Photos for my Revised website

I have had a fascinating week working with Jannica Honey making new and better pictures of my Arthouse to have a new and improved website !!

We spent a full day re-styling my rooms to make them clear and appealing to future guests. I took my photos previously and I think it is clear that a professional really knows what they are doing.

I think my rooms are fresher looking and hope my future guests will have the same opinion !!

Myself and my Great Grandfather

My great grandfather's photo has been with me for some time and I have always been fascinated with the similarity I feel exists in our looks. I never thought to do anything about it until my 'facebook' friend from Italy, Cristiano Bottino, posted his photo of himself and his relative. The copycat character which sometimes invades my very being, came to the fore and induced me to do something similar. I told him I wanted to make such a copy.

My great grandfather made violins and I had two of them given to me by my mother. One was his last and my mum used to tell me he had stopped making 'fiddles' when he put his thumb through the back of his work of art. The violin remained unfinished with that terrible rent in it. It must have been soul destroying for him to realise he had lost control of his craftman's hands ! The violin here is not that last instrument ( I gave that to my nephew to hand down through the generations ) - some nice feeling about that idea for me.

The violin in the photo is another of his and when I am standing in front of his photo with it clutched in my hand, I feel a connection to him. In fact I started speaking to his image when I got it on the wall and here in this photo I feel he is supporting me.

My friend, Jannica Honey, a professional photographer who has made all my website and publicity photos spent time with me this morning fiddling in another way !!

She suffered my tiny amateur's camera and took this shot on which she worked her magic via photoshop.

If you need her services, email her at jannica@jannicahoney.com

It was great fun to go through this process where i had my hair cut shorter and wore a shirt and vee neck sleeveless sweater to be in sync with the way my GGF was dressed in his Sunday best shirt and waistcoat all those decades ago. Thus I am of my time but echoing his time.

I am going for a psychic reading tomorrow. I wonder if he will contact me. I am sure he must be happy with the respect I have tried to give him.

Are You Sitting Comfortably ?

Of all the chairs in my Arthouse I think these Italian cardboard chairs are the most commented upon and my guests get anxious when I suggest they try sitting on them. There is a common haunted look that comes to their faces and then a relieved look when the chair does not crumple immediately. I bought these pieces in a show at Stazione Leopoldi in Florence while I was attending Pitti Filati Yarn Show. I struggled to put the first one together. It took me two hours of sweating and swearing over my lack of the Italian language to follow the instructions. You might think the clear photos would be very helpful but for a poor speaker of Italian, it was a sweaty nightmare.

The next two identical chairs took me about ten minutes each !!

You can see they can be painted and I have also thought to use some exotic wallpaper pasted onto the plain ones - or a montage of scraps and pieces of paper tear sheets.

Maybe one could use the school art of 'a little treasure's' talented oeuvres which might otherwise decorate the fridge ! By the way, the other little chair here was bought by my Dad at auction. It is a Scottish spinning chair.

I like this sofa designed by Le Corbusier. I was lucky to find this bargain in New York after the original clients for it had rejected it. They did not like the colour. I like the Union Jack and the silver cushions surrounding the white wide cushion with the Wallace clan crest.

The white group of folding chairs are from Ikea where it is not difficult to find well designed but simple furniture.

I have hung these on hooks as the Shakers from Philadelphia would have done. It gives a lot more useable floor space and makes a nice decorative pattern on the kitchen wall.

I have another similar couple of folding printed chairs from USA made during the fifties. Come to Wallace's Arthouse Scotland to see them........ Well I can't just show all my treasures on my blog. I need some surprises for the visits of my lovely guests !!!

Are You Sitting Comfortably ?

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 !