Rhythm and Blues
Rhythm and Blues
Val Menon
01.10.25 – 01.11.25
I am in a dream
Of high mountains
Graham’s and Gneiss
Sandstone
Red brown
Layers
Of high mountains
Graham’s and Gneiss
Sandstone
Red brown
Layers
Burnside gallery is delighted to announce an exhibition of recent work by Val Menon celebrating the rich colour and gestural mark making of a keenly observational artist. Following her two joint shows at Burnside gallery in 2023 and 2021, for her solo show in 2025, she has concentrated on the landscape of the North West coast of Scotland. Rhythm and Blues is the culmination of two years preparing oil paintings, watercolours and charcoal drawings of the mountain landscape. Val walked in Torridon, the Summer Isles and Morvern, looking at mountains gathering drawings and watercolours.
She says
I have made connections with the mountain landscape of the North West of Scotland.
Everything stems from direct observation during hikes. I use water based paint, charcoal and graphite to record into sketch books.
Back in the studio I develop paintings. I never quite know the end result. I try to immerse myself and paint what I have seen.
The writings of Dorothy Wordsworth (the nineteenth century poet) and her descriptions of nature have helped me explore how I interpret my experience in a particular landscape.
I start with observing closely, sometimes for long periods and returning when possible. I try to be honest with my response.
She says
I have made connections with the mountain landscape of the North West of Scotland.
Everything stems from direct observation during hikes. I use water based paint, charcoal and graphite to record into sketch books.
Back in the studio I develop paintings. I never quite know the end result. I try to immerse myself and paint what I have seen.
The writings of Dorothy Wordsworth (the nineteenth century poet) and her descriptions of nature have helped me explore how I interpret my experience in a particular landscape.
I start with observing closely, sometimes for long periods and returning when possible. I try to be honest with my response.
The Lake became of glassy calmness and all was still. I sate till I could see
no longer’
Extracts from The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth by Frances Wilson.
Extracts from The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth by Frances Wilson.
Whilst spending time on the Summer Isles archipelago of about twenty islands in Assynt–Coigach, Sutherland, I discovered her poem Floating Islands.
I have tried to focus on being part of something other and in place.
Returning visits to the west coast have brought me closer to understanding the more you know something, the more it gives out. Sheila Fell, a Cumbrian painter vividly expressed a working landscape in which she brought her past experiences and memories to her work. Ysanne Holt, Professor Emeritus of Art History at The University of Northumbria, highlighted this in a talk at The Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, in January 2025 and made parallels with Joan Eardley.
A physical, sensory emotional immersion characterised Joan Eardley’s paintings and made them in place. The intent and relationship of these artists and poets to their landscape inspire. They have helped me, throughout my past two years research produce these paintings.
Val Menon, September 2025
Fine Art Graduate of Nottingham College of Art and Design. (1989)
Moved to Edinburgh in 1989.
Based, Coburg House Art Studios, Edinburgh
Notes for buyers
We have all the paintings listed in the website; if you do not see them on our walls, please ask to see them.
In the website and gallery red dots signify 'sold'. Talk to us if you live so far away that you would like to take the work of art with you.
Measurements are height first.
Paintings, can be bought online and sent to mainland Britain at the purchaser's consideration and risk. Please contact us by the contact page and tell us the name of the painting you are interested in.
All copyright of works of art remains with the artist
I have tried to focus on being part of something other and in place.
Returning visits to the west coast have brought me closer to understanding the more you know something, the more it gives out. Sheila Fell, a Cumbrian painter vividly expressed a working landscape in which she brought her past experiences and memories to her work. Ysanne Holt, Professor Emeritus of Art History at The University of Northumbria, highlighted this in a talk at The Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, in January 2025 and made parallels with Joan Eardley.
A physical, sensory emotional immersion characterised Joan Eardley’s paintings and made them in place. The intent and relationship of these artists and poets to their landscape inspire. They have helped me, throughout my past two years research produce these paintings.
Val Menon, September 2025
Fine Art Graduate of Nottingham College of Art and Design. (1989)
Moved to Edinburgh in 1989.
Based, Coburg House Art Studios, Edinburgh
Notes for buyers
We have all the paintings listed in the website; if you do not see them on our walls, please ask to see them.
In the website and gallery red dots signify 'sold'. Talk to us if you live so far away that you would like to take the work of art with you.
Measurements are height first.
Paintings, can be bought online and sent to mainland Britain at the purchaser's consideration and risk. Please contact us by the contact page and tell us the name of the painting you are interested in.
All copyright of works of art remains with the artist
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