Eric Cruikshank studio visit
Eric Cruikshank | b 1975, based in Edinburgh
1997 BA Painting and Drawing, Edinburgh Collage of Art
Eric Cruikshank is a Scottish artist, who grew up in Speyside and moved to Edinburgh to pursue his studies in painting and drawing at the Edinburgh College of Art.
Eric is a full-time artist based in Edinburgh but his successful art career has allowed him to embrace the world and showcase his work in the UK and internationally in a variety of countries such as Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA.
How did you get into art?
My family has always been creative: my dad has always been artistic, and my mum was exceptionally musical.
I was raised on a farm in Speyside which taught me a strong work ethic from a young age and fostered a connection to nature and my surroundings.
Farming is a way of life: a 7 day a week 24-hour job. During busy periods on the farm my brother and I had to keep ourselves occupied. Drawing proved to be a great way to stimulate our imagination and keep us entertained. Each day we witnessed amazing occurrences which you could capture on paper.
My enthusiasm for drawing stayed with me throughout childhood.
By the time that I had finished school I realised that art would be my chosen career and I had the opportunity to study Painting and Drawing at the Edinburgh College of Art.
After graduating I moved to London and experienced the London art scene. My working experiences also offered me international exposure in the form of valuable residencies in Finland and the USA.
Yet Scotland has always felt like home and moving back to Edinburgh gave me the best of city and country life. Edinburgh is an international city close to the hills and sea with a thriving art community. The landscape is beautiful, and I am settled here: I don´t think there is another city in the UK quite like it.
Untitled #3, pencil and oil on paper, 37 x 26.5 cm
What does being part of the ArtThou and Maggie’s NoBorders Initiative mean to you?
I find it very exciting to be part of an initiative for Scottish affiliated artists and something that supports the Maggie´s Centre.
I view the work of the Maggie´s Centre as an important to help families and communities. My mum passed away from cancer and at that time, there wasn´t any Maggie´s Centre in the Highlands.
This exhibition helps me to know that I can support those who are going through something like my own experience.
The Art Thou No Borders Initiative helps to raise awareness for the work of the Maggie´s Centre and raise money for cancer that impacts on everyone in one way or another.
Untitled #2, mixed media on paper, 36 x 29 cm
How do you describe your artistic style?
My experiences growing up on the farm and in the highlands, has also filtered into my work. My art focuses on landscapes, particularly influenced by the variation of Scottish scenery and colours.
I describe my style as an abstract colourist. Colour is always the subject of my work however, ironically, I don´t feel affiliated to the colourist movement. In Scotland, you can have 4 seasons in one day: variations which can subtly influence the work you do at that start and end of each day in the studio.
In the studio with Eric…
I think it is important to be surrounded by others in your studio environment as you start out and develop as an artist.
I work in WASPS in Edinburgh. WASPS have studios throughout Scotland and they do exceptionally great work to support Scottish art.
It is not only important to create and Incorporate your surroundings into your work but also building connections with other artists.
The WASPS studios enable you to make these connections easily. The building has 4 floors and it provides a good place to close your studio door and focus. Yet it is also affirming that there are people around.
When I arrive to the studio, I look out my paints and start my mixing the colours that I have on my mind.
I like the painting application process and determining colours for each piece. I always listen to music to keep me focused. I like heavy rock because it allows me to forget about everything and let my creativity flow.
Art is about asking questions and answering them. Each piece of art opens new questions for the next piece of work.
Untitled #1, coloured pencil on paper, 19 x 27.5 cm
Check out the works by Eric Cruikshank in the ArtThou No Borders Initiative here