Artist Statement
Iain‘s paintings always have a strong narrative. They are created using miniaturist principles and techniques, with meticulous attention to detail. However instead of limiting himself to the small scale, he's applied his skills also to large canvases with the aim to envelop the viewer in a large sea of incredible detail.
The paintings should be viewed not only from a distance but also at extreme close range in order to appreciate all the intricate detail and complexity in the work.
Every year Iain also finishes a number of contemporary miniature oil paintings, that are so small they can fit into the palm of your hand. To create these minute pieces requires countless hours of dedication and concentration.
His primary goal is to create large oil paintings that can actually be perceived as miniatures when observed closely and miniature paintings that can be construed as large paintings when reproduced and enlarged photographically. Work that ultimately inspire disbelief and confuse what is reality.
Portraits
Self Portrait As Commuter, oil on canvas, 122.5cm x 92cm
Featured in the Artist Magazine 2018.
'Self Portrait As Commuter' Stage by stage.
Self Portrait, oil on canvas, 72cm x 63cm
Exhibited at the Mall Galleries, London 2008. Featured in The Artist Magazine, October, 2010.
Mr & Mrs Gardiner, oil on canvas board, 66cm x 56.5cm
Selected for the BP Portrait Award 2006, National Portrait Gallery, London - came second with the visitors choice. This painting has featured in numerous magazines, catalogues and press releases and was also included in the book '500 Portraits'.
Uncle Joe, oil on canvas board, 77.5cm x 67cm
Exhibited at the New English Art Club Annual Exhibition London. Received the RMS Presidents Special Commendation Award For Large Work. Featured in the Artist & Illustrators Magazines 250th issue.
Detail from the 'Uncle Joe' painting.
Andrew with Revolver, oil on canvas, 41cm x 35cm
Exhibited at the Royal Miniature Society Annual International Exhibition, Mall Galleries in London and the Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany 2019. Featured on the front cover of 'The Artist Magazine' October, 2010.
Side view of 'Andrew with Revolver' Showing the illusion painted on the side - giving the impression of the Beatles LP protruding out of the canvas.
Kc, oil on canvas board, 58cm x 48cm
Exhibited at: The Royal Society Of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition in London 2007; The Royal Miniature Society Annual Exhibition in the Mall Galleries London and the Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany 2019. Featured in The Artist & Illustrators Magazine, July 2007.
Mr & Mrs Gardiner with Kc, pencil drawing, 100cm x 82cm
Miniatures
Another Day, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at the Royal Miniature Societies Annual International Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London, 2021.
Showing the size of 'Another Day'
Showing the different sides of 'Another Day'
The Royal Navy Fleet Flagship - HMS Queen Elizabeth, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at: The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany 2019 and the Royal Miniature Society Annual International Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London 2019. Awarded the Joan Cornish Willies Award for Outstanding Traditional Miniature Oil Painting and the People's Choice Award - for the most popular exhibit at the RMS Annual International Exhibition chosen by the public.
Overlooking Manhattan, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at the RMS Annual International Exhibition in London and the Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Side view showing 3D effect.
Side view showing 3D effect.
John on his allotment, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at: The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019; The RMS Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London 2018 and the Bankside Gallery London 2023; MASF Annual International Art Show, Dunedin Fine Art Centre Florida, USA, 2018 - Awarded: First, Human Figure Category.
Side view showing 3D effect.
Side view showing 3D effect.
Sunday Stroll, oil on canvas, 9.5cm x 7.5cm
Exhibited at: The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany 2019; The RMS Annual International Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London 2017 - Awarded the prestigious Peter Charles Booth Memorial Award, The Miniature Art Society of Florida, Leepa-Rattner Museum Of Art, USA 2019 - Awarded: Second in the Human Figure Category.
Reflection with the view of St Paul's, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at: The RMS Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London 2015/2018 - Received the Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award. Exhibited in the Hilliard Society Annual Exhibition 2016 - Awarded the Sue Burton Memorial Award for best in show and the Visitors Most Popular Exhibit Award 2016; The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019. Aesthetica Magazine - Art Directory (Dec-Jan 2017).
Girl in a Regent Street Window 1, 2012, oil on canvas, 9.8cm x 7.8cm
Exhibited at: The Art Critics Circle Secrets Centenary Exhibition 2013; The RMS Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries London - Winner of The Marion Winter Künstler Award 2014; The MASF Annual Exhibition 2016, USA - Received the 'Best Work By A First Time Artist Award'; The Hilliard Society Annual Exhibition 2016; The MPSGS in Washington DC, at The Mansion at Strathmore, USA, 2016; The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany 2019. Featured in The Saturday Times Newspaper, UK, October 2012, and The Aesthetica Magazine (Dec-Jan 2017).
Dieu et mon droit, oil on canvas, 9.5cm x 7.5cm
Exhibited at: The Royal Miniature Society International Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London, 2013/2017, Awarded The RMS Presidents Special Commendation 2013; The MASF Annual Exhibition 2017, USA; The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany 2019.
Now part of a private collection.
Showing the size of 'Dieu et mon droit'
Girl in a Regent Street Window 2, oil on canvas, 9.8cm x 7.8cm
Exhibited at: The Royal Miniature Society Annual International Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London 2012 and the Bankside Gallery London 2023; The Art Critics Circle Secrets Centenary Exhibition 2013; The MASF Annual Exhibition 2016, USA. The MPSGS in Washington DC, at The Mansion at Strathmore, USA, 2016; The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Girl in a Regent Street Window 3, oil on canvas, 9.8cm x 7.8cm
Exhibited at: The Royal Miniature Society Annual International Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London 2012 and the Bankside Gallery London 2023; The Art Critics Circle Secrets Centenary Exhibition 2013; The MASF Annual Exhibition 2016, USA; The MPSGS in Washington DC, at The Mansion at Strathmore, USA, 2016; The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Déjá Vu, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at: The Royal Miniature Society Annual International Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London 2012; The Art Critics Circle secrets Centenary Exhibition 2013; The MASF Annual International Miniature art show at the Dunedin Fine Art Centre Florida, USA, 2018; The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Reflection from the Portrait Restaurant, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at: The RMS Annual International Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London 2011 & 2015 - Winner of the prestigious RMS Mundy Sovereign Portrait Award 2011; The Art Critics Circle Secrets Centenary Exhibition 2013; The MASF, Leepa-Rattner Museum Of Art, USA 2017 – First in Oil Award; The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Reflection 4, oil on canvas, 9.5cm x 7.5cm
Exhibited at the RMS Annual International Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London - Awarded the RMS prestigious 'Gold Memorial Bowl Award' 2010 - The Top Award In The World For Miniature Art.
Now part of the Sue Lee collection of contemporary miniature art.
Shop Window 3, oil on canvas, 9.5cm x 7.5cm
Exhibited at the Royal Miniature Society Annual Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London, 2009.
Now part of a private collection.
Summer Beat, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at: The RMS Annual International Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London 2010 and the Bankside Gallery London 2023, The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Reflection, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at: The Royal Miniature Society Annual International Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London 2008/2016 - Received the RMS Gold Memorial Bowl Honourable Mention Award 2008; The Art Critics Circle Secrets Centenary Exhibition 2013; MASF Annual International Miniature art show at the Dunedin Fine Art Centre Florida, USA, 2018; The Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Flying Duck; 1, 11 and 111, oil on canvas, 10cm x 8cm
Exhibited at the Mall Galleries RMS Annual International Exhibition, London, 2011. Exhibited at the Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Contemporary Art
Opposites Attract, oil on canvas, 50.8cm x 40.3cm
Exhibited at the Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Detachment, oil on canvas, 2001, 50.8cm x 40.3cm
Exhibited at the New English Art Club Exhibition.
Formation, oil on canvas, 50.8cm x 40.3cm
Their Average Age Was Nineteen, Mixed Media, 36.3cm x 30.9cm
Exhibited at the Royal Miniature Society Annual International Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London, and at the Stadtatelier Exhibition in Michelstadt, Germany, 2019.
Toy Soldiers, oil on canvas, 75.9cm x 55.8cm