Air and Water

“Working in the High Street of the town has certainly surprised and pleased me no end. What has delighted me most is meeting the colourful locals on the street. Ellen (EMBgraphics) and her banter about how great it would be if Dunkeld Street was pedestrianised is always a pleasure; and to have a bookseller like Christopher (Freaders) next door is a real advantage to any artist. I discovered, too, that Christopher has a very soft spot for lemon sponge cake.”

A little further down the road is ‘the most amiable and fit’ Ryan Hannigan and his Gallery. “That has all the essential supplies I may require, and many times has he saved the day for me (and a trip to Perth) by having the correct colour. He, too, fantasises about the Aberfeldy of the future,” reported Eric.

He reckoned that life in ‘the street’ would be a disaster without the continuous supply of superb coffee from Allen and the team at The Quaich. “I guess I am responsible for at least 100 of the 2000 or so cups of coffee sold by Allen per month. The girls and boys at Windows, and Dows across the road, all go to make this a great place to function, as all my needs are met within a radius of 20 metres,” he said.

The future

His plans for the future he summed up as: “Paint, paint and paint some more. Large, moody storm and seascapes - all for an exhibition this time next year at a venue to be announced. More portraits of the ‘people of Aberfeldy’ from the beautiful to a self portrait. I have a nice little collection growing now, as I have painted at least 15 Aberfeldians over the course of last year.”

He added: “On a personal level it is the challenge of these large seascapes that has me by the brushes. I invite any passer by to observe the progress of these “masterpieces” as they will be on display from first stroke to last.”