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Luskentyre
The Isle of Harris adjoining Lewis at its southern tip is a geological phenomenon. Its east coast is rugged and moon like whereas its west coast is more Caribbean without the heat!
Luskentrye and its surroundings is a vast expanse of pristine white sand and clear turquoise sea, backed by undulating dunes of varying height. It is a truly magical place whatever the season. To walk this shore, almost alone, and to experience the fresh bracing westerly breezes is just wonderful. It has been the inspiration for many a renowned Scottish artist as well as a place where newly weds can honeymoon or, “Will you Marry Me”, has been engraved in the sand, causing the happy lady to excitedly dash off into the sea in response.
It happened in our family, now living on Lewis, thus giving us the opportunity to visit this paradise, annually.
Luskentrye and its surroundings is a vast expanse of pristine white sand and clear turquoise sea, backed by undulating dunes of varying height. It is a truly magical place whatever the season. To walk this shore, almost alone, and to experience the fresh bracing westerly breezes is just wonderful. It has been the inspiration for many a renowned Scottish artist as well as a place where newly weds can honeymoon or, “Will you Marry Me”, has been engraved in the sand, causing the happy lady to excitedly dash off into the sea in response.
It happened in our family, now living on Lewis, thus giving us the opportunity to visit this paradise, annually.
Dubrovnik Harbour I
Dubrovnik, Croatia, is often described as the jewel of the Adriatic. In 1971 my wife and I spent our honeymoon there. It is a magical place with narrow streets full of cafes, restaurants and shops, not to mention its civic buildings and ornate historic churches. From the walls one can gain an amazing aerial view of the old city and witness the wonderful restoration work carried out following the near destruction in 1991. For seven months the Serbian and Macedonian armies laid siege to the city but the fortitude of the people, plus the unending supply of water from a well/fountain within the city walls ensured its survival.
Early Morning Mist, Windermere
My wife and I were visiting the Lakes over a weekend in late February/early March. Our hotel was close to lake Windermere so early one morning, as we took a walk by its shore, we were astonished to see it so mirror calm and shrouded in mist that caused the sky and water to “merge” creating a complete mirror effect, with the berthed yachts resting ghost like on the horizon.
In a matter of moments this once in a life time phenomenon was gone, in reality but not through the medium of pastel!
In a matter of moments this once in a life time phenomenon was gone, in reality but not through the medium of pastel!
Dubrovnik Harbour II
Dubrovnik, Croatia, is often described as the jewel of the Adriatic. In 1971 my wife and I spent our honeymoon there. It is a magical place with narrow streets full of cafes, restaurants and shops, not to mention its civic buildings and ornate historic churches. From the walls one can gain an amazing aerial view of the old city and witness the wonderful restoration work carried out following the near destruction in 1991. For seven months the Serbian and Macedonian armies laid siege to the city but the fortitude of the people, plus the unending supply of water from a well/fountain within the city walls ensured its survival.
The Highlands of Lewis
The geography of the Isle of Lewis is diverse. Its eastern coast is quite rocky with steep cliffs in places all the way up to its northern tip at Port Ness. The northern part of its hinterland is quite flat with few trees, those trees that exist are generally bent eastwards due to the western Atlantic winds.
The western coast is characterised by beautiful beaches set to a backdrop of the machair.
However in the south west corner of the island the geography changes dramatically, here is its mountainous highland merging into the uplands of northern Harris.
This is remote territory, with few residents and scraggy hardy sheep. Despite its remoteness it has a beauty all of its own and this image seeks to reflect the variety of colours to be found in such a landscape, with its fast ever changing light. In fact it is the quality of the light on Lewis that attracts many artists to the area. The eco system is managed through a combination of traditional crofting methods and sheep grazing freely across the rock littered terrain.
Wild and great for roaming, but be prepared for fast changing weather conditions!
The western coast is characterised by beautiful beaches set to a backdrop of the machair.
However in the south west corner of the island the geography changes dramatically, here is its mountainous highland merging into the uplands of northern Harris.
This is remote territory, with few residents and scraggy hardy sheep. Despite its remoteness it has a beauty all of its own and this image seeks to reflect the variety of colours to be found in such a landscape, with its fast ever changing light. In fact it is the quality of the light on Lewis that attracts many artists to the area. The eco system is managed through a combination of traditional crofting methods and sheep grazing freely across the rock littered terrain.
Wild and great for roaming, but be prepared for fast changing weather conditions!
Valldemossa, Mallorca
Some 20 minutes drive from the capital of Mallorca, Palma, is the village of Valldemossa, a quaint hamlet of honey coloured stone houses set high up in the Tramuntana Mountains. It is a place where visitors and locals come to escape the many crowded beaches dotted along the coast. The village nestles neatly into the surrounding hills verdant with almond, oak and olive trees.
What better than to gravitate to the village square, to sit in the shade and catch up with friends one hasn’t seen for a few years? The fresh orange is good, so is the craic, and the air is filled with that heady Mediterranean perfume.
The museum, located across the square (and behind the vantage point of the painting), is attracting some attention. It is located in the old Monastery La Cartuja de Valldemossa, where Chopin and his French mistress, George Sand, spent the winter of 1838/39. Chopin’s piano may be silent but today he generates a different kind of music, tills ringing up sale after sale of memorabilia.
What better than to gravitate to the village square, to sit in the shade and catch up with friends one hasn’t seen for a few years? The fresh orange is good, so is the craic, and the air is filled with that heady Mediterranean perfume.
The museum, located across the square (and behind the vantage point of the painting), is attracting some attention. It is located in the old Monastery La Cartuja de Valldemossa, where Chopin and his French mistress, George Sand, spent the winter of 1838/39. Chopin’s piano may be silent but today he generates a different kind of music, tills ringing up sale after sale of memorabilia.
Valetta, Malta
Malta has a rich maritime history, especially for the significant part it played in supporting Britain in WW2. It also has a significant place in church history, as it was here that the Apostle Paul found himself after his ship was wrecked in a storm. Today there are museums to both these aspects of history, one even displaying an anchor allegedly from the Apostle’s ship!
With such a rich maritime tradition the sail into Valetta harbour is amazing. One is immediately struck by the colour of the stone used in the building of the city ramparts, yellows, greys and pinks all glistening in the morning sun.
The Seige Bell Monument proudly stands at the harbour entrance, testimony to the incredible feat of breaking the siege on the city during WW2. The bell is rung daily at noon, and can be heard across the city, disturbing the peace of the honey coloured streets and buildings, hosting tourist and residents alike in the many outdoor cafes and restaurants.
With such a rich maritime tradition the sail into Valetta harbour is amazing. One is immediately struck by the colour of the stone used in the building of the city ramparts, yellows, greys and pinks all glistening in the morning sun.
The Seige Bell Monument proudly stands at the harbour entrance, testimony to the incredible feat of breaking the siege on the city during WW2. The bell is rung daily at noon, and can be heard across the city, disturbing the peace of the honey coloured streets and buildings, hosting tourist and residents alike in the many outdoor cafes and restaurants.
Machair, Ardroil Beach
Machair is Gaelic for a fertile low lying grassy plain. This type of habitat is quite rare but found mostly in the Outer Hebrides and parts of Ireland.
The calcium rich shell sand, together with traditional Hebridean crofting practices, has led to the development of a mosaic of fertile grassland habitat, renowned for its wild flowers. The sheer abundance of the flowers makes the machair such a special place. The colours change with the seasons, with yellows dominating first and then fading to red, white and blue, particularly so in July and August.
At Ardroil beach on Lewis, the machair is slightly elevated at some points allowing it and its diverse colours to contrast with the darkening Lewis highlands beyond. This image seeks to reflect the colours found during the summer months.
The calcium rich shell sand, together with traditional Hebridean crofting practices, has led to the development of a mosaic of fertile grassland habitat, renowned for its wild flowers. The sheer abundance of the flowers makes the machair such a special place. The colours change with the seasons, with yellows dominating first and then fading to red, white and blue, particularly so in July and August.
At Ardroil beach on Lewis, the machair is slightly elevated at some points allowing it and its diverse colours to contrast with the darkening Lewis highlands beyond. This image seeks to reflect the colours found during the summer months.
Buachaille Etive Beag
Rannoch Moor, Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands, must qualify for the honour of a “wild and lonely place”! This raw, barren, yet stunningly beautiful landscape is home to the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1345m ASL).
In winter it is a magnet for skiers, in spring and summer the place to be to experience the isolation and beauty of Glen Etive, situated at the head of Glencoe and dominated by Buachaille Etive, very visible from the A82, en -route to Fortwilliam.
Buachaille Etive is a majestic cone of a mountain that seems to rise sharply from the verges of the A82. One is forced to stop and absorb its splendour, attempting to capture the beauty of its shape and vibrant autumn colours.
One can never tire of driving through Glencoe and onwards to the Western Isles!
In winter it is a magnet for skiers, in spring and summer the place to be to experience the isolation and beauty of Glen Etive, situated at the head of Glencoe and dominated by Buachaille Etive, very visible from the A82, en -route to Fortwilliam.
Buachaille Etive is a majestic cone of a mountain that seems to rise sharply from the verges of the A82. One is forced to stop and absorb its splendour, attempting to capture the beauty of its shape and vibrant autumn colours.
One can never tire of driving through Glencoe and onwards to the Western Isles!
Grand Canal Venice
To sail into or out of Venice is magical. To ride a water taxi is exhilarating as you can get quite close to the water front properties and appreciate the decay on the waters edge. To experience the café culture by a canal edge is amazing, the water traffic is incessant, but beware not to get “robbed” in St Mark’s Square, should you dare to buy a coffee there. The colourful gondolas are everywhere. To stand by the Bridge of Sighs, imagining the horror of events centuries ago, and then to hang out on the Rialto Bridge and take in the romance and bustle of the Grand Canal is matched by the fabulous stylish Italian jewellery and clothing found in its shops.
Callanish I
Callanish is situated to the west of Lewis and is famous for its ancient standing stones, arranged in a cruciform with a central stone circle.
In more recent years a very tastefully designed Visitor Centre has been developed on the site. The image captured here, from behind the Visitor Centre, is of an impending storm coming in from the West. Lewis frequently presents some amazing skies, especially at night, but on this occasion it felt like the day was turning to night prematurely. It had an apocalyptic feel yet the leaden skies seemed to increase the intensity of the greens and the yellows in the foreground grass.
In more recent years a very tastefully designed Visitor Centre has been developed on the site. The image captured here, from behind the Visitor Centre, is of an impending storm coming in from the West. Lewis frequently presents some amazing skies, especially at night, but on this occasion it felt like the day was turning to night prematurely. It had an apocalyptic feel yet the leaden skies seemed to increase the intensity of the greens and the yellows in the foreground grass.
Callanish II
For my wife and I the Outer Hebrides, and in particular the Isles of Lewis and Harris, have become a regular holiday destination. In addition to the understandable attraction of spending time with family, we are deeply attracted by its ruggedness, by the near deserted beaches with their white sand and clear turquoise waters, the Caribbean without the heat! The islands are steeped in history and dearly held traditions, which are respected to this day. It is a great place for the artist!
Pendle Hill, Ribble Valley
The Ribble valley so close, so accessible and less crowded. Pendle Hill sits looking over the valley like some slumbering giant, acting like a guardian of the whole area and viewed with affection whether you see it from Clitheroe or from Nelson.
The hill itself is a magnet for walkers who can then refresh themselves afterwards in the many excellent restaurants and pubs dotted across the valley. Villages like Downham have been used as film sets in the past, and of course much of the land is vested in the Duchy of Lancaster.
The inspiration for this work came from viewing the hill one March morning as it was clothed in the early frost. It was a moment to savour, for in what seemed like a trice, this slumbering colossus suddenly shed its winter cloak revealing, under the warming Spring sunshine, its more familiar tones of purple and orange from the bracken and grasses emerging from their winter hibernation.
The hill itself is a magnet for walkers who can then refresh themselves afterwards in the many excellent restaurants and pubs dotted across the valley. Villages like Downham have been used as film sets in the past, and of course much of the land is vested in the Duchy of Lancaster.
The inspiration for this work came from viewing the hill one March morning as it was clothed in the early frost. It was a moment to savour, for in what seemed like a trice, this slumbering colossus suddenly shed its winter cloak revealing, under the warming Spring sunshine, its more familiar tones of purple and orange from the bracken and grasses emerging from their winter hibernation.
Dee Estuary and Welsh Hills from Caldy Golf course
Downham Village Duchy of Lancaster
Easedale, Argyll, Scotland
East Side, Isle of Lewis
West side, Isle of Harris
Luskentyre II
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