Short Stories & Anecdotes

News and new giclee releases by the artist Howard Butterworth

Headlines, Short Stories & Anecdotes

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My summer exhibition at The Butterworth Gallery continues with my work of “special paintings” these like my “In Miniature” are paintings that I have particularly liked and have kept as they represented the standard I wanted to achieve. This Summer exhibition includes some paintings of well loved places in Royal Deeside from over the last 15 years. In addition to the original oil paintings, Butterworth Studios Ltd has released 5 new signed giclees.

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“Ballogie” is an original oil painting that I painted when my eldest daughter Sarah and her family started the gallery in the old village shop, formly run by the Coutts family.

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“Dervaig”  I have spent time over the years visiting many favourite haunts of the West coast of Scotland and it’s islands. This particular trip to Mull in the 80’s was a wet one, so defying the weather I painted this village on a rather wet Saturday.  The aerial is an important part of the atmosphere and mood in this painting, as the family of the cottage were inside watching the television. During the evening I was asked to paint the aerial out but chose to be my normal awkward self and kept it in!

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“Poppies and Geraniums” This painting is of the front garden in Glenmuick and represents the startling contrast of colours that these two plants emanate against the backdrop over our garden fence.

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“Inchnabobart” is one of the Glenmuick cottages on the Balmoral Estate that has been used by the Royal family for their picnic lunches. This painting is special to me as I have captured the colours particularly accurately.

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“Harlequin”  One of my favourite places to visit and paint in upper deeside. In this particular painting i captured the chequered colours of the summer landscape which suggested the title. The view point overlooks the river Dee and the Quoich, looking up to Braeriach.

Currently I’m still out and about painting in easily accessible places for next year’s exhibition that will see me celebrate my 75th birthday.

If you have a memorable & favourite place, feel free to get in touch as I may have painted it and still have in my collection or I may be able to accept a commision.

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Celebrating Howards life of painting Royal Deeside

Short Stories & Anecdotes
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Please Sign Up Here to receive news of how you can be join in the celebrations.

On the build up to Howard turning 75 in 2020 the Butterworth family have a series of celebratory moments to mark Howard’s artistic achievements, since becoming a full time artist in 1977. For over 40 years he and the family have lived in Royal Deeside.

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“A very special place” in Glen Muick was the family home. From here he lived and breathed the birchwood views towards Ballater. “The Birches” have been captured in all fours seasons, with “Summer Birches” now being a sold out limited edition.

Autumn Birches
Winter Birches
Spring Birches

Over the years Howard  has been spotted painting another love, The River Dee. This Royal river flows through Royal Deeside from its majestic mountain source in the Cairngorm National Park to its merger with the North sea and the unspoilt North East coastline. Whatever the weather he has been out painting, capturing the forever changing moods of the light and colours of all the seasons across this great source of inspiration.

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Dates for the diary are

Summer 2019 Exhibition

June 2020   Book release – A collection of paintings, stories and anecdotes.

A recollection exhibition TBC

SIGN UP HERE to keep in touch.

 

“In Miniature”

Short Stories & Anecdotes

 

fbevent minatureThe Butterworth Gallery at Ballogie has a new display of my oil paintings, some of which have not previously been offered for sale. I’m delighted with the arrangement of these small paintings on the feature wall in the gallery with the bespoke framing from the Belvidere gallery in Aberdeen.

This original collection has some of my special paintings of favourite Scottish places that have meant so much to me over the years.

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“Sunlit Cottage, Loch Broom”

Over the years, I have frequently travelled the west coast of Scotland, being attracted to the rugged landscape with its dramatic light effects. My painting of the “Sunlit Cottage, Loch Broom” is a typical snapshot of both. I’m not sure if the red roof of the wee cottage was newly painted, but it allowed me to notice it and then capture it in my own paint. I knew I had an exact match!

This particular road trip took me through the scenic routes where visitors are now becoming more frequent and is known today as the North Coast 500.

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“Poolewe Sunset”

This painting was painted in the car park of the Poolewe Inn, now the Poolewe Hotel. I had been anticipating having an excellent evening meal on my carefully timed arrival, HOWEVER! when I arrived, I realised I had to setup and paint the dramatic sunset which i knew was coming from my experience of painting “En Plein Air”. Despite being covered in midge repellent and smelling of turps and oil paint, I painted and dinner arrived, not for me though, just for the midges! The next thing to arrive was the groups of well fed guests who admired  my painting skill and perseverance. Midnight feast was a well earned cold beef sandwich!

This painting is now available as both a signed giclee and lithograph. I get pleasure from the success of the image as it makes it all worthwhile.

I will be at the Butterworth Gallery at the weekends 2 – 4pm, and I’m available to personalise purchases.

The Butterworth Gallery is open 11 – 4pm Thursday – Sunday. Viewing outwith these times is  available by contacting Sarah on Tel 013398 86104

Thoughts of painting in Spain…

Headlines, Short Stories & Anecdotes
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“Villa Azul” Limited Edition Giclee Print by Howard Butterworth

Finding myself thinking of Spain & hopes of warming up, to start my year of painting ; however finding myself in better weather at home!

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Forest of Birse Church, through Finzean. Royal Deeside

My habit of starting the year with painting outside in blue skies, heat & with almond blossom has typically broken my January blues, however the light level over the past week at home has triggered me into action, despite it still being a bit cold.

So, whilst contemplating a trip to Spain, I find myself studying the weather reports, news and supermarkets!

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Yes, I have found that the Norfolk Savoy Cabbage is still available, whilst the Spanish Courgettes are now not to be found locally.

These unexpected changes are keeping me home as I don’t think the art market is quiet ready to believe snow covered palm trees and beaches. Instead, the blues skies and frosted landscape of Royal Deeside is more believable and attractive.

 

Over the next few weeks I will continue my contemplation of my pros & cons. In the meantime you may see me out and about in my Hilltrek red jacket!

Above, I’m putting the finishing touches to an Oil painting of “Mickle Kinord”  Muir Of Dinnet in the Cairngorm National Park

Painting ‘Oor Wullie’ for charity

Short Stories & Anecdotes

oorwullie logoI am delighted to be part of the Archie Foundations ‘Oor Wullie’ charity campaign 2016 to help raise funds for The ARCHIE Foundation’s Tayside Appeal for a Twin Theatre Suite. It’s a collaboration between Archie Foundation, DC Thomson and Wild in Art. Very much like the very successfull Wild Dolphins Trail 2014, for which I painted “Poppy”sponsored by John Clark Motors Group.

This time Archie are organising the ‘Oor Wullie’ bucket trail around Dundee and Tayside, it is to be made up of 50 ‘Oor Wullie’ sculptures painted by 50 different artists including my youngest daughter Mary Louise Butterworth ; It will be an eclectic mix of styles to delight everyone of all ages!

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“Oor Wheelie” has arrived!

It is again an exciting project, which is running in the year that the iconic ‘Oor Wullie’ celebrates it’s 80th Anniversary. The sculptures will be on display late  June, July and August, culminating in an auction to raise funds for the charity later in the year.

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My sketches of cartoon cars

My design, “Oor Wheelie” links in nicely with my supportive sponsor John Clark Motor Group ; I added some finishing touches at their Audi showroom at the end of May and had a lovely catch up with the team and a special Archie Foundation guest Daisy and her family.

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“Oor Wheelie”, Daisy and I at John Clarks Audi Showroom, Dundee.                                             Photo is courtesy of DC Thomson Publishers.

Wishing everyone a lovely summer of enjoying the great outdoors & fun of the ‘Oor Wullie’ bucket trail

Summer on the River Dee near the Abergeldie Castle.

River Dee Art Exhibition

Short Stories & Anecdotes

The Banchory River Festival is taking place next weekend  on the 11th and 12th June 2016 and as part of their out and about river programme of activities I’m delighted to be showing a retrospective of my river artwork at The Butterworth Gallery in Ballogie, Aberdeenshire.

World famous Wade bridge near Braemar in early summer.

The Auld Brig O’ Dee at Invercauld

A selection of my work featuring the many moods of the River Dee will be on show as well as some new work by Mary Louise Butterworth. The gallery will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 4pm and there will be an opportunity to meet the artists and enjoy some light refreshments.

The River Don

Down Beat

If you would like any more information about the exhibition or the gallery don’t hesitate to contact us http://www.thebutterworthgallery.com Tel 013398 86104

 

 

 

 

The popular fishing village of Crail captured on a bright summers day.

My #ScottishArtJourney

Headlines, Short Stories & Anecdotes

In conjunction with The Butterworth Gallery, I’m taking you on an interactive art journey, a tour of Scotland;  to places and people I’ve seen and painted over the last thirty  years.

My journey will be posted on The Butterworth Gallery Facebook page, join me as I meander around the stunning landscapes of Scotland, showcasing paintings from idyllic locations!

Starting in the Aberdeen area the tour will move down the South Coast, along into the Central belt, up along the West Coast and back across the Cairngorm National Park to my home in Royal Deeside.

An armchair ride around Scotland,  touring my favourite places with little anecdotes and stories along the way!

As my #ScottishArtJourney continues – stay in touch!

 

Howard Butterworth, ‘Painting in fresh air’ an Exhibition and Auction, Wednesday 28th October 2015

Short Stories & Anecdotes

We have all followed Howard avidly over the last six months as he has completed twelve canvases in twelve different locations in aid of the Archie Foundation;  to help raise funds for their proposed digital art gallery, at The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.

TO LEARN MORE & DONATE TO THE “DIGITAL ART GALLERY” FOR ARCHIE FOUNDATION FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW:
https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/archiefoundation/findhoward


Howard has travelled across Scotland painting landscape scenes of joyous splendour, endeavouring to encapsulate some of the best views and places on his travels. He has met some wonderful people who have joined him on location; taking part in paint along sessions, enjoying watching an artist at work and also having the opportunity to ask questions and meet the man behind the paintings.

In celebration of the campaign’s completion and with true artistic flair an exhibition will be held at The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, Aberdeen on Wednesday 28th October, entitled “Howard Butterworth, Painting in Fresh Air”, hosted by sponsor Mr Stewart Spence.  All twelve canvases from the last six months will be on display to the public between 12pm – 3pm culminating in an auction of work later that evening.

If you would like an invitation to the evening auction, please contact:

caitlan@archiefoundation.org.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to the event.

written by H.J.K

#FINDHOWARD Location 10 Saturday 26th September 2015

Short Stories & Anecdotes

It’s another #FINDHOWARD weekend!

Howard will be painting on Saturday 26th September, from 11am – 2pm at the AECC (Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre) at The Scottish Home Show and he would love to see you, have a chat and answer any questions you may have.

You could also enter this weeks ‪#‎FINDHOWARD‬ clues and competition with The Press and Journal, Aberdeen.

This is the tenth of twelve locations where Howard will be painting to help, ‘The Archie Foundation’ and their campaign to raise enough funds for the proposed digital art gallery at RACH (Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital).

TO LEARN MORE & DONATE TO THE “DIGITAL ART GALLERY” FOR ARCHIE FOUNDATION FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW:
https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/archiefoundation/findhoward

For all enthusiastic GeoCache seekers, we have a multi cache for you this week:

http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC61DDV_photohunt but also remember to ask Howard for his unique TravelBug code!

This weekend, you will also have a chance to view more of Howard’s paintings as The Butterworth Gallery has a stand at The Scottish Home Show too; so once you’ve had a chance to #FINDHOWARD and watch him paint;  come and visit the gallery at stand C20 in the Art and Retail section.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the show!

written by H.J.K

#FINDHOWARD LOCATION 9 Saturday 19th September 2015

Short Stories & Anecdotes

It’s #FINDHOWARD weekend!

Howard is off on his painting travels to the central Highlands; having found the perfect location for his next painting, the stunning  Loch Earn.

He will be painting on Saturday  19th September, from 11am – 2pm on the banks of the Loch, outside the former Drummond Hotel and would love to see you if you’re in the area. He’s happy to have a  chat and answer any questions you may have.

You could also enter this weeks ‪#‎FINDHOWARD‬ clues and competition with The Press and Journal, Aberdeen.

It is also an opportunity to see Howard being filmed on location for the video to be used by Activ Canvas at the Scottish Home Show and the “Painting in Fresh Air “Exhibition on the 28th Oct at The Marcliffe at Pitfodels for The Archie Foundation ‪#‎DigitalArtGallery‬.

If you intend to go out and about to #FINDHOWARD  and spot him and his distinctive red jacket, share a photo on social media with #FINDHOWARD and automatically get entered into a prize draw. Howard will also have a limited number of ‘Archie’ goodie bags to give away, containing  the new Mackie’s of Scotland chocolate range.

This the ninth of twelve locations where Howard will be painting to help, ‘The Archie Foundation’ and their campaign to raise enough funds for the proposed digital art gallery at RACH (Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital).

TO LEARN MORE & DONATE TO THE “DIGITAL ART GALLERY” FOR ARCHIE FOUNDATION FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW:
https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/archiefoundation/findhoward

If you would like to bag the nearest Geo Cache while you’re in the area look no further than : http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC36ZC5_spooky_st-fillans but also remember to ask Howard for his unique TravelBug code!

written by H.J.K