by Melanie Guatelli
Melanie Guatelli is a painter currently based in the North East of Scotland. Following a career in ecology and environmental management, and alongside motherhood, she studied painting at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen.
Her art practice considers our relationships with other organisms. She questions our perceptions of what is wild or natural. She considers human exceptionalism, environmental degradation, the impact of capitalism and how we value nature. Recently she has been influenced by the work of women such as Donna Haraway, Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, Ursula K. Le Guin, Naomi Klein and Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Although predominantly an oil painter, an important part of Melanie’s process is walking, photography, collage and model-making. She uses these methods as a way of deeply contemplating ideas of nature and the ‘other’. These lead to paintings that are familiar yet unsettling – works that invite the viewer to take a moment to ponder their own entanglement with the environment.
www.melanie-guatelli-art.com
@melguatelli
by Bruce Swanson
Bruce is an artist and maker who lives and works in Aberdeen. His practice centres on jewellery-making but also encompasses drawing, painting, silversmithing, printmaking and digital making techniques. His work is project based and is informed by research gained from explorations on foot; experiments in the workshop and studio, and by delving into archives.
He is currently engaged in a multi-year project to explore prehistoric art from North West Europe to produce art work including re-imagined ancient jewellery and re-interpretations of the ancient mythologies shown in the prehistoric images remaining on rock outcrops in the field and exhibited in museums across Europe.
His latest creation Peace Piece is shown below – this is the outcome of the Process Process Process exhibition at the Aberdeen Art Gallery
More Information can be found at: http://www.cairndouna.co.uk
by Amanda Hirst
Amanda is a resident of Aberdeen, almost a local, having lived there for 30+ years, born in Manchester and lived in Glasgow for several years. After retiring from work, she enrolled at Gray’s school of Art to complete a lifelong ambition to be accredited as a ‘proper’ artist. The story continues as she develops her style and narrative.
by Douglas Cameron
I recently moved to Banff in North East Scotland having lived for a long time in London and have been using lockdown to catch up with the many art projects that I have thought of over the years but have not had spare time to work on. I’ve always drawn and painted and lately have been exploring digital media to create images , and decided to post an image a day on facebook intending to do it for a month , but as I got into it I just kept on posting and by the time I got to number 30 I had begun to draw more images so I kept on going. I’m at 180+ just now and still drawing.
During long walks along Banffshore I was drawn to the constant recycling of its components and started to draw and paint this evolution of the very nature of our existence on earth.
by Kathryn McFarlane
I’m a Scottish abstract artist who uses colour as a means of self-expression.
I am continually exploring new ways to express myself through paint application, texture, and colour layering. I predominantly work with mixed media, giving me the freedom to experiment with various techniques and materials, emphasising colour, shapes, layers, and textural effects within my work.
I’m drawn to the medium of collage due to its ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through the combination of seemingly disparate elements. I find that the process of selecting and arranging different materials helps me to explore the tension between harmony and disharmony. While I am always striving to create a cohesive and balanced composition, I also enjoy experimenting with ways to disrupt that balance in order to create a sense of visual tension.
I find inspiration in the twists and turns of life’s journey and through my work I explore the complexities of memory, nostalgia, and the interconnectivity of our daily lives. I am intrigued by how our past experiences and memories shape us into the individuals we are today. While each person’s history is unique, shared experiences such as travel and the significance of colour create a sense of belonging and shared identity.
I weave these themes intricately into my multi-layered pieces, allowing me to express myself in a way that feels personal and authentic.
by Fenneke Wolters-Sinke
I specialise in contemporary artists’ books and paper sculptures. By using and combining various techniques such as printmaking, papercutting, paperfolding and bookbinding I hope to inspire others to appreciate the alchemy of materials and the stories they tell, fostering a greater understanding of the significance of handcrafted art in our increasingly digital age.
As a keen sea kayaker and mountaineer, I get my inspiration from the textures, patterns, colours, tones and shapes in the great outdoors. My interest in architecture, design and construction also influence the way I approach a certain project.
Each piece I create begins with a concept, which is sometimes triggered by a prompt or a brief, and an exploration of technique—whether it’s the rhythmic act of mixing up and rolling ink, the meticulous folding of paper or glueing and/or stitching of a book. Sketching the imagined final piece, taking precise measurements, selecting and playing with (leftover) materials, making protoypes, allowing yourself to make mistakes and learning from them and finally finetuning various ideas into something that’s pleasing and workable are all important steps in the whole process. This multi-focus allows me to appreciate the physicality of my materials, encouraging a hands-on approach that honours the labour intrinsic to these art forms. Every final piece of work serves as a vessel for my initial ideas, memories and experiences.
My works have been shown in national and international exhibitions including Bankside Gallery, the Royal Scottish Academy, libraries and galleries in the USA. In 2018 I was selected for the VACMA award to go on a two-week non-toxic printmaking residency in Massachusetts. One of my artists’ book collections was shortlisted for the Scottish Landscape Awards in 2023 and exhibited at City Art Centre in Edinburgh. I have won several awards at national and international bookbinding competitions and a few of my books are held in public collections.
Website: fenfolio.com
Instagram: @fenfolio
Facebook: Fenfolio
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