Michael McVeigh was born in Dundee in Scotland, where he studied Drawing and Painting at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art from 1977 – 1982.
He did some early paintings as a muralist, which can be seen at the Dundee Centre of Contemporary Arts, Scotland and the Bowling Club. Since then he has lived and worked in Edinburgh, developing his own very individual style of figurative painting and printmaking.
His paintings and prints depict everyday life in Scotland and the Scottish people, but when infused with his own personal perceptions, take on a dreamlike quality, and are abundant with poetic imagery.
Working largely from his imagination, the subject of each piece, though rooted in reality, blossoms and grows into something fantastical and full of feeling.
Many of his paintings focus on city life in Scotland, with all its subcultures and traditions. Edinburgh streets, Scottish pipes and drums, harbour scenes and pubs, fisherfolk and folk musicians all come together to convey the character of a busy and burling merry-go-round city – in full swing.
Michael is currently working on a commission to paint six paintings around Prestoungrange near Edinburgh. The first of these, Morrison Haven has been completed and can be seen here in his gallery.
His paintings and etchings are now available in established Glasgow and Edinburgh Galleries and are also to be found in prominent collections throughout the land. In typical individualistic fashion he can still be found selling his prints directly to the public in the street in Edinburgh where he has become a “well kent” face over the years.
