Jennifer Irvine, RGI RSW

“Irvine's subtle depiction of light and shade and the patterns which arise from manmade structures and natural forms are delicate and beautifully realised”   - Jan Patience, Art Critic, The Herald 2010

Pairing rich, vivid colours with a profusion of pattern and shape, the work of Jennifer Irvine explores the interplay of light and shade to full, chromatic effect. Immersive and transportive, her work embraces a diverse range of subjects from intimate still life to vibrant seascapes and townscapes. 

Jennifer studied painting at Glasgow School of Art in the mid-seventies, graduating in 1978 before moving on to teach art at various schools in Glasgow. Throughout this time, she continued to paint and exhibit her own work, and by 1990, her artistic career had grown such that she was able to transition to painting full time. Today, she continues to work from her studio in Glasgow, and frequently from Argyll, where she enjoys painting the sea and the ever-changing reflections of light on water. In the last few years she has also spent a lot of time in France, Spain and Italy, which have provided inspiration and subject matter.

Covering a broad spectrum of subjects, Jennifer’s work largely centres around a strong emphasis on light, shade and pattern. She has a particular fascination with sunlight and the way it interacts with different surfaces and environments, be it on a building, water or still life subject, and chooses considered compositions that capture these effects dramatically. Beginning with a loose, expressive underdrawing, Jennifer uses brushes and palette knives to block in elements of the composition, building up layers of vibrant colour and tone that retain an uncanny realism and palpable sense of place.

An established and recognised artist, Jennifer has maintained a strong presence in the art world throughout her career. Her dedication and skill have been rewarded with prestigious memberships, including her election to the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts (RGI) in 2015 and the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW) in 2016, as well as numerous awards including The David Cargill Award, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Award, The Mark Greer Award and The Sir William Gillies Award. Her work can be found in galleries across the United Kingdom and in private collections including The Robert Fleming Collection, widely considered the finest collection of Scottish art outside public institutions.