I am always aware of the other dimensions that make up our environment. What has gone before, the people, the events, the folklore and the poetry. In an attempt to realise or capture the sense of space I have included impulsive annotations and symbols to some of my paintings. This extra latitude pin points where I am in my journey.....

Unless otherwise indicated all picture sizes are in inches.

The Sacred Island
32x32" NEW - available as a Giclee print now!
click to enlarge

Visiting Iona you can't help but feel the spiritual presence and be struck by the religious turmoil that has gone before.
The Sacred Island intimates the conflict.

Over the causeway
Across the Northern Sea
Poured down upon
the Sacred Island

Three significant dates have been included: 563 - St Columba landed on the Island, 801 around the time the Vikings raided the Island, 1156 the "Lordship of the Isles" were created, led by Somerled and resulted in the defeat of the Vikings. The Benedictine Order was established and the Abbey was built. For centuries the Chieftains were buried there.

The geology of Staffa Island echoes that of the giant's causeway - with it's thousands of basalt columns and is said to have been built by the giant Fionn Mac Cumhail to walk to Scotland. Fingals cave has been seen to be an entrance to the Underworld. Hence legend and geology interwoven.

The Flat Island
40x40" NEW - available as a Giclee print now!
click to enlarge

My mind has always meandered through these others elements of the landscape when I actually am in the process of painting. I am enjoying allowing myself to embrace this new work. Actually not that new - I produced work 18 years ago when I painted my first painting inspired by Siusaidh NicNeill poetry "All My Braided Colours".
The Flat Island is once again inspired by her poem Home Again:

Home again to the flat Island
to see the horizontal washing
flapping maniacally.
The sharp north-easterly
springing pegs
from the line
and the smoke coughing from the stack.

From the south west
it would blow back
to choke the firesiders.

I am delighted to have received an award for this painting from the Paisley Art Institute in May 2009 affirming that the work has been accepted in at least one art circle!

Latitude
24x24" NEW - available as a Giclee print now!
click to enlarge

Netting Station, circa 1996
32x32"
click to enlarge

Cups & Cupcakes
40x40"
click to enlarge

Jock's Rocks
32x32"
click to enlarge

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