As a multimedia artist based in Tighnabruaich, my artistic journey is deeply rooted in a profound connection with the natural world that surrounds me. After retiring from a career in NHS management, I embraced painting as a vital form of expression and reflection. Over the past ten years, I have immersed myself in watercolour, acrylic, and oil painting, continuously learning and evolving my practice through short courses.

Living on the Cowal peninsula, with ever-changing views of the sea and the Isle of Bute, I find constant inspiration in the rhythm and beauty of the natural landscape. My garden, wild and carefully tended in places, is both sanctuary and studio. I often return from walks with pockets full of treasures—seaweed, sticks, stones, and seed heads—which become references or even materials in my work. I press seaweed to reveal its intricate shapes and colours, capturing the full arc of its life cycle in texture and tone.

For me, painting is both a daily practice and a therapeutic process. It is a discipline that brings calm, clarity, and joy. Even brief moments spent with a brush in hand provide space for reflection and a deeper appreciation of the world around me. I am drawn to limited palettes and love to experiment with colour, always learning how to look more closely and see more clearly.

Taking part in this Cowal Open Studios is a welcome opportunity to share a small part of what inspires me and to connect with others who are equally passionate about making and experiencing art.