JULIE SMITH & BRIDGET HUNTER

Julie Smith and Bridget Hunter are two artists whose creative journeys, shaped by both joy and personal loss, are deeply rooted in resilience, friendship, and the Scottish landscape.

Bridget’s paintings of florals, still lifes, and coastal scenes are filled with quiet strength and emotion, while Julie’s layered, semi-abstract landscapes shimmer with light, history, and depth. Together, their works reflect a shared spirit of renewal and artistic courage.

The artists first met during Open Studios Ayrshire, where Julie’s unique approach fascinated Bridget. Their friendship grew through studio visits and demonstrations, leading Bridget to propose a joint exhibition, a collaboration that both felt was perfectly timed.

Julie’s path to art was unconventional. Raised in a working-class family in the 1960s, she initially worked outside art before returning to painting after attending Glasgow School of Art. For Bridget, painting was a lifelong passion balanced alongside teaching and family life. Recent personal tragedies temporarily paused her practice, but reconnecting with Julie helped reignite her creativity.

Family and place inspire much of their work. Bridget often returns to the subject of her eleven grandchildren, a source of joy and energy, though no portraits appear in this exhibition. Julie finds inspiration in Scotland’s wild landscapes and their ancient histories. Both artists admire Scottish painters like Joan Eardley and Elizabeth Blackadder, as well as American abstract expressionists.

Bridget, who grew up in the Doon Valley in a mining family with her father an engineer in the pits. This landscape of her childhood continues to shape her work. “The Doon Valley landscape, especially around Loch Doon, seems to appear in all my landscapes,” she reflects. “The hills and the sheep farms are just part of me.”

Notable pieces in the exhibition include Julie’s Loudoun Hill, recalling youthful memories, and Bridget’s Picnics at Maidens, a coastal scene that captures the serene beauty of the Scottish shore. Bridget’s landscapes and still lives offer grounding and joy, developed from outdoor sketches into finished studio works using acrylics and oil pastels. Julie’s semi-abstract mixed media work balances careful planning with spontaneity.

Both artists have found preparing for the exhibiting together a rewarding experience, sharing encouragement and a mutual love for art. Bridget said: “I never imagined I’d exhibit in a space like The Glasgow Gallery, it’s quite humbling!”

Julie Smith and Bridget Hunter’s exhibition runs at The Glasgow Gallery from 2nd to 30th August 2025, celebrating memory, and creative resilience through the beauty of Scotland’s landscapes and lives.