Orkney Art

Orkney is where I was born and bred and is central to who I am and to
what I paint. There is nothing I like better than to go ‘oot and aboot’ in all
weathers to breath in the fresh Orkney air.
The weather and light on our beautiful landscapes and seascapes, are
ever-changing under big, often cloud laden skies. I like to capture the
feel of the sea in all its moods, the rugged cliffs, the more gentle
undulating landscapes and my connection to the outdoors. I paint
instinctively in response to the environment, painting from the heart
rather than the head.
Orkney is steeped in history, tradition and culture which informs who I
am and inspires my artwork.
Right through the ages from the neolithic, the broch builders, the Viking
age, two world wars to the present day, our history gives Orkney a
strong identity which is reflected in our culture and our landscapes. I
believe this is an important part of how I paint and how I write creatively.
I think and write in the rich, rhythmic tones of our dialect and have
published several poems and enjoyed being part of the book Gousters,
Glims and Veerie-orums, a collection of dialect poems written by Orkney
Voices. I have published a book of paintings and poems that follow the
impact of our changing seasons. It’s often said that we can see all
four seasons in one day!