Month: December 2024

Hithe is an old word for landing place. Oil on wood – 20 x 25 cm .

The peat rises above the surrounding fields, bog cotton muffling the wind, softening its gallop over the moor. A shelter of Scots pine catches the sun. A woodpecker flashes high up in the branches. Moss deckles the edge of darkest water.

Sky sketch on the banks of the Tay.

Low tide on the Tay, silvery in the short north light. Flocks of oystercatchers clack their way across the sand where nubs of salmon netting posts indent these flats up and down the river. A search for agates on the foreshore and although none found, I stumble across what looks like a large WW2 unexploded artillery shell. The police are down taking a look. Just as well I didn’t pick it up as I am wont to do. Unexpected and interesting.

The Great Moor is glowing, like a breath igniting embers of a fire. The climb onto Dunadd, ancient coronation rock of Scottish Kings. French horns proclaim the arrival of the geese. Ogham text speaks down through the ages, now gone with the wind and the wild boar.

Acrylic, charcoal and watercolour crayon on plywood – 122 x 95 cm.