Spotlight

Of Big and Small Artworks

Tue, 06 May 2025 13:38:24 GMT

Are you decorating ?Do you want to liven up a wall space or a display area?

Thinking about large and small artworks can give you some inspiration!

Art is a marvellous way to bring colour,interest,design and more into your living and work spaces.Thinking about the size can give you contrast and variety in your spaces.

I have been redecorating the whole house so I have just completed a revamp of my home artwork to suit the new colour schemes.

Let's talk BIG artworks

L arge artworks are statement pieces.Each one shouts out

#This is what I love

#This is what I want to see in my home or office

#This is what I what my housefolks,family or colleagues to know about me

#This is an artist I admire

#This is what guests or visitors can enjoy /be surprised by/become curious about in my home/office

The bigger the artwork usually the bigger the impact.It stands out and cannot be missed by all.

Finding the right place to hang a large artwork.

Main high traffic rooms/spaces like livingrooms or main office .Entrances can benefit from statement artworks.

Above focal points such as fireplaces or on main walls seen early by visitors such as receptions can be good places for a large work.This can convey messages about what is important to you and convey the feeling or atmosphere important to you such as calm or relaxing.If you care about the environment a themed artwork could be what you are looking for so thinking about your message is vital.

What to avoid

Avoid artworks too large or too small for your space. Too large can overdominate your space and become oppressive and too small can look unimpactful. Measure what you think will work and take advice from the artist if possible.Try out the artwork in situ if you can .

Let's Talk Art Minis

Sometimes you want to brighten a smaller space and get the benefit of something to capture your imagination or curiosity.

#A reading corner

#Opposite your seat at the dining table

#A small office wall space

#A corner of a book shelf

#A furniture space for collectibles

#Opposite the loo!

Smaller works can provide that interest in these spaces. The size will depend on how close the viewer will be.

Folks often like to take in from a seated position so these can be lower down and detail will fascinate if someone is viewing for a while.I find minis can hold a lot of detail in their composition. I see new details all the time when they are displayed and surprises come when you forget some of these too.

Minis are ideal to give you a restful distraction while having coffee,having a break from work or just relaxing in a space.

A mini oil and wax stays on my art store desk . I remember making it for an art postcard challenge and never posted it becuased I enjoyed it so much

I like to have small experimental pieces on that desk -small art books or concertina artbooksall speak to me.I even have a bundle of minis for cards at hand to look through.Others artist's work find a place there too. If I can't buy anything big a smaller piece can bring great enjoyment.

Mini artworks can be freestanding and don't have to be framed .Sometimes an unexpected high or low placing of an artwork or even a pair of artworks can create the curiosity you might want .You will find you look at them more often .Changing them around also keeps things fresh and minis are easy to move about.

New Artwork 2024

Tue, 07 May 2024 13:26:11 GMT

Summer Abstracts for a Gallery Wall

These lively abstract summer paintings promise to infuse our days with a charming essence as we approach the season. They serve as lovely mementos of the sunny days awaiting us as time progresses. Each artwork boasts intricate hand-printing for the backdrop and expert hand-finishing across various layers. The vibrant strokes exude vitality and creative spark, featuring stunning sea green and sand tones blended with a hint of purple-red charm. Evoking fond memories of carefree days by the seaside. I love painting abstracts that give the feeling of movement and simplicity.

This set of six paintings makes for a harmonious collection that can be displayed together in a single space or spread out throughout a room.

Art Studio Spring Clean

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:07:58 GMT

Spring cleaning in the art studio -making it easier this year!

I usually do the studio spring clean in January but brought it forward and started in December this year because I wanted to get to the exciting stuff of the 100 Days Project in January!

It helped me unwind in December prior to Christmas when fairs were finished and it was satisfying to have started it --less intimidating perhaps.

Everyone has a different way of tackling tasks so this is not a blue print! Do your own thing but you might get some ideas.

This is the first time I have taken a checklist I had in my head and put it down.

Prior to Christmas

1.All art fair boxes emptied and products returned to storage or returned to main art fair boxes so I have a start on selections for next art fairs.

2.Storage area reorganised with labelled storage boxes to reflect Spring/Summer/Autumn. Christmas storage boxes (bigger amount)put away in a dedicated cupboard in the studio.

3.Storage area -old end of range frames boxed for charity shop

4.Dry workstation(old table and bookshelf!)All items not required recycled where possible or turfed if necessary. Tidied up.

5.All previous work still in portfolio case rechecked, some mounted, some recycled for cards or collage materials. I like to make decisions on each piece

but still return some to the portfolio case if not sure yet. Decisions are usually easier when I put the artwork away for a while. Maybe I am less precious about it and can be ruthless when needed.

Post Christmas

6.All Christmas Decorations taken down in the art studio ,boxed and stored.

7.Products in the studio assessed: stored, upgraded or recycled.

8.Specific Christmas art stored and some Spring Art hung.(More will go up later)

9.All art materials checked

#Brushes

#Paints

#Art Mediums

#Paper/Boards/Canvasses

Stored in boxes or on trays ready for use

it is amazing what you find when you do this .Loads I do not need to buy !

10.Tidy up of book resources and some decanted into the store.

11.All last years sketchbooks stored together ready for inspiring new work.

12.Website check. Christmas items taken down and some spring items loaded up.

This checklist will give me a start for next year. Won't be trying to keep it in my head.

Now I can start work on new art without being distracted by basic tidy up requirements or wasting time trying to find stuff.

It all sounds quite organised on paper .I know I didn't do all of this last year and I wish I had.

Less clutter ,especially in the store area would have helped enormously. But most of all it now feels more stress free-at least for now.

Hope I can keep it tidy .Wish me luck because I am not the tidiest of people !

ART and HOME DECOR

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:35:47 GMT

Choosing Art for the Home

Some thoughts on Home Decor and Art ............... .

What are you working on in your home at the moment?

So many folks are either spring cleaning or redecorating seeking a fresh look to greet the Spring Season.

I have hardly started the house spring clean-the Garden Studio and my Conservatory store have been completed .I know what my priorities are!

Back to the home. If I 'm decorating I always change my artwork. I prefer the art to reflect the new look and don't like to be restricted to making the look fit the art. If I am not decorating a space I often change the artwork for a fresh look. That can be changing artwork from one room to another or creating new artwork to suit.

COLOUR

I have customers who make decisions on art mainly on colour and I often get asked if that annoys me. No definitely not. Colour engages us fundamentally and can reflect the seasons .It is my number one factor so why shouldn't it be that for other folks. I like to reflect the seasonal colours in my art and customers can usually engage with that. Sometimes folks ask me for a style or content of artwork they see in the studio or online but want different colour accents. This takes us into the realms of commission but why not if that is really what the customer wants.

Spring usually makes us think of brighter colours with pastels often featuring. See "Snowdrop Wood" above. The trees are still quite dark and sparse but the light is bringing a spring feel and magic with new pastel colours .A local artist can help you find something to suit your new decor and it can be worth taking a swatch of material or a paint card with you. It is not about matching but finding something to complement your your colours.

Landscape or Portrait Shape

It is important to have an idea which shape suits the space you want to adorn with your new artwork. This can often be dictated by the size of the wall space .There is no golden rule on this and it is often pure personal preference .I find customers like landscapes in portrait shape just as much as landscape shape. However size of artwork is a factor here. What will fit your space and have impact? I had a customer at the Central Fife Open Studio

event last year who had bought from a artist on holiday and found the chosen artwork was the wrong size and that the colours were not what they wanted. They commissioned a larger portrait shape seascape with different colours to suit their beautiful new kitchen. They remembered to bring the preferred size with them.

One Artwork or More ?

There are lots of ways to show off your artwork(s)!

Pairing artworks can add extra interest especially if you have similar colours with different content. This works well with abstracts which have been painted at the same time. I love the way customers explore the different shapes and make their own interpretations of the work. This can be doubly exciting with paired artworks.

Triptychs are interesting too. This is when 3 paintings are made at the same time and are displayed in 3 frames or on canvasses. Sometimes it is one scene which unfolds across the 3.Pairs and triptychs bring added interest if you have space.

Gallery walls are very popular .This is often used where a customer wants to be able to add more to a collection of art. Customers sometimes find it hard to know where to start even although they are excited by the idea of forming a collection. Collections can be of originals or prints and sometimes a mixture. A way to start can be to choose a theme for the content of the works e.g. Fife Coastal Scenes or Flowers or you can plan a colour theme such as blues to complement a light wall. Once you get started you can start to see what fascinates you. While writing I am looking at my office wall

with a blue theme. It has 6 artworks at the moment with two blue landscapes in white wood, two scenes on portrait shape wood one landscape and one seascape, an abstract with blue in a white square frame and a square landscape in a floating frame. I like variety but my favourite colour is blue with yellow a close second and that's what I am looking at right now.

Think I may add to this wall soon.

Hope this gives food for thought folks.Let me know what you are thinking!

New Artwork

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:54:12 GMT

2023"Briar Rose" Large Canvas Abstract By Fife Artist Kathleen Taylor

The Top painting is an abstract of a briar rose based on work undertaken in 2023 100 Days Project ARTYFLORA with predominantly blue, green and yellow. You can see the textures and shapes inviting you to meander round the rose. This is on a quality sturdy canvas with deep sides also painted in green. It picks up the beauty and the sharpness of the rose reminding us of the contrasts within the flower and in life.

Acrylic and watercolour painting “Flowers in Solitude” by Kathleen Taylor Fife Artist

The middle painting is an abstract garden flower scene which explores the subtle blues ,purples and pinks of a quiet garden and is inspired by all those places with flowers where you feel secluded and marvellously cared for by the solitude, enhancing your well being.

Acrylic and ink abstract painting “Jump into Spring” by Kathleen Taylor Fife Artist

This colourful abstract uses different shades of pastel pink and yellow to remind you of spring and the circle and the funnel effect draws you deep into a new season. Enjoy that emersion.

Creating a Garden Art Studio Part 3

kathleentaylorart@gmail.com (Kathleen Taylor) — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:05:21 GMT

Planning and Using the Internal Space

What you do with the internal space depends on your overall concept and your budget.

Remember the list?

Studio only
Studio/shop
Studio/shop/office

Some useful questions but sure you will think of more!

Keep your concept in mind as you consider these and any others.

1.What furniture /storage do you need for your concept?

2.What lighting do you need?

3.Have you factored in heating arrangements?

4.Is WiFi access crucial?

5.What kind of flooring suits your needs and does it need to be different in different areas?

What did I have to consider?

My concept was a Studio/shop and at first I thought two distinct spaces could be made with the use of partitioning. That was knocked on its head very quickly. The space would be too crowded and aesthetically unpleasing with the entry to the studio opening on to a partition. Ok not a bright idea. I decided to keep one open space.

I wanted to use my fairly new kitchen units from the conservatory in the studio if possible. Luckily they fitted well into the side wall and transferred without dismantling .All my art production materials could stay in their homes and would be easy to find!

I liked the thought of using new and old storage together and sourced a lovely dark Ercol kitchen unit at a second hand store which would give me great display surfaces and storage underneath for cards/gifts. Later when I moved in I realised I still needed more storage for framed art and also prints. I sourced another dresser type unit in lighter wood which now gives bumper storage. This sounds as if I am super organised but I have to work at keeping the storage tidy and I don't always remember where I put things.

Gallery space was easy. My husband -ex joiner to trade-sourced gallery fixings online ,found flexible directional lighting and bars at the local electrical shop and put enough in to use the whole of the studio. Central strobe lighting went in to supplement when day light is not available. Folks tend to question if I do paint in the studio because they tend to see it in gallery/shop mode and I reassure them I do get the big portable table out and cover the floor so I have maximum elbow room to work .I also bought a large easel on wheels which can be positioned any where in the studio to get the best lighting.

My husband put in dark wood effect lino to be easy for washing and not too expensive if splashed. Ever practical. He also had put in a heating and air conditioning unit from Log Cabins Scotland which works brilliantly in different seasons.

Reality versus the Plans

I love the look of the studio from the two main doors into the space. The space feels arty and crafty and it is good to see your own work displayed and see how it changes.

I love to open up the double doors in the summer .It feels as if I am in the garden. Last summer I started using the outside space more and really messy work is ideal in the garden.

The space is already over stretched since my son started designing wood gifts for me so I have put packaging ,frames etc back in the conservatory which has now become a storage room. I need to check stock regularly and spring cleaning and stocktaking is a great January task.

I am sharing a new computer with my husband so most admin is done in the house. I don't need WIFI in the studio and mobile phone works for everything including payments.

The flexibility of the space works well at the moment .The conservatory space is so helpful and the rest of the house is art and craft free.

Now I can concentrate on my painting and of course selling my work(let's face it I need loads of materials and I still manage to give a donation to charity after I pay my taxes! After all that's how this all started!

Creating a Garden Art Space

kathleentaylorart@gmail.com (Kathleen Taylor) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 19:21:06 GMT

Part 2: The External Build

In Part 1 of this blog "Creating a Garden art Studio" I concentrated on some of the big decisions required to help you make up your mind to go ahead. Thank you to the many who read the first part and to those who gave me such positive feedback.If you want to read Part 1 use this link

https://www.kathleentaylorartandgifts.com/creating-a-garden-art-studio-part-1-making-the-decision-to-go-ahead

Decisions are, however, required continuously at every stage and work best if there is continuous and open discussion with all the parties. Not always easy especially if you have no experience of building requirements like myself but a modicum of common sense usually helps you through or a helpful other half ( always something my husband excels at-making me understand what is needed). Creating the external build can be fairly straightforward if the studio is ready built and just needs to be erected but a bit more complex if it is bespoke.

It is really important to have a list of key Artist's needs to keep in mind throughout. You will be the main user and your needs have to be worked on.

Key needs for most artists include:

1.Light. When do you want to use your space? When is the best time of day to get the light you need and where does your build need to go to maximise the light and your working practice?

2.Access to water. Do you need wet space? How can that be achieved?

3. Storage space. Will the internal dimensions give you enough or do you need to add storage externally?

4.Electrics -Lights/heating/Wi-Fi etc. What do you need?

5.Access for you and customers. Paths or stairs need to be worked out early.

Having a plan of the internal layout at this stage is crucial. It may change a bit but if you want your lights in the right place you need to get your electrical sources in the right place. Remember your concept as we discussed in Part 1. It is only with hindsight that I realise why my husband kept asking me so many questions. He needed to liaise with the contractor and had to be pretty certain what I needed before he spoke to them!

We chose Log Cabins Scotland Limited as our preferred supplier and knew their reputation and established a relationship with them from the outset. You know when a supplier is listening well and also when they are advising you to think about decisions. I thoroughly enjoyed choosing the colour for the studio quite early on and the excitement of seeing that colour going on to the external walls later was a highlight for me whereas my husband was deep in discussion about windows, doors, roofing etc.....and how the contractor managed the work.

My husband dealt with the sizes-thank goodness- I would have been terrified to make a mistake, but the company came and did a recce of the site and double checked everything before ordering the materials from their suppliers. I stood a bit on the side lines as the workers and hubby discussed foundations and where the studio would be placed for maximum light and how to get the maximum space internally. The contractors knew all the regulations for height and building regulations so we could rely on them to keep us right.

The decisions I was most involved with were these:

#Facing the cabin South to get maximum light especially in the afternoons when I would be working most. Taking out a little used decking area was the best plan.

#No need for water since we had external water and were also very close to the house with a second sink in kitchen already

#No need for personal loo either. Saved on drainage/plumbing

#Sizes and placing of windows and door for maximum light/easy access

#Heating and air-conditioning to use the studio all year.

#Storage to be free standing internally for flexibility (- no space to add anything outside)

#How to ensure the garden space still worked for us -we did not want to redo paving etc since it had just been done the year before.

My husband covered guttering/electrics which were embedded into the walls/preparing for foundations/clearing space/timescales/and anything else the contractor needed at that stage.

The weather was sunny and mild in February 2020 and the external work was completed in a week after the foundations were completed. The work was fascinating to watch, and I was pleased to see such quick progress with no holdups. It was only when the walls were up and the roof on that I really could imagine how the space could work and began to adjust some of my earlier thinking. The space needed to be as flexible as possible and the idea of dividing the space into shop and production felt too claustrophobic-it was too small a space. No dividing walls or free-standing dividers. I wanted it open. Folks would see the messy side as well as the display side. I started to really think about the storage and the practicalities of working in the space. In the meantime, I got all the art supplies cleared out and organised because this was going to happen quickly. Somehow it was not a chore this time-I would have it all in one place, my art space!

Watch out for the next instalment Part 3 Creating the Internal Space

Creating a Garden Art Studio

kathleentaylorart@gmail.com (Kathleen Taylor) — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 13:14:11 GMT

Part 1 :Making the decision to go ahead..........

Well here goes-my first Blog post. No doubt this will be an interesting experience!

Many artists discuss the importance of dedicated space no matter how small, portable or quirky. Everything from Kate Moores ,figurative Artist working from her car boot when working au plein air or American Artist Betty Franks working in a small space in her parents' home when visiting Croatia. I love sneaky peeks at how artists make spaces their own.

I started painting in a corner of my dining room, moved into a more structured space in my conservatory and by the beginning of the first COVID lockdown I had just finished (with massive help from my hubby) my new garden art studio where I work today.

Recently, a new artist visited me during Central Fife Open Studios had loads of questions about creating a garden art space so hence my first topic.

I found we did a lot of thinking, talking and planning in advance of making the big decision to go ahead so perhaps our thinking might help others.

Also, can I say we did not get everything right.

To Do or Not to Do .....How to make up your Mind

1. Work with key members of the family-it is their space too and it will affect them.

2. Work on your overall concept. Studio only /Dual studio and shop/Studio/shop/Office Triple Function

Decide what you need the space for and be prepared to prioritise later according to the space /cost etc.

3. Will it be worth it? In terms of finances and effort? No matter the size your build will take planning, effort in building, moving in and sorting out the space. Research what is available at the price you want to pay whether ready-made or custom built. Do you have a short list of preferred suppliers?Really check around and look at reviews and costs.

Also consider if you need to have a return on your investment and if that is likely or over what period of time you would want to have this.

4. What ground do you have for your build? What size do you need? Do they match?

5 .Check out the access from the street if you want to encourage visitors and also consider how the family /you will feel if you have to bring visitors through the main house.

6. Visualise your space and think if you can make it work for you and think of the additional costs of fitting out the internal space.

7. Manage your expectations--this is perhaps the hardest part especially if you get excited about the project.

8 .Can you do all the project management yourself? Do you need other help?

What about our experience of making that decision?

A fellow maker's husband recently visited my studio and asked if I found having my workspace next to the house "intrusive". A great question!

Some folks will struggle with that -perhaps someone in the family or yourself. Everyone is different. I used to sell from the house for Children in Need in the early days and was used to visitors coming into the house so having a dedicated space next to the house was a wonderful thought.

On the financial front-at my early stage of selling my work I could not envisage making a return on my investment for a long, long time so when my husband decided to build me a custom-made cabin for my birthday (and probably every birthday in the future) I was delighted.

My hardest job was understanding the space available. The floor plan of an old decking area is hard to visualise with walls. Originally, I wanted a shop/

as well as a studio in equal parts but had to revise that later. I knew independent side access was perfect. I got excited and started thinking about the internal space /look even before the external work was started leaving most of that to my husband, who was a ready-made project manager and on site.

A pros and cons list is a simple tool and can help you decide to do or not to do.

My biggest question was what will happen if I don't do this?

Some answers..........................Home overrun with supplies /art, Restricted art growth, / No personal space to think, play, create

I had loads on my side, so I jumped at the chance!

There may be loads of other considerations to take on board, but these are the ones we concentrated on. Feel free to add your thoughts and experience.

Meeting the artist in person

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 10:54:12 GMT

Kathleen Taylor Fife artist finishing a large canvas commission in the studio in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland

Are you within travel distance of Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland?

You are welcome to visit my garden studio by personal appointment to suit us both, or visit when the studio is open for a regular Open Studio Event.

Open Studio Events take place on Sunday afternoons 1-4pm, and dates will be available here.

Dates:

TBC

Address:

Open Studio Kathleen Taylor Art and Gifts

18 Gosford Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, KY2 6TZ

If you would like to arrange a visit, please get in touch with me to request an appointment – please suggest a time that would suit you.

Events 2025

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 10:54:12 GMT

Delighted to ensure our studio opens conveniently to accommodate us both. Please reach out via email at kathleentaylorart@gmail.com or utilize the contact form on the website.

Events 2025:

Exciting upcoming events await for unique gift ideas and places to entertain your visiting guests.Watch out for more information on Facebook,Instagram and Stories

March - Spring Studio, Newliston Kirkcaldy KY2 6TZ Completed

April - Falkirk Wheel 26th Completed

May Falkirk Wheel 21st May Completed

J une -June 21st Strathallan School Fayre

June - Falkirk Wheel Art Fair (Print Room)28th June 11-4pm

July 5th CrossGates Gala

July - 3D2d New Battle College Edinburgh Summer Event on July 12th.

July-Aberdour Arts Festival on July25th 26th, 27th

...................................................................................................................................................................................................

August Falkirk Wheel -30st August

September 12/13/14th September Central Fife Artist Collective at Adam Smith

September Central Fife Open Studios with Central Fife Artist Collective

September 20th 21 st September 10.30-5pm

Still to look forward to..............................

115th Fife Scouts at HOPE Church KIRKCALDY Friday 7th November

Fife Makers at Balmullo Saturday 15th November

Early Christmas Studio7-9 Friday 21 November

My Christmas Open Studio Saturday 6th December 1-5 pm

Christmas Online from September - Explore our online Christmas shopping experience at www.kathleentaylorartandgifts.com.

Other events to be confirmed

Happy to coordinate our schedules for a studio visit through out the year- just reach out via email at kathleentaylorart@gmail.com or through the contact form on the website.

Address: 18 Gosford Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, KY2 6TZ.

Fife, Scotland is host to many wonderful art and craft fairs and art festivals, especially in the summer but many all year round.

If you are in Scotland or visiting, you can stop by and see a selection of my work and have a chat. Tell me if you have a specific art or gift in mind and let me help you find that elusive present and add a hand painted card to complement your gift.