Muriel Barclay was born in Glasgow. She studied History and Philosophy at Edinburgh University before leaving Scotland for London, where she worked at a Mayfair art gallery.

After returning to Scotland Muriel decided to start teacher training. However, the motivation to paint was never far away and teaching hours gave her the flexibility to juggle her family life, leaving her some space to take regular art classes. Later Barclay moved to part-time teaching to give herself even more time to paint and also studied for an Open University Degree in Art History, which she said was "life changing."

Murial Barclay studied the development of art from the mid 1800s to the 1980s. This was a period when art was to take a massive turn with the advent of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. The studies had a profound effect on the development of Muriel as an artist.She says: "I started to understand what, how and why paint works. It made me reflect on what I wanted to paint and my own techniques."

Muriel Barclay has been influenced by many of the great artists. In particular she appreciates the paintings of Edward Manet , Degas, Matisse as well as Malevich, Mondrian, Rothko and Jackson Pollock. Muriel also has a love of photography, including Testino, Lee Miller and Diane Arbus and is enthralled by their powers of observation.

Talking about her paintings Muriel Barclay says: "I am interested by people and their relationship with each other and the world." She is especially interested in the female form, their intimacy, vulnerability, fragility and their defenses. Muriel's paintings are about observation and ambiguity and she encourages the viewer to interpret what the painting is trying to say.

Muriel Barclay's subjects are often beautiful, immaculately groomed girls with their hair tied back and meticulous face make-up. Frequently they are positioned in a musical or ballet theme with props which can include musical instruments, animals and males to enhance her narrative.

Today Muriel Barclay is a hugely popular Scottish with an enthusiastic number of appreciative art collectors across the world.

This is the Red Rag Modern Art Gallery website page for Portrait paintings from leading contemporary artists. Red Rag Gallery has a great collection of contemporary Modern Art which extends to Portrait paintings. The art of Portrait painting has existed for centuries. Historically, portrait paintings were primarily commissioned by the rich and powerful. More recently portraits are more likely to be of families and colleagues and are commissioned by individuals, governments, corporations, groups and clubs.

Each featured artist in Red Rag Modern Art Gallery portfolio of contemporary Portrait paintings can be viewed by clicking on the artist name. Information on price, size and availability for portrait paintings can be viewed by clicking on the image of each portrait.

Each contemporary Portrait painting shown on the Red Rag Modern Art Gallery website has been sourced from the art studio of artist. This guarantees you that the paintings are genuine pieces of contemporary art from the artist.

Red Rag Modern Art Gallery is open every day for the purchase of Modern Art and Portraits. For all purchases of contemporary Portrait paintings Red Rag Modern Art Gallery offer a worldwide art shipment service

Many Red Rag Modern Art Gallery artists are available to undertake your own portrait commissions. A portrait commission is a special and very personal art piece. It is useful to remember when you commission a portrait that you are engaging in an interpretation of the sitter through the eyes of the artist. Visiting the artist, seeing work 'in the flesh' and talking through details of the portrait commission is all part of the portrait painting process. Portraiture artists at Red Rag include Darren Baker, David Cobley , Simon Davis and Charles Hardaker

To view the Portrait art work of each artist simply click on the artist's name or image. If you would like to purchase or require further information about Red Rag Modern Art portrait paintings please contact the gallery.