Rab Wilson is a landscape, abstract, and portrait artist based in the Inverclyde village of Kilmacolm, and is a member of the Paisley Art Institute. Rab’s work is intuitive and physical, with textured layers that create a personal communication. He is fascinated with how the landscape reflects and exudes a synthesis of colours, tones, lines, marks, layers, and abstract shapes. Rab’s works ‘Breaking Through’, ‘Red Forest’, and ‘In The Deep’ encapsulate this clearly. He does not intend to be representational but reimagines what he has viewed in the landscape with the intention of capturing an emotion or conveying a message. He uses a mixed-media approach using materials that include sand, paper, inks, acrylic and oil paint.

See Rab’s work as part of our annual Summer open call, Something in the Mirage, which runs July 17th to August 8th, featuring an incredible collection of works by twenty nine artists inspired by the dreamlike shimmering of summer sunshine, heat hazes, lingering afterimages, or maybe the momentary glint of something half-seen and half-imagined in the dappled golden light.

Hi Rab! Can you tell us more about how you arrived at the theme of your work?
A theme for my work must be based on something that resonates with me personally. I must have empathy with the theme and strong emotional  connection to it.

Can you walk us through your creative process?
I do not attempt to be representational in my work.  I will carefully observe what I see to make a connection with a scene and return to my studio where I will create a painting based on my imagination but attempting to convey the atmosphere or emotion of what I have viewed.

How do you typically approach your creative process from initial inspiration to the completion of your artwork?
Initially I will start with a very open and playful approach, experimenting with colour, shapes, texture and form.  The final outcome is frequently very different from where I started as I often pursue a direction that comes from experimentation

 Are there specific advantages or challenges associated with working in your chosen mediums? Have you experimented with other mediums or techniques?
I am frequently looking for new ways to make texture and visual interest that this may create for the viewer.  In my current work the approach is mixed media.  I use, for example, acrylic and oil, paper, cardboard, coarse and fine sand, ink markers and inks.

What do you do to keep motivated and interested in your work?
I usually work on two to three paintings at a time. When I return to each painting I have a fresh view of the work which often highlights areas of attention and new ideas to follow.

How do you known when a piece is complete?
I know a painting is completed when I feel it is pulling too much detail.  When I feel I am close to completion I will stop, hang it and leave it to breathe for two or three weeks. I will view it regularly and this extension of time normally highlights changes are needed, if any.

Find out more about Rab’s work on his website or Instagram. Our exhibition Something in the Mirage runs at Six Foot Gallery until August 8th 2025.