Art Residency – Hebrides

Scattered off the west coast of Scotland, the Inner and Outer Hebrides islands are both rugged, and stunningly beautiful. Imposing grey cliffs drop severely down to either crashing seas, or serene turquoise waters worthy of the Caribbean.

This collection of countless islands and islets, many uninhabited, are best seen from the sea, and in June 2023 I was able to secure an art residency sponsored by the excellent Sputnik Arts Network to sail around the islands and make art, either from the deck of a 6 berth yacht, Agape, or when ashore. (Sputnik, based in Birmingham exists to encourage, connect, celebrate and fund christians who work in the creative arts).

Keeping things simple, I decided to just take an A3 sketchbook, charcoal, pencils and graphite sticks plus basic (perspex sheet, cartridge paper, masking tape, ink and ink rollers) to make monoprints. The plan is to take these drawings and prints and develop them in the studio back home. Over the two weeks I created around 40 drawings and prints.

The weather was mostly the perfect combination of sun and a decent breeze for sailing. The original plan included sailing to the remote island of St Kilda, 40 miles west-northwest of North Uist, but weather, tides and timings wasn’t going to make that possible. It soon became apparent that there was more than enough beauty and places to explore within the Inner and Outer Hebridean islands. We did in fact barely scratch the surface. I hope one day to go back.

Click on the images below to purchased in my shop.