Upon moving to live in Easter Ross, artist and author Paul Taggart had no idea that he would be given such a warm Highland welcome by his new neighbours.

“Although I knew that this area, possibly one of the most inspirational places in which any artist and author could live and work, would work its magic; the way in which my partner and I have been warmly welcomed by our neighbours has taken us both by surprise. As has the acceptance of our offers of help with fund raising for local events and communities.”

Mr Taggart is pleased to put something back into the local communities through his paintings and published books. Encouraged by several successful fund-raising events and donations of original paintings last year, he is now staging an Exhibition, Live Painting Demonstration and Book Signing on April 12th, in aid of the Highlands & Islands Kidney Association and Inver Village Hall. 

“People are always fascinated by watching an artist at work and seeing for themselves how a painting is created. When I am painting out and about, or socialising, passers by and other guests almost always start the conversation by saying they wished they could paint or draw, or that they are hopeless and can’t even draw a straight line.

It comes as no surprise to me that it isn’t just those who paint for pleasure who come along to my live demonstrations. There have been occasions when the audience has been made up mostly of people who are simply fascinated by seeing a painting emerge from a blank piece of paper or canvas.”

Everyone is welcome to the Exhibition of original watercolours, oils, acrylics, pastels, drawings and prints. Featured amongst the work will be affordable studies produced for inclusion in Mr Taggart’s books, of which there are nine to date, available worldwide.

Highlights in the exhibition are a series of Masterworks, which include a large canvas of Ben Arkle stunningly golden in the light of last autumn, a series of oil paintings celebrating the Easter Ross Annual Ploughing Match and an acrylic painting of Girnal Lodge by Loch Fleet, which features on the posters and flyers promoting the event. All work is at Paul Taggart’s Private Studio Prices.

Entry to the exhibition is free and visitors can purchase raffle tickets to win the painting that Mr Taggart will be producing on the day. Finishing touches to the painting will be carried out in the studio before being displayed locally for a few weeks after the event, so that everyone gets a chance to see it before it goes to the winner.

“Putting on an event like this takes a lot of hard work and would not be successful without the enthusiastic practical support of those who accepted my proposal for this fund-raiser. Without the wholehearted contributions being made by our new friends in the village of Inver, there would be no morning coffee, soup lunch and afternoon tea for those attending the live painting demonstration, not to mention no –one to sell the raffle tickets, as I busily wield my brush, sign books and chat to visitors before and after the demonstration.”

Art Demonstration on 12 from 12.15pm to 2.45pm including break for lunch. Doors open at 11am and close at 4pm. Venue: Inver Village Hall, Inver by Tain. Pre-Booked Entry £4.50 or £5 on the day includes one raffle ticket, morning coffee, soup lunch, afternoon tea and biscuits. All entry ticket and raffle sales proceeds will be donated to the beneficiaries, along with  20% of all exhibition and book sales. 

To pre-book and get entry tickets for demonstration telephone Paul Taggart on 07833 680650.