A hush fell over the RSA Upper Galleries in Edinburgh as poet Michael Pedersen took his seat. Not for a reading, not for a performance, but to become the subject of art itself – a live portrait session unfolding before a captivated audience.
The event, hosted by the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, wasn’t merely observation; it was a shared experience. Pedersen, Edinburgh’s Makar, described the process as “beautifully intense,” a feeling born from the unique intimacy of being truly *seen* while remaining still.
He’d been sketched during performances before, a fleeting capture lost in the energy of the moment. This was different. This was a magnetic pull, a visceral connection to the artist, Aine Divine, and the unfolding creation.
Divine, a painter with a compelling history – a finalist on *Portrait Artist of the Year* and the creator of a poignant portrait of Mo Mowlam now held by the National Gallery of Ireland – thrives on the pressure of public demonstration. It demands a singular focus, a complete surrender to the act of painting.
Her approach is as captivating as her subjects. Divine moves with a dynamic energy, often painting barefoot, seeking a grounding connection to the canvas and the watchful eyes around her. She confessed to being repeatedly drawn back to Pedersen’s striking hair, a detail she couldn’t resist revisiting.
Pedersen, appointed Makar in 2024 and fresh from the release of his novel *Muckle Flugga*, found himself unexpectedly immersed in the collaborative act. He wasn’t performing, yet he felt profoundly engaged, pulled into the dance between artist and subject.
The resulting portrait is more than just an image; it’s a testament to that shared energy. It’s a glimpse into a moment of quiet intensity, captured in watercolour by an artist who understands the power of observation and the vulnerability of being truly present.
The live portrait session was a highlight of the RSW Open Annual Exhibition, a showcase of nearly 380 paintings celebrating the vibrant world of water-based art in Scotland and beyond. It’s a collection that demonstrates the enduring power of paint and the captivating stories it can tell.
