Exhibition Catalogue

Gail Reid at Aga Kubish Art Gallery & Studio

19th - 26th September 2024. See gallery website for information, PV raffle, portrait demo, opening times etc.

All exhibited work is framed and ready to hang, except for linocuts which are sold ready to frame. Please visit the gallery, or click on pictures below for details.

The catalogue is divided into the following sections:

Landscapes

Still lifes

As you can see, food features a lot in my setups. I love texture, composition, but also capturing things just as they fall, without too much arranging.

Featured
Pansies 27x21cm
Pansies 27x21cm
£40.00

I have always loved the way engravers manipulated tone with the thickness of line. This was an exploration of that effect on a bigger scale, in the cast shadow of the flowers. A hand printed limited edition linocut, individually numbered and signed

Boxed 28x28cm (framed)
Boxed 28x28cm (framed)
£350.00

This lobster had been on a long journey, with banded claws. Delivered live to the restaurant, it was awaiting the pot. I sympathise with the lobster, but visually like the contrast between the natural colours of the lobster, the striking blue of the elastic band, and the texture of the cardboard box. Oil on canvas board, varnished and framed.

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Sold Out
When life gives you dill and lemons (16x20")
£350.00

Lobster contemplating the inevitable. Original oil painting on canvas. Framed in solid wood tray frame. See varnishing and framing video here

Stuff That Was Around 35x45cm
Sold Out
Stuff That Was Around 35x45cm
£350.00

Painted from life. This original oil painting is professionally framed in minimal white solid wood frame.

Spanish Market Spoils 35x45cm (framed)
Sold Out
Spanish Market Spoils 35x45cm (framed)
£350.00

Painted from life after a trip to the market. Spanish sun suits tomato growing. I only wanted a couple to paint then eat, but the stallholder insisted I took the pepper that's lurking in the bag. This original oil painting is professionally framed in a minimal white solid wood frame. The cloth is the same one in the Foraged Figs, Fennel and Filthy Lucre painting.

Foraged Fennel, Figs and Filthy Lucre 45x35cm
Foraged Fennel, Figs and Filthy Lucre 45x35cm
£350.00

Painted from life. This original oil painting is professionally framed in minimal white solid wood frame.

Lemon tondo 32cm diameter (framed)
Lemon tondo 32cm diameter (framed)
£280.00

Painted from life. This original oil painting is painted on canvas wrapped over a wooden frame. It is framed 'floating' in a light bare wood round frame.

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Kite Beach, Dubai 60x84cm (framed)
£300.00

This is a sheet of very simple studies painted in ink, showing a shell collection from a beach where we made many happy memories. I love painting in this format, showing shells and other collected objects, to represent a ‘special place’. Professionally framed in a solid wood frame. Because of the size and glass, this item is only available for collection in person from my studio or exhibition.

The favourite knife (oil on canvas board, framed)
The favourite knife (oil on canvas board, framed)
£200.00

Cutting up the garlic is often my first start when cooking. Pepper, salt, and a squeeze of lemon happen at the end. Oil on canvas, painted from life. 25x30cm plus solid wood painted frame.

Animals

I love sketching animals from life, but they’re not that good at being still, so I also take photos to work from. I enjoy using them anthropomorphically, to express predicaments and emotions. I exhibited with the Society of Wildlife Artists in The Mall Galleries in 2023, and have a drawing up in their exhibition this year.

Featured
The Bouquet 68x50cm
The Bouquet 68x50cm
£580.00

Original drawing on heavyweight toned paper, a fictitious account of slug romance, heavily influenced by two particular garden visitors. The same size and media as the associated piece ‘HermAphrodites II’ (selected for the Society of Wildlife Artists Annual Open exhibition 2024), showing the incredible mating process of common garden snails. Professionally framed in a discrete co-ordinated wood frame, with non-reflective UV-protective Art Glass. It is uneconomical to transport this size framed, so please enquire about transport, collection, and/or a discount for buying as a pair.

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Slug noticing something on the step (framed) - 37x48cm
£440.00

Exhibited in The Mall Galleries in 2023, in the SWLA annual open exhibition, this original drawing has been professionally framed with a solid wood frame, mounted floating on board, and with non-reflective ‘art glass’.

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HermAphrodites I (framed) - 37x50cm
£440.00

Exhibited in The Mall Galleries in 2023, in the SWLA annual open exhibition, this original drawing has been professionally framed with a solid wood frame, mounted floating on board, and with non-reflective ‘art glass’. There is a similar larger drawing also available, unframed.

Linocuts

Hand printed in very limited editions, these are mostly sold unframed. The framed examples are for display only.

Featured
Pansies 27x21cm
Pansies 27x21cm
£40.00

I have always loved the way engravers manipulated tone with the thickness of line. This was an exploration of that effect on a bigger scale, in the cast shadow of the flowers. A hand printed limited edition linocut, individually numbered and signed

The Thinker
The Thinker
£210.00

Hand printed from two blocks, in a very limited edition of just 10. Please note the blue is a gentler less vivid blue on the actual print. These will be printed to order, so allow a couple of weeks for delivery. As only two have yet been printed, I am happy to print the blue block in a different colour, please contact me to discuss.

Anatomy II 57x38cm (approx paper size)
Anatomy II 57x38cm (approx paper size)
£180.00

This linocut is hand printed by the artist as a limited edition of 33. It is available unframed, the framed examples are just serving suggestions!

Anatomy I 56x62cm (approx paper size)
Anatomy I 56x62cm (approx paper size)
£280.00

This linocut is hand printed as a limited edition of 32. It is available unframed, the framed example is just a serving suggestion!

Venus 48x34cm (approx paper size)
Venus 48x34cm (approx paper size)
£180.00

This linocut is hand printed by the artist as a limited edition of 40. It is available unframed, the frame versions shown are just serving suggestions!

"Jasminum officinale" limited edition hand printed linocut
"Jasminum officinale" limited edition hand printed linocut
from £25.00

This little linocut was cut on holiday in France, and is of a piece of jasmine that overhung my sunbed. Hand printed as a small edition of 35, in pure black ink on pure white paper. Each is titled, signed and numbered by me in pencil.

Including a white margin border, as is traditional with relief prints, this print is 15 x 17cm. Available unframed, or framed in a white painted solid wood frame with white acid free mount.

Temple Meads 20x17cm
Temple Meads 20x17cm
from £25.00

I have always loved this view of Brunel's Temple Meads train station. A hand printed limited edition linocut, individually numbered and signed

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Expectation 54x62cm (approx paper size)
from £230.00

This linocut is hand printed as a limited edition of 33. Please note it is pure lamp black on pure white paper, my photography skills don’t stretch to this challenge! Because of the size I usually offer this unframed, but have one professionally framed copy available (for collection only because of the glazing).

Sketchbook

I am constantly sketching. Often from life, and occasionally a copy of a painting I admire. A small selection of unframed sketches will be available to buy from the gallery during the exhibition, for £40 each.

People

Life drawing, and portraiture, are at the heart of my practice. Most of this work is on commission. Please see the browser in the gallery for lots of available portrait and figure sketches. I exhibited with the Royal Society of Portrait Artists in The Mall Galleries in 2022, and have been on their ‘live portrait sketching’ team for corporate events in London.

Featured
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Industry 92x122cm
£5,000.00

See here for information about this painting, including exhibition, process, intention, and an article. This painting (oil on canvas) features my friend Angela Loveridge, amongst others, fitting in an extra bit of work while our kids do after-school activities. Industry happens everywhere, even in leisure centres. Signed by us both, much of the process is documented on video.

Reproductions on paper or canvas available to order here

The Thinker
The Thinker
£210.00

Hand printed from two blocks, in a very limited edition of just 10. Please note the blue is a gentler less vivid blue on the actual print. These will be printed to order, so allow a couple of weeks for delivery. As only two have yet been printed, I am happy to print the blue block in a different colour, please contact me to discuss.

The model thinking about retiring 55x44cm (framed)
The model thinking about retiring 55x44cm (framed)
£450.00

Graham Pearce is a very popular Bath/Bristol model. He was thinking about retiring, and sat for this portrait contemplating the end of a very successful and fulfilling career as a life model. We had a most enjoyable afternoon, and talked at length. Turns out he missed it after all, and has returned to the life-drawing groups. This is painted in oil on canvas board, varnished and framed in a deep, white painted, solid wood frame.

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Eye study 20x20x3cm
£90.00
Featured
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Potential Energy
£250.00

Oil on canvas, wrapped around a deep box frame - 30x30x3.5cm

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Glow
£150.00

Hand drawn in coloured pencil on white paper, this lighthearted trinket is framed in solid wood with acid free mount card

25 x 31 cm

Please enquire about portrait/landscape commissions, particularly from life rather than photos. These portraits are show as examples (not for sale)

Curatorial Statement

The pictures in this exhibition - paintings, studies and sketches on a wide variety of subjects - together form a portrait of an artist operating with hard-won confidence, great ability and a sure sense of purpose.  

As this impressive collection of work shows, Gail Reid has developed formidable technical skills through the patient observation and analysis of her subjects, and constant practice and consideration of her chosen media.

More importantly, however, the personality of the artist shines through each piece, making it more than just an accurate record of what she has seen. While showing complete respect for her subject matter, Gail’s work is also imbued with many of her own personal qualities: limitless curiosity, great determination, a generous and optimistic spirit, and readiness to take on a challenge.

Gail’s engagement with wider issues adds another dimension to her art. Whether celebrating the achievements of women, or challenging the norms of physical appearance, her concerns are expressed naturally and eloquently through the way she works.

Altogether, this show offers a wealth of visual delights and surprises, as Gail shows us the beauty to be found in sometimes unexpected places and subjects. Her naturalistic style captures moments and moods in a lively, accessible manner underpinned by a thorough artistic understanding and a natural empathy.

One of the joys of a good exhibition is finding your own feelings, insights and experiences illuminated and brought to life in an artwork; I am certain you will find many such moments in this great selection of the art of Gail Reid.

- Jack Hicks (artist and art educator)

Artist Statement

When I paint and draw, I am absorbed in the subject, whatever or whoever that is. I hope these pictures bring you both joy and stillness, a shared moment to stop and look at how things are.

Almost all painted from life, many of my paintings start with a rough preliminary composition sketch. Where possible, I stick the sketch to the back, retained for the interest of the collector.

My figure work addresses social conditioning (I delivered a TEDx talk "Body Image Through The Eyes Of An Artist"). Please find me online.

I am very grateful to the talented, award-winning artist and gallerist Aga Kubish for giving me this opportunity to show a complete body of work. I could not be on this journey without the artists, collectors, friends and family who inspire and support me - thank you all.

- Gail Reid