elaine johnston
An Ayrshire artist with a worldwide following and a heart for giving back.
Alison Donnell
Elaine Johnston of Johnston Art has her studio and gallery in the unique setting of the Burns Tower in Mauchline.
Elaine’s artistic background is impressive, painting since she was six years old, she graduated with an Honours degree from Glasgow School of Art, then worked for Peter Howson, the renowned Bosnia and Kosovo war artist. She’s won several prestigious awards, including The Design for Diplomats which she received at Downing Street. One award led to work in Dubai. In addition Elaine won the prestigious ‘Young Achievers for Scotland’ presented by the late Queen Elizabeth.
After working for Howson for four years, Elaine left to study for another degree at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she graduated as a set-designer and worked around the world designing sets as far away as Fort Peck Theatre in Montana to Stellenbosch Theatre in Cape Town.
In 2006, Elaine relocated to Ayrshire to raise her two girls in a rural environment, initially setting up a studio in her back garden. She recalls a conversation with a local farmer where she asked him if he would like his children painted as she was a portrait artist and he said ‘I want ma prize beasts painted, hen, no ma weans’. That flipped Elaine’s business overnight, an she literally went from painting mostly portraits of people to wildlife! As well as painting animals such as her iconic ‘Hamish’ the Highland Cow she extends her repertoire to eagles, stags and animals that aren’t indigenous to Scotland like lions and tigers.
Thanks to her (former) local Councillor, Neil McGhee, Elaine was able to relocate her studio to the historic National Burns Memorial Tower in Mauchline. Built to commemorate Robert Burns it is has a winding internal stone staircase over three levels with an incredible battlement viewing platform which offers a 360 degree view over the surrounding Ayrshire countryside.
The more unusual artwork extends to painting on various items such as a London Herald newspaper reporting the Kennedy assassination, Elaine painted an American eagle on this by way of commemoration. In addition you will find her work painted on steel, slate and inanimate objects such as an old oil can, a piece of driftwood from the beach and often personal items customers bring to the gallery.
Elaine was honoured to have been invited to both the Princess of Wales Carol Concert in London and the King’s Garden Party at Holyrood this past year, recognising her contribution to charitable causes.
However Elaine is at her happiest painting in front of an audience. Her attendance at charity events and balls has ensured a reputation for being one of Scotland’s foremost artists where she’s generous with her time and talent.
Painting in a ballgown and high heels on stage in front of up to 700 people; the reaction from the gathered audience when they see the painting from the first brushstroke on a blank canvas to a completely finished painting is incredible to watch… many can’t believe the talent before them. The painting is then auctioned for charity, with additional bids for a similar piece being offered, so often Elaine sells more than one. At one event she actually sold nine!
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Maggie’s, Ayrshire Hospice, Beatson Cancer Charity, Erskine Veterans Hospital and more have benefited from Elaine’s generous donations.
Elaine very much likes to give back to charities and the local community.
She has linked in with local schools, the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers to teach children how to bring out their artistic side and paint. The council or parents often supply all the materials with some kindly sponsors stepping in. Elaine has held exhibitions of the youngsters work in her Studio and Gallery giving them a taste of being a real artist. What a marvellous way to earn their Art badges and Elaine may have inspired a few future artists!
In addition she holds workshops for a number of charities, specifically for those adults and children whom the charities support.
Elaine exports artwork to galleries worldwide – as far away as the USA, Australia and Dubai where her vibrant, colourful paintings are sought after – Japan, a country her daughter has just visited-unsurprisingly prefer the bold black and white Highland cows and stags. In Scotland, her work is available in a few galleries on the islands although she mainly sells direct to customers, by appointment, at her Studio and Gallery.
People can contact Elaine direct and she makes the experience all about them, arranging a mutually agreed time and the clients have exclusivity of the gallery, including the viewing platform weather permitting, while Elaine paints in her studio.
Elaine is happy to accept commissioned work and one of the growing parts of her business is undertaking Pet Portraits which make exceptional gifts, or indeed just to immortalise your own pet.
With a few scheduled Exhibitions each year in her Studio and Gallery (you can check for upcoming events on her FB or Instagram pages) Elaine also exhibits at a few external events like The Royal Highland Show and the Scottish Game Fair.
The upcoming Art Exhibition for Ayrshire Hospice from 11-13th December will include Elaine’s work as well as painting demonstrations. A fabulous opportunity to get that last-minute gift!
Prices for Elaine’s artwork range from £95 to a staggering £14,500, which she has achieved on certain commissions. However as Elaine always states its not what you pay for a piece of Art, it’s the fact that it grabs you in a way that brings you joy and that is a feeling you can’t put a price on!
Find out more about Elaine’s art at www.johnstonartist.co.uk
your chance to win
This is your opportunity to win a fabulous Pet Portrait by renowned Ayrshire Artist Elaine Johnston. Working from your photographs she will paint your pet (in oils). The piece will be framed and ready to hang and included in this prize is an exclusive invitation to visit Elaine’s Studio and Gallery in Mauchline to collect your finished portrait. Valued at £895 this is a fabulous prize for yourself or to give someone as a gift. Follow our socials for more details.
