Friday, 22 October 2021

Charity Art Exhibition for Cancer Research UK Fundraising

ARTISTIC ADVENTURES IN ALL SEASONS Three years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer then went through hormone treatment and radiation to kill the cancer. It affects so many men that I thought I would do some fundraising to assist research into a cure. I am putting on an exhibition in my studio of about 100 paintings and donating 50% of sales to Cancer Research UK. The exhibition starts on Saturday 30th October and runs every day till Sunday 7th November, open each day from 11am till 5pm. Some of the paintings can be seen here

Saturday, 4 September 2021

Evening Art Classes in Dundee

As covid restrictions ease and all my students have been double vaccinated as well as John and Anna, Art Classes will start this autumn from Monday 27th September 2021 and running for 12 weeks till 13th December 2021, and the fee is still £90. More information on John's website at www.johnstoa.com
Contact John to book a place now.

Wednesday, 25 August 2021

Rattray Summer Festival in Blairgowrie

John is exhibiting a dozen paintings together with other Scottish artists at this years Rattray Festival. It is held in Rattray Hall on the Balmoral Road, PH10 7AB This is a two day art exhibition running on 28 and 29 August 2021, open from 10am till 5pm.

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Summer Exhibition

John has four winter landscape paintings at the Broughty Ferry Art Society Summer Exhibition in the Scout Halls in David Street Broughty Ferry running from 29 July till 8 August 2021, open every day from 10am till 4pm. Exhibition now finished. Two paintings sold on last day.

Saturday, 26 June 2021

Summer flowers arrive

Summer arrived at beginning of June with warm sunny weather, but no rain till yesterday. Garden just loved getting a good soaking, but not pleasant when I was picking my strawberries. Summer flowers are all bursting into bloom everywhere.

Tuesday, 8 June 2021

A Good Year for Rhododendrons and Azaleas

 After the very wet month of May June brought in the summer. Rhododendrons and Azaleas are now at their best. Viburnum mariesii and the ground cover succulent Delosperma nubigenum ad to the variety of flowers at their best.


White and pink Japanese azaleas

White Viburnum mariesii above the yellow Delosperma nubigenum

                                                            Delosperma nubigenum

Azaleas with palm tree at the back

Mixed Azaleas

Azalea Vyuks Red


Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Brilliant month for tulips

 A late winter of snow and daily frosts tried to dampen down the tulip displays, but warm afternoon sunny spells helped them recover. After many years of adding a few bulbs each autumn tulips are now established in large colourful drifts all over the garden.

Tulips underplanted with drifts of grape hyacinths
Tulips have their moment in the spotlight, then Peonia Doreen and Delphiniums will take over for a summer display of flowers.

Large Darwin Hybrid tulips
These tulips are underplanted with oriental lilies to flower in summer
These strong tall Darwin Hybrid tulips rise above a drift of aconites which have now finished flowering.


Apeldoorn (red), Golden Apeldoorn and white Haakun tulips




Wednesday, 10 March 2021

Garden comes alive in early spring

 The recent warmer weather, after the snow melted has brought out the young crocus flowers, enjoying a bit of sunshine. Had to take a few photos. However I also went mad with the camera when the snow blizzard gave us a foot of snow. Went up to City Road Allotments for a few ideas for snow scenes, but deep snow was covering too many interesting garden sheds and greenhouses. First winter landscape in acrylic completed. More information on my website at www.johnstoa.com

Mixed crocus amongst the heathers

Winter on the Allotment

Yellow crocus and Erica carnea Springwood Pink


Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Old Auchterhouse

 Another winter landscape at Auchterhouse just outside Dundee painted in acrylic on board.

Back in the Scottish Highlands in the Trossachs with Loch Lubnaig and Ben Ledi in winter.

Old Auchterhouse   


Loch Lubnaig and Ben Ledi