Meet the Artist

History

I first visited Ardnamurchan more than thirty years ago, returning year after year and developing a deep connection with the landscape and atmosphere of the area. Since May 2013, I have lived here permanently, and even after all this time, the magic of the place continues to inspire me. Constantly discovering new corners to explore and revisiting that which is familiar, the landscape is truly part of who I am.

Inspiration

Inspiration for my work starts with exploring. Walking through the landscape and experiencing the changing elements firsthand is central to my creative process.

Living on the shores of Loch Sunart, I am immersed in the dramatic beauty of the West Highlands, and I spend countless hours outdoors whether on peaceful shoreline walks or more demanding hill climbs. These experiences continually influence the mood, movement, and textures within my work. My work is also influenced by sailing in the Outer Hebrides. The land takes on a different perspective when viewed from the sea.

Media

I use my sketchbooks to capture the lines, shapes, and colours in the landscape working primarily with pastels, inks, and charcoal — materials that are both immediate and portable for working en plein air.

Back in my studio, a converted space above the garage, I develop my sketches and expressive mark-making further, refining the compositional elements that emerge from observations. My finished works are created in oil or mixed media, often combining impressions gathered from multiple sketches and experiences. Much of my work is shaped by memory of familiar places.