To all fellow artists among our XUNICEF family. Here is a selection of portraits I’ve recently produced for an on-line group of artists in Cleveland. USA. (I’m now well retired and live in Edinburgh.)
Each Friday the group meets and live streams a model for the group to sketch or paint in any medium of their choice. I choose to do a digital painting on my iPad for this group in a programme called Procreate. It is a wonderful tool for all artists (to keep their visual literacy skills up to scratch.) I also paint portraits in oil or watercolour, but take on commissions far less these days.Since my wife Sara Cameron McBean and I retired to Edinburgh (my home town) in 2012 we have both been active in the arts scene.
Edinburgh has a famous Arts Festival and Fringe and Sara has channeled some of her UNICEF skills into the creation of the Scottish Portrait Awards - now in its seventh year. She also works with the Scottish Arts Trust supporting artists and writers across Scotland with a Short Story and Flash Fiction competition - and she dances with her semi-professional over 60 group called Prime. (I’ve been helping with the graphics, photography and logos- since I cannot enter the Scottish Portrait awards competition because my wife runs it!🤭😂)
These activities have brought us many new artist friends of all ages. I’m always amazed at how quickly children and adults can develop their skills in art if they simply put time into it. The myth of art being some sort of gift has vanished with this new generation of children. Our five granddaughters who live in different parts of the world, like many XUNICEF staff - extended families, share their creations on line and each of them love to visit Edinburgh to practice with Nana and Granddad. We feel lucky to be living in a town with a vibrant art scene - but it’s also out there for everyone - online. ( If one can rise above the endless negative conversations about social media.) August is the month of the Edinburgh Festival… check it out on line - and come visit or have a reunion here.
Hello George. You've done it again! Truly brilliant and powerful. Inspiring. So happy you're able to continue doing work with such passion and joy. Stay well.
ReplyDeleteHi George. I forgot to mention the message above is from Sandra in New York
ReplyDeleteHi George, you continue to amaze me with your creativity on every level. I’m glad that you and Sara are well and more active than ever. Bill H.
ReplyDeleteHi George, Its amazing what creative talents the UNICEF family has. Your portraits are amazing. There must be a way theses talents can be used in UNICEF work. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteHi George, those are really impressiv portraits! I like them very much and wonder, how you did them. As a hobby-painter myself, I would like to try myself to do some portraits e. g. from family members. Are you using a picture of the person as a base? Any more details, I would appreciate very much. Greetings from Germany!
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thank you George!! Best wishes to Sara and you :)
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely. You are blessed with incredible talent.
ReplyDeleteGreetings this is Angela from Oxford, great portraits! also nice news of happenings in Edinburgh. Thanks
ReplyDeleteTruly brilliant! Amazing portraits Thanks for sharing Sree
ReplyDeleteGreat to learn about your artistic doings in Edinburgh. It certainly is an inspiring city, especially with the Festival and the Fringe. We had an xUNICEF (WAWIG) reunion there under Paul Ignatieff in 2003, and it was one of the most memorable ones. Like visiting a sculpture "Gallery" in the middle of a mountainous region, completely isolated.
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