Summer time views

After a few quite hectic weeks of travel and conferences for the “other side” of my working life, I am enjoying a few days r&r in my spiritual home (aka my Mum’s house) on Islay.

Although I never seem to get around to doing as much sketching or en plein air as I think I can when I am here, the textures and colours of the landscape are entrenched in my brain. They often finding their way into work in the studio, particularly when I am experimenting with different techniques - landscapes inspired by Islay just seem to appear in my work.

I was thrilled when some family friends who have taken over the coffee shop/restaurant at Por Mor in Port Charlotte asked if I would like to show some of my work there. Immediately I thought of a couple of pieces that really did come from studio experimentation. The photos below show how one piece developed through some experiments with marking making on a bright yellow canvas (no paint brushes involved!) to a representation of some of the incredible rock formations on one of my favourite beaches (Saligo) here on Islay.

It was lovely to hang this yesterday and see it sit so well beside the the real stunning views over Loch Indaal. Hopefully visitors will enjoy looking at them too.

But for now, I’m escaping the laptop and heading out for a walk along one of the stunning beaches here.

As ever, thank you for you continued support and interest in my work.

Sheila