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George Birrell
Born and brought up in Glasgow’s West End, George Birrell trained at the Glasgow School of Art from 1967-1971. He then went on to teach art, design and technology in Glasgow schools before turning to full time painting in 1980. At a young age, he became fascinated with the small Scottish fishing villages that were so different to the urban streets that he knew, with their colourful houses, winding lanes and harbour scenes. Soon these became a regular feature in his paintings, forming an integral part of his distinctive and deceptively simple style. Although the scenes that Birrell paints are familiar and recognisable, they are created from imagination – taking their inspiration from various locations the artist has visited, rather than faithfully representing them. He now resides in a Coastal village in East Lothian where he has his studio and, as a keen guitarist, also plays in several bands.
Born and brought up in Glasgow’s West End, George Birrell trained at the Glasgow School of Art from 1967-1971. He then went on to teach art, design and technology in Glasgow schools before turning to full time painting in 1980. At a young age, he became fascinated with the small Scottish fishing villages that were so different to the urban streets that he knew, with their colourful houses, winding lanes and harbour scenes. Soon these became a regular feature in his paintings, forming an integral part of his distinctive and deceptively simple style. Although the scenes that Birrell paints are familiar and recognisable, they are created from imagination – taking their inspiration from various locations the artist has visited, rather than faithfully representing them. He now resides in a Coastal village in East Lothian where he has his studio and, as a keen guitarist, also plays in several bands.