ARTS FOR ARTS SAKE By David Oliver, THE EXTRA December 3rd 2009

Think of December days out in the city centre and usually two things spring to mind- Christmas shopping or pantomimes.

Obviously there's also ice skating in George Square now, or winter walks through the city's many parks or a saunter along the Christmas market in Argyle Street.

But there's an alternative to the chilly outdoors or the raucous hilarity of festive theatre- fare.

It is an altogether more cultured, if potentially, more expensive, way to pass the time.

This week there are several high- profile art exhibitions going on across Glasgow. The Roger Billcliffe Gallery, in Blythswood Street is one, displaying its Christmas exhibition.

Among those featured will be local boy Frank To (26) showing some of his latest work including Susanoo, Ascend and Gentlemen's Conduct.

The Huddersfield- trained artist told Live!: "I'll be the youngest exhibitor there. I am delighted to be part of the exhibition. Usually you apply to the Billcliffe, but I was asked. It's a huge honour for me.

"I have five pieces on show, and I'm pleased I have the opportunity to show some of my abstract paintings- since graduating I've been focused on figurative work, but I have included some abstract as that's how I was trained.

"They'll be hanging alongside some big names and really great artists. The Billcliffe has a really high reputation among galleries and is highly regarded as one of the best outside London."

But Frank's fine art and the Billcliffe exhibition isn't the only on display this month.

Over the weekend rare watercolours by cartoonists Jimmy Turnball will be displayed at Eastwood House, while another cartoonist, Frank Boyle is exhibiting football cartoons.

Among them are wry looks at the Scottish national team's fortunes, so they're aptly hung in the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden.

And still on a sporting yet artistic note, Michael Vaughan OBE- former England cricket captain- will also have his work on show from Saturday in the Castle Galleries within Princes Square.

* Billcliffe Gallery Christmas exhibition until Dec 22, 134 Blythswood Street. Entry free.
* Football cartoons at Scottish Football Museum, Hampden until Jan 21. Entry free with museum entry £6/£3.
* From Crease to Canvas until Dec 20 Catle Galleries, Princes Square, Buchanan Street. Entry Free.

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.

FRANK'S NEW SHOW By Roy Beers, EASTWOOD TODAY November 26th 2009

HIGHLY- rated Newton Mearns artist Frank To is set to exhibit a selection of his latest work at the Billcliffe Gallery in Glasgow.

Frank's unique painting technique is garnering him international recognition as a leading contemporary figurative painter amongst art critics and high profile collectors alike, including actor Patrick Stewart (of Star Trek fame) and New York- based Michel Witmer, who hangs To's paintings alongside those of Picasso, Dine and Warhol.

In a shared show with some of Scotland's most promising emerging artists, To will exhibit three pieces at the Billcliffe Gallery.

To said: "I'm delighted to be one of the very few invited to do this exhibition. I hope this show will be the one of many that contributes the importance and reputation of Scottish painting especially in this Recession."

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.

THE EXTRA NEWS By David Oliver, THE EXTRA November 26th 2009

Mearns artist Frank To is part of the Billcliffe Gallery's annual pre- Christmas exhibition. From tomorrow, To's work will be on show in showroom,s in Blythswood Street.

In a shared show with some of Scotland's most promising emerging artists running from until December 22, To will exhibit three pieces- Ascend, Gentlemen's Conduct and Susanoo.

For more information, please visit the official website of Frank To Fine Artist.