Joan Eardley: A Sense of Place celebrates the work of one of Scotland’s greatest and most loved artists. This new and remarkably detailed account of her life and art concentrates on her favourite locations of Townhead in Glasgow and the fishing village of Catterline, south of Aberdeen, with its leaden skies and wild seas. This book was launched in December 2016 and has already been reprinted.

On 18th May, Joan Eardley would have been celebrating her 96th birthday – at the time of her tragically early death at the age of 42 in 1963, she could not possibly have known how popular her work would be over 50 years later, as shown by the crowds visiting the current exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh (which finishes on 21st May). Her unassuming attitude left many of those who knew her well in Catterline unaware of her standing as an artist. She loved her work, always ‘in her element in the elements’.

On 20th May at 1.30 at the Edinburgh International Book Festival On the Road programme, there will be a fascinating treat: curator and author Patrick Elliot and Anne Galastro will appear at Cumbernauld Library to talk about the book, the enthralling story of Eardley’s life – which they have painstakingly pieced together as never before – her love of Glasgow and Catterline, and her art. Tickets are on sale now priced £5 (£3.50 concession).

Are you on Twitter? Books from Scotland in partnership with the National Galleries of Scotland have a competition running from 4th-18th May where you can win a copy of Joan Eardley: A Sense of Place and a pair of tickets giving you access to the exhibition. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted by direct message on Twitter. Further details can be found here. Good luck!

If you’ve enjoyed this video you might like these articles about Joan Eardley and her work on Books from Scotland: Joan Eardley’s Sense of Place and Joan Eardley’s Life and Work.