Orkney adventure inspires Falkirk artist Jade to pass on her skills to others
Fresh from a triumphant exhibition in her native Orkney, artist Jade Stout has returned to Falkirk filled with inspiration.
Jade held a successful solo exhibition at Northlight Gallery in Stromness where she sold more than 50 original paintings over the course of three weeks.
Now she says she has come back to the mainland with a renewed sense of purpose and a creative energy which she will “channel directly” into her teaching in Falkirk.
She said: “There’s a clarity to Orkney. The light, the openness, the history. It strips everything back. You become very aware of your place in the landscape, rather
than trying to control it.”
Jade will be leading a series of art classes at Studio 164, in Grahams Road, Falkirk, over four Friday afternoons in May.
A welcoming space led by mosaic master Rhona Duffy, Studio 164 offers workshops for people to engage with creativity in an accessible and supportive environment.
Since opening last year, Rhona has been supporting both emerging and established artists to teach, while also encouraging those completely new to arts and crafts to take part in classes.
Jade’s classes are designed to welcome participants of all levels. The sessions explore landscape through print, paper, and paint with an emphasis less on technical perfection and more on curiosity, intuition and personal response.
“I think people often come into art classes expecting to be shown how to ‘do it right’,” said Jade. “But what I’m really interested in is helping people slow down and trust their own instincts.
"There’s a real appetite for that kind of space. People are busy, often overwhelmed, and they’re looking for something that helps them reconnect not just with creativity, but with themselves.”
Looking further ahead, Jade will also be taking part in Falkirk Open Studios with other local creatives this September, opening up her practice and Stenhousemuir studio to the public and continuing to build connections within the local creative community.
Leading this year’s event are Rhona Duffy and local artist Nikki Monaghan.
They’ve just launched a new website and are encouraging creative people from all disciplines to take part.
Visit the Studio 164 website and the Open Studios website for more information.