Coast Open, An Talla Sollais, Ullapool
2005 Hi- Arts Collective, Inverness Airport
2004 AAF London, Hi- Arts
2002 Kilmorack Gallery, Beauly
1999 - 2008 Permanent exhibition Summer Isles Hotel,
Achiltibuie