#londonartistinscotland

[theworkshopn4]

H O L I D A Y. M O D E. O N Time to rest. We arrived at our holiday cottage in Scotland yesterday and I’m most definitely ready for a bit of rest and relaxation. I’ve been suffering with pretty bad flu for the past week so this break couldn’t come at a better time. I’ll still be posting on Instagram but I’m certainly going to be using this time to get myself ready for 2023. We have been going away for Christmas for the past 8 years and although I miss family at this time of year I absolutely love the seclusion and time to reset. This year has been an absolute blast. I’ve had some amazing exhibitions, sales and collab projects that I’m extremely grateful for. What could be better than to sit by a log fire with a good book and watching the snow fall outside? How are you spending your Christmas? #christmasbreak #rest #relaxandrecoup #wellearnedbreak #scotland #snow #snowinscotland #whitechristmas #londonartistinscotland (at Aboyne) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl_dS8Po3Cu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[theworkshopn4]

P I G M E N T Did you know I often test the colour of the rocks I collect before I keep them. It’s super easy to do, especially if it’s raining. All you have to do is rub the rock onto a harder rock to see if it’s soft enough to release the pigment. It’ll also give you a good idea of the colour it’ll produce once crushed and made into watercolour. Cool huh? This was the first rock I picked up on the way to our cottage here on Mull last week. This little beach always gifts me amazing colours. They are rich in pigment and I definitely have to restrain myself from collecting too many. I’m not a greedy forager. I only ever take small samples I know I’ll use. I’m excited to get back to the studio to turn this pigment into watercolour in the new year. Lots of new ideas are brewing! Next time you’re on a beach maybe you’ll try this out and think about all those rocks in a different way! 😊 #foragingforpigment #rockcollection #pigmenthunter #naturalwatercolours #isleofmull #scotland #coloursofscotland #earthpigment #earthspalette #londonartistinscotland #londonartist #abstractpainter #originalartwork #naturalpainter #pennyghael #beachfinds (at Pennyghael, Isle Of Mull) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXzVuFno-va/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theworkshopn4]

B E A C H. C O M B I N G Our holiday is almost up. We’ve had the best time. I really needed some time away. I can only apologise for my holiday spam on my stories the past few weeks but I had to share how much I love this area of Scotland. It’s definitely my happy place. Here are some of my treasures I’ve found over the course of our holiday. Yesterday we had glorious sunshine and enjoyed a bit of beach combing. I collected a few extra things for family and other artists who I know will appreciate these little gems. I am always conscious of what I forage, how much I take and from where. It is important to respect your surroundings and the other wildlife that might need it. Have you ever done any beach combing? What’s your ultimate find? #beachcombing #foraging #foragingforcolour #responsiblecollecting #respectyourenvironment #scottishbeaches #explorescotland #getoutside #enjoynature #londonartistinscotland #scotland (at Dornoch) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTm3gQjI61O/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theworkshopn4]

N A T U R E S. B E A U T Y An unexpected delight today in the woods. So many beautiful and colourful mushrooms. The woods is one of my favourite places to be, so much life and so much quiet all at once. I don’t tend to find much pigment I can use in the forest so it allows me to enjoy nature’s beauty in other ways, like finding these little gems. (Obviously I left them where they were, no foraging today!) I think they might inspire some new paintings. Where is your favourite place to be? #woods #walkinginthewoods #naturesbeauty #naturespalette #goforawalk #walkinghighlands #highlandwalking #scotland #eastcoast #treetherapy #naturesmedicine #unexpectedpleasures #londonartistinscotland #inspiredbynature (at Raven's Rock) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTfqQlNgW4N/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theworkshopn4]

C O L L E C T I N G I think I’ve always had a thing for collecting. When I was younger I had some bizarre collections. From ornamental salt n pepper shakers to baby snails (sorry snails 😬). I loved how they all looked together and the hunt for the next find. Things clearly haven’t changed all that much. Almost 30 years on and now I have an unstoppable obsession with collecting rocks. But, unlike when I was little, these collections have much more of a purpose! Each rock I collect will be made into watercolour for my paintings. I only ever take very small samples and I am definitely getting better at recognising what rock will make a good colour or not. These are the rocks I collected yesterday on my beach walk in the western highlands. This part of Scotland is new for me and I love seeing the variations in colour palettes from other regions. Did you ever collect anything? Or maybe you still do? Tell me in the comments so I don’t feel like such a geek please 😜 #collecting #collections #collectingforpurpose #collectingforfun #colourpalette #naturalpigments #earthpigments #foragingforcolour #geekgirl #londonartistinscotland #londonartist #naturelover #highlands #westernhighlands #badenscallie #achiltibuie #herefortgestills (at Achiltibuie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTXRzdAoCcL/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theworkshopn4]

M U L L - I N G One of my favourite parts of painting is making my paint. This process is different each time. Each pigment reacts differently to the mulling process, some feel thick and strong and others feel smooth and silky. Some are really gritty and noisy and others a fine and barely make a sound. All the senses are put into action when making your own paint, especially from natural earth pigments. The feel, the smell, the sound, the look of them (ok I don’t taste them so maybe not all the senses!) It completely fascinates and fills me with wonder. I also get very excited about what the paint will look like when it’s finally watercolour. The process is a slow one. You can’t rush this, even if you wanted to, which I don’t. The process goes a little like this: walk, look, forage, smash, grind, sieve, grind, sieve, document, bottle, measure, bind, mull, capture, test, dry, paint (sometimes levigate but not always necessary!) So long story short, I’m mulling on Mull this week! It’s making the tier four news in London more bearable. Stay strong London! @londonpigment talks about this process too in a more scientific way so go and check out the recent post to find out more about what are dendritics and how do you know when your paint is ready! #mull #mulling #londonartistinscotland #isleofmull #naturalpaint #paintmaking #earthpigment #process #slowdown #slowlylearning #senses #naturalwatercolour #slate #colourchanges #naturalcolour #coloursofnature #ilovemyjob (at Ardtun) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJA6NQUnSyD/?igshid=bkzj41kq4s8g

[theworkshopn4]

H A P P Y You’re probably already all sick of me talking about rocks...but...look at this amazing balancing rock! I was over the moon to find this on our walk the other day! (Swipe to see a close up of my happy face 🤣) For any of you interested I think this is something called a Glacial Erratic, which is a boulder that was deposited by a glacier on top of another boulder. Paul was not so happy about me standing under this balancing rock, I think he might have been worried I’d get crushed 😬 It’s such an amazing thing to think these boulders were shifted on top of each other during an ice age and are still sitting happily together after all that time! Completely fascinating, if you’re into that kind of thing! Anyone in the know, if I’m wrong please do correct me! #balancingrock #glacialerratic #iceage #movingrocks #myinterests #rockformations #geekygirl #geography #geologialove #scotland #isleofmull #croggan #londonartistinscotland #walking #foragingforcolour #artistatwork #innature (at Croggan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI75wtcn5xp/?igshid=1bbamegj7ww7n

[theworkshopn4]

P E R S P E C T I V E Walking along one of my favourite Mull beaches today I was so happy to be reunited with this beautiful rock. It’s easy to feel insignificant surrounded by Precambrian rocks formed over 800 million years ago that are still standing strong and look so beautiful too! It puts things in perspective for me. Individually we’ll never be able to leave such a significant mark as these rock formations have. Let’s hope collectively we can try to leave at least a positive legacy for future generations. I am sure I’ll be spending many more days admiring this beautiful beach with all its gorgeous history, feeling grounded and privileged. #precambrian #geology #ardalanish #ardalanishbay #rocks #rockformations #perspective #londonartistinscotland #isleofmull #schists #siteofspecialscientificinterest #artist #foragingforpigmebt #earthcolours (at Ardalanish) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIyUnF0n8UL/?igshid=1szorvy2ytibl

[theworkshopn4]

R E S E T It’s time for me to reset and recharge for the new year! I love escaping to the country and where better to be than the gorgeous Isle of Mull. This is my new desk set up for the next few weeks. We went out for a beach walk this morning and the wind was enough to blow away any London stress I might have bought with me. I’ve already discovered a few beach rock treasures which I’ll share with you all soon. I love seeing how the colours of the landscape change, going from urban London to rural Scotland. Each place tells a different story. #scotland #londonartistinscotland #reset #recharge #countrylife #galeforcewinds #isleofmull #stunningscenery #londonartist #earthpigments #colourstories #earthstories (at Isle of Mull) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIvbruGHnWK/?igshid=1upf7y3dwvfm4

[theworkshopn4]

What could be nicer than slate grey and dusty pink together? I’ve really found my zen in Scotland, please don’t make me leave! . . . @secretlivesofcolour your pink series is inspiring my clothing palette it seems! #dustypink #slategrey #foragingforcolour #londonartistinscotland #makeink #naturalpigments #ilovescotland (at Ardtun) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ivBkjHidn/?igshid=c3lr32b91x19

[theworkshopn4]

I’ve been out foraging for gorgeous colour for pigment. So far the Isle of Mull has not disappointed! 😍 . . #foragingforcolour #pigment #naturalpugment #coloursofnarure #ecoartist #mull #foragingonmull #make ink #makepigment #shesellsseashellsontheseashore #seashells #londonartistinscotland (at Calgary, Mull) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LhsALnaFv/?igshid=16qophhfol4hh

[theworkshopn4]

Baby pink anyone? I’ve managed to drag my colours I’m making away from the several shades of brown I’ve previously been concocting. This work in progress is made from a currently unknown pink flower. The bottle of purple you can see is from the bluebells! I did it, I made a lush lilac! I hope your all enjoying Easter Sunday so far. It’s not so hot in Scotland but I don’t care because I have a gorgeous view and I’m making my art in peace 😊 #londonartistinscotland #foragingforcolour #bluebells #pinkflower #pinkink #babypinkink #naturalinks #makeink #crouchendarttrail2019 #crouchendopenstudios #londonartist #nauticalchart #antiquemaps #oldandnew #pastandfuture #dontmakemecomehome (at Clachan, Argyll And Bute, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwhJ7TfDDTu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xqirsbievvpv

[theworkshopn4]

A little bit of colour foraging this afternoon. Plus a windy walkies for @pearlydoo and @gis_a_look_man up to the top of a big hill. Really excited to see what colours these turn into. I hoping that it’s not another shade of brown, which apparently I’m a pro at making! 🤦🏻‍♀️ #foragingforcolour #walkies #newartwork #artresidency #londonartistinscotland #crouchendarttrail2019 #crouchendopenstudios #londonartist #nearlyexhibitiontime #antiquemaps #nauticalcharts #alchemy #makeink #naturalartwork # (at Clachan, Argyll And Bute, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwcq4trjisc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ntj3fwdpw2zx

[theworkshopn4]

So far I’ve had 5 days in the serenity of Scotland surrounded by beautiful countryside and beaches. It has felt like the most amazing mini residency for me. I’ve had time to stop and #makespacetocreate more pieces than I have in the last 2months in London. Hoping to show you more as the week goes on. Here’s another piece I started using my Plane Tree Bark ink I made while I was here. Pretty pleased with it so far. #foragingforcolour #newartwork #artresidency #londonartistinscotland #crouchendarttrail2019 #crouchendopenstudios #londonartist #nearlyexhibitiontime #antiquemaps #nauticalcharts #alchemy #makeink #naturalartwork (at Clachan, Argyll And Bute, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwZ-YtODSDQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6jx9y8oa01ks

[theworkshopn4]

A little close up of another finished piece for the @ceopenstudios exhibition 11/12th May. Put the date in your diary if you want to see it in its entirety in person. There will be beers! #crouchendopenstudios #exhibition #arttrail #crouchend #n8 #northfour #crouchendarttrail2019 #antiquemaps #foragingforcolour #londonartistinscotland #londonartist #alchemy #makeink (at Clachan, Argyll And Bute, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwU7zQOjk0q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1czs7yniyi75h

[theworkshopn4]

A bit of early morning alchemy and painting. So far I’ve experimented with a few seaweed inks and gorse flower. Some more promising than others. Work is coming along nicely. More glimpses of what’s to come for my exhibition soon! #londonartistinscotland #londonartist #inkalchemy #foragingforcolour #scottishlandscape #highlands #clachan (at Clachan, Argyll And Bute, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwT65nsDbG6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d7bhon0lc3fs