“For a number of years, thousands of visitors to the Easter Ross seaboard village of Hilton were able to watch the Master Sculptor, Barry Grove at work, painstakingly carving both sides of a replica Pictish monolith. This miniature Masterworks still-life oil painting, along with the companion miniature Masterworks full-figure portrait oil painting ‘Barry’s Finishing Touches’ is my tribute to a fellow artist, whose work will long be admired, standing the test of time.

The artistry of a Master Artisan is achieved through a deep understanding of his or her craft. Barry Grove’s work is second to none and a feast for the eye, traditionally hand sculpted with mallet and chisel, this still-life shows his tools, set off against a small section of the Hilton Stone, depicting a fraction of the various Pictish elements that feature on this astonishing work – whose forerunner was originally carved out millennia ago.

I came upon Barry quite by chance, drawn to the curious shed that could be seen from the seashore along which we were walking. As it turned out this was Barry's temporary studio, constructed around the tall monolith, on whose second face he was now working - the first having been completed in a workshop, before the stone itself was erected in situ. Within the walls of this construction a labyrinth of scaffolding allowed Barry to scramble up to the tallest reaches of the slab. I knew from this first visit that a painting of Barry at work was a 'must' and looked forward to the day when I could do so.

As always, we thank you for reading and watching, with best wishes from Eileen and myself,”

Paul Taggart

Artist : Author : Presenter : Producer