Caithness artists team up for North Lands exhibition

A collection of paintings by Jane McDonough and photographic prints by Angus Mackay proved a big attraction, with over 100 people attending the preview night.

Jane lived and worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in Manchester for over 10 years before moving to Caithness in 2008. She is a self-taught artist and has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember.

“Since moving to Caithness I have been inspired to develop my painting style and what better inspiration than the big dramatic skies and lonely landscapes?” said Jane.

“Painting is very special to me. I find it calming, sometimes frustrating and always a challenge. My feelings, emotions and memories are in the foundations of my work and I combine these with the ever-changing skies and colours around me to capture the essence of the landscape on an intuitive level.

“Sometimes words from a poem or song can evoke a feeling or emotion which can also be a starting point for my creativity.”

She added: “I was delighted when North Lands asked me if I would be interested in exhibiting my most recent work with Angus Mackay – his photograph of the Clan Gunn Museum led me to paint Lost Where the Wind Blows.

“Angus and I seem to share an understanding of the beauty of Caithness, how its landscapes and imagery stir the soul and capture the heart. In these paintings I aim to portray how a sense of the past of Caithness is merging with my present to form a moment in time.”

Angus added: “As a full-time freelance photographer, I am always very aware of the requirements of the client and the importance of satisfying their wishes. Although I love my job, it is sometimes easy when I am shooting for others to lose sight of what made me pick up my first camera.

“The images I am exhibiting are an eclectic and indulgent mix of what catches my eye, and evoke thoughts, memories or questions.

“I was brought up in Altnaharra, Sutherland, but we moved to Braemore in 1978 and I now live in Latheronwheel.

“I have been very fortunate to have lived in such wonderful places, each with different qualities, all of which have influenced me and my work. The brushstrokes of my co-exhibitor wonderfully capture the beauty and splendour of our landscapes and the big and dramatic skies that surround us.”

The exhibition will run from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, until April 20.