Patch Works - My Second Exhibition

Here are some photos from my second exhibition in the Arthouse.
It was really busy which was a big tribute to the exhibiting artists. I was so pleased with the 'FEEL' that the various interpretations that the title 'Patch Works' engendered. All the works had great individuality but with a bit of interesting juxtaposing they made sense and eventually gave a cohesive character.

I had three areas - my hallway housed the powerful pieces from Charles Macqueen, Christine Woodside, George Donald and James More as well as Moira Beaty and Anne Beaty.

The second space held in my sitting room had works from Lindean Mill Glass, Elizabeth Radcliffe, James More ( in a change of temperature !) and Susie Reade. I also was happy to be showing books from my good pal Kisley Di Giuseppe who now teaches in Canada and a quirky book by Susie Reade.

Interestingly both book makers are involved with helping kids with learning problems.

I made a grand error when I had lit the lovely Lindean Glass pieces from behind with candles which I found still lit the following afternoon - careless me !!

My third group was in my space where I also have my 'new' second hand piano. In good tune and played by Arnold Maran as well as Russell Hillhouse.

The artists shown were Keith Gavigan who delivered his 'stuff' by hand from Norway. I had not seen him for about 40 years. John Brennan's tapestries lent strength to the strong colour side of the room and in the centre of the more muted group was a work from Kate Charlesworth.

I had several queries about the works on show and hope some of those queries result in slaes to the artists. Bringing light to the room was a knitted fitting from Lil Gogan. another amazing version of a Patch Work !!

I take no percentage for showing these creative pieces but get a joy from having been the cause of a satisfying and varied display of invention. Of course the generous gift of some Auchentoshan Whisky from Bowmore Distilleries helped to warm our visitors even from as far
away as Galashiels - brave guys in these snowy days !! I also had aa guest from Australia but she was also here in a minor quest to see her daughter !

I probably shall hold off having another show for several months as it was not at inconsiderable expense to my finances and energies but I certainly shall have another as i find I am fixated on the pleasure of these showings.

If anyone has a feeling for another show, please feel free to talk with me. I would consider some other form for a show if I do not have to pay all the costs and have to do all the work. I fancy having some recitals which would remind me of my musical treats in Spoleto.

photos from an Exhibition

Here are some photos from the opening of my showing of Moira and Ann Beaty's paintings and drawings.

I thoroughly enjoyed my self indulgence in making this show happen !! The whisky tasting was delicious and Jamie and Mandy were the perfect deliverers of such nectar !! Matthew Hicks played and looked like an angel !! It was so wonderful to see so many guys - like ghosts from my past - turn up to see what was going on.

A Showing of the Works of Moira and Ann Beaty - Mother and Daughter.

The top photo is the fireplace in my sitting room now converted to a gallery for the works of Anne Beaty. I had not got round to hanging her fantastic and imaginative works when I took the photos for this blog. Sorry.

I have had two of Anne's paintings in my possession for a long time. I bought them when she had her graduation show at Glasgow School of Art. They have been reunited this week with another two from the same show. They belong to my friend Lesley Rankin. It is so interesting to compare these works with Ann's current images.

The other photos here are of my entrance hall now feeling like a gallery. It is so exciting to have all this work from Moira Beaty's opus. I am honoured to have such a selection of her lifetime's creativity. I have been assisted in assembling this collection by other good friends and admirers of Moira. - Sally and Alan Hobkirk.

The whole experience of doing this life enhancing presentation has been a new expansion for my character. I have learned so much about making a show of paintings. I can't wait for Sunday to come but there is still a lot to be done. I have just ordered the wine - never done that in such bulk before !! I am still emaiIing Jamie MacKenzie at Morrison Bowmore about the whisky tasting and trying to guess how many people will come. I still have to get the back room together that will house a place for a guitar recital from Matthew Hicks and a selection of drawings from both Moira and Ann. I always find it revealing to see the preparatory work that goes into the creative process.

I have spent the week checking charity shops for frames to buy at minimal prices, to spray paint white to frame these drawings. They are in all shapes and sizes !! All this week also I have been enjoying my new system of picture railing and deciding how and where to hang the works.

I did not just want a straight up hallway where everything could be seen before you get your coat off so I bought a roller blind to become a central 'wall'. I has allowed me to subdivide Moira's themes into people. flowers and landscapes. I am trying to be aware of the other features around the pictures. The furniture, the flowers, the lighting etc. This is my home and as such I hope it gives a slightly alternative accent to a showing of artworks and I hope it will add to how viewers see the artist's works. I have not retained every last item that usually hangs out in my place as the paintings are the most important feature of my house for a week from Sunday. I am loving being a gallery guy for these few days !!!

What an addition to my life of cleaning toilets, making beds and offering breakfasts !! It sure is stimulating if a wee bit tiring. I am going to find this whole event is one of the signposts in my life and look back on it with immense pleasure. I hope my guests will feel the same !!!

My First Exhibition in Edinburgh

A Swindle on the Web

i have been cheated by a company to whom I was recommended - the address is a japanese company. jpese.com. Anyone been cheated by this company and what do they suggest ?

Wallace.

My Clothing Collection

Upholstering My Chair

A NEW SITE FOR WALLACE'S ARTHOUSE SCOTLAND

I have been working with a new site (for me ) called "About Scotland". I had an enjoyable visit from one of the partners John Boyd-Brent. He does all the photography for the site. ( Not this photo here.)

Anyway, John studied Fine Art and Photography while living in South Africa and, judging by his work in my place, he knows his onions !!

I am very pleased with the page he has produced and hope his efforts result in attracting more guests to my place.

Have a wee look at the site for About Scotland. It is crammed full of useful information for prospective visitors to Scotland. My page will be posted very soon.

Edinburgh's Modern Athenians

These drawings which I have used in my website and brochure come from a book which was published in Edinburgh as a limited edition in 1882 and is called "Modern Athenians". At this time, Edinburgh saw itself as "The Athens of the North". I think that idea only lasted until the honourable citizens ran out of funds when they were building a replica of the Parthenon on Calton Hill - eventually called "The Disgrace of Scotland" as they only managed to build the front row of columns !!

The drawings were made and etched by a miniature painter, Benjamin W. Crombie. The plates were destroyed after a run of 1040 copies. In all there are about 100 drawings but I only chose a few for my needs. here is what the editors of the book had to tell us about these august guys.

These were drawn around the same period as The Leith Assemlby Rooms were being built in a Greek style.

The Reverend Paul Clason graduated at Glasgow University. He was a son of the manse and became Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland on two separate occasions.Here he is wearing the Moderator's antique court dress. I love the choice of the dusty pink umbrella ! soo a la mode !! He lived finally in 22 George Street and died in 1868.

The man on the left of this pair was born in Edinburgh. His mother was a certain

Marion Shaw so maybe we are related !! He became minister at the Edinburgh Tron Church. He married in 1817 and died in 1866 with not much of note having happened in his life - sic transit Gloria and the Rev. John Hunter !!

The man on the right is Professor Alexander Brunton, a professor of Hebrew and was also chaplain of the Loyal Edinburgh Spearmen. He was quite a learned man and had a speciality for Oriental languages. He was a great source for exotic quotes on tombstones and monumental tablets. He married Mary Balfour, author of such inspiring titles as "Self Control" - "Discipline" and "Emeline". The Rev died in Perthshire at the age of 81. Possibly from boredom with reading his wife's writings !!

This is Robert Hadley who was first listed as a coach proprietor and then as hotel keeper at 10 South St Andrew's Street. It was known as The English Hotel. He is certainly

sportily dressed and was reportedly very good natured. That, however is all there is recorded about Robert.

Here is John Jeffrey Esquire. This man passed the early years of his adult life in New York. He was married there but his wife died soon so that may be why he returned to Edinburgh where he acquired a competancy - whatever that may be ! He also acquired another wife, the daughter of the Professor of Logic at St Andrew's University. This guy was a member of the Friday club - a Whig society for young advocates. He certainly had a kind of flash address at No 2 Charlotte Square !

Places around Leith

This was the place where the casks were made for the lucrative

wine and whisky trade that was here in Leith. In fact, in Leith,

the first blended whisky was invented.

Leith was celebrated as the main port for Edinburgh.

This building is now in domestic use but is still called 'The Cooperage'.

Continuing the idea of trading, this was a store for all kinds of goods being imported. Now it is a wonderful Spanish eaterie called TAPA. It is on the opposite side of the Water of Leith

.

All the trading led to the creation of my building the Leith Exchange and Assembly Rooms as a centre for trading, business meetings and social life and, around the corner, The Bank of Leith was instituted in this attractive bulding. The bank issued its own currency.

This is now a delightful bistro type bar and eating place but previously, I am told, it was a down and dirty drinking den !!

Its is now called 'The Roseleaf'.

At the other end of the scale was this church which was one of the oldest kirks in the Edinburgh area. It is now domestic housing and still a beautiful building beside the Water of Leith.

The Corn Exchange – built in 1861

There is a little ghost story attached to this building which is just across the street from me.
Apparently this place has been through several incarnations. First it was a marketing hall but, at one time was a bar. The owner/publican was a nasty guy who tortured small children. He went broke because the locals protested with a boycott since he was discovered to be keeping a three year old locked in a cupboard. The man hanged himself in the room over the bar.
Nowadays the lights often flicker and a child has been heard crying while the publican’s ghost appears to try to nudge people away from the cupboard and the room where he commited suicide !!

Wallace's arthouse building

I am starting this blog to help me explain how it is to have a bed and breakfast and to live in Leith which is a part of Edinburgh.
Here is a drawing of my building which I have been using as a kind of sign for the place where I live

I commissioned this drawing from Nigel Peake who is an architect now living in Ireland but used to be in Edinburgh for his studies. Where he gained great levels of awards He also lectured at Edinburgh University.
I first encountered the work of Nigel in a shop in the Grassmarket called Analogue Books. It is a quirky shop with not often encountered publications and they run the occasional exhibition of works by local artists.
Here are a couple of Nigel’s other drawings which he generally makes for his self published wee books


I love Nigel’s books. They are a source of great pleasure for me to look at and to share with other friends. Have a look at Nigel’s site “by nigel peake html – www.secondstreet.co.uk”.


This is a photo of The Assembly Rooms as they are today and below is a print from 1890. Not too much has changed except the original stables have gone and the method of transport is a bit different. I am hoping to investigate the history of this building for a future newsletter or blog.