Collectors and followers of Hugh’s work keenly look forward to this event and his paintings are always highly sought after.
Hugh, who has had a life-long interest in art and is originally from Scotland, is a versatile artist most well known for his landscape paintings. His harmonious and well-balanced works evoke a lyrical and gentle beauty, whether he is depicting the power of mighty gum trees, the coolness of a temperate rainforest or the glories of a coastal scene.
Hugh looks to the great, Australian landscape painters of the past to inspire his works, particularly the “Heidelberg School” and Hans Heysen, however his response to the landscape is a very personal one. Hugh’s interest lies in presenting us with an accurate interpretation of what he sees, and he says, “I have to go bush. I believe you must absorb nature to be able to paint nature. By seeing the landscape, you can then put on canvas exactly what is portrayed - all types of weather and all times of the day”. By experiencing the landscape firsthand, Hugh is able to identify the special features and inherent beauty of each location, enabling him to produce his wonderful, evocative works.
After taking notes and making compositional sketches, Hugh returns to the studio to begin his skilful interpretations and with his meticulous use of both the brush and colour, the works gradually come to life. Hugh uses a variety of brushwork. His small, delicate brush strokes are used to evoke the distant leaves of eucalypts, tree ferns or the stubby vegetation of coastal plants whilst larger more gestural strokes, with brush or palette knife, are used to portray the textured bark of gum trees or the power of a rushing waterfall. The beauty of gently flowing rivers with their tranquil reflections, a calm sea or floating clouds can be evoked by soft, delicately blended strokes and his subtle use of colour.
Visitors to the gallery will not be disappointed, as amongst Hugh’s paintings completed for the exhibition are titles such as; ‘Ovens River Bright’, Pt Lonsdale Lighthouse’, ‘Marysville Vic’, The Great Ocean Road, ‘Apollo Bay’, ‘The Ibis’, and may more from which to choose.
Hugh’s work is highly regarded and is represented in corporate, municipal and private collections throughout Australia and overseas.
For those who enjoy realist works, this exhibition is not to be missed. Serious collectors are advised to be early, as Hugh’s 2008 Annual Exhibition at Seaview Gallery was a sellout.
(Vicki Green 2009)
For further information and images of exhibition works please contact Colleen at Seaview Gallery (03) 5258 3645
Lonsdale lowtide 33x93cm
Queenscliff Bluff 33x98cm
Mundy Mundy Plains 47x107cm
Silverton Broken Hill 42x97cm
Sunlight Daylesford 36x41cm oil Peaceful Moment Daylesford 51x65