Susie Collingbourne
My Artistic Approach
I paint intuitively, working with loose, expressive marks and a deep sensitivity to weather and light. Scotland’s Highlands, islands, beaches and lochs are places I return to again and again, both in life and on canvas.
I use acrylic paint layered with rich textures, softened edges and occasional touches of gold leaf. My goal is always to capture a moment of stillness, drama or memory - the quiet glow across distant water, the weight of a darkening sky, or the softness of morning light.
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Background and Training
Before becoming a full-time artist, I studied English Literature and Language at university and worked in publishing in Edinburgh and London. I have always been drawn to imagination, escapism and connection, which is what I love about both books and painting.
A lifelong dream became reality when I trained for four years at Leith School of Art. There, I developed my abstract landscape style and found a supportive community of artists who helped me shape my creative voice.
Exhibitions
My work has been exhibited in both solo and group shows across Scotland, including Dalkeith Palace, the Edinburgh Art Fair, the Torrance Gallery, Hotel du Vin in Edinburgh and galleries in Glasgow, Perthshire, the Borders and the Highlands. My paintings are collected throughout the UK and internationally.
Susie Collingbourne’s work explores the relationship between landscape and memory, horizons and emotion. She is drawn to the creative exploration of dramatic weather and scenery, capturing the beauty of a glimpse of sunlight through a dark cloud, or a golden reflection on deep, distant water. Susie paints where she loves to be: the Scottish outdoors with its mountains, lochs, beaches, and thunderous skies. Her painting style is instinctive and loose, predominantly using acrylic paint on canvas, often with the addition of gold leaf.
She studied English Literature and Language at university before working in publishing in Edinburgh and London. Susie is drawn to art for the same reasons she loves books: escapism, imagination, and a sense of shared connection.
A lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist was realised after completing four years of courses at Leith School of Art, where she honed her style of abstract landscape painting and connected with a community of fellow artists. She has exhibited at galleries throughout Scotland and sold her work, including commissioned paintings, across the UK and overseas.
What Inspires Me
Scotland is endlessly inspiring. I am drawn to dramatic weather, expansive skies, soft coastal light and the quiet shifts in colour that move across a landscape. These are the moments I try to capture - not as a literal scene, but as an emotion, a memory or a sense of presence.
Commissions
I take on a small number of commissions each year and love creating paintings that hold personal meaning for clients. Whether it is a favourite Highland viewpoint, a beach tied to a childhood memory or a place that symbolises home, I work closely with you to bring that story to life on canvas.
