Alison Johnston
Scottish Highland Seascapes
Born in Dumfries, Scotland, Alison studied at Edinburgh College of Art under Elizabeth Blackadder, Sir Robin Philipson and Harry More Gordon. Following graduation her career flourished in illustration and animation for Oscar nominated “Fireman Sam” and “AArdman Animations”.
I am a Scottish Seascape painter, based on the lovely Moray coast. I work mainly in oils, but use a combination of materials to capture the quality of the landscape in my initial sketches. The gathering of many preliminary sketches records particular moments, noting shifts in atmosphere and condition. A sudden gust of wind will be sensed and change the physical appearance, such as ripples on the water’s surface. Working with an immediacy keeps me emotionally involved and builds a record of instantaneous experiences. I enter my studio and distill the connections I have discovered into a more thoughtful development in paint. My constant challenge is to find the right marks, tone and composition.
Alison has exhibited widely throughout the UK. Her commissions include Dire Straits, Peter Gabriel and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
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EXHIBITIONS and AWARDS
Helen A Rose Award
Andrew Grant Bequest
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Alison Johnston graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA (Hons) in 1983. She was artist in residence for National Trust for Scotland in Fyvie Castle 2001 and has received several awards including Creative Scotland Award, The Eaton Fund,The Helen A Rose Award and Andrew Grant Bequest.
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Alison Johnston has exhibited extensively including:
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2023 North East East Open Studios
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2023 Moray Artists in the Long Room at Logie Steading, near Forres
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2o23 Nairn Community Arts Exhibition
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2022 Royal Scottish Academy, open exhibition
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2022 Haven, Moray Art Centre, Moray
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2022 Holly Bush Emerging Painter Prize, final selection
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2022 Non Linear, Burials Yard, Bath
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2021 Royal Scottish Academy, Open Exhibition
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2021 North East Open Studio, Collaboration with Iona Hall, Silversmith
2021 VAA International Exhibition
2021 Aire Place Studios, exhibition
2021 Curatorspace online exhibition and catalogue
2021 Flux Summer Exhibition and Magazine
2021 Moray Art Centre, Postcard Exhibition
2021 Grantown Museum, mixed exhibition
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2020 FLOW online exhibition
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2020 Gracefield Art Centre
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2020 Quarantzine online art exhibition
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2020 Edinburgh printmakers
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2010 Artist in Residence, National Trust Scotland, Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire
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2007 Runner up BP Portrait Award, London
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