The Making of Alpine Art . Graphics

We are two artists from a fine art and graphic design background, we originate from different parts of the UK but met in a ski resort bar in Villars-sur-Ollon nearly twenty years ago. Realising we had many things in common - we followed our dreams of developing our artistic talents to get established in Switzerland as professional artists.

So here we are, after many twists and turns, married, with a dog, an old little chalet, and an established art gallery in Villars-sur-Ollon, not far from where we first met in beautiful Switzerland. We really enjoy working from our studio at home in Gryon, however, it is not easy making a living purely as artists, so we also support ourselves with part-time admin work, teaching art & design, music and language tutoring, in the local international schools. 2020 has been a particularly challenging year, but we are determined for our artwork and projects to prevail with the launch of our new website - alpineart.graphics

We are commercially based at Galerie Alpine - established in 2016 in Villars-sur-Ollon. We are a Swiss association and have a collective of over twenty local and international artists exhibiting with us. At the gallery you can purchase our original artwork, framed prints, posters, greetings cards and postcards, with an on-line shop coming soon, but in the meantime please take a look at our on-line portfolios. You would be very welcome to contact us for either graphic design, fine art commissions or art tutoring.

Alpine Art . Graphics

Robin & Sophie Scott

My Art Monster by Sophie Scott

You will probably think that I am a bit bonkers, or perhaps it is just proof of a vivid imagination, but indisputably I do have an art monster living within me. It is a difficult thing to describe, an invisible eternal ‘being’ with a thirst for visual stimulation and a hunger to leave a creative legacy – contributing to the creative pool from which it draws strength.

I must have adopted this creature from an early age, as I can’t remember a time without it. I foolishly tried to cleave from it in my early twenties, which just left me feeling lost and miserable – so I am now, very willingly, it’s slave.

My art monster is very selfish, a bit greedy and would happily have me living in pyjamas, chained to my easel, existing on nothing but a diet of tea and chocolate. It gets frustrated when I have to go to work, it doesn’t care much for housework and it gets particularly annoyed if anyone knocks at the door. It would like nothing better than for me to paint all day so that it can realise it’s vision and potential and it requires my physical skills for its creative ideas to manifest.

When I give it free reign it will happily take over the whole house, every table inside and out are bedecked with creative endeavours. Hence, I always adopt the best room of the house with the best light as my studio – much to the annoyance of my husband. Even before I have finished a painting or in the process of making something it is thinking about the next project and is only happy when work is complete. Sometimes it wakes me up in the middle of the night with amazing ideas and visions.

It is drawn to the beauty of the natural world and loves it when I go walking in the mountains or in the woods with the dog, as it feels recharged - finding inspiration and reconnecting with the universe. Sundays are our sacred day for painting – art has become my religion, which hopefully other artists will understand. I am often left with the feeling that I don’t spend enough time painting and don’t do it justice. When I’m not painting, he gnaws away at me from the inside. It’s big teeth and sharp claws are particularly effective.

It has big ambitions and ideas, and wants me to realise it’s potential – this is a lifetime obligation, to find the balance of head, heart, monster and soul. I hope that, in the end, it will be proud of me and together we will have left a beautiful legacy that will inspire future artists.

‘In my Studio’ by Sophie Scott

Inspiration

Experiencing the changing seasons in the alpine landscape; fresh snow fall and powder ski-days, sunshine and snow shadows, alpine spring flowers, woodland walks and autumn hues, the colourful vineyards, mountain peaks reflected in lakes, a chance encounter with alpine wildlife, an aperitif with friends and the stunning panoramic sunsets, are all magic moments which inspire me to take photos and paint big canvases back in my studio.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” Pablo Picasso

‘Winter Panoramic View from Roc d’Orsay with Tree’ - 2018, oil on canvas, commissioned panoramic painting by Sophie Scott