No time for painting recently but hopefully back into it soon. A wee selection of small mostly local Caithness and west coast landscapes off to the local Northern lights art show at Latheron hall. Sat 1st and Sun 2nd 11 - 4pm

A few  of my small 8" x 8"  box canvas landscape paintings of the north of Scotland are now available in the cafe area of the Timespan Museum and Heritage centre, Helmsdale.
As well  a  selection of my small size,  mounted limited edition prints which are available in the shop area.

I've not had any time for painting recently after moving house, apart from painting walls.
Although I did find time for framing some of my mini
​8" x 8" paintings for a new gallery I will be exhibiting in.
Gallery48  in Cromarty on the Black isle.
A mixture of mountains in black and gold frames as well as seascapes in white frames. 
Not sure which looks better.

I've been busy reorganizing the gallery for it's reopening so not had much time for painting recently.
But here's the first painting of the year,  an oil  for a change. 10" x 10". 

A quick painting inspired by the surf and sands of Dunnet Bay, Caithness.
I don't often paint panoramic format but it makes a change from my normal wee square paintings.
​Click on the painting to see it larger.

Another large landscape painting just finished it was going to be just a moorland scene but there was a dark unfinished space in the corner so I added  a wee waterfall at the last minute rather than continuing the moorland.

My latest large landscape painting 1m x 1m inspired by the sunset and reflection often seen on the river Shiel Kintail, but painted in more muted earth tones rather than the bright colours that are normally seen in its reflections.

Should I paint a series of Black and white landscape paintings?
​In this 24" x 24" painting of the sea stack at Sandwood bay I only used pure black and white.
It reminds me of a black and white fine art photo.
Black and white photographs are very popular however I've never seen a black and white painting, other than some abstracts and portraits or charcoals and drawings, why?. 
In this case I think it works well as I hope I've created the mood and atmosphere of this isolated bay without the distraction of colour.
Photographers often prefer B & W as it helps to focus on the light, atmosphere, form and pattern, emotion, and composition without the distraction of colour, yet in painting it is almost the exact opposite where colour is used.

Another large painting just left the easel, well table actually as I always paint on the flat .
​I had a few problems with this one but I think I got there eventually. Another Scottish mountain landscape with a wee waterfall, as yet untitled, often the hardest part, when it's not of anywhere specifically.
​