Scottish Highlands

For my most recent project I have been taking inspiration from the Scottish Highlands, in particular the small glenn that my parents live in near Skye. My aim originally was to do a study of the Glenn and the local castle; I planned to put together a story of the area including my own ideas and also incorporating the local fables and traditions. Because of my interest in taxidermy and nature, the locals were all going to be pictured as animals doing human things. The final piece would have been a book and an interiors collection, including - wallpaper, furnishing fabrics and accessories.

Unfortunately due to circumstances outside of my control, my work had to go on the back burner for several months; because of this I have now had to rethink the project slightly, and make my goals more realistic for my current time frame. I am still planning on creating an interiors collection based on the area, but the work will be focusing in on traditional toile fabrics, in this way my prints will be telling stories themselves, so there will be no need to create an entire book to go with them. I will be visiting the V&A in London soon where I will be able to research toiles, to help me bring this traditional print up to date. I'm hoping that this visit will help me choose my final colour palette and the way that I repeat my images. I'm hoping to create some really simple but beautiful designs, that will really capture the feel of this tiny Glen nestled in the Highlands.

Here are some of the images that I have done so far!

Pen and ink study of a puffin

Pen and ink study of Eilean Donan Castle

Pen and ink study of Eilean Donan Castle

Pen and ink watercolour of Eilean Donan Castle

Pen and ink Eilean Donan Castle

Pen and ink on tracing paper, Banqueting Hall at Eilean Donan Castle

Watercolour studies of the Glenn

Detail of watercolour study of the Glenn

Pen and ink watercolour stag

On a slightly different subject, I have finally managed to get on a taxidermy course, and tomorrow I will either be mounting a Jay or a Magpie - I can't wait! I'll tell you all about it next time :)