Acclaimed Scottish artist Janet Melrose RSW is celebrating the launch of her 20th exhibition which has debuted at the Union Gallery in Edinburgh.
The month-long solo exhibition is the second time she has displayed at the gallery on Broughton Street – with the work showcasing her move to more ‘semi abstract’ style.
Janet is one of 125 members at the prestigious Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours, being elected to the RSW in November 2011.
The new exhibition, entitled “Making Tracks”, is directly inspired by her relocation to Crieff and draws heavily on the natural landscape, environment and wildlife which surround her Perthshire studio.
In describing the theme of the exhibition and how the influences of her surroundings have inspired its creation, Janet said: “About two years ago I made a painting of Thomas’ Wood, near my home in Crieff, during the winter of 2013 and I became entirely inspired and intrigued by the area and its landscape.
“In particular, the way in which the public use the space of the wood, and all the tracks left by pheasants, dogs and wildlife really inspired me – and also lead me to the title of the exhibition, “Making Tracks”
“This piece from Thomas’ Wood in particular will also be one of the focal points at the forthcoming exhibition, and one of the paintings I’m most excited to exhibit.
“There is always for me an excitement and apprehension when embarking on a solo show but thankfully as soon as the paintings begin to appear it disappears.
“One of the biggest differences in my work has been my stronger use of colour which I use both to describe and convey emotion in some of the work. The landscape and animals I see on a daily basis have become my subject matter and I no longer feel any need to stray far from my immediate surroundings.”
Janet said the exhibition provides a showcase for her current artistic style – highlighting a significant contrast with her past work.
She added: “I would now describe my style as “semi abstract”, in the sense that I abstract from things that I am seeing.
“Everything starts off in a literal sense and then I take what I want from what I see and turn it into a painting.
“I would say that my work changed quite radically when I moved [to Crieff].
“I rediscovered my interest and passion for art from when I was very young and what’s been interesting is the way my subject matter is now right on my doorstep.”
Alison Auldjo, founder and owner at Union Gallery has expressed her delight in Janet’s return to the gallery and recounts her first, and unforgettable, exhibition.
She said: “Janet held her first solo exhibition with the gallery in 2011 and to this day I think about many of the subtle and sensitive paintings that were in that exhibition.
“Secretly, I have worried how it would be possible to better such a show. I needn’t have.
“A hard working artist of integrity, the paintings Janet Melrose has made for ‘Making Tracks’ are quite simply the best work I have seen from her.”
Where: Union Gallery, 45 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3JU.
General viewing, May 8th – June 7th.
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 10.30 – 6.00pm
Saturday 10.30 -5.30pm
Sunday 12 – 6.00pm
Admission: Free
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