Fill in your name and email address below to join our Mailing List and we will keep you informed of project releases and any special offers.
Edinburgh artist, Priscilla Brightman, is set to add a splash of contemporary colour to the 18th Century Bell's Mills House, located in the capital's Dean Village, with the launch of her first art exhibition.
From Thursday 8th May, Priscilla will showcase her work within the five bedroom Georgian house, which has recently undergone restoration by BUREDI (a joint venture between The Burrell Company and EDI Group) and New City Vision.
Her art collection will feature a number of paintings created over the years as well as several specially commissioned pieces, inspired by the surrounding picturesque locale which forms part of Edinburgh's World Heritage site.
Priscilla, who is looking forward to the launch in the house, said: "I'm delighted to have been invited to showcase my work here, it's a great place to host the exhibition and get inspired by the history and grandeur."
"I have created these new pieces which will feature aspects recognisable to the area, from the quirky bridge, the wall by the Water of Leith to the church steeple as well as harder to find garden delights such as the blossom covered orchard, Lily of the Valley and Wild Garlic.
"I'm keen to merge the old with the new in my creations, which ties in nicely with both The Burrell Company's and New City Vision's philosophy on restoring some of Scotland's oldest buildings, beautifully incorporating both the past and present."
The Perth born artist was relocated through work to Edinburgh in 1984 and lived in the Bruntsfield area for six years before setting up home in Craiglockhart in 1990 with husband, Andrew Taylor.
Although she always had a passion for painting, Priscilla didn't get the opportunity until 2000 when she enrolled in the part-time degree course at Edinburgh College of Art. Previously, she had spent most of her working life in finance, therefore undertaking a BA in Art and Design would bring a refreshing new challenge.
Priscilla said: "I had spent over 25 years working in finance before I decided to take the giant step and undertake the degree course. It was hard work and took six years to complete, which involved me working full-time and dedicating all my free time to the course.
"I managed it and was delighted when the final year show at the RSA ended with my first painting being sold to an art lover in London. It was a semi-abstract canvas looking over the water from Aberlady and sold for �360, it really boosted my confidence."
Now Priscilla spends most of her time between conducting art classes for the City of Edinburgh Council at locations which include Carrickvale Community Centre, James Gillespie's High School and Cameron House, and creating new work from her charming garden studio at her home in Craiglockhart.
Priscilla Brightman's work which includes the Dean Village inspired commissions will be on display at Bell's Mills House from Thu 8 May - Mon 30 June. Entry is free and many of her pieces will be available for sale.
For further information on artist, Priscilla Brightman, visit her website at:
www.art-priscillabrightman.co.uk
For further details on Bell's Mills House or the new-build apartments please contact selling agents Rettie and Company on 0131 332 9133 or visit www.bellsmills.co.uk
-Ends-
Artist statement:
Priscilla Brightman, BA Combined Studies, Art and Design
From architecture and bricklaying to marketing and sales, members of my family and friends have been and are involved in the construction industry so I have always had an interest in the early stages of buildings. When I was asked if I wanted to do some new pieces of work inspired by Bell's Mills and the surrounding area, I was pleased and excited at the prospect.
Springtime is a particular favourite of mine when there is the promise of new growth bursting through any available crevice, for example trees growing out of old stone walls, and sunlight flickering through trees onto water. I'm drawn to the detritus of the building site where there are old corner stones, carved stone, rubble and rusting metal. These are all important pieces from times gone by reminding me also of childhood games when everything was a freshly discovered treasure.
I love walking the Water of Leith from the bottom of Craiglockhart Avenue to the Firth of Forth and being delighted by the mass of colour, shapes and wild foliage beside the water. This inspired a series of paintings which I did in my final year at ECA in 2006 and some of these are displayed in the exhibition.