For this Open studios event  I chose to reflect the area where I live and work in my drawings on  cancelled sea charts .These were kindly given to me by local people who work and sail in the waters around the West Coast of Scotland covering areas right up to the outer Hebrides and as far as Norway.

Sometimes the charts are generous and offer up clues as to how the  landscape  should appear to passing vessels – markers to sailors such as “church “, “clock tower ” ,”wooded area”  or simply ” Factory” . I follow their instructions.

I then make it up.

I love the exquisite charts of ancient voyages  which are as much works of art as they were tools to the sailors who used them hundreds of years ago. The balance is in conjuring up a magical world whilst using the very practical charting imagery to inspire me.

I also draw and paint , mostly figuratively- all totally from my imagination . Real life may inspire an idea but its never actually what I create .

It seemed a smashing idea to be showing my work this year at Carry Farm , which is the Sailing School in Tighnabruaich , along with 4 incredibly talented ,professional women artists.Imagine my delight to be offered to exhibit my work in The Chart Room .

I invite you to come and see the original chart drawings along side my  intricate drawings of imagined landscapes , all in a beautiful setting .