New Exhibition opening on Friday 15th September
We are excited to be showing work by local artist Catherine Verlaque.
Going Home
The Opening Event will be held on Friday the 15th of September and continuing until Sunday the 15th October.
The gallery will be open Friday`s 12noon - 4pm
Saturdays & Sundays 11am - 5pm
Mid week by appointment - 07496567847
A wee bit about Catherine...........
I started my working life as a hairstylist in Glasgow, culminating in me owning my own salon for fourteen years.
I then went to live in new Zealand for nine years.
On returning home to be with my family we settled in Ayr.
this started my art journey.
I have always sketched and painted as a hobby, but after having several commissions in new Zealand I realised that I could have a future in the art world.
I dedicated any free time over the past few years to amass enough work to have a solo show.
I like to paint in bright bold colours, all different styles and subjects.
Most of my work is in acrylics but I also do paint in oils as well.
My favourite thing is doing commissions , as I love to create an individual piece tailored to the clients needs.
I help them choose colours schemes to enhance the area which it will be in situ.
I look forward to any new work as it fills my life with joy!
Roddy & I look forward to your visit to the gallery to see this exciting show. Ali.
Bed & Breakfast
In 2016, I decided that we would rent out a bedroom in our house, for guests to stay over.
I can only say that it has been a great experience.
Over the period we have meet some really lovely & interesting people.
Some of our guests have wanted to keep themselves to their selves , That`s fine by us. Others have really engaged with us & its felt like family friends we have had staying with us.
There`s a double bed which faces the window. Most guests have loved waking up to the sound & sight of the sea. If that's not to your liking, we have reinstated the original wooden shutters & the bed room has been described as giving sensory deprivation. its so dark & quiet! Roddy McKenzie has painted a Henri Rousseau themed frieze. 52 animals are somewhere in the jungle!
The sitting area has an open fireplace, I think that its dated from 1950`s & the pattern on it compliments the herringbone parquet flooring. Our original plan was to have 2 bedrooms, so we installed a rolltop bath & small toilet in the room, but have since decided to have a sofa bed instead which now means that relaxing in the bath with a real fire is a total indulgence!
I love the look of natural wood, so have invested many hours sanding & stripping the doors , windows & shutters back and finished with oil.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ronseal-500ml-Colron-Refined-Danish/dp/B001GU4DL0/ref=sr_1_6?crid=L4N36DD12ENF&keywords=danish+oil&qidI know that they aren't perfect with bumps & flaws, but we wouldn't have it any other way. The furniture has all been repurposed - the bedroom suite had been in my grandpa's house, it was in my bedroom when I was a teenager. It`s new home is now here at Croy. I bet it could tell a tale or two.
The bathroom has a large walk-in shower with rain shower https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=aqualisa+power+shower&crid=2K2HK8F1F5O9&sprefix=aqualisa+power+shower%2Caps%2C75&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_21 Roddy has painted the Hokusai inspired mural.... but check out the subtle difference in the mountain tops!
I buy my shampoo & conditioner from https://www.thenaturalspa.co.uk/electricbraegallery.& if you use ELECTRICBRAGALLERY you can claim 10% at checkout.
Continental breakfast - fresh fruit cold meats & cheeses have always suited guests. There`s plenty of tea /coffee & I like to support the local farm shop by using their produce. Croy shore is a fantastic place to visit from the stormy seas to the super calm - glass like conditions. There's no end to beautiful sunsets. A Beautiful Day, swimming or paddle boarding or even just walking on the beach is a lovely way to spend a summer day. My beach movie with sound the sound of the wind & waves makes you feel refreshed & optimistic. hopefully wanting to visit our beautiful coast.
If you would like to stay with us please contact us for more details - Contact here.
Knockbrake Railroad
In 2011 Gordon Ross set up Knockbrake Railroad in his garden at Crosshill, Ayrshire. His passion started when his grandfather bought him a train set for his 4th birthday. The garden railway began in 1990 & has grown & moved several times since. It now covers over 500sqm with over 1000m of track. 
Gordons first 1:22.5 scale model train arrived in 1990. The collection has continued to grow with his favourite Santa Fe F3 arriving in 2016. The collection comprises of more than 30 locos.10 trams and more than 250 carriages & wagons.
The garden is not just a rail track - there`s a town "Gibb Town" & villages with scale people and a large collection of diecast American vehicles. Ponds & a hydro-electric dam with bridges including the Morrison bridge named after one of the many volunteers. A 7m showpiece bridge inspired by the Vicksburg bridge, Warren county, over the mighty Mississippi forms the centerpiece of the garden. other features include stockyard, livestock, car scrapyard & railway siding. The 1950`s tram system travels through a manicured landscape. http://www.facebook.com/lococontrol has fitted the sound system & electronics to run the system including freight trains, circus train, military trains.... plus some favourites!
Yes!... you may recognise Gordon, he was one of the finalist on George Clark`s Shed of the year in 2017.
Knockbrake is a mountain summit in the Carrick and Galloway Forest region, in the county of South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is 196m high with a prominence of 39m. This is the view that Gordon sees from his garden & the inspiration of the name. The stunning view down Doon Valley towards Girvan.
The Knockbrake railroad has been supporting local Charities for over 10years. With this years Charity weekend on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th June 11am -3pm supporting The Ayrshire Hospice. There's something for everyone! Who knows who may make an appearance?
Santa Fe Railroad
The inspiration behind Gordon`s garden model railroad is the Santa Fe Railroad, San Diego. https://www.facebook.com/KnockbrakeRailroadCross The railroad was chartered in February 1859 to serve the cities of Atchison and Topeka, Kanas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is often refed to as the Santa Fe or AT&SF. It was one of the larger railroads in the United States. Santa Fe means - Holy Faith, the Santa Fe Depot or (station) was built to replace the small Victorian-style structure erected in 1887 & was officially opened on March 8, 1915 The railroad officially ceased operations on December 31, 1996, when it merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad to form the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway.
Gordon`s favourite engine is the Santa Fe F3. This is a painting of it done by Roddy McKenzie It hangs in pride of place in his lounge. The engine is in front of San Diego Union Station. The Spanish Colonial Revival style building is still in existence today, having be subject of proposed demolition (and it being replaced with 12- two storey buildings) but was saved in 1972. Amtrak agreed to preserve the station if the city would redevelop the surrounding neighbourhood.
Signed giclee prints are available.
Summer Art Group
Summer Art Group
What are you doing on Friday Mornings?
Why not come along to the Electric Brae Gallery & studio?
Every Friday from the 23rd June 2023, from 10am - 12noon we will open the gallery for all level of artists to meet & use the space to work on their own creative pieces.
Bring your own materials ....... be it oils, inks or pastels.
You will have the chance to work away from any homelife distractions with a group of like minded individuals.
If the weather permits feel free to paint en plein air, the way our resident artist Roddy McKenzie does!
refreshments will be available to purchase from Scone.
No need to book .........just come along!
Cost £5
Kays Curling
We are delighted to be working with http://www.kaysscotland.com.
Based in Mauchline, Ayrshire, Kays manufacture curling stones from the famous Ailsa Craig granite. There are 2 types of granite used to produce the Ailsa craig curling stones. - Blue Hone & Ailsa Craig Common Green. The blue hone is very dense being used to give the curling stone its striking band & also optimal sliding surface. the green granite is used to form the remainder of the body of the curling stone. Kays have been making curling stones since 1851 & now have exclusive right to Ailsa craig granite.
Ailsa Craig is an uninhabited island situated in the Firth of Clyde. It is a renowned land mark for travellers between Scotland & Northern Ireland. The island is now a bird sanctuary, where huge numbers of gannets & puffins nest.
Roddy McKenzie was inspired to paint the René Magritte influenced paintings in commemoration of Rhona Martin & her team winning the gold medal at the Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City in 2002. On this occasion Roddy's chosen medium was acrylic. That with his favourite canvas which he purchased from http://www.artdiscount.co.uk
All this series of paintings feature Ailsa Craig. It is also slightly ironic that he is now looking at this landmark on a daily basis.
Although the originals of these painting are now sold & can be found in new homes giclee prints & cards can be purchased from either the gallery or Kays.
A Beautiful Day
It has been another sunny hot day here at Croy Shore.
I enjoyed time out on my paddleboard tonight. The sea was really calm, allowing me to see the sand seaweed & rocks below. I don`t go far out to sea. My choice is swimming along the coast, but I always wear my lifejacket even though the water is not very deep. I really don`t understand why everyone is not safety aware? The quick temperature change of falling into cold water....it can be a real temperature change if the sun has been beating on you for some time & you fall into fairly deep water, which is only warm on the surface... can be a real shock to the body sending it into panic mode. I also wear old leggings & a long-sleeved top, just to protect me from extensive sun exposure.
Lots of local beaches have been bothered with jellyfish, but here at Croy shore we seem to be really lucky, I only saw a couple of dead ones on the sand. Having done some research I learnt that Jelly fish are made up of a high percentage of water, and once out of the water they dehydrate and die. Nature is a wonderful thing. The incoming tide washes then back into the sea, if they don`t provide food for other marine life, they fall to the seabed. decompose, then reform into another more simplified form of life.
Finishing off with a swim in the sea. I find swimming in the sea is really helpful in de-stressing. Certainly when I was lying on my back looking at the blue sky with the sun warming me I couldn`t have felt any more contented.
My end of swim routine is a shower in my new wet room. I have been using my favourite shampoo & conditioner fromthenaturalspa.co.uk/electricbraegallery
which is vegan friendly & uses plastic free packaging. I love that my shampoo & conditioner come in solid block form, ensuring no waste. if you use ELECTRICBRAEGALLERY at checkout you will receive a 10% discount
Christine of http://www.soapmatters.net is my go to choice for beautiful soap. Christine studied aromatherapy, so her products smell absolutely delicious. She uses natural ingredients with minimal packaging Her soap is simple & natural looking also leaves your skin feeling wonderfully soft. I think my favourite is the geranium & bergamot. Like the shampoo & conditioners the soap is hand made, the lovely 
heart shapes are also cut by hand.
Alexa Hope made the soap dish. Tonight I am hoping for a blissful sleep.....zzzzzz.
New Exhibition opening on 2nd June
We are excited to be showing work by local artist Lynn Stenson.
Blessed
The Opening Event will be held on Friday the 2nd of June, from 6-8pm. Lynn will be here to chat about her work. Where she gets her inspiration & choice of colour palate. The gallery will be open every weekend from 11am - 5pm, or during the week by appointment to see this inspirational work until Sunday 2nd July
A wee bit about Lynn...........
I live in and come from Ayr. I have always been enthralled by anything creative,
textiles, calligraphy, fine art, and floral art, I even love watching videos on fancy gift
wrapping.
I studied Graphic Art at Cumbria College of Art and Design, in the days before
computers took over. Everything was done by hand in those days.
I have a ritual when creating art. I work intuitively. I create abstract backgrounds
using a variety of mediums from acrylics, watercolours and inks to pastel and
collage. I study these pieces for for some time until characters and shapes appear.
My pieces tell a visual story. They take you on a journey of colour, depth and
whimsy.
I love to paint. The whole process from the from the scribbly beginnings, the play
and experimentation to the frustration, the self chastisement, the doubt and
ultimately the realisation that a piece is finished… its done! I need to paint, it’s like
quenching a thirst.
When I was a child I was mesmerised by anything creative, anything hand made. I
would sit and watch Nancy Kominsky on telly with my grandma and for Christmas
one year when I was ten, I was given a wonderful oil painting kit with an instruction
book, colour palate suggestions and the very exciting palate knife. No brushes
used in this technique.
I was born into a fish trade family. My father worked hard as a fish salesman,
during the era where the industry was flourishing in this part of the world. My
mother was gentle, nurturing and beautiful. She loved her garden, the flowers and
shrubs. Much of my inspiration comes from my childhood memories. Home, the
garden, the harbour, fish, the boats, the landscape and the sea.
Lynn always like to write a few words about her paintings. This is what she said about - The Slow Cusp of Night.
"The Slow Cusp of Night"
On the 3rd day of June
With the last rays of light
Gathering moonbeams
On the slow cusp of night.
Suspended in time-
Surround and delight,
Gather your treasures
On the slow cusp of night
Nightfall approaching,
Let not darkness bite.
Keep gathering moonbeams
On the slow cusp of night.
The feeling behind this painting is, “time.” To do what you want to do while you can - make hay while the sun shines- sort of thing 🤔
I for one have always postponed and procrastinated, thinking there’s plenty of time for that…. All of a sudden you look round, your kids have grown up, left home and you are no longer needed. The things you were always going to get round to are not relevant any more. It’s probably a bad case of empty nest syndrome 😂 anyway life changes and other things take precedence. It’s a message to keep looking for what’s special to you even if it’s not what you once desired.
Does that make sense?? Lynn
Roddy & I look forward to your visit to the gallery to see this exciting show. Ali.
Scone
Exciting Announcement
After much deliberation I have decided to open a small café "SCONE". Initially it will be open on Friday afternoons from 12noon until 4pm.
As the name suggests I will be serving home made scones with Jam & cream
I like my tea weak with no milk or sugar, but if that`s not to your taste you can have coffee, full strength or decaffeinated & I will endeavour to supply your favourite tea blend. scones are made freshly every morning and are served with homemade jam, usually blackcurrant. I grow our own blackcurrants, we have 3 large bushes & last year we had a bumper crop of over 20kilos!
Alison & John of Humeston farm, are in the process of opening a farm shop, which I'm intending to use for our dairy products. I like to support my local community, & what they are doing is really exciting. I believe you will be able to watch how your milk gets from the cow to your cup!
You will find yourself seated at the large farmhouse table in the gallery's kitchen the walls support a selection of paintings & prints by resident artist .Roddy McKenzie
In the main gallery the will be selection of original art work, & if Roddy is about (& in a good mood) he will allow you into his studio & you can find out about his current project.
Nothing beats fresh scone with Jam & Cream and a cup of Tea. Why not meet up with a friend at SCONE & debate if it should be jam first then cream, or cream first & topped with Jam! which every you choose...ENJOY!
Painting In Spring Sunshine
Painting In Spring Sunshine
Plein air painting
What a beautiful day it has been here in South Ayrshire. Blue skies & sunshine. the trees are beginning to show signs of life – greens & yellows of the daffodils against the brilliant cloudless blue skies. I love this colour palate.
Roddy has been taking advantage – painting outside, looking to the hillside. Using oils and Canvas purchased from artdiscount viewed through a mirror so he can advantage of the whole vista. Hope the weather holds!
Portrait Exhibition 2023
Congratulations to Thomas Yeudall
Congratulations to Thomas Yeudall. His winning portrait of Bethany Kingsley-Garner www.bethanykingsleygarner.com was voted favorite by visitors to the Gallery. Thomas is pictured receiving his prize by resident artist Roddy McKenzie. Applications will be accepted for the 2024 portrait exhibition in February next year… so get painting, drawing or sculpting!