Description

Lesley McLaren

1976-77 Maidstone College of Art and Design Foundation

1977-82 Exeter College of Art and Design BA(Hons) Painting

Selected Galleries

Scotlandart.com, Glasgow

Red Rag Gallery, Cotswolds

Iona House Gallery, Woodstock

Moy Mackay Gallery, Peebles

Flat Cat Gallery, Lauder

Gullane Gallery

Affordable Art Fairs

Battersea

Hampstead

Bristol

Lesley says: “My paintings reflect the fascination I have with the natural world, mostly that which surrounds me in my immediate environment. I live in the Scottish Borders, where the landscape and light is beautiful and varied – a rich source of inspiration, from Belted Galloway cattle to Scottish Blackface sheep, barn owls to wrens. I live in a small community beside a busy farm where there is an abundance of subjects to paint. As well as the Scottish landscape, animal and bird life I have a love of indoor objects of beauty too, such as precious momentos and collections…private wee secrets. I often scour my friends’ homes, armed with my camera! As well as my own creations I also enjoy private commissions, when the client specifies their favourite objects, flowers and colours. With my window scenes I try to bring the outside in so that there is a merging of environments; perhaps a blackbird or barn owl who tries his luck or a creeping vine meandering towards the window sill. A large bouquet of flowers deepens the link between interior and exterior. Usually a table holds carefully placed individual objects, each with its own story to tell, but also part of the whole coming together of the scene. There’s an entire lifetime of inspiration in all the things I love.

Each year I contribute to the London Affordable Art Fairs at Battersea and Hampstead, and also the Bristol Affordable Art Fair, as well as regularly exhibiting in a wide range galleries in Scotland and England throughout the year.”