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by Jenny Watson
Getting to know his hometown during lockdown inspired Euan Greenoak to pick up a camera and capture the beauty of his surroundings.
Thanks to those images and a local art class, Euan now creates dreamy, gentle landscapes that capture the warmth of the subject on paper and remind us of the many hidden gems West Dunbartonshire has to offer.
Q: When did you first start painting?
A: About 14 months ago. I never studied it at school, I was told I wasn’t good at art and encouraged to pick other classes that I would do better in.
I went to an art painting class at the Phoenix Centre in Dumbarton and I really enjoyed it.
After that my wife gifted me an artist kit for Christmas and I have created a piece nearly every week since.
Q: What is your favourite medium?
A: Watercolours. I tried acrylics first because that is what we used in the art class.
The kit my wife got me has lots of different materials so I tried watercolours next and I just really enjoyed them.
They are subtle. You get a softer, lighter effect and I really like that.
I may move on to something else in the future but I am enjoying watercolours just now.
Q: Who or what inspires your work?
A: Local people. The ‘Art for Everyone Dumbarton’ Facebook page is fantastic – you see people on there every day creating for themselves.
Not for a job, it’s for their own enjoyment and that inspires me.
It has a great community aspect to it and is a good space to talk to like-minded people that encourage and support you.
Q: What are your future plans for your art?
A: Keep painting and learning. I participated in a local art show in August 2022 and that was fun so hopefully I’ll get to do that again.
I would like to paint more local landmarks.
I have lived here for seven years but it wasn’t until lockdown, when all we could do was go for walks locally, that I started to learn more about the area.
Q: If you could paint anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
A: I don’t think I would choose anywhere else but right here, right now. I think it’s important to have a connection to the place you are painting and I feel I have that here.
Maybe we could have better weather though!
Q: Where can we view your work?
A: I share my work on the ‘Art for Everyone Dumbarton’ Facebook page and I’ve just recently set up my own one called Euan Greenoak Art.
