Sam Marks of Willow Creations in residence at Beauly Gallery
The very first of our annual in residence days kicks off this Friday 27th May between 12-4pm.
Samantha Marks has been exhibting within Beauly Gallery since February this year. Sam hails from the South East of England, but with family ties to Scotland she visits frequently (usually to the Drumnadrochit area with her young family). Sam finds the Highland scenery a great source of inspiration for her works which reflect her passions and beliefs.
Willow Creations evolved once Sam left education. Her background in art had encouraged her to begin designing and making small gifts for family and friends. Working mainly with pewter she produced handmade boxes and journals, this then evolved into smaller items including: mini canvases, jewellery and sconces, combining paint, pewter, gemstones and mother of pearl.
Feeling the need to expand and explore into larger pieces, she began work on a new series of works in late 2009, creating the 'Luna Hare' piece. Since then her passion for larger works has been met via commissions on request.
Sam descibes the process she uses to create these mixed media works:
"I use a specially made pliable pewter, utilising small wooden tools I work the metal using an etching process, the pewter is then flipped over and the design is embossed / pushed out to begin the 3D process. I repeat this process several times until I feel I have reached the desired effect, it is a lengthy and delicate process which can vary depending on the size of the piece. Once I have completed the main part of the embossing I backfill the pewter design with clay, this ensures t holds its shape. Sanding the edges finishes off the piece, giving it a smooth edge. The whole process can take between three days to a week again depending on the size of the desired piece.
The finished pewter animal is then attached to the canvas which has had texture and colour previously added, the whole design is then completed with a mother of pearl moon."
Sam has exhibited widely in galleries across her home area and is also a regular contributor to galleries around Glastonbury. Her recent breakthrough into the Scottish Art scene is a welcome notch to her belt.
Here at Beauly Gallery we are currently showing a wide selection of Sam's unique works, all feature simplistic animal forms with a Celtic feel mounted on a contrasting canvas. Many of the animals gaze towards a mother of pearl moon high in the sky.
Samantha is now evolving her works to include gold and copper leafing, a few of which will be in-store during her visit this Friday alongside a selection of new jewellery items and a few of her beautiful candle sconces. All items will be available to purchase.
