An incredible opportunity has arisen at Logan Botanic Garden near Stranraer, in Dumfries and Galloway, to take part in an art class with skilled artist Glenda Waterworth on Saturday 11th June and Sunday 12th June. Known as Scotland’s most exotic garden, Logan presents a wealth of opportunities for artists with its stunning views and an outstanding collection of plants.
Glenda’s teaching style is very relaxed, her goal is for participants to have fun while taking the class. Her relaxed approach lets people use their own intuition while being there to guide them. Being experimental is highly encouraged and she emphasises that taking part is all about the process and not just the final piece of artwork.
On day one, building up to making a final piece of artwork, participants will explore the Garden and develop ideas on how they’d like to tackle their final piece. Firstly, sketching parts of the Garden to get a feel for their surroundings and consider what they’d like to focus on. The target is for them to tap into their own inspiration. Glenda will teach participants to simplify their drawings and sketches as garden surroundings can be complicated and overwhelming. This is important in helping to build art skills.
Participants will take photos around the Garden for inspiration and use them to brainstorm ideas. After they get a feel for the surroundings, Glenda will start with some loosening up paint exercises, teaching some skills and tricks on how to work with acrylic paint. A big part of Glenda’s own artwork is texture, she will explore this with participants and there is a possibility of even using leaves and other materials from the Garden in their artworks. Day two will mainly consist of building up a final piece of artwork from start to finish with Glenda’s assistance.
Artist Glenda Waterworth explained: “In taking part, participants can expect a fun and fresh approach to capturing the colours and impressions of the Gardens through structured exercises, sketches and experimentation.”
Richard Baines, Curator at Logan added: “The Garden can be truly inspirational and bring us all much closer to nature in a peaceful and tranquil setting. Learning in a relaxed atmosphere with a talented teacher allows us all to bring out the best in our creativity.”
Price: £180 for 2 days, £95 per day.
Glenda Waterworth said “I try to express my feelings on the canvas, whether that is a response to the landscape and sea views around me, or an expression of my inner emotions through colour and texture.
Water frequently appears in my work, whether it is the lakes I grew up around in Cumbria or the sea views I look out on every day.
I work mainly in acrylics and oils and like to incorporate texture into my work.
I consider myself a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for bold colour as the unifying factor across all my work. “
Located on the south-western tip of Scotland, Logan Botanic Garden enjoys an almost subtropical climate and is known as Scotland’s most exotic Garden. The Garden’s avenues and borders feature a spectacular and colourful array of half-hardy perennials. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, plants from Australia, New Zealand, South and Central Americia and South Africa thrive in the mild climate. Learn more: Logan Botanic Garden | Visit | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (rbge.org.uk)
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a leading international research organisation delivering knowledge, education and plant conservation action around the world. In Scotland its four Gardens at Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan attract nearly a million visitors each year. It operates as a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Government. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ministers. Its mission is “To explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future.” Learn more: www.rbge.org.uk
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a charity registered in Scotland (No SC007983
