High Seas

The first week in September brought wild and windy weather to the North West coast. I spent an exhilarating week at Reiff, near Achiltibuie, marvelling at the high seas crashing into the shores and cliffs.

Inspired by that photo of Joan Airdley painting in a howling gale, I took myself down to the water's edge, sketchbook in hand. Not easy. The wind made my eyes stream, the salt spray clarted my glasses, and my palette blew away.

Not a masterpiece then.

However, back in the garage, I painted "Storm Surge" shown above. The medium is acrylic on a ground of gesso and beach debris.

This is one of a set currently showing in the "Three" exhibition at Beauly Gallery.

Dusk

The first of the winter exhibitions has opened at Inchmore Gallery just outside Inverness.

 For several years the centrepiece has been the "CD collection" where local artists contribute small artworks which are displayed in CD cases. Hung together on a big wall, they make a single fabulous installation.

"Dusk", shown above started life as a painting of the distressed paintwork on a boat but grew into a west coast sunset. It's just 12 cm square.