Eigg Series. No. 10. Acrylic, ink and salt on 5×5″ wood

Today’s painting is a view south from Galmisdale on the west coast of Eigg. This silver/white sparkling light with misty horizon is quite unique to the west coast I think. It’s maybe partly due to the combination of northern white light  combined with high humidity, whatever the reasons I always find it magical.

I’ve still not quite captured it, but then again, I can’t think of any artist who has. Even the Scottish Colourists (Peploe, Cadell Fergusson and so on) don’t seem to have explored this effect. If it’s too literal an interpretation it loses magic. I hope to capture it in a simple, more abstract way before long.

When I was on holiday on the west coast as a girl I remember thinking it looked like scattered diamonds. I tried to re-create the effect with the tiny broken pieces of glass I’d found from a  shattered car window! I was never very competitive and loathed board games, so when we’d play with the 70s board game ‘Buccaneer’ I’d gaze with fascination at the little pieces of pretend rubies and diamonds rather than learn the rules of the game, and it was the same with Monopoly, I loved to play with the little houses, dogs and bars of gold, and to this day I’m clueless as to the rules of the game.

Painting sometimes re-creates that feeling of childhood fascination with the seemingly mundane or everyday. It’s a good excuse anyway, to while away my days playing with paint.

A view of changing weather from the top of the Sgurr..

Sphagnum Moss