The Colour and Texture of Scotland - An Interview with Kevin Fleming

Spring is always a very exciting time for us here in the gallery. Part of that excitement comes from knowing we will soon be receiving a new selection of works by the incredible, renowned artist Kevin Fleming. Here we chat to Kevin about his practice, theory and inspirations, giving you an insight into the workings of this much sort after artist. 

​​SMLXL

On the Beach, Sanna, Ardnamurchan. Oil on Canvas Board. Framed. 50cm x 50cm. £360


WHAT TRAINING HAVE YOU HAD IF ANY?

I am self –taught, but I am also taught by nature, by places, by light, by time, by Creation itself in all its different forms and expressions.  I’ve educated myself on the technical side, through experimentation, improvisation and innovation, in other areas I simply use my natural instincts to get closer to nature, to open myself to its moods and magic moments, away from social expectations, and to invent my own world, my own discipline, my own expectations and fulfillment.


WHAT IS/ ARE YOUR INSPIRATION/ ARTISTIC INFLUENCES?

My inspirations are nature, places, light, the myriad of unique moments that nature/ this planet, this earth creates every second, minute, hour, day, year etc. The endless abundance of natural living creation and creativity. In terms of other artists, I admire Chagall for his playfulness, especially his willingness to be playful with colour as a way of expressing not only light, but emotion. I appreciate his efforts in opening up the use of colour to express emotions, as well as  physical fact or appearance, weaving the two together into visual poetry.


TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE?

I use Palette knives with undiluted oils, thick saturated colour to mirror my saturated emotions, saturated life. Like Chagall I am into visual poetry, and my subject is Scotland, the land, its moods, its character, its charm, magic, beauty, amazing moments. I love to travel, each new place is like meeting a new person, new moods, new ways of articulating a position or features, getting to know its relationships, cliff to water, beach to sun, hill to cloud. The air is different in different places, the clouds are different in different places, the sea/mountains influence clouds, mountains shape space, sculpt light, remote bothies participate in the scene. I take quick and very immediate impressions, something like a spark illuminating an entire arena, often I feel like that spark of perception in a whirl of delight, in a storm of scintillating energy.

​​SMLXL

 

Cottage on the Shore, Portuairk, Ardnamurchan. Oil on Canvas Board. Framed. 50cm x 50cm. £360


WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

To live. Its an expression of life, my life, my joys, emotions, feelings, amazement. Art is the truest and most immediate way for me to feel what I feel, to express the way I feel. Its an opportunity for me to express my unique and singular emotions, connection to and interpretation of things; places, light, times of day and the feelings they produce. Life is a constantly changing kaleidoscope of perceptions, and art is the language I use to speak with existence, with nature, the great saturated product of creation.

There is a buzz and an amazing joy to creativity that is unique and exciting, like listening to music, it gets me into a euphoric state which is energised, enjoyable, fun,  meaningful and free. It’s the one thing I can do which doesn’t depend on anyone else, isn’t compromised or modified by anyone else, therefore I paint to see myself, to be myself. Scotland allows me to do that, therefore its part of myself, and I am part of it.

​​SMLXL

Spring Light, Mermaids Corridor, Iona. Oil on Canvas Board. Framed. 50cm x 50cm. £360


WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE AN AUDIENCE TO TAKE FROM YOUR WORK?

Joy, connection, inspiration. I would like my audience to be inspired, to be surprised, to embrace nature and landscape and colour in different ways, to open up their own perception, to find new ways to connect with familiar or unfamiliar places and to indulge in and appreciate beauty for a while. I’d like my art to enliven spaces with joy, and a celebration of self-expression. I’d like my audience to also experience a dose of the euphoria and heightened perception I feel when doing the work.

​​SMLXL

Cottage at Sunset, West Kintyre. Oil on Canvas Board. Framed. 50cm x 50cm. £360


DESCRIBE YOUR PRELIMINARY PROCESS

Travel, photos. I travel a lot, get out of the car/van a lot, I walk around a lot, spend quite a lot of time immersing myself quickly and deeply into the scene, like diving into a pool of colours, impressions, recording moments on camera. Then I work in my studio, with all the impressions I’ve collected, allow them to spark off new ideas, imagination, immerse myself in photos and memories, like swimming through time and experience, with fresh energy and new vitality.


Kevins new work will be on display in the gallery from Friday 17th March. They are available to purchase online via our Shop or by calling us at the gallery on 01700811681. To view the full collection head over to Kevins Artist Page.

No items found.

Ruth's Exhibition opens on 8th September and runs to 7th October. We would be delighted if you could join us from 2pm for the opening.
Gallery opening hours:
Sunday - Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm.

Coast
More Birds, Beasts & Bendy Stuff: Mark Ward
Undertow
Lines of connection
Across the Waves: A New Journey
Shoreline
An Interview with Louise Day
Still aLife
Bumbarrel #MarkWard
Composition #MarkWard
Colour #MarkWard
Telling a Story #MarkWard
Still Life #MarkWard
Construction #MarkWard
An Interview with Pauline Beautyman
An Interview with Margaret Ker
The Secret Regatta
An Interview with Arthur Ker
Alastair Houston #secretregatta
History of Fifes #secretregatta
How To Get Involved #secretregatta
Secondary School Art Work #secretregatta
Kevin Fleming #secretregatta
Mary Taylor #secretregatta
Heather Nevay #secretregatta
Paul Boyle #secretregatta
Chris & Michaela Goan #secretregatta
Tom Shanks #secretregatta
Jane Hunter #secretregatta
Deb Wing #secretregatta
Primary School Art Work #secretregatta
School Project #secretregatta
Argyll's Secret Coast #secretregatta
Kevin Fleming Exhibition May-June 2020
Brian Bartlett Exhibition May 2020
Kirsty Anderson Exhibition May 2020
Light By The Sea - Exhibition May 2020
An interview with Kirsty Anderson
Up and Running
Life After - Our First Photography Exhibition
The Colour and Texture of Scotland - An Interview with Kevin Fleming
THE COST OF ART – WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE?
The Connectivity of Art - An Interview with Eleanor Adair
Top Tips on approaching a Gallery
Hullscapes - Introducing Paul Boyle
An interview with...
An Interview with Ruth Slater