Art Reflects Music

Ciconia Consort - The Hague String Orchestra, has released a new CD  'Couleurs de France'.  Ciconia Consort  is the premier Dutch String Orchestra based in the Netherlands and founded by Dick van Gasteren.

The painting 'Cafe de Paris' by Peter Graham was chosen for the front cover of their new CD.

Couleurs de France, is Ciconia's fifth CD- this recording offers a rare and evocative journey with works from three prominent 20th Century French Composers - Jacques Castérède (1926-2014), Daniel Lesur (1908-2002), and André Jolivet (1905-1974).

 The musical language of France developed with the 'Groupe des Six' and avant-garde chamber music society 'La Spirale' and 'La Jeune France'   all taking shape in the early part of the 20th century united in their aim to liberate French music from the influence of  weighty German Romanticism. dealing with themes free from overt emotion and pathos - a less abstract, more human approach to composition.

"As admirers of your work ' Café de Paris'  in my opinion, the presentation, composition and colours fully cover the musical content of the works" 
Dick van Gasteren conductor and artistic director Ciconia Consort

www.Ciconiaconsort.nl

The Hague String Orchestra - with Dick van Gasteren conducting - 'Café de Paris'  by Peter Graham ROI RSW  features on the cover of their new CD 'Couleurs de France'   

Cafe de Paris 94 x 96 cm oil on canvas Peter Graham ROI RSW

Cannes Film Festival Painting

Peter Graham celebrates the Cannes Film Festival with a series of Paintings on the Promenade

Artist Peter Graham photographed on the famous palm-lined Croisette in the heart of Cannes on the French Riviera

"Having worked in the film industry for a decade before embarking on my life long passion to paint , it was a full circle moment to reflect the glamour of the Cannes Film Festival in watercolours- my work is a delicately orchestrated world of paint where the tiniest mark opens up whole new relationships within the painting"

The coveted Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival to best director of a feature film with a jury of the great and the good this year including Demi Moore.

Peter Graham captures the Film Festival atmosphere of Cannes. Peter studied at the Glasgow School of Art and is a Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Member of The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour ( Photography Valerie Paterson ©)

Watercolours by Royal Appointment in Edinburgh

The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour did not disappoint the thousands of visitors who attended  the Annual Open Exhibition at The Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh

The RSW was established in 1876 and received its Royal Status from Queen Victoria in 1886. Today, our very supportive patron is HIs Majesty King Charles lll

King Charles noted that watercolour  conveys that 'inner sense of texture'. 

350 works were on show  by  top painters working  in Scotland today, including fine watercolours by Jacqueline Orr RGI RSW, James McDonald RSW, Shona Barr RSW and Jennifer Irvine RGI RSW, amongst the spectacular exhibition 

Truly a delightful watercolour showcase enjoyed in the heart of  Edinburgh 

Preview night of The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour at Edinburgh's Royal Scottish Academy Buildings

Three Artists -(Right to left) Neil MacPherson RSA RGI RSW , James McDonald RSW, Peter Graham ROI RSW, at the grand opening of the RSW Annual Exhibition 2026  

'Sound of Iona' Watercolour with the artist, Peter Graham ROI RSW- at the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, RSW, Annual Exhibition 2026