I sketch and paint subjects mainly around my home, favourite places being Loch Doon and The Islands of the West Coast of Scotland.There’s just something so special travelling on a ferry with my bag of art materials.

I record seen landscapes and still life in a sketchbook using a variety of mark making tools from watercolour brushes to oil pastels.

Sometimes I lay in the beginnings of a painting outside but I'm more interested now in exploring my subjects in a more abstracted way.

However, I also love using HB pencils and cartridge paper to improve my drawing skills at a Life Drawing Class believing observational drawing underpins all art. There’s such a wonderful sense of satisfaction in getting a drawing just right.

I'm an elected member of Ayr Sketch Club, The Glasgow Society of Women Artists and Paisley Art Institute.

I exhibit both with these groups and individually around Scotland.

AWARDS

The Jan Bruce Award for Landscape Painting (GSWA)

The Charles Jamieson Award (PAI)

The Gallery Two Award (North Ayrshire Open Exhibition)

The Jan Bruce Painting Award (GSWA) for a still life painting

Denise Johnston