The Other View

Issue No. 6 Autumn  2001

Exhibition for Armagh artist

By Tommy McKearney

Armagh artist Gary Beattie ( who was featured in the first issue of The Other View, See: 'Palette Knife Artist' Issue no 1) has recently been enjoying a very successful period in his chosen field. During July, his work was featured in a one man exhibition held in Portadown Library.

Mr. Beattie is based in the Annaghmore area of Co. Armagh and while he practices a variety of artistic styles, he tends to favour the abstract format using a palette knife and oil. Gary makes no secret of the fact that he derives great inspiration from the scenery and history of his native County Armagh. This aspect of his painting is obvious in the number of local characters and cultural events featured in his work. Nevertheless, his formal training is frequently manifested as he exhibits his skills in the more continental style of painting.

Gary Beattie displayed over forty works in his recent Portadown exhibition. Included were examples of his different styles. Among the more eye-catching works on display was his quite remarkable; 'Bathing Beauty' and 'The Old Contemptible'.
An interesting aside to the work of the artist is the fact that he now frames most of his own paintings. Gary has been developing this aspect of his craft in an attempt to reduce the cost of his art and even to the untutored eye it is evident that he has a considerable talent for wood-working as well as oils.

During the course of an interview with The Other View, the artist said that had received an encouraging number of enquiries about his work and that he had sold several of his pieces as a result of the 'shop-window' provided for him by Portadown Library. Mr Beattie was lavish in his praise for the kindness of the staff and for the excellent facilities made available to him during his exhibition.
This well attended event, held during the month of July, was one good-news story emanating from Portadown at a sometimes difficult period.

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