Thurso artist draws inspiration from Caithness flagstone for joint show
A Caithness artist has collaborated with a Moray creative for a show inspired by the harbours of their respective areas.
Aileen Paton lives in Thurso and combined forces with Jacqui Higgs from the Forres area for a joint show at Moray Art Centre called Surfers and Flagstones.
Talking about her creative approach, Aileen said: “Living in Edinburgh for several years I was often asked if I missed anything about Caithness and I would always say that I missed the colour of Caithness.
“I could never quite explain adequately to people what that meant. Now having moved back home I am surrounded by that colour again. I know that a lot of that colour comes from the colour of the land, the wide open skies, but, more importantly, the flagstones that I am surrounded by.
“My work for this show is mainly focused on the harbour of Castlehill. The flagstone used to construct this harbour and others in Caithness are an endless source of fascination and amazement to me. The way that time has eroded and shaped the stones over centuries, the colour palette from rich ochres, violet blues and greens from the various lichens attached to the stones never fail to excite and inspire me to paint.”
Jacqui states: “Over the past two years, I’ve journeyed northwards to create on-site drawings and conduct research, which serve as inspiration for my larger mixed media pieces in the studio. My recent relocation to Forres and Findhorn has offered me fresh opportunities to explore the captivating coastlines and marine life along the Moray Firth and Caithness.”
In a joint statement, the artists state that their inspiration for the show comes from the coastlines of the different regions of Scotland in which they live (Caithness and Moray).
“We are inspired by the harbours of these areas; some built to service what are now long defunct industries (eg flagstone and herring.) You are more likely to see surfers and kayakers there now, as well as large industrial ports.
“We are two artists working on paper and feel the unique colour of each environment such as the constant changing sea or the flagstone walls. We each do sketches out on location before we transfer the work to our studios for resolution.
“Our aim is to explore the notion that what appears to be the everyday does, in fact, manifest itself as something in constant change.”
The exhibition will run until August 25 at Moray Art Centre which is open Friday – Sunday, 10am until 4pm.
