Alasdair Gray

Artist, muralist, playwright, novelist and a whole lot more. I met Alasdair at my friend Nichol's art exhibition and after a little chat, asked him for a picture.

The artist's hand.

Look who it is!

His new book 'A Life in Pictures' has just been published by Canongate.

"Cowcaddens"

Alasdair Gray's work is currently being celebrated in two retrospectives at:

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Edinburgh, until 23nd Jan, 10am-5pm, daily (free). 

And The Talbot Rice Gallery Edinburgh, until 11th Dec, 10am-5pm, Tues-Sat (free).

Alasdair's blog.

Nichol Wheatley

The great friends and longtime collaborators, Nichol Wheatley and Alasdair Gray, both Glasgow School of Art graduates. 

(More on Alasdair in the next post.)

My friend Nichol Wheatley held a solo exhibition at Heart Buchanan recently. Better known for his larger scale commercial work as head of Glasgow's Perfect Circle Art, these paintings and drawings were a rather personal challenge he'd set himself.

Having recovered from a serious lung condition (sarcoid), Nichol resolved to create a series of pictures free from any commercial brief. I really love the powerful self portrait above, which was the first thing he did after the illness.

He is also the founder of Maryhill Art School. Have heard tales of weekend drawing classes punctuated with long Mediterranean style lunches...

Glad to see things are looking up for Nichol.

Nichol Wheatley's site.

Perfect Circle Art.

Maryhill Art School.