Our resident artist is Roddy Mckenzie .Roddy was born in Prestwick, Ayrshire in 1959. He studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1978 to 1982 when he graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in fine art.
Although his initial interest was in painting and drawing he studied sculpture at Glasgow then returned to painting full time on graduation.
Early in his professional life he became increasingly drawn towards landscapes and townscapes having studied portraiture previously. Living by the shore at Croy it is landscape (and seascape) which occupy his time now,( as well as four art classes per week) although he is hoping to get into portraiture again. He works mainly in oil but also acrylic and watercolour.
His work has taken him throughout the British Isles, Europe and America but he has now settled back in rural Ayrshire. Returning to Burns` country has inspired him greatly and he is now producing some of his most innovative and exciting works to date.
Artists that Roddy has studied form a long list, from Leonardo to Picasso, Duchamp to Koons Roddy has photographed and painted many copies, homages and pastiches from artists he has admired including, especially, Rene Magritte and Picasso.
Roddy likes to paint his landscapes (and seascapes) `en plein air` (weather permitting) oil on canvas. This style of work requires speed and accuracy. When the weather will not allow `en plein air` Roddy also works in a photo realist style inspired mostly by Richard Estes and Gerhard Richter. As well as landscapes & photo realist paintings, Roddy has produced a series of oil paintings of the great links golf courses of Ayrshire. A combination of the two styles.