After three decades with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, former firefighter Gus Paton is preparing for a very different kind of challenge as he takes part in his first Cowal Open Studios weekend this September.
Greenock born and bred, Gus moved across the Clyde to Kirn with his wife at the beginning of this year and has quickly settled into life on the Cowal peninsula.
Having spent 30 years in the fire service – an experience he describes as being like going to work with your pals – Gus has always enjoyed being around people.
That enthusiasm for community also saw him spend 20 years with Greenock Art Club, initially as vice-president before later becoming its chair.
Alongside his career, however, art has remained a longstanding passion.
I paint what moves me and work within my own parameters, Gus said. I love the process of painting and drawing and often choose subjects, such as characters from popular culture, that evoke emotions.
His detailed portrait work includes familiar faces ranging from Peaky Blinders character Thomas Shelby and comedy legends Laurel and Hardy to broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough.
Since moving to Cowal, Gus has joined Cowal Arts Network (CAN), the organisation behind the annual Cowal Open Studios weekend, which this year takes place from September 25 to 28.
I joined Cowal Arts Network as a way of meeting new folk and it’s inspiring to see so many artists and makers calling this place home, he said.
I work with oils, charcoal and pencils and enjoy my craft. After three decades doing a high-pressure job, this is a way for me to be creative on my own terms.
I’m going into this year’s COS weekend with no expectations, but I’m looking forward to putting up the bunting and seeing how people react to my artworks.
Gus is currently working on several new pieces ahead of September’s event, although his journey with oil painting stretches back more than 25 years.
His first oil painting was completed in 2000 as a commission for the fire service and its positive reception encouraged him to explore the medium further.
I did a lot of artistic drawing whilst at school and it was great to rediscover the passion alongside my regular day job, he said.
For Gus, oils offer a particular freedom to experiment with colour, texture and depth.
Oils provide the greatest variety of visual and textural effects and the richest colour of any single medium in my view, he explained.
Their slow-drying characteristics allow me to continually experiment with techniques to create the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality.
Being effectively self-taught, I have enjoyed the various challenges that each and every painting has presented, which has allowed me to grow and develop as an artist.
More than 60 members of Cowal Arts Network will showcase their work during this year’s Cowal Open Studios weekend, opening studios and creative spaces to visitors across the peninsula.
Gus will feature on the event’s central route, covering Dunoon and the surrounding area, as he welcomes visitors to see his work for the first time as part of the annual event.
Cowal Open Studios takes place from September 25 to 28. More information is available from the Cowal Open Studios website, while Gus can be contacted at [email protected].
