Mackintosh Connections

The Hill House, Helensburgh
In developing an interest in art, it is often beneficial to be guided by example.  I have found the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh a valuable source of inspiration, with the Hill House in Helensburgh being a place of fond association and a location that has assisted development of an emerging painting style. 

More Mackintosh

Other works of Mackintosh which inspired paintings are Queens Cross Church in Glasgow and the house Windyhill in Kilmacolm as a private house. The view of Queens Cross Church is a gable end of the building, and reveals surprising details regarding its design and construction. The study of Windy Hill uses colour to highlight the various distinct surfaces of the structure.

French Connections
I had always been drawn to the French town of Port-Vendres as the place where Charles Rennie Mackintosh (CRM) and his wife Margaret had spent their last few years together. The attraction of Port-Vendres was  both the interest of historical association and lines of inspiration for myself as an emerging artist. Both strands, moreover, were firmly embraced during a visit to Port-Vendres and district in April 2024, as a deeper understanding of artistic connections in the town unfolded and all manner of scenes and vistas presented themselves for inspiration. It was a revelation to observe how CRM had on numerous occasions introduced imaginative themes into his artwork.


Colorful illustration of the south/east elevation of The Hill House in Helensburgh, Scotland, with text overlay that reads, 'The Hill House, South/east elevation, Helensburgh, Scotland.'
Two colourful paintings of buildings based on Mackintosh's Queens Cross Church in Glasgow and Windy Hill, Kilmacolm.
Comparison of two images showing Port-Vendres, France. The left image is a colorful art piece with a sailboat and abstract landscape, while the right image is a photograph of a marina with boats, buildings, and a hillside in the background.