Painting in the Scottish Borders

an artist living and working in Scotland

Secret gardens

Rhododendrons have been the subject of many paintings spanning the thirty years we have lived in Scotland.
When we first moved to the Scottish Borders in 1981 the Wells Estate in Roxburgh was in the last stages of its decline. Wells House had been demolished in 1952 due to expensive death duties.
The beautiful gardens surrounding the remains of the house had been looked after by Val, a good friend to us and the wife of Brigadier Usher one of the last of the Usher family (responsible for the Usher Hall in Edinburgh) that owned the estate. Rhododendrons of many rare and different coloured species grew in profusion and had been allowed to tower over the heads of visitors as they became tunnels of brilliance like passageways to secret gardens.

Secret_garden

Secret Garden - oil on canvas - 36 X 30 inches
Collection of Dr and Mrs R. Cameron (UK)

Rhododendron series

Wild gardens have a soulful attraction when the 'owner' has limited the degree of influence he or she exerts upon the place. In the Scottish Borders there are still areas where rhododendrons grow without the manicure of conservationists or the urban gardener. These untamed locales are welcoming, especially when they are little known as even the creatures seem to embrace the occasional visitor.