These paintings aren’t part of a collection but are equally special. Many were created when I was either needing a refresh before continuing a collection or when I felt inspired by something specific.
Each piece has its own story.
Moody Crow
2022
40x32cm, watercolour with black carbon ink and white acrylic ink on cold press watercolour paper. Sold.
I love to walk my dogs in a patch of woods near out home in Dundee. We live near the city, but you would never know once you disappear up into the trees. All you can hear are the birds and the crunch of leaves underfoot.
Occasionally, you’ll hear the bark of a dog playing in the grassy park below.
Tucked away in the woods, there’s an overlook that has beautiful views over the city to the Tay River.
The overlook has two benches and a couple of sandstone plinths. These benches are one of my favourite places to sit and listen to the sounds of nature. Along with the squirrels in the trees, which my dog loves to watch, you can almost always find a crow perched on one of the plinths.
I was inspired to paint this artwork as a reminder not only of the peaceful feeling of sitting at the lookout, but also of the mystery and beauty of the crows that often sit with me.
Mama Gorilla
2023
13x18cm, watercolour with black carbon ink and white gouache on cold press watercolour paper. Unavailable.
This was painted as a gift to a friend and, at the time, work colleague who had recently had her first baby.
I was drawn to the relaxed closeness of mother and infant in the reference photo and played with the background to soften it and highlight the subjects.
Minnesota Bison
2024
13x18cm, watercolour with black carbon ink on cold press 100% cotton watercolour paper. Embroidered with cotton thread and backed with a second sheet of watercolour paper.
On a trip to Minnesota to visit my family, we rented e-bikes and biked around the outskirts of the Twin Cities. We passed red barns, grain silos, sparkling lakes, and beautiful fields. Near where we stopped for a break before retracing our path, we passed a field of bison in a conservation area.
There was a small ditch and a big fence between us and the bison, but it was amazing to be so close to such huge and powerful animals.
This was also my first attempt at embroidering a painting!