Boath House, Auldearn, Nairn, until 30 May 2009

BOATH HOUSE boasts an impressive collection of artwork on display throughout this boutique hotel. From large-scale paintings to small textile pieces, art adorns the public rooms of this Georgian Mansion, flooded with natural light from the spacious grounds and surrounds it sits in.

Man by Randy Klinger

Hanging in their small library throughout May is a neat collection of drawings by local artist and arts impresario Randy Klinger. Founder and Director of Moray Art Centre at Findhorn, this gentle man has produced some gentle drawings; what they may lack slightly in depth of tone they make up for in scrutinising detail.

There are nine works on show here, eight of which are portraits. The first is aptly titled ‘Man in a library’ and sits at the entrance, leading you into this reading room. One wall is lined from floor to ceiling with books, from food guides to travel guides, Umberto Eco to the ubiquitous bible.

All three of the other walls display Klinger’s craft. All graphite on hand-made paper and equally sized and framed, his eloquent drawings sit smartly in this chocolate coloured tall room. Each portrait displays a sitter at rest it seems, contemplative in mood but relaxed in pose. I sit back in one of the lounge chairs, flick through the pages of a nearby book and find myself mirroring these nearly perfect pencil images.

During my brief visit the manager, calling himself “Johnnie”, introduced himself. Handsome in both his suit and manners, he was most helpful and accommodating and showed me around the other rooms and their fill of art.

I then inadvertently bump into Don Matheson, the owner, who quite clearly takes a genuine interest in the artwork he shows here. An animated man, he chatted knowledgeably about each and every one of the artists he exhibits, showing great pride in their personal and artistic achievements.

It was an April afternoon that I visited this establishment for the first time. With the warm welcome of owner and manager, sunshine and art, it certainly put a Spring into my step as I walked away. Bring on the next season.

© Jacqueline Bennett, 2009

Links

• Moray Art Centre
• Boath House Hotel