As soon as we see them clothed in air the hills become blue.
Every shade of blue, from opalescent milky white to indigo, is there.
Nan Shepherd The Living Mountain
I have made connections with the mountain landscape of the North West of Scotland.
Everything stems from direct observation during hikes. I use water based paint, charcoal and graphite to record into sketch books.
Back in the studio I develop paintings. I never quite know the end result. I try to immerse myself and paint what I have seen.
The writings of Dorothy Wordsworth (the nineteenth century poet) and her descriptions of nature have helped me explore how I interpret my experience in a particular landscape.
I start with observing closely, sometimes for long periods
and returning when possible. I try to be honest with my response.
The Lake became of glassy calmness and all was still. I sate till I could see no longer.
Extract from The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth by Frances Wilson.
Whilst spending time on the Summer Isles archipelago of about twenty islands in Assynt –Coigach, I discovered her poem Floating Islands.
I have tried to focus on being part of something other and in place.
Returning visits to the west coast have brought me
closer to understanding the more you know something, the more it gives out.
Sheila Fell, a Cumbrian painter vividly expressed a working landscape in which she brought her past experiences and memories to her work. Ysanne Holt, Professor Emeritus of Art History at The University of Northumbria, highlighted this in a talk at The Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, in January 2025 and made parallels with Joan Eardley.
A physical, sensory emotional immersion characterised Joan Eardley’s paintings and made them in place.
The intent and relationship of these artists and poets to their landscape inspire. They have helped me, throughout my past two years research produce these paintings.
Val Menon September 2025
Previous page Archipelago Summer Isles.
Oil on Canvas.
64x76cm
Fine Art Graduate of Nottingham College of Art and Design. (1989)
Moved to Edinburgh in 1989.
Based in Coburg House Art Studios, Edinburgh.
https://valmenon.com
Mountain Mass Fiddler, Coigach Charcoal on paper 57x76cm
Delivery Summer
Sound Watercolour
The
Jewel
