I was born in Inverness and following secondary school I studied for a BA Hons at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen.

 

After graduating from Art School I worked as a Graphic Designer and Illustrator, I lectured in Art & Design at Inverness College and in 1991 I bought, a local business, in Inverness.  I developed Artmedia to become a specialist retailer of art materials and equipment, for over 25 years.  During that time I painted, exhibiting my paintings in various group and solo exhibitions.  My work has been exhibited in: Inverness Art Gallery, Eden Court Art Gallery Inverness, Greig Street Studios Inverness, An Lanntair Stornoway and Castle Gallery Inverness.  I had paintings accepted and shown in Open Exhibitions organised by the Royal Scottish Society of Painters In Watercolour, Edinburgh and the Royal Watercolour Society, London.

Now, I am a full time artist painting from my home studio in Perth.

 

Both my parents were from, Harris.  They moved to Inverness for work and raised myself, sister and brother there.  Family holidays were always to Harris so I have a strong connection to the Island.  The paintings in this exhibition focus on the diverse coastlines of Harris and reflect family and childhood memories of long summers in Harris.  The visual character of the landscape has always be an inspiration for my work, in particular the rocks of the coast.  The narrative of islanders’ connection between the land and the sea that shapes their lives runs through the paintings.

 

Initially, I work outdoors sketching my chosen subject matter, making notes and taking a number of photographs for further visual reference.  I produce a more refined drawing in my studio that l use as the basis for the final painting. I work in both Watercolour and Acrylic.  

 

For the paintings in this exhibition, the materials I used are Artist Quality Acrylic paints on Cotton Stretched Canvas then finally varnished.