The idea behind this exhibition - Gongoozler

GongoozlerThe idea behind this exhibitionThe initial idea for this on-going project evolved while walking and thinking. A new puppy necessitated several walks a day, regularly forcing me out of the studio in all weathers. I began to enjoy this new time for contemplation and respite from work. However, I soon realised my mind was still working on an accumulation of subconscious ideas. Random thoughts and compositions for paintings began to form and take shape on each walk. A friend recommended I read Rebecca Solnit’s book Wanderlust , “A History of Walking”. This book confirmed my instinctive knowledge of the connection between walking and creativity. The dog and I ventured further afield, often walking the towpaths of the Forth and Clyde Canal and my inner ‘gongoozler’ was reawakened. Canal towpaths provide a little bit of everything, at once rural and urban, they offer unfolding transitional scenery. Hidden in plain sight they are often footnotes to the main routes. Accessible to everyone, an easy flat continuous walk, no map required. With its unhurried pace of life, forever set by the past, the canal offers an opportunity for ‘slow looking’. I have always been fascinated by waterways, and in the past have taken advantage of scholarships to visit and paint the canals of Amsterdam and Venice. My initial idea was to focus on the canal between the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies. I grew up in Denny, and was intrigued by these new landmarks connected by canal and towpath. A conversation with fellow artist Andy Scott, who designed The Kelpies, led to an introduction to Richard Millar, Director of Infrastructure at Scottish Canals. Thanks to Richard my initial tentative idea expanded into a far more ambitious project. As the first ever artist-in-residence at Scottish Canals I would walk and paint along the entire 137 miles of the Scottish Canal network. Funding was sought and secured through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Funding Programme and the Gongoozler Project officially began in January 2016.

Corpach Cloud - Lesley Banks

Thomas Telford's House - Lesley Banks

Loch Lochy - Lesley Banks

Laggan Locks - Lesley Banks

Loch Oich - Lesley Banks

Fort Augustus - Lesley Banks

Loch Ness - Lesley Banks

Clachnaharry - Lesley Banks

Floating Island - Lesley Banks

Calderbank Reflections - Lesley Banks

Summerlee-Spring - Lesley Banks

Calderbank Shadows - Lesley Banks

Summerlee Summer - Lesley Banks

Summerlee- Autumn - Lesley Banks

Bridge on the way to Ratho - Lesley Banks

Avon Aqueduct - Lesley Banks

The day they drained the canal at Linlithgow - Lesley Banks

The Falkirk Tunnel - Lesley Banks

Footprints in the Snow - Lesley Banks

Wheel Shadows - Lesley Banks

Blue Sky day at the Wheel - Lesley Banks

Bowling - Lesley Banks

Misty Morning at the Whisky Bond - Lesley Banks

Auchinstarry - Lesley Banks

Union Inn - Lesley Banks

The kelpies 1 - Lesley Banks

Sunday Afternoon at the Helix - Lesley Banks

In the collection of Falkirk Community Trust

Kelpies 2 - Lesley Banks

Rainy Morning -Crinan Sealock - Lesley Banks

Crinan canal -Winter Morning - Lesley Banks

After the Rain - Lesley Banks

Puddlers Cottage - Lesley Banks

Red Roof Reflections - Lesley Banks

Bellanoch Bridge - Lesley Banks

Ardishaig Sealock - Lesley Banks

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