Profile
Heather McAlpine
2020
My recent paintings are inspired by my love of wild swimming. This has given me a new perspective and access to the sea year round. One of my favourite places to swim is Porthminster Point, which is usually isolated as it takes a bit clambering over the rocks to get to the sea, the rocks are covered in small barnacles and ochre coloured seaweed, at low tide the colours are at their best.
I love the sense of isolation, entering the cold water helps focus on the present and there is a sense of achievement as your body adjusts to this watery world, bobbing with the swell taking in the clouds the odd seal and the smell of the seaweed on the rocks gives me plenty of inspiration, afterwards there is a deep sense of calm as your body core temperature cools down.
Back in the studio I prefer to paint in the evenings I feel I can immerse myself in the painting process, using acrylic paints I combine many layers and experimental mark making techniques which I find offers me the freedom to explore the energy and movement of the sea which has become the predominant influence in my work.
Education
1993-95 MA Painting Royal College of Art
1990-93 BA (Hons) Fine Art University of East London
1989-90 Art Foundation Waltham Forest College
Exhibitions
2023
Newlyn Society of Artists : Showcase 2023 – Tremheneere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance
Solo Exhibition – The Terrace Gallery, Penryn
Summer Tour, selected summer show – AKA Gallery, Cambridge
St Ives Society of Artists, Members Summer Exhibition – Mariners Gallery, St Ives
Tarpey Open – Tarpey Gallery, Castle Donington
3 St Ives Painters – Crypt Gallery, St Ives
Spring Forward : selected group show – AKA Gallery, Cambridge
Engage : Newlyn Society of Artists Spring Exhibition – Tremheneere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance
St Ives Society of Artists, Members Spring Exhibition – Mariners Gallery, St Ives
Smalls for Walls : Group Exhibition – Sou-Sou West Gallery, Sydmondsbury Estate, Bridport
2022
The Map is Not the Territory : The Newlyn Society of Artists – Tremenheere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance
Summer Exhibition, Group Exhibition, The Art Buyer, Thames Ditton
Cornish Perspectives : Contemporary Art from the Peninsula – Group Exhibition, Thompson’s Gallery, London
St Ives Society of Artists Members Summer Exhibition, Mariners Gallery, St Ives
Memory : Newlyn Society of Artists, Spring Exhibition, Tremheneere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance
St Ives Society of Artists, Spring Exhibition – Mariners Gallery, St Ives
2021
Looking Forward: Newlyn Society of Artists – Tremheneere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance
Sea Exhibition: 26 Artists Celebrating the Sea – Portside Gallery, Bristol
St Ives Society of Artists Members Summer Exhibition – Mariners Gallery, St Ives
Past Present Future: 125 Year Anniversary, Newlyn Society of Artists, Tremheneere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance
St Ives Society of Artists Christmas Exhibition, Mariners Gallery, St Ives
2020
Edge of Dark : The Newlyn Society of Artists – Tremenheere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance
Winter Associates Exhibition – Penwith Gallery, St Ives
Members Spring Exhibition : St Ives Society of Artists, Mariners Gallery, St Ives
2019
Associates Winter Exhibition – Penwith Gallery, St Ives
Spring Open Exhibition : St Ives Society of Artists, Mariners Gallery, St Ives
2018
Associates Winter Exhibition, Penwith Gallery, St Ives
St Ives Society of Artists, Winter Exhibition, Mariners Gallery, St Ives
2015
Mary Woerner Fine Art – West Palm beach, Florida, US
Vancouver Art Gallery – Art Rental and Sales, Vancouver, Canada
CityScape Community Art Space – Art Rental Program, North Vancouver, Canada
2014
North Shore Art Crawl – Open Studio, North Vancouver, Canada
UGallery – Online Gallery, San Francisco, US
2013
North Shore Art Crawl – Open Studio, North Vancouver, Canada
Art Party – Seymour Art Gallery, Deep Cove , North Vancouver, Canada
UGallery – Online Gallery, San Francisco, US
2012
100 Years / 100 Artists – Group Exhibition, The Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver
North Shore Art Crawl – Open Studio
Anonymous Art Show – Cityscape gallery, North Van Community Arts Council
UGallery – Online Gallery, San Francisco, US
2011
DisCOVEy Show – Seymour Art Gallery, Deep Cove, North Vancouver
U8 – Sopa Fine Arts, Kelowna, BC
Lay/er/ed – Group Exhibition, Four Heathers, The Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver
UGallery – Online Gallery, San Francisco, US
2010
Cove Creek Gallery – Deep Cove, North Vancouver
Anonymous Art Show – Cityscape, North Vancouver Community Arts Council, North Vancouver
Athletes Village – Olympic Village, Vancouver
