An online exhibition of Hebridean light studies.
Artists Statement
“My painting practice for the last twenty years centred on the countryside of England and Wales. The bold contrasting shapes and forms of the landscape offered boundless opportunities to paint and express a way of seeing the world, by painting nature itself.
In October 2019 and again in June 2022 I visited the Hebridean islands of Mull, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist, Berneray, Harris and finally The Isle of Skye by bicycle (bike-packing). Whilst there in June 2022 and making sketches for new work, I was struck by the simple beauty this landscape offered, uncomplicated and powerful yet calming. One of the most distinctive attributes I noticed was the light, where the sun reflected off the sea and lochs in strips of light and dark. This was especially noticeable during sunrise and sunset as the sun shone across the water like a slither of polished silver and gold. One night on South Uist, I observed Noctilucent clouds to the North, creating an eerie but calm presence over the sea.
I have created these studies from that light and the forms of the mountains that surround the lochs or border the sea. These small abstract paintings are not of specific places but of my experiences and memories of them and I hope they convey the presence and energy this landscape gave.”
Please follow this link to the exhibition page.
Some of the work is for sale and added to my shop page.
I will be having an open studio weekend from Thursday 1 December until Sunday 4 December 2022.
Open each day from 11 am until 5 pm.
Studio address is:
25b High Market Ashington NE63 8NE (above Sovereign Motors)
All images copyright Robert Newton 2022.
