A new studio at Merchiston Castle School

Following the squash court at Marchmont, I found myself in another unusually generous studio, this time as artist in residence at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. After a lifetime working in education, it feels familiar to be in a school again, although rather nice to be there primarily to paint rather than attend meetings. The space has allowed me to continue large canvases and start new work, with school life unfolding around me. Educational buildings, their rituals and the curious ways we organise people have fascinated me for years, so there is plenty to observe. Many thanks to the art and design team for making me so welcome. I am hoping to emerge with something rather more ambitious than a tidy studio.

The residency came about through a generous invitation from Polly Prosser, Head of Art and Design at Merchiston Castle School, who had previously brought a group of her pupils to visit my studio. Polly was keen to give the boys an opportunity to see a professional artist at work, not simply through a finished painting or an occasional demonstration, but by following the whole creative process as it unfolded over several months.

I was delighted to accept. Having recently stepped away from a long career in art education, it seemed an ideal opportunity to combine my two great interests — painting and teaching — but in a rather different way.

Polly was wonderfully supportive throughout the residency, encouraging pupils to visit my work, ask questions, contribute ideas and engage with the developing painting. Her enthusiasm for art education, and her determination to bring practising artists into the everyday life of the school, were central to the success of the project.

I’m enormously grateful to Polly for inviting me in the first place, for making me feel so welcome and for giving me the freedom to develop what became School Grounds, one of my most ambitious paintings to date.