top of page

'Mesmerising Space'
oil paining on Indian Khadi paper
51cm x 51cm.                      2023
private collection 

Sea watching is a little obsessive. The light in the distance of the Atlantic in this painting is so beautifully enticing. Yet the agitated activity of the sea swirling around the coastal rocks in the foreground, suggests the danger of the ripped water movements slamming against the rocks forms deep below the surface.

red dot.jpg
Dune 72.jpg

'Dune'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm.             2023

Reflections 72.jpg

'Reflections'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm               2023


 

Winters drift 72.jpg

'Winters Drift'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
16cm x 16cm              2023               

Spindrift 72.jpg

'Spindrift'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm.             2023

Cliff Sea Arch 72.jpg

'Cliff Sea Arch'
oil painting on Indian Khadi
paper
17cm x 17cm.             2023
private collection

red dot.jpg
Coastline 72.jpg

'Coastline'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm.             2023

Valtos Ridge 72.jpg

'Valos Ridge'
charcoal and graphite on Arches hot press paper
114cm x 114cm                                             2023

Valtos Ridge, or Cliff Ridge just sits on the hill just above Cliff Studio. This composition modestly fills me with the tremendous awe inspiring power that the Outer Hebrides hold. The clear height which then drops away to the valley bottom, holding the rainfall in 'Doctors Loch' which then moves yo through the space of Maivaig and the hills beyond, is a truly mesmerising space that makes my existence feel so insignificant. The layers and knuckles of rock sculpt the hills form, supporting all the moss, grasses, heathers and many other forms of vegetation. These boulders are so strong, yet their surface textures and patterns quietly narrate the force of weather that they have endured over millions of years, and will continue to do so hopefully...for many millions more. 


 

Valtos Ridge small 72.jpg
Winters Tones small 72.jpg
Mesmerising Space small 72.jpg

'Valtos Ridge'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper          
17cm x 17cm              2023





 

3.ceramicsonbeach.jpg

'Winters Tones'
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm              2023

8.ceramics12june2022.jpg

'Mesmerising Space' study
oil painting on Indian Khadi paper
17cm x 17cm              2023

7.beachpots.jpg

Ceramics
Since studying Fine Art at Bristol I have had an interest in ceramics, as the ceramics department was next to the sculpture studios. For a few years I attended night classes in ceramics, more for an insight into the working processes, which are varied and complex, rather than ever imagining that I would ever have the time to forge a little path in making my own pots.
In 2021 I discovered that I had a rapid growing cataract on my left eye. I reached the point where I couldn't see well enough to paint or draw,. My hands were twitching and my mind was frustrated, so I ordered some clay and started playing. I enjoy how expressive and dextrous clay is. When I am painting or drawing I am working on a 2dimensional surface, but still considering the 3 dimensional forms and surfaces. Hand building these 'Coastal vessels' has enabled me to express a tactile form of observation. 
These 3 vessels from 2022 have all sold, but there are some very new pieces for this year.

M Uttley Donald John's Byre 72.jpg

'Donald Johns Byre'
charcoal & graphite on Arches hot press
90cm x 90cm                                   2022

This old Byre is just over the hill from us in Valtos, as you head for the pier.It is such a wonderful collection of useful objects of life, memories of time. We store things away certain that one day it will be very useful again.


 

bottom of page