Aileen Grant
I sketch outdoors in all weathers – I find that sketching in the wilds helps me immerse myself within a landscape and capture something to explore and develop further. In the studio I re-work sketches using a variety of media, including acrylics, Japanese ink and oils – whatever seems right. Landscape is my main subject, particularly hills, coires and trees. Buildings and street scenes are other subjects I like to focus on after sketching trips away. I aim to create fresh expressive pieces that respect the essence of nature and celebrate the beauty and fragility of the environment.
As well as painting, I make various types of prints using the printing press in my studio – photopolymer gravures, etchings, linocuts and monotypes.
I'm originally from Fife, worked in Edinburgh for several years and now live in Lochcarron, Wester Ross. I graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in the 1970s and I have also studied at Leith School of Art. I've had work selected for various open exhibitions including RSA, RSW, SSA and VAS. I exhibit regularly in various small group shows (including “No Woman Is An Island”) and in the annual members' show of the Art Society Inverness (ASI).
In 2025, I was commissioned by Torabhaig Distillery for a painting which has been used on the box and bottle label for their “Taigh” Single Malt Whisky (released in March 26). I was awarded the Scottish Arts Club Award at the VAS biennial in December 2025 and in 2018 I was awarded the President's Prize by Arts Society Inverness. I am a professional member of VAS, and a member of Edinburgh Printmakers and various other organisations.