Whilst on holiday in Lochcarron in January 2007, we stayed in Seabank Cottage which is right on the shore of the loch. One morning my husband, John, brought me up my usual early-morning cuppa and told me very excitedly that the tide was in and that the waves were splashing against the kitchen window. We spent most mornings that holiday watching the tide come in and go out, feeling all warm and snug inside with our cuppas. Poppy, our Border Collie, would jump up on the window sill and watch it with us, barking at any seagull which dared to come too close. At about 5 o'clock the sun would illuminate the glen over at Attadale, turning it a rich red/gold colour. At first I could not believe the striking colours. I have tried to capture this scene in my painting. When we got Poppy as a puppy, she looked like a tele-tubby. She was so cute but she would not stop running around and I lost nearly half a stone chasing around after her. She was very mischievous like all puppies. One day we took her down to the beach at Great Crosby, Liverpool. She ran around as usual and then, when she eventually got tired, she lay down on the sand dunes. We took a photograph of her resting and watching the ships sailing in and out of the Mersey and I felt that I just had to paint the moment. 10 years ago whilst on honeymoon in Scotland, we were driving through Glen Nevis when we came upon some sheep dog trials and stopped to watch. I found it very amusing watching the dogs who were "spectating" on their fellow competitors, rounding up the sheep. The concentration on the faces of the onlooking dogs was very similar to that of people watching a tennis or football match and I decided to paint the scene. When we were on holiday in Lochcarron in January 2007, it was very cold but extremely beautiful and we used to take our dog, Poppy, for a walk every day. We used to walk along the beach to Slumbay Island and around to Port na Criche. At Port na Criche there are three cottages which stand almost literally on the beach. This elderly gentleman was there filling his wheelbarrow with seaweed and we struck up a conversation with him. He invited us into his house and gave us a jar of his home-made marmalade. We saw Mr MacKay several times that week and he was such a gentleman and so active considering that he was only ninety! I decided that I wanted to paint him. When we told him that we had decided to move to live in the village, he invited us into his cottage again and gave us a malt whisky to welcome us to the village. What a lovely way to start village life! I like painting all types of flowers but poppies are my favourites as they are so delicate yet so vibrant. I also love the significance of them as they are a symbol of peace. My grandfather and my father fought in the First and Second World Wars respectively and I believe that the cause for which they fought should never be forgotten.
Whilst on holiday in Lochcarron in January 2007, we stayed in Seabank Cottage which is right on the shore of the loch. One morning my husband, John, brought me up my usual early-morning cuppa and told me very excitedly that the tide was in and that the waves were splashing against the kitchen window. We spent most mornings that holiday watching the tide come in and go out, feeling all warm and snug inside with our cuppas. Poppy, our Border Collie, would jump up on the window sill and watch it with us, barking at any seagull which dared to come too close. At about 5 o'clock the sun would illuminate the glen over at Attadale, turning it a rich red/gold colour. At first I could not believe the striking colours. I have tried to capture this scene in my painting.
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