The Scottish Colorists!? Who were they?
Very Good Question! Let me share with you.
The Scottish Colorists
It’s so interesting to be back in Scotland and reacquaint myself with a fundamental shift that happened in modern art led by an extraordinary group of Scottish artists at the turn of the 20th century.
We are all aware of the European breakthroughs led by Manet, Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh and others breaking conventions and traditions in the art of painting. But here in America at least, or maybe just California the role of “The Scottish Colorists” is not much talked about. Now I assure you there is no national bias here but, on my trip, I was again reminded how close the Scottish Artists were with their French counterparts. All of them travelled frequently to Paris and often not only stayed there but studied in the great French art academies. Some of the first Scottish Colorist Exhibitions took place in Paris at the same time of the post-impressionist exhibitions.
The core of The Scottish Colorists was a group of four revolutionary early 20th-century painters—Samuel John Peploe, John Duncan Fergusson, George Leslie Hunter, and Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell although there were others like Arthur Melville and John Lavery amongst other superbly talented artists.
Their art instigated an entirely resonant approach with what was happening in France and throughout Europe and rebelled against conventional compositions and figurative representation. These artists sought to go further, go deeper. There are so many interesting lessons, ideas about their use of color, tone, form and composition which truly became the front edge of modern art at the turn of the 20th Century. Lots to learn and see!
There is so much about these artists that caught my attention and what I want to share. Like Esco Arts they were an association, a collective, an alliance of artists who remained friends and colleagues for years. They met, discussed art, shared similar and different opinions, debated, discussed, travelled together, even often painted with each other. The collective association is a vital part of artists in our community coming together as we did on Saturday at the opening of “Beyond the Real”.
These Scottish artists also voraciously looked at and followed the latest work coming out of France(and England) such as Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Whistler even the early Picasso. Going to the exhibitions, galleries and shows. Studying carefully and attentively what these artists were doing, where they were going in their art. They often even directly copied these works themselves to really understand how the artist created the painting.
Seeing their work again was a reminder we must keep constantly seeking out and looking at Art, big names and small names, established and emerging. Local and global.
In the coming months I want to organize some group tours to our friends at The Oceanside Museum of Arts, The San Diego Museum of Art, LJMA, even a bus tour to The Getty and LACMA, who knows maybe one day to Edinburgh! Are you interested in participating in at least this local and regional art tour exploration? Scotland will be a little “doon the road” as we say…! Please email me and let me know what you think about seeing more art. Are you in?
Take a look at The Scottish Colorists. Tell me what you think? I really want this forum to be a dialogue, a respectful conversation. Will you join in? I’d love to hear from you. adrian@escoarts.com
Your volunteer President and Scottish American Artist. Adrian Stewart
Take in This Saturday Oct 17, 2026
Register Now Your Accepted Submission
For Light & Shade Exhibition at NICU Partner Gallery
Light & Shade Exhibition at NICU Notifications of Acceptance have been sent out
Important!! Next steps:
1) Please click on this link here nicu202606 | Escondido Art Association to register and pay for your participation in the exhibition. It will only take a couple of minutes. We have extended the registration date to be completed by Friday, October 16th, 2026.
2) Once you have registered and paid please bring your artwork to Take in and drop off of accepted artwork (and pick up artwork from the previous show) on Saturday October 17, 2026, 10 am – 12 noon at North Island Credit Union Partner Gallery next to Credit Union, 1230 Auto Parkway, Escondido. Please note the times our volunteers will be there, Credit Union staff cannot accept artwork.
3). Please join us for the Opening Reception at NICU Gallery Saturday October 24 at 10 am – 12 noon. Awards presentation 10.30 am.
This exhibition will continue through January 24, 2027.
Thank you for being such a vital part of the Esco Arts and our mission to support, promote and nurture the artistic community of Escondido. Keep creating!
North Island Credit Union is a valued partner to Esco Arts in promoting local Escondido artists of all ages to exhibit and display their work in this community. We are grateful for their support and partnership and look forward to growing and expanding this partnership. Stay tuned.
“Beyond The Real” Medal Awards
Two Escondido photographers, who also happen to be husband and wife, took double medals for their artwork at the opening of the new exhibition “Beyond the Real” at the Esco Arts Grand Avenue Gallery, Saturday evening. Escondido Artist Patrick Brown served as guest juror for the awards,
Highly regarded local Escondido photographer Ryan Fergison took the Gold medal for his evocative digital photo art called “Floating River”. The artwork combines images of his dog called “River” sleeping, merged with a stunning atmospheric photograph of sky and clouds.
The Silver Medal was awarded to Debbie Prince for her digital art “Torrey Pine”. Juror Patrick commented “This is a stunning piece; there is a dynamic quality that draws in the viewer. Very skillfully done.”
Joining her husband Jill Fergison also a highly regarded local photographer took the Bronze Medal for her artwork “Acid Rain”.
Honorable mentions include “Secret of The Coral Window” by Christine Damien and “Wicked Roosterfish” by Alice Malloy Change which also won The People’s Choice Award (by a landslide!)
”Beyond the Real” exhibition is now showing at Esco Arts, Grand Avenue Gallery, 121 West Grand Avenue, Escondido, Wednesday through Saturday 11 am – 5 pm. The exhibition runs through Friday, November 6, 2026. Admission is free. For more information visit www.escoarts.com or email info@escoarts.com.
Other Esco Arts News
Esco Arts Needs You
We have 13 Shifts Open This Month Needing Docents to Sign up
It’s a simple fact Escondido Art Association has no paid staff like the other Galleries. So we ask the members who are exhibiting in the show to help by volunteering to greet visitors.
For our new show Beyond The Real we currently have 13 docent shifts unassigned for this month.
Please sign up for a shift today.
You can easily sign up for a shift by going to www.escoarts.com/volunteer It will take about three minutes to sign up. Thank you.
Questions? Email us at info@escoarts.com
Art Classes
Please note pre-registration is now required for all classes, adults and children.
Please click here to pre-register or go to our new website www.escoarts.com and click on Art Classes.
Class Schedule Changed
Kat Furrow Classes Schedule Change -Kat will conducting a special Holidays Art Class on Saturday November 3, 2026. More details to follow.
Ms. Kara’s Kids Drawing Class (free)
Takes place on the 3rd Saturday monthly 11:30am-12:30pm at the EAA Grand Ave gallery
Next Session This Saturday October 17, 2026
More classes coming soon!
Special thanks to all our Silver Level Donors
Please join our community supporters with a donation to help fund all of our art education programs, Gallery Exhibitions and art activities in Escondido and around North County. Escondido Art Association is a certified 501(c)3 and we rely on your donations to keep Esco Arts active and funded. We rely on your donations. Go to escoarts.com/support and make a donation, it’s secure and easy to use. Thank you to all of those who have already made a 2026 donation. Visit our new Website
Escondido Art Association | 121 W Grand Avenue | Escondido, CA 92025
