Maker of the Month- August
Caroline McCreath
Bio
My career started in publishing in London with art publishers Thames & Hudson. I then went on to work with Hamish Hamilton Childrens’ Books where I travelled extensively selling translation rights for foreign language editions before being promoted to Deputy Managing Director.
After moving to Scotland in the early 80s, I joined Invergordon Distillers. Later on, I moved to outplacement consultants, Penna PLC. Finally, I became a headhunter with Odgers Berndston.
I work with both brush and palette knife in acrylic and water-based oils and like to create both colour and texture on my canvases.
I produce cards from a number of my paintings and also Giclee prints in A3 and A4 size. Giclee printing is a specialised method using 12 (rather than just 4 standard colours) fade resistant quality pigments, resulting in highly detailed and long lasting prints.
How did you become interested in painting?
I have always been interested in looking at paintings, so when I retired in 2010, I decided to try and learn to paint. My husband gave me a present of a weekend course at Leith School of Art- ‘Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain’ which gave me the impetus to start.
Did you take classes or are you self taught?
I have been on lots of courses led by professional artists locally, in the lake District and also in France. I still go to classes/ workshops etc to help me continue developing particular skills.
What is your favourite piece(s) that you have painted?
Morning Coffee, Steps to the Sea, End of a Lovely Evening, Icicles.
Where do you find inspiration to create your paintings?
I like images that look as if they might have a story attached to them- but that ‘story’ could be interpreted differently by each viewer. For example, Steps to the Sea, End of a Lovely Evening, Morning Coffee, Old Boats.
Also, with landscapes, I like creating texture in a painting so I try for an interpretation of the scene, rather than photo realism eg. Troon Rocks, Harbour Cottage, Spring in Fullarton Woods, Icicles.
Exceptions to this would be still life paintings, when it is a particular grouping of items, especially including metal or glass objects where light and reflections take things into a more interpretative dimension.
Just occasionally, I just get taken by slightly quirky images eg. His & Hers, Oysters, Morning, Afternoon & Evening.
I have travelled (with my paints) quite a bit; in the UK, Europe and Australia. This has also offered lots of inspiration.