Based in Perthshire, Ron Lawson is widely regarded as Scotland's most original and distinctive contemporary landscape painter. His unique and instantly recognisable style has met with an extraordinary response throughout the UK and abroad, where his works of the Scottish Islands and the Highlands are enthusiastically collected.
Born in 1960, Ron spent his early years on a farm in Mid-Lothian, Scotland before a career took him to the art studio of publishers DC Thomson in Dundee, where he progressively developed the dynamic and highly individual palette and technique that is central to his work today.
With a passion for dramatic and sparsely populated locations, Ron has spent many years exploring and capturing the wild remoteness and majesty of the Outer Hebrides and Scottish Highlands.
In 2010, after 34 years, Ron left his career to concentrate his time fully on painting. His remarkable, contemporary Scottish landscapes appeal to an international audience, and are included in private collections worldwide. Ron exhibits regularly in Scotland, London and New York.
My love of drawing began at a young age. From 10 years old I would doodle on any piece of paper I could find. In my early teenage years I began to combine my enjoyment of both films and art by painting my own versions of cinema posters. From these I created a large portfolio which earned me a job at 16 years old in the art studio where I worked happily for the next 34 years.
'There are many artists I admire. I am impressed by Edwards Seago and his use of watercolour. I admire absolutely everything Sir James Guthrie did. I also hold the works of James Morrison in very high regard; I have one of his paintings in my studio and never tire of looking at it.
Before deciding to paint professionally most of my time would be spent training for marathons or cycling. These days I do not have much free time as I work best when I am totally focused. I very much look forward to getting back out on my bike, but serious (painful) cycling can wait a little longer as I now direct all my energy into painting'.
"I thoroughly enjoy travelling all over the Highlands and Islands to capture the amazing landscapes that inspire my work. Whilst each place has its own unique quality, the opportunity to spend several days on St Kilda was truly wonderful. There is so much to see it is impossible to capture everything in one visit, so I enjoy returning regularly. I believe that in order to paint the subject I need to see and experience the places myself, and there are countless places I have yet to discover. I may even take my bicycle."
