SCOTLAND TRIP

Paddy and I decided on a little tour of some of our favourite places in Scotland. We spent some time in Glencoe, Applecross and Assynt. We weren't as lucky with the weather this time... if you look closely you can see drizzle on some of my sketchbook pages! We always come back refreshed and inspired though, and I'm already working on some paintings to be shown in a gallery up there in February. What a great excuse to go back!

WATERCOLOUR EXHIBITION AT KUNSTHUIS GALLERY

For this body of watercolours on paper, I’ve used washes and layers to create gentle restful landscapes. Like most of my work, they are not paintings of particular places, more remembered and imagined landscapes and experiences.
As I worked on this collection though, a certain theme emerged. I found myself using soft layers of watercolour to recreate colours and shapes as seen through mist and soft rain. I do love that feeling of gentle rain on your face, and the way everything becomes atmospheric. As such, I've named the pieces using old words for types of rain.

Watercolour is probably my favourite medium, I love its’ delicate and translucent quality and enjoy manipulating the balance between control and un-control, allowing the paint to pool, bleed and granulate. For me, the process is almost as important as the initial inspiration. Watercolour particularly, gives you the ability to be spontaneous and embrace the chance elements in the piece.

 

CREDENHILL WOODS - SPRING

Maggie and I had another trip to our shared inspiration site at Credenhill Woods to see what it looks like in spring. Each time we go we try and take a new route to the top and each time the forest reveals something we've not seen before. It felt darker inside as the leaves have grown over and blocked out a lot of sun and the light that got through felt very green!

 

 

WATERCOLOURS

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON SOME WATERCOLOURS FOR THE UPCOMING EXHIBITION AT KUNSTHUIS GALLERY. THEY'RE BASED ON MEMORY AND IMAGINED LANDSCAPES. I LOVE WATERCOLOUR, IT'S LOOSENESS AND SPONTANEITY. IT IS FASCINATING TO ADD PAINT TO WASHES OF WATER AND WATCH IT DEVELOP. THE ABILITY TO CREATE SUCH GENTLE COLOUR, LAYERS AND THE INCIDENTAL THINGS THAT HAPPEN, WHICH YOU CAN ONLY CONTROL TO A CERTAIN EXTENT ARE WHAT MAKES IT ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MEDIUMS.

CALLANISH STONES

NEAR THE VILLAGE OF CALLANISH, ON HARRIS, THERE IS AN ANCIENT ARRANGEMENT OF STANDING STONES. THEY WERE PLACED THERE AROUND 3000BC AND ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN USED FOR RITUALS, THEIR POSITION RELATING TO THE MOON, STARS AND SURROUNDING HILLS. WHATEVER THEIR ORIGINAL USE, THEY ARE STUNNING, AND QUITE MAGICAL. 

THE ISLE OF HARRIS

PADDY AND I TRAVELLED UP TO HARRIS TO SPEND AN AMAZING 2 WEEKS STAYING RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF LUSKENTYRE BEACH. IT'S A STUNNING LOCATION, AND WE HAD SUCH CHANGEABLE WEATHER, THE VIEWS WERE NEVER THE SAME FROM ONE MINUTE TO THE NEXT!

CREDENHILL WOOD

IN RESEARCH FOR OUR JOINT EXHIBITION AT APPLESTORE GALLERY, MAGGIE KINGSTON AND I WENT TO CREDENHILL WOODS.
WE WILL BE EXHIBITING TOGETHER IN THE AUTUMN, AND HAVE CHOSEN TO RESPOND TO THE TITLE 'HEREFORDSHIRE- BEAUTY AND POWER' BY LOOKING AT THE HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE AROUND THE ANCIENT SITE. WE HAD A WONDERFUL WALK AND EXPLORE, AND ARE NOW BUZZING WITH IDEAS AFTER GATHERING INSPIRATION IN THE FORM OF PHOTOS AND NATURAL MATERIALS.
WE WILL BE VISITING THROUGHOUT THE COMING MONTHS AS WE BUILD A BODY OF WORK TOGETHER, WHICH WILL BE EXHIBITED IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.

SCOTLAND SKETCHBOOK

PAGES FROM MY SCOTLAND SKETCHBOOK. I ALWAYS WORK WITH WATERCOLOUR, INK AND PENCILS WHEN I'M OUT AND ABOUT, AS THEY'RE PORTABLE AND DRY QUICKLY... THOUGH NOT AS QUICKLY IN WINTER - SOMETIMES I ENLIST THE HELP OF THE CAR HEATER!

SCOTTISH INSPIRATION - PART 2

ON A PEBBLE BEACH WE FOUND THIS BEAUTIFUL OLD BOAT (VERY UN SEAWORTHY) AND THESE FABULOUS ROUND WEIGHTS. THE COMBINATION OF THE SOFT PINK AND BLUE AND THE RUSTY METAL IS DELICIOUS.