INTRODUCTION

Thank you for visiting our website, I hope you will enjoy it and will come back and visit us anytime you need to order some of our products. I would greatly value the opportunity of being able to meet you in person, rather than having this screen between us, but that is not always possible.  I do, however, travel and exhibit my paintings from time to time all over the world, so who knows perhaps our paths may cross at some stage!

A POTTED HISTORY OF ‘LOON’

WHO AND WHERE IS HE?

The name ‘Loon’ is a Scottish colloquialism often used when referring to a young boy, it is a nickname I have had since the age of five!  Some people seem to think it is short for lunatic but I can't imagine what gives them that impression!

We live on the Black Isle, in the North of Scotland, out in the country  overlooking the sea  and my studio is in the nearby village of Muir of Ord. Those who know the area might recognise some of the backgrounds in the cartoons.

My long suffering wife, Fiona, runs a busy household and helps to organise the administration of our little cottage industry, together with my part-time secretary Juliet, if you have any queries or need to touch base for any reason we will be only too happy to help. Our two daughters and one son might also answer any calls so please bear with them!

SOME BACKGROUND

I have drawn and painted for as long as I can remember and have nurtured an ambition to become an artist since the age of seven or eight. The cartooning developed itself in the back row of the classroom at Gordonstoun, where I also received the only formal training for painting I have ever had. What I create now is to all intents and purposes self taught.

My father was beaten soundly for producing a painting for his art exam at Eton which should have been an impression of wartime London...his version was of  'The Blackout!’ when he covered his entire canvas with black paint. There are many wonderful stories to regale about him, his sense of humour,  adventure,  fun and a love of life all go to emphasise the environment in which my brother and sisters grew up.

My mother was an olympic skier in '48 and '52 and is herself  an accomplished artist!  We lived in a large house near Forres in the North of Scotland and every year we held a dance with hilarious plays and skits in aid of the Brittish Ski Team of that year: again there are many wonderful tales to be told of a very happy childhood.  Every year we do a painting course together at her beautiful farm in the Findhorn valley in Scotland.  She also has a riding school there so there is always something going on.

After  Gordonstoun I attended Grenoble University,  in France,  for a short course before heading for Courcheval where I worked on the ski patrol, skiing all day long every day for a whole season- great fun and loads of stories to tell.  I  then served a four year commission in the Scots Guards in Germany,  Northern Ireland and London and I have many great friends from these days who provide me still with endless inspiration! You will find the story of when I put three live white mice up the Pipe-Major's kilt amongst other anecdotes in my book 'THE SPORTING CARTOONS OF ALASDAIR HILLEARY’.

THE WORKPLACE

Ideas and images for cartoons stem from experiences that I have had and it is vital to feed this source by participating with enthusism in every activity I paint  A sketch book accompanies me wherever I go to jot down any ideas or impressions as they occur;  so you will find me researching my subject out stalking,  on the river bank,  skiing or riding the Cresta run,  riding,  hunting,  racing  and now sailing...etc...etc...!.

In my studio I use a mirror to obtain the required expressions and certain positions of my characters, so most of what you see in the paintings are in fact self-portraits!  I paint in water-colour and finish off the work using pen and ink and sometimes crayon.  My aim is to create an attractive and colourful painting with a humorous content!  My wife often accuses me of laughing at my own jokes more than anyone else which I can do to my heart's content in the privacy of my studio!

WHERE TO SEE MY WORK

In London : The Tryon Gallery, 7 Bury Street, St. James's SW1 6AL

In Edinburgh : The Anthony Woodd Gallery, 4 Dundas St, EH3 6HZ.

The House of Bruar at Blair Atholl,  Skibo Castle, Made in Scotland in Beauly, The Braemar Gallery and Grahams in Inverness are only a few of the many shops that stock some of my work.

We also produce a catalogue every two years which we would be happy to send you if you wish, but you will get more up-to-date information and a greater range here on our website.

I exhibit my work in February each year at Mathis restaurant at the top of Corviglia in St.Moritz,  Switzerland (if you want a great lunch as well there is nowhere better!)

Tiger Tops in Nepal is not necessarily on your daily rounds but I am in love with the place and especially the World Elephant Polo Campionships which is just asking for a cartoon or two( when you have finished here try our link to them).

The largest collection of my caricatures can be found in The Hong Kong Club where I have done most of their past chairmen.

Apart from the above mentioned locations we can be found at the C.L.A. Gamefairs, The Moy  Game Fair every year and we are often represented at many other country sports fairs. We are always looking for new venues