Secessionville Painting: The Campbell Brothers from Crieff

This year, in Crieff, a series of events will take place celebrating two brothers who emigrated to America from Crieff in 1856 and found themselves fighting on opposing sides in the American Civil War.
The Campbell Brothers were brought up in the street I live in, Mitchell Street, so it makes it even more special to have received a commission from the 'Celebration150' group to undertake the painting of a large oil which will be the centrepiece of an exhibition in Crieff that will include Union and Confederate uniforms, 'Loaner Colours' and work from local schools based upon the story.

juneable: Last weeks best job! Revamp of an old Grotto

This week, my son, (sporting his 'Prostrate November Tache), & I, repainted a grotto I did around 10 years ago. Made from MDF, it was never intended for long term usage, but every year, the wee house has been touched up and rebuilt. A couple of years ago, the centre decided it had had its day and it was put in storage with bags of cement, bricks and piles of other might-be-handy-one-of-these-days stuff.

The Grotto, in it's early years

The Grotto, as it evolved into part of a scene a few years ago

Every year lots of children have had their picture taken in front of it. There's a certain appeal about the little house that children are drawn to. When the centre invested in a lovely Cinderella carriage, the young people missed Santa's wee house and it was re-instated!

The Grotto, in the revamp process

I think its going to look good. I was unsure about it becoming an ice-house, (blue is such a cold colour), but it sparkles nicely having been sprayed with silver glitter; the proof will be in the reaction by Santa's customers...

....pictures to follow...

juneable: Last weeks best job! Out & About in Crieff

juneable: Last weeks best job! Out & About in Crieff: Crieff in Black & White I'm doing lots of sketches towards an illustrated map for the car parks of Crieff. Burrell Square Bank Street T...

Last weeks best job! Out & About in Crieff

Crieff in Black & White

I'm doing lots of sketches towards an illustrated map for the car parks of Crieff. 

Burrell Square

Bank Street

The Old Bank, High Street

St. Ninian's & The War Memorial

The Town Hall

Last weeks best job! The Grange's Hallow'een Party

It may not be the best face painting I've ever done, but it met with much appreciation and happiness!

Everyone was looking forward to their party later and getting all dressed up.

Quite a few of the staff got painted too, but I only managed a few 'phone photos.

Well done to all who got painted- especially the Grange staff member who had to catch the bus!

Last weeks best job! Big Spidey

Managed to squash Mimi into my Tardis-like Corsa, all legs akimbo and deliver it to The David Marshall Lodge in Aberfoyle for their Hallow'een event.

Mimi wanting into the house

Mimi at The Lodge

Don't think she wants to be left there

She'll be happy when she see's the glow-in- the- dark giant cobweb the Lodge have invested in to provide a home for her.....

Last weeks best job! Finishing Fountain Park Community Mural

I've completed Fountain Park Community Mural, after 3 weeks of variable weather, the worst being wind: (I've learned all about 'the Venturi Effect - the action of wind around large buildings),  gusts of which made my legs turn to jelly a couple of times, resulting in me losing my bottle on the scaffold and giving in! I had some wonderful help from pupils of Boroughmuir H.S. and some great drawings from clients of the Garvald Institute and Fountainbridge Library reading groups.

 Fountainbridge Library

Banner workshops at Boroughmuir H.S.

Dalry Rd.P.S. P2/3 pupils helped paint the lower images

Wall images

Boroughmuir winners

A passing character, Norman. Just had to include him!

My scaffold, showing the angle of the brae I was working on.

Edinburgh Evening News Article