Outer Spaces is a charity who collaborates with artists and property owners to make use creative use of city centre spaces. Outer Spaces have taken over space on the top floor to set up a closed artist studio which is not open to the public, but allows artists to work in an unique and collaborative space.
See a gallery of the incredible work created by the artists working at Outer Spaces, and read on to find out more about each artist.
Marius Alexander
Marius is an artist who creates photographic collages, portraits, documentary street photography, pastel drawings and photographic 3D sculptures.
Website: www.flickr.com/photos/theperformingeye/albums/
Aanchal Baranwal
“My art practice is currently centred around oil painting, with most of my work leaning towards realism. I have aphantasia, so painting from life or photos helps me connect to what’s right in front of me. I’m especially drawn to portraits, landscapes and flowers, and often return to still life. I paint in bursts, usually when something really grabs me. At the heart of it, I hope my work brings a little joy or calm to anyone who sees it.”
Instagram: @insane.ramen
Joe Capps
Joe primarily paints textural oil portraits.
Instagram: @joecappsart
Website: www.joecappsart.com
Natalie Doyle
“I am an Edinburgh multi-media artist. My work frequently takes shape by means of a lens-based approach, utilising both moving and static imagery. My creative endeavours include, but are not limited to, photography, both analogue and digital collage making, editing and post-production techniques, as well as experimenting with the written word.
I often employ performative perspectives, experiments with sound, and also work with animation and text. Technology has also proved to be a powerful driving force, both during the conceptual stage and making process. I fuse these influences, along with her own personal experiences, to help communicate her individual take on the world.”
Website: www.nataliedoyle.net
Instagram: @nataliedoyleartist
Rachel Glen
Rachel is an Edinburgh-based artist working on the subject of memory, specifically childhood, and is currently working on creating small scale paintings, sculptures and rugs that will form part of a larger-scale installation.
Instagram: @rachelglen_art
Alex Hayward
“Working primarily in painting and drawing, I am an artist who explores identity, biography, and memory. LGBTQ+ experiences and issues are often central to my practice. Significant commissions have come from Perth Museum, choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne, the Royal Scottish Academy, and most recently Cultarlann Inbhir Nis: The Gaelic Centre of Inverness.”
Website: www.alexhaywardart.com
Instagram: @tibby_schlegel
Ilona Kacieja
“My artistic practice blends fine art, film, and immersive storytelling to explore themes of identity, memory, and social justice. Rooted in a multidisciplinary approach, my work often integrates experimental visuals, and poetic narratives to challenge traditional forms and perspectives. I create projects that are both aesthetically striking and socially conscious, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, environmental awareness, and community engagement. My practice is deeply informed by my cultural studies background and commitment to innovation in both digital and physical spaces.”
Instagram: @ilonakacieja
Julia Krone Oliver
“I paint abstract landscapes inspired by a memory of a place or a situation. I experience a particular view or environment and then later in my studio, the distilled memory takes shape on the canvas, often in very unexpected ways. I am particularly drawn to botanic scenes and love to portray the sea or river or swimming pool and the experience of swimming.”
Website: https://juliakrone.com/
Instagram: @juliakroneartdesign
Gillian McNicoll
Gillian is a Scottish artist who embraces the richness of her neurodiversity, creating imaginative mixed media abstracts inspired by everyday life, nature, and architecture. Her work spans a range of styles, with a current focus on paper-based arts that explore the sculptural and tactile potential of the medium. This includes crafting curious handmade notebooks and journals from found and handmade papers, where form, texture, and function meet. Gillian’s art invites touch, reflection, and a sense of wonder.
Jason Philip
“I am a crustacean taxidermist. I ethically source specimens, either using moulted exoskeletons of crabs or those that I find dead. I display these in naturalistic settings, using driftwood, shells, sea glass and other found material.”
Instagram: @amble_obscura
Facebook: @ambleobscura
Ursula Pretsch
“Primarily an artist printmaker, I work across several printmaking processes at Edinburgh Printmakers’ open access studio in Fountainbridge. In order to develop more complex and layered prints I am currently developing my mark-making, drawing and painting skills using mixed media in my studio space at Waverley Mall. Under my maker name DeeOoshee I also bind notebooks from my own printed designs, create artist books and printed accessories for day-to-day use and work on new project ideas for my antique letterpress.”
Website: www.deeooshee.wordpress.com
Instagram: @deeooshee
Facebook: @deeooshee
Edna Stirrat
“I’m an independent artist who is part of the community art club, Northfield Art Club. We do commissions, art giveaways and donate to charitable causes. I teach art as a volunteer at Sketchy Beats Community Café and at Cygnets Art school Portobello branch.”
Instagram: @arty_farty_klub