A new project and Scotland.

I’m starting a new body of work with a common subject: Scotland. My partner and I have decided to move there. It’s a place of special meaning for him since childhood and when he introduced me to the highlands and islands I fell in love with them and even more with him. Creating art to honour and weave this dream into being is my focus now and I’m overjoyed at the prospect.

Pastel drawing, approx 97mm x 51mm.

The Isle of Kerrera from Oban.

Early morning, Spring sun on an island still brown from winter.

Pastel, approx 85mm x 100mm.

A memory and feeling from a camping trip on the Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides.

Sky and sea and time stretching out forever.

A friend of mine tells me that to draw from life as opposed to photos or other images is the way to go. It’s sound advice but when I try it from life or use photos/images as reference I feel stiff and constrained and my drawings or paintings seem to have that quality to them as well.

What suits me better is to work from memory and feeling. I spend a long time looking and absorbing what’s in front of me (it looks to others like I’m doing nothing or daydreaming!) and then put all of that out of conscious mind and sight when I come to paint or draw.

Nature notes:

Early morning sky.

A beautiful cloud formation at sunrise.

What I’ve been reading:

“Uprooted” by Naomi Novak. A fantasy so good and well written that it has endorsements by Robin Hobb and Ursula K. Le Guin on the cover. Normally I don’t pay much attention to the quotes on book covers but when two of my favourite authors contribute, it’s got to be worth a read. And it is.

From my sketchbook:

Pencil drawing, approx 135mm x 107mm.

The Great Stone Chute, Sgurr Alasdair, Isle of Skye, Scotland.

It gives me chills looking at our photos taken of the Black Cuillin mountain range.

A lug on the sole of P's walking boots was cleanly sheared off when he 'stone-surfed' his way down the Great Stone Chute.