From Kirkcaldy to Inverness
Horror Art, Rocky Horror and a Creative Road Trip!
There’s nothing quite like hitting the road with a car full of artwork, prints and canvases, heading off to meet fellow creatives, showcase my work and hopefully find a few new homes for some original Arttoon creations! This time, my travels took me to Kirkcaldy and Inverness, where I attended the Blackheart Market, bringing along a selection of my original paintings, prints and horror-inspired artwork.
A Frightfully Good Time at the Blackheart Market
The Blackheart Market is always a great opportunity to bring together alternative art, horror culture and people who appreciate Art a little different.
I had a selection of my prints and original artwork available, alongside some of my Live horror-inspired cartoons. I particularly enjoy drawing live at these events, creating characters with a monstrous twist and seeing how people react to them.
My Arttoons are all about telling a story with an image, and adding a little horror into the mix opens up all sorts of possibilities. From creepy characters to dark humour, it’s a chance to let the imagination run wild!
I also showcased three of my paintings inspired by the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Dr Frank-N-Furter, Columbia and Magenta.
These characters are wonderfully theatrical, colourful and larger than life, making them perfect subjects for my style of artwork. The film has such a distinctive visual identity and a devoted following, so it was fantastic to bring these paintings along and share them with fellow fans of cult cinema.
Between the original paintings, prints and horror cartoons, there was plenty to keep me busy!
A Night in Inverness
After the excitement of the market, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Inverness rather than simply passing through. I wandered around the cathedral area, taking in the architecture and the atmosphere of this beautiful part of the city, before making my way into the town centre to find somewhere to grab a bite to eat.
It's always good to slow down after a busy event, stretch your legs and take in somewhere new. Even a simple wander through a city can provide inspiration, whether it's the buildings, the streets, the people or those little details you might otherwise walk straight past.
As an artist and photographer, I'm always looking at the world around me. You never quite know when something will catch your eye or spark an idea for a future painting, illustration or photograph.
Inverness certainly offered a welcome change of pace after the hustle and bustle of travelling and exhibiting.
Art, Horror and the Road Ahead
Trips like these are about much more than selling artwork. They're about meeting people, sharing ideas, connecting with audiences and getting my work out into the world.
Whether it's an original painting finding its forever home, someone picking up a print of a favourite character, or watching a new horror-inspired cartoon take shape in front of an audience, these events are an important part of what I do as a full-time artist.
From Scottish landscapes to cult movie characters, horror art and my own original Arttoons, I love being able to explore different subjects while keeping that bold, colourful and characterful approach to my work.
A big thank you to everyone who stopped by, chatted about the artwork, bought a print or took an interest in what I was creating. Your support really does make these journeys worthwhile.
And, of course, there are always more ideas bubbling away in the background. Some are already taking shape in the studio, while others are still waiting for the right moment to make an appearance!
Until the next adventure — keep supporting original art, embrace your inner monster and remember to tell a story with an image!
Neil G Smith
Arttoon – Art for All
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