About Hilary
Creativity and the environment have always been central to Hilary’s life.
Growing up in the west coast of Scotland she was surrounded by wonderful seascapes, countryside and the magnificent vistas of the Scottish Highlands. When she was not in the outdoors she was usually found somewhere drawing, making or creating something that involved her exploring her imagination.
As a teenager she went to school in Glasgow very close to the iconic School of Art where she attended classes. It was this place, and amazing teachers who inspired her, that drove her to continue on an MA in Fine Art at The University of Edinburgh and College of Art - a joint degree combining reading art history with the practice of fine art. She graduated in 1996 with a first for her drawing and painting.
Despite being offered a place to do a postgraduate degree, she decided to push herself in a business - related direction and began a career in advertising. She was soon in demand as a Creative Director working for some of Scotland’s leading agencies and brands, managing a large and diverse portfolio of clients and creative campaigns.
We all arrive at a time in life where we reflect - this is where Hilary now finds herself. She has been privileged to enjoy over 25 years in a creative job she loves but has always had a longing to return to her roots, take ownership of her creativity and devote more time to practicing her art.
In 2022 she eased herself back into her small studio in Fife, opened a sketch book and wrote ‘Finding me…’ a brief she set herself to embark on a process of creative discovery. Welcome to her journey.
“I am wondering what to do first… my thoughts are, you now have time, this is a gift, everything will come but not before an excruciating struggle between human and medium.
‘My touch, my craft and my skill all need to catch up with my mind. Such is the collateral loss from devoting so much time to digital creation.”
Why now?
Sustainable Agendas
As a creative director and brand strategist Hilary has become increasingly drawn towards sustainable agendas, working with clients to help them become more purpose led. Her love for the environment and need to invest more into community has developed into a more pressing need. She is a Fellow of the RSA, an organisation that focuses on social change bringing together arts and industry to work towards a better, more equal future.
A Better Future
Hilary has recently attended a residential course at Cumbria University in Sustainable Leadership, is a board member and volunteer for Burntisland Community Development Trust and continues to work as a consultant with brands that are making a real difference to the future of work. She recently provided strategic and creative services for Scottish Power to help them promote their 1000 Green jobs initiative.
Art as a Way of Expressing Yourself
Her observation and painting of life and nature is an alignment of three elements - an intense respect for the natural world, a need to detach from the metaverse (finding mindfulness and pleasure in creating things by hand) and finally by taking ownership of her creativity once again.
The Creative Act
The creative process is not easy, but it is a way of thinking that allows a person to believe, to take a leap of faith, to explore and to arrive at a destination that’s completely unique. Returning to her art is a natural pathway in a time of transition for Hilary; enabling her to understand more about the world through her art and its emotion.