A SPECIAL guest showcased her work alongside the regular members of a local arts collective in Thurso on Sunday.

Russian born artist Tatiana Kireeva-Cameron exhibited for the first time alongside others from the small group known as the North Coast Artists (NCA) in the ballroom of the Pentland Hotel.

"I'm originally from a place that's about 110km from Moscow near to where Tolstoy was born," Tatiana said. "I've been living here in Caithness for about five years now but I used to work as an artist in Siberia and painted in the area of the Ural Mountains."

The ballroom may only have had the works of half a dozen NCA artists but what the group lacked in numbers it made up for in both output and talent with a fine selection from Ian Pearson's colourful glass creations to David Rosie's landscape collages.

Siberia may bring to mind the bleak and cold isolation it represented in the Soviet era when many dissidents were sent to labour camps there, but Tatiana found inspiration within its landscape and perhaps sees parallels with Caithness. "It's one of the richest regions – a really beautiful area with friendly people. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter but only gets down to minus 45 degrees."

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Tatiana first met her husband Brian Cameron when he was working as project manager building an Ikea in the region she lived in. "He came back to Russia to get me and my son, Tim, and now we're here."

Elaine Rapson-Grant, who recently started the NCA, said that Tatiana was the special guest for that day but hopes she will come along and exhibit regularly.

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Elaine said: "It's been a really great day. We've had a lot of people coming in and artists have sold a fantastic amount of work. We're getting ready for our next exhibition on November 29 which will actually be our Christmas special."

The art show on November 29 will run from 5pm until 11pm. All works will be for sale and a free glass of mulled wine will be available. the event is free and all are welcome.

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