A Day at Craigbank Farm: Lambing Tours, Tea and a Few Familiar Faces
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been spending some time at Craigbank Farm in Dunlop, Ayrshire, with a small table set up as part of their lambing tours.
It’s been a slightly different setting to my usual exhibitions in cafés and shops, but one that feels very fitting.
Craigbank Farm opens its doors to the public during lambing season, giving people the chance to see the lambs up close, spend some time on the farm, and, importantly, stop for tea and cake afterwards. It’s a really relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, with people coming and going throughout the day.
Alongside that, there’s a small selection of artwork to browse, which is where I come in.
Drawing Anne and Doris
One of the highlights for me has been drawing two of the farm’s own Highland cows, Anne and Doris.
They’re exactly what you’d hope for from Highland cows!
Full of character, slightly unpredictable, and completely unbothered by the attention they get.
Working on drawings of animals like this always brings me back to why I enjoy creating pet portraits in the first place. It’s never just about how they look, but about capturing something of their presence and personality.
With Anne and Doris, that meant focusing on their expressions, their posture, and all the small details that make them recognisable.
A Different Kind of Setting
Showing work in a space like this feels quite different to a traditional exhibition.
People aren’t arriving specifically to look at art. They’re there for the experience of the farm, to see the lambs, spend time outdoors, and enjoy a slower pace for a few hours.
Because of that, the conversations tend to feel more natural. People stop by, ask questions, share stories about their own pets, and sometimes start thinking about what a portrait of their own animal might look like.
Lambing Tours in Dunlop, Ayrshire
If you’re local to Ayrshire or Glasgow, the lambing tours at Craigbank Farm are well worth a visit.
It’s a chance to see the farm during one of its busiest and most interesting times of year, and it’s been lovely to be a small part of that.
There’s something quite special about seeing animals in this setting and then, just a few steps away, seeing them translated into artwork.
Pet Portraits and Farm Life
Spending time at the farm has been a reminder of how connected people are to the animals around them, whether that’s pets at home or animals they meet in places like this.
That connection is always at the heart of the portraits I create.
If you’re visiting Craigbank Farm during the lambing tours, feel free to stop by and have a look at the drawings, including Anne and Doris.
And if you’re thinking about a portrait of your own pet, you can explore my custom pet portraits here.