Artist’s Ode to Scotland work comes to Highlands

A RENOWNED American painter whose work was inspired by the natural beauty of the Highlands is the subject of two exhibitions this week as part of an international centenary celebration of his birth.

Jon Schueler, an accomplished artist from New York, spent several months each year painting from his studio in Mallaig.

His work, which explores the ever- changing light and skies of the west coast, has been described as ‘an ode to Scotland’.

Schueler moved to the Highlands in 1970, where he had studio in Mallaig that overlooked the Sound of Sleat.

His abstract expressionist paintings will be on show at An Talla Solais and RhueArt Galleries from Saturday, and it will also been shown in Mallaig, the town he inhabited for five years.

As well as the forthcoming exhibitions in Ullapool, Schueler’s work is currently on show in Stirling and there are further upcoming exhibitions in Inverness, Paisley and Argyll.

At the heart of the programme is a two- day symposium on Skye this month at Sabhal Mor Ostaig.

Magda Salvesen, the curator of the Schueler estate and his widow, said that Scotland was deeply important to the artist.

She said: ‘ The Western Highlands meant so much to Jon.

‘ The exhibitions this year are truly celebrations of his work and an ode to Scotland.’

Ms Salvesen will travel to Scotland later this month to take part in various events across Scotland.