Drawn from life

My work is a drawn interpretation of what I see – whether something found in my own environment or seen in the landscapes around me. The drawing process  reveals details to me that looking alone does not. Every drawing tries to understand the structure of the object and how to honestly represent it in that space; a translation from the 3 dimensional to the flat page but still retaining as best I can the integrity of the original. 

Various studies of trees started as a continuation of this process – and for now have become my main focus.  It seems impossible to walk past these great beasts in our landscape, whether still standing or felled, without  wanting to capture something of them. I have used different materials to try to find ways of explaining their unique characteristics but mainly work in inks and charcoal.  Gradually I have also become more interested in the landscape itself and look for compositions of shape, light and shade:  these might be more or less realistic or abstracted.  I find that the materials I use will influence the outcome as ink pens are more about describing with line whereas liquid charcoal will produce solid shapes and tones. 

I have been instinctively drawn to working in a larger format with charcoal for a number of years particularly where rendering the forms and textures of trees and human bodies; which seem to me to hold many similarities in the lines of torso and limbs. I want my work to be a true representation of what I am seeing but also a personal one. 

Exhibitions

Exhibition (Group) 'Drawn in' 
Community Gallery IMAG Inverness: 11 July- 2 Oct 2023

Exhibition (Group) SPC Event 
WASPS Creative Academy Inverness: 30 June 2023

Exhibition (Solo) 'Drawing from Life'
Small Gallery IMAG Inverness: 6 April - 25 May 2024

Exhibition (Group) SPC Event 
WASPS Creative Academy Inverness: 28 June 2024

Re-wilding Art Prize Exhibition: 1 July - 31 Aug 2024
Botanical Gardens Inverness - Nature Galleries

Group Exhibition - Artistic Journeys Iona Galleries, Kingussie - 26 March - 6 April 2025

Biography

Grays School of Art — Aberdeen

Life Drawing Sessions — Moray Art Centre

Observational Drawing Sessions – Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

Studio Practice – Inverness Creative Academy

Ordinary Member – Visual Arts Scotland
https://www.visualartsscotland.org/artist-biography/mairi-strachan