May the Sun rise on your Dreams

So we have turned that corner and officially stepped into Winter hours. The nights are already drawing in and it gets more difficult to paint once the light starts to fade. There are ways I work around this, by having light boxes and daylight bulbs, but it’s still not the same as natural light. So much as I love living in the far north of Scotland it does have its drawbacks. But it can not compare to being in Lapland, where I spent a Christmas season five years ago. We didn’t see sunlight for six weeks. It was either pitch black or dusk until that defining, almost epiphanic moment when the sun peeked over the horizon in January for all of 30 minutes! It was truly beautiful out there, like a frozen wonderland. I was the crazy one who would go wandering, sometimes in -20C, with my camera in my split shift break determined to capture the wonders of the landscape. My colleagues would opt for a nap or for the internet in the cosiness of the cabin! But it paid off and I have spectacular shots and memories that will last a lifetime.

I think I have mentioned this before, but I am an explorer. I like finding new places and experiencing different things. I have ‘that’ gene, which makes Winter particularly frustrating up here. I am ok as long as the sun is shining, but we seem to get a lot of grey and a lot of wind in the Winter making it difficult to go out exploring with my camera. Luckily Mother Nature made up for my lack of outside adventuring with this glorious sunrise just over the garden wall last week.

It’s in times like these that I have to pinch myself. I really am living my dream. Or perhaps I am living in one of my paintings! Scenes like these make me fall in love with Caithness all over. It really is a magical place – steeped in history, culture and heritage but it’s the rugged beauty that entrances me every time. My imagination thrives in this landscape. I am full of paintings, poems and stories just itching to be expressed.

I love the music too. Last weekend I ventured to John O’Groats to listen to the Shetland Fiddlers’ Society. I loved how they had a story for every tune and evoked the atmosphere of the islands without me having ever stepped foot on them. The highlight of the evening was when Gordon Shearer played a harmonica that had been restored after being rescued from Stroma (the island just north of John O’Groats that was inhabited until 1962 – see my previous blog). As he played I was transported back more than half a century to one of the crofts of Stroma. I was sitting in front of the fire with a dram with my fellow islanders. The power of music can do this to me yet this is what I hope to do with my paintings – transport you to a place, a feeling, a moment that takes you out of where you are. I think that must be the hope of any artist, be that a painter, a musician, an actor or a dancer. This too is why the Arts are so important. We add diversity and depth to a society that needs respite from itself.

I am sure it is true for any artist as well that the creativity is the easy part, the difficult part is the making money from our art. There are ways to do it, and I am having to hone my skills, but it doesn’t come naturally to all artists. Another of the drawbacks of being so far north is the lack of population. I could not do what I do without the internet and for that and all technology I am so grateful. Now I get to be in this stunning landscape, in my wee cottage and I get to talk to you all as well :).

So my inspirational words for you this week are to keep going. Life isn’t easy. It comes with peaks and troughs, but always follow your heart and you will never go wrong. Life may not make sense for a while when you do that, but your heart will keep you on course through the tough times. Step out on adventures, be open to what life has to offer you. And make each moment count. May you all see the sun rise on your dreams.

I am busy with commissions and events leading up to Christmas. Remember my Open Studio date of the 28th November. All are welcome. Please do pop in if you can…Here at Haven House.

I will be in the Norseman Hotel on the 7th November for a pre-Christmas shopping event.

 

Meanwhile, I have added more prints to my limited edition range, plus there is lots more to browse here on my website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See you next time,

Lisa Weller xx

 

 

 

 

Inspiring Art from the Heart of the Highlands