Lou Graves is a lifelong Glaswegian, illustrator, and artist, with a body of work encompassing two decades. He utilises his finely honed skills in drawing and painting to portray his remarkably vivid dreams – insights in a vaster, richer, truer world than our own.  Incredible landscapes where vast spiralling towers and staircases organically mingle with and grow into endless expanses of land, sea and plant life that together almost seem to wake from dreaming and distantly regard you from the frame as you pass. You are invited to step inside his work.  Perhaps this will be your first insight into the real world – or perhaps you have seen it before?

“I hope people see my paintings and feel a familiarity or sense of homecoming.”

Hi Lou! Can you tell us how you arrived at the theme and chosen title of your exhibition?
I have been painting and drawing my dreams since I was very young. To me, it feels like there was no other theme I could possibly have built my first exhibition around. It is my greatest hope that someone can answer the question “Have You Dreamt This?” with the answer: Yes.

Can you walk us through your creative process?
I keep a sketchbook next to my bed, so I can sketch out dreams I have as soon as I wake up.
That way I can remember as many details as possible. From there, I do “untangling” sketches, because dreams so often have several layered and tangled up threads happening at once. It takes a bit of work to figure out how to make a kaleidoscopic dream into one image.

What is your favourite piece in the show?
‘The Anclestial Tower’, the painting that appears in the poster, is the one that started it all. It was inspired by the most vivid dream I have ever had, and was the one that inspired me to start painting these properly in oil on canvas and really making something out of it. I painted it on a live-stream during lockdown with some friends watching and chatting during the process. That really was the beginning of this as a serious project for me.

Will your next project be a continuation of your current style or are you experimenting with something different? Can you share a glimpse of your next project?
My next project will be something quite different to this show, but something my people know me for. I intend to work with some local nightclubs and create a series of dark colourful works celebrating Glasgow’s nightlife.

And finally, what advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?
Make art that is purely for your own fulfilment. This is the only way to learn your own style and develop your own voice. Keep a sketchbook that is only yours, and you never show to anybody. Create paintings that might only ever matter to you alone.

Thanks Lou!

Find out more about Lou’s work on his website or Instagram. Have You Dreamt This? runs at Six Foot Gallery from 28th August to 11th September 2025.