Light and Dark

I always like to use a limited palette but recent work has explored a very limited palette.

These small, 20 x 20 cm canvases are painted with acrylic on a gesso ground.

Some simply use Paynes Grey, Cerulean and white, then with others, I splashed out and added some Alizarin. (Aren't these colour titles just delicious at times?)

These landscapes try to capture the feel of the North West Highlands  in the intensely bright light that breaks through from time to time.

Five of these small paintings are in the May exhibition at Beauly Gallery.

Bonjour La Baule

La Baule in France is twinned with Inverness, Scotland, and is about to host an exhibition of artwork that features artists from both towns.

The ASI, Art Society of Inverness, sent over a selection of members' work, including the painting above. This is a mixed media piece showing a stormy sea, something those in La Baule are probably very familiar with.

The exhibition opens in La Baule on 10th April and runs till the 23rd April 2013. Bonne chance!

Arty Applecross

One of my most favourite places is Applecross, a wee village in Wester Ross.

To get there the journey is epic, either over the highest pass in Britain, the Bealach na Ba, or by the long and winding coast road from the north. Both have the most stunning vistas on a clear day, and last weekend was perfect, give or take the odd moor fire.

Applecross is worth it for the sea views alone but there are other good reasons to go there.

The Applecross Inn is justly famed for its food, beer and welcome. Take your drink outside and take in the fabulous sight of the Cuillins.

However this is not a travel promo, I'm here to talk art. The artwork in the photo has been produced by pupils at the local primary school and decorates the Applecross community petrol pumps. Surely the most novel gallery in the Highlands.

Across the road is a The Coal Shed, a little art and craft shop. It's run by two local artists and stuffed full of lovely things.

There's loads here to inspire me. I've come home with sketches and photos and lots of ideas buzzing around my head.