{"id":3024,"date":"2026-02-23T08:53:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T08:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cool-banzai.185-132-38-6.plesk.page\/?p=3024"},"modified":"2026-02-23T08:53:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T08:53:06","slug":"tmi-baf-artists-explore-hills-coasts-new-horizons-and-nautical-monsters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cool-banzai.185-132-38-6.plesk.page\/?p=3024","title":{"rendered":"TMI? BAF Artists Explore Hills, Coasts, New Horizons and Nautical Monsters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Information overload and nautical monsters \u2013 just two of the themes that fascinate Georgina Bown<\/strong>, who is one of more than 80 exhibitors at Borders Art Fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As ever the highly popular event in Kelso is attracting artists from across the UK, including East Lothian painter Kirsten Boston<\/strong>, landscape artist Sandra Vick <\/strong>from Penicuik, Midlothian and Bown, also from East Lothian, who is a visual artist and metal sculptor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among Bown\u2019s most familiar works is her TMI (too much information) sculpture, in Archerfield walled garden, created as a response to our growing obsession with useless data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cWe are becoming overwhelmed by information. People have become obsessed with their phones, checking them on average every eight minutes, and its stuff we don\u2019t need at all.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An artist, trained mechanic, welder and fabricator (who loves classic cars and owns a 1951 Morris), she is often inspired by the sea and what lies beneath the waves \u2013 something that has earned her commissions from the Royal Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the sculptures, prints and drawings she will be showing at her fifth McInroy & Wood Borders Art Fair are inspired by her oceanic interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cI live near the sea, and it gets into your blood. It\u2019s such a powerful element. I became interested in ships and oil rigs and then my mind increasingly turned to what\u2019s underwater \u2013 we know so little about it. It\u2019s dark, mysterious, unknown and sometimes menacing.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI got fascinated by what lurks there \u2013 the nautical monsters, whether they are natural or manmade. The things that are out there and unseen, from whales to submarines.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mixed media artist Boston, at BAF for the third time, says her work is mainly inspired by landscapes, and often the Scottish coast with its big skies and shifting light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cFor the Borders Art Fair, I\u2019ll be showing a new body of work that builds on my interest in landscape and the horizon. The paintings are rooted in the Scottish coast, but they\u2019re not all literal depictions of specific places. Instead, they explore atmosphere, memory, and that quiet pull you get from being in wide, open spaces.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving inland, Vick finds inspiration in the Pentlands and the hills of the Borders and her work is held in public and private collections worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is bringing her latest paintings to BAF, including a large triptych inspired by the hills around Innerleithen, plus small artist\u2019s books exploring the language, shape, and history of the hills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vick said: \u201c<\/em>I\u2019ve spent years running and walking in the hills. My paintings capture the feeling of being in the hills – capturing the shape, and the way we have impacted on it – including the footpaths that draw a line through the landscape. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI spend a lot of time outside in all weathers, drawing whilst in the hills and then bring it back to my studio where I work it into paintings. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen my father died of pancreatic cancer back in 1997 he left a speech to be read at his funeral – addressed to me and my siblings, he said \u2018don\u2019t waste your life in a job you don\u2019t like, life is short and you never know when it will end. Do what you love\u2019. This prompted me to make the decision to leave my job as a health economist and go to art college – something my Dad did not allow when I was at school!\u201d  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All three say they love BAF because of the quality of the exhibitors, the interest and enthusiasm of visitors, the friendly, welcoming atmosphere and the high standard of organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work on show will include landscapes, wildlife and figurative painting, sculptures, ceramics, digital art and printmaking. It is family-friendly and features workshops and demonstrations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frances Fergusson, Director of the Borders Art Fair, said:<\/strong> \u201cBAF is always a mixture of new and familiar faces \u2013 one of the things we are proudest of is that so many artists and visitors see it as a must-do feature of their calendar.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fair, which attracts over 4,000 visitors, takes place at The Borders Event Centre from 13-15 March. It starts at 10am daily, ending at 5pm on Saturday and 4pm on Friday and Sunday \u2013 visitors are asked to pay what they can afford to support next year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After browsing stalls and chatting to the artists visitors can relax and refuel at the indoor food village, where there will be food vans packed with all sorts of tempting treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also a great selection of restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars within walking distance. Kelso also offers hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and country cottages to rent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitors can enjoy much more than just BAF as the Borders has picturesque beaches, seaside villages and dramatic headlands, stately homes, mountain bike trails and the rolling hills \u2013 promising something for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n