Alan's wonderful 'Bonspiel' curling picture went to a new home a few weeks ago. We had had some of his wintry pictures made into Christmas cards. It wasn't a marketing exercise as such, since they were sent to lots of old friends who know all about Alan's work - although the wonderful Moo.com allowed us to upload several pictures in one order, always an advantage when ordering greetings cards. 

Anyway, a good Scottish friend of many years standing, now living in the south of England, saw the picture and wondered if it might still be 'on the market'. It was, and now it has pride of place in his living room. It's always so satisfying to place a picture with somebody who really loves it! 

I haven't done much blogging this autumn, but I HAVE been doing a lot of painting, and we've been changing my artworks monthly at the excellent Garrion Bridges Art and Antiques Centre. We're about to go there tomorrow and make sure that there are lots of Christmassy artworks on display, so if you're looking for a very special gift for somebody, do go and have a look, or make an appointment to visit my studio. The above picture - End of Shift - will be on display there till Christmas. 

Thought you might like to see our latest offering at the lovely, friendly quirky Garrion Bridges Garden and Antique Centre so here it is. We're particularly fond of the extra large picture in acrylics, titled 'A Pipe, A Dream and an Ice Cream.'

Pictures are changed every month, at the beginning of each month, and we try to keep the display quite seasonal now - hence these warm and summery pictures. Most of the artworks displayed can also be found in Alan's Etsy Store, Arts of Scotland, but don't hesitate to enquire if you see something you like. Or head along to Garrion - only a short drive from Glasgow - to see the pictures in reality. You can buy them there immediately. And they have a very good cafe as well.

If you think you might like to buy any of the artworks you've seen here, do visit our Etsy Shop, Arts of Scotland. 

We've just added some new items, including paperweights and doorstops and a gorgeous big artwork, to make you think of summer, titled A Pipe, A Dream and an Ice Cream. Meanwhile, there's a new painting on the way, all about curling. Watch this space! 
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We've been a bit silent here on the Alan Lees blog of the (long, hard) winter but Alan has been working hard too! His Etsy shop is now stocked with a good range of prints, original pictures, paperweights and doorstops and some rather nicely 'upcycled' and hand painted pieces. You can find his shop under the title ArtsofScotland so do feel free to have a browse and see what he has been up to over the winter.

Meanwhile, with a good stock of completed paperweights, he has turned his attention back to painting and - inspired by the Winter Olympics - is currently working on a large picture of an outdoor curling scene, 'somewhere in Scotland.' 

It's been a very busy year for me, but mostly because I've had the first of two hip replacement operations, and have had to fit my work around numerous hospital appointments.

​Nevertheless, I have managed to achieve quite a lot. I've completed many painted paperweights, as well as a few upcycled pieces, and managed (with the help of my wife and various friends) to display my work at the Burns Museum in Alloway and Many Thanks in Mauchline. I've renovated a few nice old pieces of woodcarving, and I've finished restoring a rocking horse, which I'll be posting pictures of on here in time for Christmas. 

All of these things will be on sale and displayed in my Etsy store over the autumn and winter months. Watch this blog for more news. 

I've been working on a brand new project for the past few months as well as my paperweights and doorstops, but it is threatening to take over my life! This involves upcycling vintage and antique pieces that are just to shabby to be chic.

My most successful, so far, seems to have been the circular mahogany try painted as a 'trompe l'oeil' porthole with a puffer seen through it. There's a highland cow on another tray, a small 'pheasant' box and a larger thistle box. The painting is in acrylic on a gesso base.

​All of these are currently up for auction on my wife's eBay store, A Cottage in Scotland, but I'll be exploring other outlets for them soon. 

This year's Open Studios Ayrshire event, in the Robertson Room at the Burns Museum was interesting but rather quiet, considering that the museum is such a popular venue. It was a busy weekend in all kinds of other ways, which may have had something to do with it. 

This year I'll be exhibiting at the Robertson Room in the wonderful Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, here in Ayrshire, alongside several other artists. We'll be here on 21st, 22nd and 23rd April, just after Easter Weekend, from 10am till 5pm. I'll be demonstrating some of my stone painting in particular, so you'll be able to see exactly how it's done - and I'll be exhibiting some original paintings, prints, greetings cards and of course a huge variety of paperweights and doorstops, something for everyone. These make lovely affordable gifts for that special occasion and although we're supposed to be a paper free society, most of us know that the paperwork does tend to build up! Also, these miniature, hand done works of art make wonderful ornaments.

Come along and say hello!