| One particular Scottish artist who fits this mould and | | | | something Derek took on with great pride and care. |
| is on constant exhibition at Artery Gallery with his | | | | He says “Quite often people are left with loved |
| works, is professional Lanarkshire artist Derek Collins. | | | | ones ashes and are not quite sure what to do with |
| Derek creates stunning works of abstract art by | | | | them. Using the ashes in a painting is a great way to |
| pouring carefully selected special resins, powders, | | | | commemorate a life, and creates something close |
| pigments and liquids on to canvas. His creations really | | | | and personal that can be kept in the home and more |
| come to life when the main ingredient is added, fire! | | | | importantly in the family for years and years to |
| Derek’s art is an extension of the specialist paint | | | | come.” |
| effects he has been applying for many years. He | | | | Even in his early years as a decorator, Derek's forte |
| says, “I love the way other paints and lacquers | | | | was the use of colour, but he has always had the |
| affect one another, if one paint is not compatible the | | | | passion to experiment and create. What he is |
| other paint does not want to touch it so it moves | | | | achieving now with his art has just been a natural |
| away or breaks the weaker paint and forms another | | | | progression, all stemming from many years ago when |
| effect. When you then add the thinners of different | | | | he was experimenting with decorative paint effects |
| paints, another reaction takes place, too much thinner | | | | on his stone floors. Now he has all the freedom of |
| will make it flow out but set it alight and it will | | | | expression he desires to create, on canvas, these |
| evaporate the thinners and seal off the paints.” | | | | fine works of contemporary abstract art. |
| As well as these paints and lacquers, Derek has used | | | | Artery Gallery has been a major supporter of |
| all kinds of extra materials in his art, from sand and | | | | contemporary Scottish artists over the years and |
| shards of glass to leaves and moss. Customers can | | | | continues to boost artist profiles, such as that of |
| even provide specific stones, gems and personal | | | | Derek Collins. Derek has made giant leaps forward in |
| photographs that can be incorporated into the | | | | recent years and his art is very much recognized and |
| artwork. Recently he was approached by a woman | | | | highly sought after across Scotland and the UK. |
| who had come across his flaming art, and asked him | | | | Derek is on constant exhibition at Artery Gallery in |
| to incorporate her mother’s ashes into a painting. | | | | both Crieff and St Andrews. |
| Being an incredibly sensitive matter, it’s | | | | |
