Stephanie Dees RSW and Willie Fulton

In much the same way as a river can divide a city, the county of East Lothian seems to separate in two as the A1 cuts its way from east to west. Those residents situated to the north are 'coastal' people, those south of it perhaps more rurally oriented. Stenton Gallery, nestling as it does in the foothills of the Lammermuir Hills, fits geographically into the latter category but its rural location belies the broad and open-minded approach it takes to art. The year-round programme of exhibitions embraces work from all over Scotland, showcasing established painters and craftspeople, alongside emerging new talent.

Latest in the line-up to appear is young local artist, Stephanie Dees, whose childhood was spent in North Berwick and whose family still live there. Whilst studying at Edinburgh College of Art, Stephanie was awarded the Andrew Grant prize for drawing and her subsequent career has seen her maintain that momentum. She completed her studies with a Masters Degree in 1998 and has since exhibited in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the West Country. The year 2002 brought her the Alexander Graham Munro travel prize which enabled her to visit Italy, Paris and Prague, revelling in the different forms of architecture of those places and experimenting with the patterns she found there. Still only thirty, she is now about to return to familiar territory in and around East Lothian and indulge once again that childhood love of the sea, boats and harbours which have been such a dominant feature in her life.

Stephanie's work is concerned with quiet observation of familiar places. Her paintings (often in mixed media) contain no strong shadows and the buildings, boats and harbour walls all appear slightly bleached by the sun, giving the works an aged (and ageless) quality. The draughtsmanship reminds one of Sir William Gillies - flowing and confident, portraying instantly recognisable scenes without being rigid or fussy. And, as with Gillies, her paintings contain no people. One is immediately taken back in memory to childhood holidays, lingering slightly longer at the beach or harbour and walking home through deserted streets past buildings where everyone else is already sitting down to tea. There is no feeling of loneliness when looking at these paintings - there is still a sense that people have been there very recently and will shortly return. But for now you can pause, alone with your thoughts, and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity undisturbed. And that is what all very good painting allows you to do.

In 2004, Stephanie's work was recognised by her peers when she was elected a member of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours (RSW). Her work is much in demand, being already represented in various public collections and many private collections. Her busy immediate schedule includes not only this show at Stenton Gallery but also her first show in London.

In the tradition of the gallery, the second exhibition space is devoted to an artist of a different style, oil-painter Willie Fulton. As a Glaswegian who migrated to Harris more than 25 years ago, Willie has more than adapted to island life. It might even be said he is now one of its foremost ambassadors, having taken part last year in a combined artistic and literary project with the children of Stenton Primary School, who took him to their hearts. Under the direction of head teacher Mrs Diamond and Word in Action project officer, Donnie Shedlarz-Henderson, the children absorbed the subject material of Willie's work, - views from a window, the natural world outside, the effects of light at dawn and dusk - which they then used as a stepping stone to recreating their own world, both in print and in paint. Much thoughtful work was produced and many ambitions made to 'become an artist'.