Dundee Wasps Open Studios

YEAH it’s happening!

We are welcoming people back to Meadow Mill for our WASPS Open Studios on the 6th and 7th August from 12 noon – 5pm.  This gives the public a real insight into how the different artists and designer work here in Dundee. All the spaces are so different from colourful busy spaces, quirky spaces, practical workshops to calm retreats. I love seeing pots of brushes, messy palettes, rows of tools!

Exhibition on the 4th Floor with a range of artworks to give a flavour of the creativity in the building.  And coffee and pastries from EH9 just next to my studio with a drawing table to sit and be creative!

This year I’m looking forward to seeing the studios of new tenants who have moved in over the last few years! 

Studios I’m looking forward to seeing:

Cara Rooney and her award winning illustrations, I love how she captures a childlike curiosity in her work. Kate Harvey with her colourful fashion textiles. The very dramatic landscape paintings from Ellis O’Connor. The hive of activity from the fabulous Dundee Ceramics Workshop with demonstrations and raffle. And in contrast we have artists who have been creating for many years, such as Maggie Milne who graduated over 40 years ago from DJCAD.

Organised Colourful Chaos

My studio will be organised colourful chaos, with a range of things I’ve been working on from: models, design sheets, test pieces, bespoke artworks plus I will have my full range of Dundee Delights greetings cards, tea towels, magnets including some new card designs and all the one-off prints that I’ve not had a chance to put on my online shop yet!

I’ve been really enjoying developing some larger scale watercolour collages. I started creating these during lockdown inspired by the river Tay. I really enjoy the balance and rhythms of colours and playing with composition to get them to work together.

I am also looking to clear some older works so big discounts on things too, if you’ve ever had your eye on anything – the time is now!  Plus I will be doing a wee special offer with 2 tea towels for £20 (£12.50 each).

Local creative businesses are joining in too from the 1st floor – Whimsical Lush with her quirky illustrations, Kerrie Aldo and her cool handmade outerwear, Susan Doyle with amazing aprons 1874 WORKS , Maggie Duncan with Made At The Mill and vintage clothing from Nicely Eclectic and many more…..

Lift access and free parking available (ask for a ticket when you arrive on the door). 

Please share this event to support lots of local creatives so we can let as many people know about our hub of creativity that we have here in our city.

I hope you enjoy your visit and come away feeling inspired!

This is the building you’re looking for, I’m on the 4th Floor in studio 404, come and say hello!

LOUISE KIRBY X JERRY RANDALLS Music and Art Collaboration

I was asked by composer Jerry Randalls to collaborate with him to create some visual to go with his new Laxmi composition.

I created a series of abstract compositions called Counterpoint in response to repeatedly listening to the Laxmi composition. I used gestural marks and movement with the brushes to create colourful textural marks in watercolour.  The individual pieces were sliced and re-composed to create new compositions of juxtaposing colour and pattern.  Colours were inspired by the Laxmi Hindu goddess.

Counterpoint 1
White mount size 21cm x 29.7cm
£45
Counterpoint 2
White mount size 21cm x 29.7cm
£45 – SOLD
Counterpoint 3
White mount size 21cm x 29.7cm
£45
Counterpoint 4
White mount size 21cm x 21cm
£35
Counterpoint 5
White mount size 21cm x 21cm
£40
Counterpoint 6
White mount size 21cm x 21cm
£45 – SOLD
Counterpoint 7
White mount size 21cm x 21cm
£40
Counterpoint 8
White mount size 21cm x 21cm
£40
Counterpoint 9
White mount size 21cm x 21cm
£30 – SOLD
Counterpoint 10
White mount size 21cm x 29.7cm
£45
Counterpoint 11
White mount size 21cm x 29.7cm
£40
Counterpoint 12
White mount size 21cm x 21cm
£35
Counterpoint 13
White mount size 21cm x 21cm
£35

If you are interested in any of the pieces for your home or office, please email hello@louisekirby.com They are all one off watercolour collages ranging from £30 – £45.

To listen to the collaboration click here

Jerry writes “Laxmi (also known as Lakshmi) – for Flute trio, jazz trio and cello

I have fused a jazzy arpeggiated melodic pattern with a 17th century harmonic progression which suggests more than a nod to J S Bach, but is also, as it happens, a staple of the jazz world. The piece concludes with a brief blues break which merges into a classic Baroque final cadence.

Louise has a striking and wholly individual style which resonates with the renaissance of her home town of Dundee as a leading citadel of contemporary creative arts. Her work is always confident, fresh and dynamic – and echoes techniques and principles which also guide my composition technique: line, patterns and sequences, energetic rhythms, tone colour, momentum and structure. I love how she has taken the idea of counterpoint – melody against melody – and applies it to visual art. I couldn’t have imagined a more spectacular exhibition to accompany my music. “

Colours and pattens inspired by the River Tay for Artist Support Pledge.

During lockdown the simple things in life became even more important to me, from watching the waves in the River Tay to spending time painting for fun on the kitchen table.  During this time I created a series of watercolour collages playing with rhythms of stripes with the juxtaposition of colour and pattern inspired by my local surroundings of the River Tay. It’s great what’s on our doorstep here in Dundee.

Prices range from £15 – £25 each, if you would like one for your home or office drop me an email on hello@louisekirby.com   Each one is a one-off original piece, initialled with free delivery. Each one is numbered under the image so please quote that in your email.


26.Costal Calm Watercolour Collage B. (fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £15 – SOLD

31.Mindful Watercolour Collage B. (fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £18

35.Sandy Shore Watercolour Collage C. (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £18

41.Meditation Watercolour Collage D. (fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £20

42.Meditation Watercolour Collage E. (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £20

43 Colour Study Watercolour Collage A. (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £20 – SOLD

44.Zesty Summer Watercolour Collage. (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £20

45.Colour Study Watercolour Collage . (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

46.Tranquil Tay A Watercolour Collage . (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

48.Seaweed Watercolour Collage. (Fits in a standard 8” x 6” frame).  £20

49.Rustic Watercolour Collage (fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

51.Ripple Watercolour Collage A (fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £20

52.Ripple Watercolour Collage B. (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £20

53.Rhythm Watercolour Collage A. (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £20

54.Rhythm Watercolour Collage B. (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame) £20

55.Teal Tay Watercolour Collage . (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

56.Journey Watercolour Collage A. (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

58.Accent Watercolour Collage A. (Fits in a standard 8” x 8” frame).  £25

59.Accent Watercolour Collage B (fits a standard 8” x 8” frame). £25

60.Accent Watercolour Collage C. (Fits into a standard 8” x 8” frame) £25

62.Costal Calm Watercolour Collage F. (Fits a standard 8” x 8” frame) £25 – SOLD

64. Sand Meets Seat and Sky Watercolour Collage . (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20 – SOLD

65. Brightness After the Rain A Watercolour Collage . (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

66. Brightness After the Rain B Watercolour Collage . (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

67. Rhythm A Watercolour Collage . (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

68. Rhythm B Watercolour Collage . (Fits a standard 8” x 6” frame). £20

When my sales reach £1000 I pledge to buy £200 from another artist to help support others artists through this difficult time. This initiative was set up by Mathew Burrows Studio to support artists who have lost commissions, teaching and gallery work through the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you’re interested in my design commissions or Dundee Delights products you can see more about them here