We visited the East Lothian artist as she prepared to welcome visitors during Haddington Art Weekend.
At 27 Haldane Avenue, Virginia Maggio has transformed the entrance to her home into Venue 1 on the Haddington Art Weekend trail. Landscape paintings line the walls, with prints and cards ready for visitors when the doors open on 5 and 6 September.
“I always thought I’d have this as some kind of gallery at some point.”
Taking part in last year’s Art Weekend gave her the push to make it happen. For her second year, she wanted the display to be bigger and better, extending it beyond the porch and further into her home.
Virginia will be exhibiting alongside Laura Cave, an artist she met on a professional development course last year. Their work will continue from the porch through the hall, pairing Virginia’s colourful landscapes with Laura’s black-and-white collection.
The changing coast and countryside close to home are central to Virginia’s paintings.
“East Lothian is very moody. It’s got moody clouds, really interesting light and a lot of sky.”
Finding time to paint can be difficult alongside family life. When Virginia gets a day to herself, she takes her bike and heads out with her materials. She does not have to travel far to find inspiration. Within minutes, she says, she can be in the absolute middle of nowhere, surrounded by the changing skies and light that repeatedly draw her back.
One of the works she is most excited to share is a large coastal painting looking across to Fife. She made it while sitting on the rocks on what she remembers as a spectacular day.
Virginia is also part of the Haddington Art Weekend committee. She became involved hoping to meet more artists nearby and says the experience has quickly connected her with a much wider creative community.
“Six or eight months on, I know so many people. There’s a proper community. You hear much more about what’s going on, and you’re inspired by the people around you.”
For anyone considering their first open-studio visit, she says there is no need to feel intimidated.
“It’s a much more relaxed atmosphere for people to come and just take in what people around them are producing.”
