I am an artist based in the Scottish Highlands and am greatly inspired by my local shoreline, the Cromarty Firth. When I moved to Dingwall, I was awestruck by the beauty of the landscape here, mountains, wild forests, and the ever-changing firth. I was born in London and have spent most of my time living in cities but have always felt the pull towards rural landscapes. Moving to the Highlands has felt like a homecoming to me and has provided me with such inspiration and opportunity to connect to the land and nature. The light along the Cromarty Firth is always changing and offers the most breath-taking displays that has encouraged me to create artwork inspired by this waterway. Earlier in the year I had a solo exhibition in my home-town, titled 'Capturing the Firth' and have another collection on show in Edinburgh - both of which focus on the Cromarty Firth.
I believe we are all connected to the land and I am to capture its emotions and memories through my work. I paint using Acrylic and Oils to create a record of a landscape, paying particular attention to how it feels and the strength it holds.
I create simplified abstract landscapes by removing details to capture the essence of a place. I explore how less is more, how emotion can be communicated using line, shape, colour and texture, to unlock memories of the land. I aim to show how energy of a place can be portrayed through my paintings.
When i stand along the shore of the Cromarty Firth I try and absorb it's energy, sounds, smells and textures and hold them in my mind when creating my artwork. I adore how the sky is reflected in the wet mudflats when the tide is out, how the frozen sea crunches at the shore with the incoming tide during winter and how the scattered rocks create stark silhouettes against the rippled sand. It is always tranquil, reflective and serene - whether in whipping snow or blazing sunshine.
I hope that my artwork connects with people who have experienced this beautiful shoreline or simply love the Scottish landscape. Stripped back and honest, I try to reflect a raw beauty that this landscape offers.
I have also created works using inspiration from the local forests and Lochs, I find that there is so much inspiration here in the Highlands that it would be impossible to not have an amazing subject to paint. I am currently represented by the local Alchemist Gallery in Dingwall, as well as The Atelier Gallery in Edinburgh, where original artwork and prints can be purchased.
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