My name is Donald Groat and I am an artist and illustrator based in Balerno, on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Whilst I am primarily a watercolour artist, I am also happy working with pencils, ink and creating digital content.
I find painting incredibly calming and would love to spend more time creating new work, learning new techniques and trying out different mediums.
When I am not painting, I spend my other free time making music, spending time with my family and taking my dogs on long walks.
A journey in watercolour
I have always enjoyed drawing but painting was not something I immediately fell into. I spent a long time creating work digitally but, when I eventually moved to physical painting, watercolour quickly became my preferred medium. There is an undeniable excitement in starting with a blank piece of paper and watching it transform into a finished painting; it is a feeling that never loses its magic.
I'm not saying there is no frustration at times during the creation process, but I usually find that just persevering and seeing where things take me sometimes leads to unexpected results shining through.
I once heard another artist say that "the only wasted piece of paper is the one not yet painted on'. I could not agree more.
Nature's palette, my canvas
My art focuses primarily on watercolour paint, with a strong emphasis on organic subjects and the odd landscape. I live on the outskirts of Edinburgh, where there is an abundance of nature to draw inspiration from and I seem to have found an affinity with that.
My distinctive approach lies in trying to capture the natural beauty of the world around us, translating it into fluid and expressive forms.
Each brushstroke is an exploration of nature's intricate details.
A natural flow of emotion
When people engage with my work, my deepest hope is that they experience the natural flow in style and colour. I aim for my paintings to evoke a sense of calm, appreciation, and a connection to the organic beauty that inspires them, leaving a lasting impression of fluidity and harmony.
I hope you find this to be the case.
Art from Edinburgh, for your home
I am dedicated to showcasing unique watercolour creations, brought to life from my home studio in Balerno, which is on the outskirts of Edinburgh. I am delighted to share these pieces with you and to offer you the opportunity to bring a touch of inspired art into your space.