One of Scotland’s most collectable artists is marking his 70th birthday with a special exhibition in Ayr next month.
A major retrospective of Ayrshire artist-cum-actor Charles Jamieson’s work will be on display at the Maclaurin Art Gallery in Rozelle Park, Ayr, from Saturday, September 3.
‘Charles Jamieson at Seventy’, which runs until Sunday, October 16, will feature 40 bold, bright and colourful paintings of his globe-trotting travels for which he is widely known.
The selling exhibition will contain several paintings created over the last 20 years, following trips made with his graphic designer wife Sally to places such as Cuba, Japan, Italy, Greece, Thailand, Mexico and Australia.
It will also feature around 20 drawings, including quickfire sketches of people which the Glasgow School Art trained artist creates while sitting in public places.
And a new painting entitled Memories of Travel, made during lockdown in 2020, will also be showcased.
Charles, who was raised in Beith and is now based in Dunlop, said: “Like everyone else, I couldn’t go anywhere so I cheered myself up by making a big splash of colour on canvas and adding some memories.
"It made me realise just how much travel nourished me and my art.
“Being unable to go anywhere also meant I couldn’t sit and draw people quietly in cafes or trains, which I have always done.
“When restrictions started to lift, I realised how much I missed doing this. I decided other people might like to enjoy the sketches too so I have included several in the exhibition.”
Charles has also enjoyed a successful parallel career as an actor after doing postgraduate studies in visual and performing arts at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
He spent six years in the 1980s starring in the long-running STV soap opera, Take the High Road, playing the character Ruari Galbraith, and also secured acting roles in popular series such as Still Game and Taggart.
It was this stretch of regular paid work on High Road which provided the financial security that allowed Jamieson to concentrate on painting to the point at which he began to sell.
John Walker, chair of the Maclaurin Trust, which is hosting the exhibition in Ayr, said: “Charlie Jamieson has been a great supporter of the Maclaurin for many years, as well as being a member of our purchasing committee.
“We felt his seventieth birthday was the perfect opportunity to celebrate this outstanding Ayrshire artist with a retrospective exhibition of his work.
“Charlie’s work, both paintings and drawings, will be on display allowing visitors to the gallery to enjoy the range of his talent.
“A much-travelled artist, his painting encompasses many lands and people as you will see.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
