Fascinated by the environment that surrounds her as she paints in real-time, she enjoys not only the variety of birdlife and plants, but also the ancient remains of past settlements.
Marion Thomson is a contemporary Scottish painter whose work captures the distinctive light, color, and atmosphere of Scotland's west coast islands. Having studied at both Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow University, Marion initially built a career in theatre, film, and television as a costume designer before committing to painting full-time in 2000.
Artistic Journey and Inspiration
The landscapes of Scotland's western islands have always held a special fascination for Marion. She has explored most of them extensively over the years, either walking or cycling from Islay in the Southern Hebrides to Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Recent years have seen her make repeated trips to Islay, Iona, the Uists, and Harris, with Iona particularly captivating her artistic imagination through its distinctive colors and light.
Marion Thomson's Creative Process
Marion's approach to landscape painting begins with immersive field research. She travels to her chosen locations equipped with paints, sketchbooks, a portable easel, and camera, deliberately seeking varied weather conditions to capture different atmospheric qualities. During these excursions, she cycles and walks along coastlines, stopping to sketch and paint, while also absorbing the rich context of local birdlife, native plants, and ancient settlement remains.
Studio Practice
Back in her studio near the Campsie Fells, Marion transforms these firsthand experiences and collected materials into finished paintings. She prepares her own canvases to create precisely the surface texture she prefers, then typically works on several paintings simultaneously over a period of weeks. Her technique combines palette knives and brushes to build layers of color and texture, recreating the unique light qualities and chromatic richness she encounters on the islands.
Artistic Range and Recognition
While landscapes form her primary focus, Marion also creates still life paintings, appreciating how their different color palettes can inform and enrich her landscape work. She finds additional inspiration in the woods and waterways near her village home. As a member of the Society of Scottish Artists, Marion has exhibited extensively throughout her career, including shows with the Royal Glasgow Institute and Paisley Art Institute. Her works have found homes in private collections across the United Kingdom and internationally.