Watercolours by J. Gardiner McDowall

This is Jim’s third exhibition. Although originally trained as a draughtsman, it is only since he retired five years ago that he has had the opportunity to further the interest he had in painting as a young man. His first solo exhibition in Grantown Heritage Museum owed much to the support and encouragement of the late James Fletcher-Watson RI, RBA, a watercolour painter of many years who had been an architect, as well.

Jim’s interest in landscape stems from many years spent out of doors, first as a young man when he hill-walked and cycled; then as a ski instructor in the Cairngorms for 40 years- his original reason for moving to Grantown-on-Spey- and latterly as a landscaper and dry stone waller. Whilst not as physically active as his previous occupations, watercolour is nonetheless providing an effective outlet for his interest in the natural scene, as can be seen from his work.