July 2026

Name: Jacqueline Marr

How did your creative journey start?

I’ve loved drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. Throughout my primary and secondary school years, and particularly through the encouragement of my art teachers at St Mungo’s High School in Falkirk, my passion for portraiture and realist painting continued to grow, inspiring me to apply to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design at the University of Dundee. Their belief in me is something I’ll always be grateful for. After graduating with a BA (Hons) Fine Art in 1999, I was awarded the Royal Scottish Academy’s John Kinross Scholarship, spending three months in Florence developing my practice. Returning to Scotland, I was invited by several galleries to exhibit after my degree show, which led to exhibitions and art fairs across the UK. My first solo exhibition in Glasgow in 2001 confirmed that I could build the career I had dreamed of, as a full-time contemporary figurative oil painter, creating and sharing work that continues to evolve today.

Can you explain your creative process? How has it changed over time?

My paintings always begin with an idea. I jot down words or phrases as they come to me before developing them through sketches and compositional drawings. Working predominantly in oils, I create my own reference material rather than relying on existing images. Whether I’m painting a portrait, the figure, or one of my Wings and Feathers series, I carefully arrange the composition, lighting and pose before photographing it to use as a reference. Inspiration can come from many places: literature, song lyrics, the Old Masters, contemporary imagery or simply everyday observation. I often begin with small oil studies before gradually building the final painting through layers of oil paint. Over the years, my process has become slower and more considered. I spend more time refining each painting, allowing it to develop patiently until it reflects the vision I had from the very beginning.

Who influences you? Which other creatives’ work do you love?

My first artistic influences were my parents. My mum has a wonderful natural artistic talent and, looking back, I can see that’s where my own love of drawing and painting first began. My dad studied technical drawing, and both of my parents have a keen eye for detail and quality of finish, qualities that continue to influence my own draughtsmanship and the way I approach every painting. I’ve always admired the technical mastery and storytelling of the Old Masters, particularly Caravaggio, whose dramatic use of chiaroscuro, the contrast of light and shadow, continues to inspire my paintings. During my time at Duncan of Jordanstone I was also drawn to the work of contemporary artists including Stephen Conroy, Jenny Saville, Alison Watt and Tai Shan Schierenberg. One of the highlights of my career came many years later when I was selected to take part in Portrait Artist of the Year in 2020 and had the opportunity to meet Tai Shan. I even took along a catalogue of his paintings that I’d bought as a student, and he kindly signed it. It felt like a wonderful full-circle moment and a reminder of how art can inspire us throughout our lives.

What advice would you give creatives who are just starting out?

Develop your skills and your craft, but also give yourself the time to discover your own style and artistic voice. Learn from the artists who inspire you, but try not to compare your journey with theirs. Every creative path is different. There will inevitably be challenges and unexpected turns along the way, but learning to adapt and continue creating is an important part of building a sustainable creative life. Stay curious, follow what genuinely excites you, and don’t be afraid to block out the noise and focus on the work that matters most to you. Be your own honest critic, value the advice of those whose experience you respect, and never stop learning. Above all, enjoy the process. Building a creative life is a journey, and the paintings you make along the way are just as important as the destination.

What can visitors expect when visiting your space during Falkirk Open Studios?

Visitors can expect a warm welcome into my working studio, where they’ll have the opportunity to see where my paintings are created and gain an insight into my creative process. I’ll be sharing both work in progress and completed contemporary figurative oil paintings and drawings, offering a glimpse behind the scenes of my practice. There will also be a selection of original paintings alongside signed open and limited edition giclée prints available to purchase and take away. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, collector or simply curious about how a painting evolves from an idea into a finished work, I’d be delighted to welcome you to my studio.