AN artist with a passion for a Scottish island recently returned to Gourock to show off his amazing work.
Kenny Brown, whose colourful creations are inspired by his memories of Arran, took over McGilp’s pop-up shop for a week.
Kenny, who is based in Kilmarnock, first displayed his art in Gourock last year and had such a great time that he vowed to make it back.
He said: “I wanted an excuse to drive to Gourock!
“I will never get tired of that drive.
“The Café Continental is my favourite place for lunch. I love just sitting and watching the world go by.
“My favourite pastime is swimming, so I was in the outdoor pool three times in the week I was there.”
Kenny, 60, was brought up in Ayr and spent his childhood going to the Maclaurin Art Gallery.
When he retired a couple of years ago, he decided it was time to use his love of art to start painting.
He said: “I was extremely lucky as a kid to be able to look at international art round the corner from where I lived.
“I was looking at Matisse works from when I was about 11, learning about art and appreciating it.
“I spent 50 years going to galleries and decided to stop consuming and start creating."
Kenny’s work is bright and bold and very colourful.
He added: “I just want to paint how I feel about Arran.
“I’m not trying to paint for others.
“I’ve had a caravan in Lochranza for 15 years, and I used to use it as a hop-off point for going back and forward.
“The last time I was there, I just sat at Lochranza and looked at the sky and the wildlife.
“The more you visit somewhere, the more you see, and the more you end up loving it.
“It’s not how far you go; it’s how you see things when you get there.”
Kenny’s first exhibition was at the Whitespace Gallery in Edinburgh and then he showcased his work in Dunlop Community Centre, before taking over McGilp’s for the first time around a year ago.
He said he loves the freedom of painting and losing himself in his work - and doesn't mind if he makes mistakes.
Kenny added: “A lot of artists get hung up on drawing, composition, and framing.
“I don’t have to prove that I can draw or make good pictures.
“If I want to play with colour, I can play with colour.
“I get a big palette and empty all of the colours out onto it. I get as much colour onto the palette as possible and bring as many colours as I can to the canvas.
“When I get into the zone It’s like being a kid again. I’m not worried about making a mess or making a mistake.
“If I’m painting, I’m not doing it for my friends or family; I’m doing it for myself and if I like it, I am happy!"
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