We all take things for granted and we can't see what is right in front of us.My studio is situated in the Highlands of Scotland overlooking the seaside village of Cromarty.I share this space, known as the Stables Studios, with 4 other artists in a renovated 18th century stable block with wooden pillars and vaulted ceilings.When a friend dropped by the other day she mentioned that this would such a beautiful place to work. That's when I took a step back and there it is, my studio…my beautiful studio!We all get in our daily ruts and we need to remind ourselves of the beauty that surrounds us. Here I am in a building with an amazing atmosphere and with the landscape outside my door inspiring the work I do.There will be days I just don't see it but today I do and I appreciate it.Take a moment and look around today - you might be surprised at what you see!
Abstract Landscapes
Music and My Art...
Mozart, Joni Mitchell, Daft Punk, Bon Iver, Gloria Gaynor, Lester Young, Hank Williams, Faithless. What do these diverse artists have in common?They are all on my various playlists when I paint at the studio.I have to listen to music while I paint. I am not alone in this. A lot of painters do it. Fortunately at my shared studio we have similar tastes in music!!There is something inextricably linked between the act of painting and music.It helps me concentrate and move across the canvas with more assurance and confidence.There is the excitement and anticipation as I choose my playlist. My inner DJ comes out…what will it be today?Sometimes an artist's whole album (mp3, cd whatever they are called) will catch me and inspire me for a while. Usually for a set of paintings.All part of the ritual.What do you do to keep motivated at work? Music, silence, talk radio - something else?Please click on the 'Leave a Comment' link below and let me know...
Spring Is In The Air (or brrrr…up in the air)
There are buds on the trees and it's staying lighter in the evening. I saw lambs the other day.New beginnings and the perfect time for a new website and a new blog!Here in Scotland, I feel spring is in the air. It's difficult sometimes as the haar (a coastal fog) can come in cold over the sea but I can still feel it's presence.The seasons run into each other. You feel so cold in the wind and rain and then ,suddenly, you get out of the wind and you can feel spring!Even through the cold and the fog, the light is softer, the grass is greener and the buds start to turn. The tenaciousness of nature.It's these changes in light and colour that I love to capture as each season comes and goes.You can see the bright colours from the summer in the painting "The Perfect Summer" below:Or the more muted colours of the autumn/winter months depicted below in "Ploughed Field".So spring is in the air and I can't wait to see where my painting takes me.I also look forward to where this blogging will take me as I share my insights, experiences, or more accurately, my ramblings on matters art related.This will be fun because I don't know where I am headed but I hope you can come along!How are you inspired? Please click on 'Leave a Comment' below and let me know and if you have a moment, please sign up to get on my email list and receive a surprise !