Tags
art, Isle of Arran, music, Open Studios, paddle steamer, Scotland, summer, Waverley
aefintyr…to venture. ‘…implies a strong element of risk & the fear & excitement of facing the unknown and unpredictable… a spirit of restless curiosity.’ — Brian Fagan, Behind the Blue Horizon
The hand-lettered sign in artist Robert Steven’s studio became the theme for our day of touring a few of the fabulous artist studios open to the public for Arran’s Open Studios, a beloved annual event returning after covid absence.
In an idyllic setting looking over the water, with a flowing burn surrounded by a fantasy garden, multi-media artist Robert Stevens translates his artistic vision into multiple media forms, from pottery to sculpture to painting and drawing. (Note the sculptured “Sealot” a combination of Arran’s beloved seals and otters found only in Rob’s imagination.)
Internationally recognized sculptor Tim Pomeroy and his partner, well-known painter Josephine Broekhuizen share studios in a stunning location.
Painter and printmaker Josephine Broekhuizen.
Painter, harp maker, musician, and teacher Heather MacLeod in her color-splashed studio. [Check out Heather’s wonderful overalls, hand-painted by the artist herself!]
Lunch meant a stop for fish & chips at the Kildonan Hotel (considered best on the island by some Arran fans). Add a cider, blue skies, and view of both Pladda and Ailsa Craig islands, and you’ve got the perfect summer lunch. [NOTE: if you have an extra £350K lying around and you’ve always dreamed of owning an island with its very own lighthouse, Pladda is for sale.]
And if you need a way to get out to your island, Tim Pomeroy is looking for unreasonable offers on his boat…
What came home with me? This amazing mixed-media landscape by artist Jane Greenstreet.
AND to add to the overall awesomeness of last week, we got to see Arran from a new perspective as we sailed on the Waverley, the oldest operating seagoing paddle steamer.
Barb Taub 
Got to see Tim and Josephine’s work and a few others but also had to miss some as well. Sometimes the time thief gets ahold of you. Did get to visit High Corrie. Amazing place.
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Thanks for the tour! Nice to see that you’re getting some good weather.
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what a wonderful adventure indeed. nice to take a peek inside the studios and the boat…! wow
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What a brilliant and wonderfully colourful adventure you enjoyed. I very much love all those artists’ art and the landscape is truly wonderful.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful day. Aren’t steamboats the best thing ever? We have one to several on all our larger lakes and they are a huge attraction to everybody. Even to me who ‘uses’ them as often as possible.
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Great post Barb thanks. And thanks for a new word.
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What a fabulous group of artists! I could have a field day…
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Thanks for a beautiful virtual tour! I love the idea of an Open Studios day. Also, it never occurred to me that there are actually people who make harps. For some reason, this blows my mind. I never thought about where harps come from.
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No wonder you enjoy living on Arran, Barb! What great photos of its many attractions and arts/artists. I send my very best wishes to you via Darlene, who ‘wings’ her way to you shortly. Cheers! xx
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What a fantastic tour, Barb. And I totally love the artwork you chose. And what a gorgeous day to boot, along with fish and chips (my yum food).
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Looks like a gorgeously fun day!
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There is nothing more enjoyable than an artist tour like this. The islands off the coast of British Columbia do this as well. So much fun. I love the treasure you brought home.
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Oh wow, love the overalls, the views, and the landscape you brought home. Isn’t it great to find such treasure right where you live!
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What a blessing to have such artists right next door! Arran must be one of the most inspiring places in the world.
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sorry, I had to come back, for another snatch of your fish and chips at the sea….. one of my most faved memories of my time at the South of Devon in England. We had all the best places for f&c engraved in our heads and the shores are all glorious anyway. I DO miss my England and I yearn to be able (and willing) to visit it all again, but most I miss our wonderful friends we made and kept.
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Drooling over the unique artwork but my heart has been lost to the sealots! Kevin and I are both familiar with the Waverley thaks to our Scottish parents and our daughters bought us a trip on it when it came to Pembrokeshire years ago – doesn’t seem to have changed much…
Having seen that beautiful blue day, I’m off to break open the piggybank to see if I have enough for Pladda and the boat to get me there.
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When you finally have the event in-person after a Covid hiatus, it is even more spectacular.
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