Artist Ron Lawson showcases his fascination with the Hebrides in new exhibition

Landscape artist Ron Lawson’s portrayals of the raw and rugged beauty of the Hebrides have been put on show at one of Scotland’s leading contemporary art galleries.

The painter’s latest exhibition, Looking Back, opened last weekend at the Strathearn Gallery in Crieff, showcasing over 50 new original works.

Based in Perthshire, Lawson spent 34 years working at Sunday Post publisher DC Thomson’s art studios before deciding in 2010 to leave full-time employment and concentrate solely on his art career.

Such is his fascination for the islands, he knows he would be happy to only paint their landscape for the remainder of his career.

Travelling there year after year, he hopes one day to have his own cottage on one of the islands which could serve as a sanctuary for further inspiration.

Lawson said: “I always feel I want to be in The Hebrides and spend as much time there as I possibly can. I usually visit in the spring time, but would love to spend a winter there, despite the harsh environment. It’s an ambition of mine to put down some roots and have a place of my own one day.

“The draw of the islands is what inspires me to keep painting there – I love every aspect, even when it’s raining! I can find no greater source of painting inspiration – there’s nothing that tempts me to paint anywhere else at this time.”

Lawson’s unique work has found fans across the globe, with clients as far away as Asia, the US and New Zealand.

Some have even been inspired by his work to visit the Hebrides themselves.

Lawson said: “The number of American clients who buy my work is really quite incredible, as a lot of people from the US tend to have some connection with Scotland.

“Some of them have even gone to the trouble of actually coming over and visiting The Hebrides. I’m thrilled my work has such a global appeal.”

Despite having travelled to some of the world’s most captivating cities to display his work, the islands have truly won Lawson’s heart, and have been firing his imagination since he first learned about them as a young child.

He recalled: “When I was a child we would holiday on the North West Coast in the Highlands. I’d always built up this mystique and intrigue about the islands because we always stayed on the mainland. Whenever I saw the ferry from Ullapool heading off to Stornoway, I just knew I had to get there one day.

“Although my very first journey to The Hebrides was such a culture shock. I was just blown away by the place, it was so different to anywhere I had ever experienced before. Everywhere was just so remote and so isolated, yet for centuries people have been living and existing there. However, despite the wilderness, something about their unique beauty left an indelible impression on me, and I had to paint them.

“Ever since then, I’ve been trying to capture my impression and feeling of The Hebrides into intimate paintings. It’s just an integral part of who I am, what I paint, is The Hebrides.”

Describing his draw to the islands as ‘destiny’, Lawson says his artistic mission is to highlight the beauty of a remote and perhaps at times unforgiving part of Scotland that is so often overlooked.

He added: “I’m very lucky in that the stars have always aligned when it comes to painting, it’s the only consistent thing I’ve done throughout my life. I’ve had other hobbies and interests, but never really excelled at anything else.

“The fact that I paint and ended up on those Hebridean islands that have inspired me so much, it was like it was some form of destiny that I just happened to be in the right place.

“Obviously to be a successful artist is very hard work, but it’s almost bordering on a dream come true for any artist, being in the position I’ve found myself in and being able to do something you love.”

His latest exhibition at the Strathearn Gallery is ‘Looking Back’ at Ron’s career, life on The Hebrides and his trips over the last 40 years with over 50 new paintings.

Since opening in 1994, Perthshire’s Strathearn Gallery has built a reputation for showcasing some of the best original art Scotland has to offer.

Owner Susan Bennett is excited for the gallery to host Lawson and his hugely popular works this autumn.

She said: “We always strive to exhibit what we see to be the very best of Scottish contemporary art and are delighted to continue to build on our strong relationship with Ron, a truly defining Scottish artist.

“Having worked closely with Ron for many years now, we’ve developed a great connection with him and I know he feels that the Strathearn Gallery is a home for his art and a place where he can really tell his story and share his journey. Although there’s huge demand for his work, Ron only wants to have two gallery exhibitions a year, one with each of our Strathearn and Annan galleries and we are honoured to be his chosen galleries.

“There’s a growing sense the Strathearn Gallery is being seen as a tourist destination in its own right and we know that Ron’s works have both a local, Scottish appeal and have gained interest further afield too. As such, we feel our upcoming collaboration will bring a diverse audience to the exhibition and we look forward to welcoming everyone in October.”

Ron Lawson’s solo exhibition runs until 13th November 2022.