Tag: iconic bridges

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Tess Dunlop Solo Art Exhibition at Colinton Arts, Edinburgh

Chasing the Light – Scottish Landscapes in Colour

I’m thrilled to announce my first solo exhibition, Chasing the Light, at Colinton Arts Gallery, Edinburgh (14 August – 12 September 2025). The show brings together over 60 of my paintings, exploring Scotland’s coastlines, hills and horizons in vibrant colour and shifting light.

A heartfelt thank you to all who came to the the preview evening on Thursday 14 August, 6–9pm to celebrate the opening! You coming along meant the world to me – and you were all so complimentary about my art 🙂

From the dramatic steel spans of the Forth Bridge, glowing in fiery sunsets, to the wide horizons of North Berwick and Portobello’s shoreline, I aim to capture the energy and atmosphere of Scotland’s seascapes and landscapes.

Alongside these vistas are more intimate works: figures and nudes, as well as family scenes on the beach that celebrate connection, play and memory. Each piece reflects a fascination with how light transforms the everyday — whether across water, stone or skin.

With subjects ranging from iconic Scottish landmarks to quiet human moments, the collection is united by a deep sense of place and an enduring search for beauty in fleeting light.

Vista – Sold
Crouching (Nude) Sold
August Days – Sold

Here’s a wee video showcasing some of my work. Details of the pieces can be viewed on Colinton Arts website. I’ll post a link here for you – Tess Dunlop – Colinton Arts

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A Scottish Summer in Paint: my new Coastal Collection

Seven Summer Paintings at the Velvet Easel Gallery

I’m delighted to have seven of my paintings included in the Velvet Easel Summer Exhibition, a vibrant group show celebrating contemporary Scottish art.

Running from 31st May, the exhibition brings together a wide range of artists, styles and subjects — and I’m thrilled to share a collection of seascapes, landscapes and iconic Scottish views.

Into the Blue - NOW SOLD and off to it's forever home

My featured works include:

  • East Bay, North Berwick – a large canvas capturing the sunlight on the rock formations and shoreline.
  • Girders No.3 – the dramatic Forth Rail Bridge at sunset, reflected across the water in fiery pinks and blues.
  • Groyne with the Wind – inspired by the Portobello shoreline, where sky and tide meet the rhythm of the sea defences.
Mothership, Oil on Board, Framed size 50 x 50cm
  • Mothership – a striking coastal painting with moored fishing boats, balancing movement and stillness.
  • North Berwick Rocks – a bold seascape filled with shifting light and sweeping sky, with the Bass Rock on the horizon.
  • Sand By Me – a colourful exploration of Portobello’s groynes stretching into the distance, leading the eye to sea and sky.
  • Into the Blue – a reflective study of two moored boats against deep water tones — now sold.
Sand by Me Oil on board, framed size 70 x 70cm

Each of these works explores Scotland’s ever-changing light and colour, from East Lothian shores to iconic landmarks like the Forth Bridge. I’m always inspired by the beauty of the Scottish coast and landscape, and this collection brings together some of my favourite places in a fresh summer palette.

Girders No. 3 70 x 90cm Oil on archival box canvas

The Velvet Easel Summer Exhibition runs until [insert closing date] at The Velvet Easel Gallery, Portobello, Edinburgh. If you’re in the area, I’d love for you to drop in, explore the exhibition, and see the collection in person.

North Berwick Rocks! Oil on board, framed size 80 x 80cm
Groyne with the wind, Oil on archival box canvas, 40 x 30cm

And, last but by no means least, we’ve got this beauty….

East Bay, North Berwick, Oil on box canvas 70 x 90cm

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Super excited: my first time in the Torrance Gallery

It’s been a busy year and I’m just catching up with posts here so bear with me; earlier this year I showed some paintings to Fiona at The Torrance Gallery and was delighted to be given the opportunity to show them in her lovely gallery (Home | Torrance Gallery | Scotland)

As I understand it they were well received and had lots of lovely comments and admirers – always a plus for us sensitive artists!

Here are the three pieces that were shown in Dundas Street. From left to right – Soulmates, Still and Girders No.! Soulmates captures 2 boats from North Berwick Harbour and has an ethereal feel to it. Still captures little row boats from Threipmuir Reservoir in the Pentland Hills Regional Park Threipmuir Reservoir – Wikipedia. Girders No.1 is, hopefully, easily recognisable as the Forth Bridge stretching across the Forth between North and South Queensferry and is painted on steel.

Look out for some of my new pieces in The Torrance later this year!

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Spring Light and Colour – New Paintings by Tess Dunlop

In Spring I was fortunate to exhibit for the first time in Jane’s lovely gallery The Velvet Easel in Portobello. It was great to meet Jane and super lovely to have the opportunity to showcase some pieces there. I’ve posted a couple below: –

The one above is called Home for Supper and is painted over a red canvas. Boat lovers will likely recognise this is as Newhaven Harbour (Lighthouse and Beacon – Newhaven : A Stravaig through time) and it you don’t drive, you can reach this easily enough on the Edinburgh Tram Homepage | Edinburgh Trams

It’s painted on archival canvas and measures 70cm x 70cm – the image continues around the sides – no need for hanging

This one (above) is from my Girders series. Featuring the Forth Bridge at sunrise on mid-summer’s day. Again, painted over a red canvas, it measures 70cm x 70cm

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Hot off the press!! The Velvet Easel Gallery

Featuring in the Spring Exhibition at The Velvet Easel Gallery

Opening on Saturday 1st February 2025

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to have a few pieces in The Velvet Easel Gallery’s Spring 2025 Exhibition. If any of these (below) catch your eye, or if you are in the area, do pop in and have a chat with Jane or the team.

Tess Dunlop – The Velvet Easel Gallery | Portobello

Girders No.2 70 x 70cm

If this is a new gallery for you, they’re located at 298 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh, EH15 2AS (The Velvet Easel Gallery | Art Gallery Portobello, Edinburgh)

Here’s a link to the gallery’s website Tess Dunlop – The Velvet Easel Gallery | Portobello

2 small paintings of sunsets over green landscapes
Reflected In Your Eyes (left) and By My Side (right)
These sweet paintings are both 25cm x 25cm
The painting continues around the sides so there's no need for framing
Reflected in your eyes
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New in: Colinton Arts Jan 2025/Winter Exhibition

These gorgeous new pieces are on display in the Colinton Arts exhibition including this snowy beauty entitled A River Runs Through It which was dropped off this afternoon. This piece features a snowy scene from Braidburn Valley Park in Edinburgh.

And a River Runs Through
A River Runs Through it
Oil on deep box canvas
70cm x 70cm

£750

Also exhibited there are 2 other pieces. First up is the gorgeous piece below featuring the instantly recognizable road bridges across the River Forth in Scotland, set against a summer sunset.

Something Old, Something New
Something Old, Something New
Oil on deep box canvas
Image continues around the sides, ready to hang
100 x 50cm

£700

Painted over a red underpainting with selected areas showing through in a broken colour technique. and featuring the old and new road bridges across the Forth, Scotland

And, finally – also at Colinton Arts is the lovely piece entitled Floating. Walkers around the Edinburgh Reservoirs and Pentland Hills will likely recognise this location

Floating
Floating
Oil on deep box canvas
Image continues around the sides so no need for framing
40cm x 40cm

£350
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Made From Girders – Cool Paintings Of The Iconic Forth Bridge

A Bridge for all seasons. Check these out – 2 large paintings of the iconic Forth Bridge to feast your eyes on.

The first, suitable titled Girders No.1 is painted over a slightly distressed aluminium canvas with a gorgeous turquoise under painting which peeps out to showcase the girders themselves. Coming in at a nicely sized 90 x 90cm, the image continues around the sides (which are 5cm deep) so the painting doesn’t need framing – it’s just ready to make a bold statement in your home or office.











Girders No 2 showcases our iconic Forth Bridge mid summer, at sunrise.  Slightly smaller than the first piece, this one is painted on archival box canvas with the image, and bridge, continuing around the sides





Ready to hang.