We had originally planned this exhibition for May this year but the spring lockdown forced its cancellation – or at least postponement. In some ways that gave James – and us – an unexpected bonus as Ayrshire was blessed with several weeks of bright sunshine, of which the artist took full advantage.

“I felt that the restrictions gave me a freedom to develop a looser approach to painting and to develop from the figurative towards abstraction. The removal of all social distractions allowed, even forced, me to concentrate on what was around me – such a great opportunity, rarely available.” James Fullarton