Douglas Findlay

Self-taught artist, working professionally since March 2022 and producing a variety of work including abstracts, landscapes, seascapes and expressionist pieces. Solo exhibition at Manifesto Coffee, Perth August 2022, including a live painting demonstration. August 2022 launched a project called Make Your Mark. I spent a few days painting and sketching in Edinburgh alongside a much larger canvas with the question 'Edinburgh What are Your Dreams?'. I encouraged people to come up and answer the question directly on the canvas. My next question as part of this project is 'Edinburgh, what is your message for the world?'. I'm trying to ask people questions to make them stop and think. Group exhibitions as part of Firefly Design, Bo'ness. (Winter, Summer and Spring 2022, Christmas, Autumn, Summer and Spring 2021). October 2021, set up an outdoor painting group in Bo'ness. You'll often see me painting and sketching outdoors. For me, the creative process should be as visible as possible. Art was my strongest subject at school, at the time I didn't appreciate why I enjoyed it as much as I did. Looking back, it helped me express myself in ways that I couldn't with words and it helped me focus my attention on one thing, as I can often have a really busy mind. This is why I also enjoy painting and creating in the outdoors, particularly amongst the landscapes that Scotland has to offer. It also gives me the chance to meet and talk with different people! After finishing school in 2009 I studied languages at university. It wasn't until 2014 that I started to create again as a way to manage stress whilst studying to be a teacher. 2021 and 2022 have been my most consistent years creating art that truly reflects me as a person. I also note that as I have become more aware of my thoughts and feelings, my artwork has become more expressive!