Summer in Scotland

Exploring Summer in Scotland with Catherine King

“The emotional feeling and sense of wellbeing I associate with being outdoors and studying the view is just as strong when I draw or paint in the studio.”

“I am so fortunate to live in Scotland. Falkirk may be an unlikely spot for an artist, but I’ve had a purpose-built studio attached to my home for around 20 years. Plus, I’m surrounded by inspiration, living just a twenty-minute train ride away from the galleries of our two major cities, and a quick drive from some amazing places. Whether it’s walking in the Ochils, watching birds in the Forth estuary or taking in the stunning lochs of Perthshire and Loch Lomond, I can be there and back again in time for tea.

For inspiration, summer in Scotland is impossible to beat: our coast and countryside offer so much. The need to capture the feeling of awe I have at the wonders of nature helps drive my work. Through painting and printmaking, it gives me the opportunity to bring a small part of Scotland back into people’s homes. Whether it’s the beauty of a single rock; the mist rolling over a mountain top; snow filled crevices in July (it’s a Scottish summer after all); a valley carved by tumultuous forces or boulders naturally curated as if by aesthetic balance and consideration, I’m spoiled for choice. The benefits of academic holidays make summer the time when I get the opportunity to explore, venturing into the depths of Scotland looking for the path less trodden.

With sketchbooks filled to the brim with drawings, watercolours and notation, I can capture a moment in time to bring back to my studio. I prefer to only paint places I have been. I find photos a great resource, but not having the skill of an expert photographer, my visual memory is what allows me to bring my work to life. Often, when going through photos with friends and family, sifting through images of rockpools, wildflowers, guid Scottish weeds and beaches, I would be asked, “where are the pictures of your family?”. Back in the day when a camera could only take a few pictures, I would sometimes “forget” to photograph my boys.....

I’m not one to enjoy a trip to the dentist but after years of hard work I have found my happy place. I transport myself to an Atlantic beach on Tiree, waves pounding the sands, while I sit in the shelter of the rocks. In recent visits the valley of Glencoe, the beach at the iron age settlement in Bostadh, Great Bernera, have also made an appearance. This ability to vividly catalogue places has meant I’ve been lucky enough to get out and about, if only in mind and spirit rather than body. I’ve visited Gairloch, Reds Sand, the Assynt mountains and many more. I’ve enjoyed a trip to Applecross with its mad, winding road, now made famous by the North Coast 500. I spent time in Achiltibuie, with views of the Summer Isles, and walked the Cairngorms and Rannoch moor, all from the comfort of my own garden. I’ve even taken a virtual Easter holiday to Italy, enjoying the bustle of the Uffizi in Florence, supported by an unusually warm Scottish summer, helping bring the illusion to life, albeit it never quite reached 46 ⁰C.

I hope my experience of summer in Scotland will inspire you to get out and enjoy what it has to offer. If you would like to see more of my work, I am currently represented in Glasgow by Scotlandart.com in Bath Street.”

To read Catherine's full story visit Scotland in 4 Seasons on Issuu and download your copy.