Colin McNaught

Colin McNaught was born in Glasgow, Scotland and attended Glasgow School of Art, studying drawing and painting from 1973-1977. He first obtained a Bachelor of Art, then went on to complete a Post Graduate Master's Degree in 1978, receiving the Cargil Award to study mosaics in Greece. On his return, he accepted the position of assistant Town Artist in the New Town of Livingston, a planned community built to ease overcrowding in the nearby city of Glasgow.

As assistant Town Artist, he painted Murals and incorporated Art in many recreation facilities, and he was awarded the Saltire Award for Art in Architecture in 1979 for interior murals commissioned by the Bacofoil Laminating Company.

In 1980, Colin and his partner opened a store in Glasgow “Flip Original American Clothing" selling new and vintage clothing imported from the USA. The store was the first of its kind in Scotland, and with its unique concept and design became a mecca for local musicians and young people looking for style and originality. Soon the business expanded throughout the rest of Scotland, England and Ireland and Colin started designing a successful range of own brand “Flip" clothing.

Having sold the clothing business in 2004, Colin moved to the United States and currently lives on a barrier island outside Charleston SC where he is producing abstract art on gator board which he prefers because of the weight and texture and similar attributes to canvas. Using acrylic paints in all of his paintings with either spray, brush or drip allows him to build up layers, blend in or be perfectly flat. His paintings span from Geometric shapes to socially aware subjects, and he draws inspiration from both his current surroundings and prior Scottish influences.