The Luna Maria are basaltic flood plains and ridges formed by volcanic action which show up as dark areas on the surface of the moon.
From the Sound of Harris I can see Roineabhal a mountain over 1,500 million years old. The rock is made up of anorthosite studded with garnets, a rock found on the moon. As a teenager in the 70’s the moon landing was the most remarkable event watched by us on the TV. Everyone became familiar with the Sea of Tranquillity, the other ‘Maria’ perhaps not to well-remembered. The Sea of Crises is the title of these works as a sea that is full of remarkable rocks weathered by the sea, amazing geology and exciting tides.
The Shiant Isles mean the Enchanted Isles. An enchantment is not necessarily a thing of peaceful beauty. It can be terrifying and malevolent as well. My father came to the Outer Hebrides saying he ‘knew them ’from escorting the North Atlantic Convoys during WW2. He could not understand why I wanted to go to such an inhospitable place. The danger of German U Boats seemed almost secondary to the terror of the seas and rocks. But he came to see me in the summer and experienced the light long days, the flower studded machair and was enchanted.
Both Seas exist. The Tranquill and the Crises.
Blast Off
Watercolour on paper, H70 x W200cm
2015
Blow Hole
Watercolour on paper, H70 x W150cm
2016
Blown Away
Watercolour on paper, H70 x W150cm
2017
Back to Black
Watercolour on paper, H70 x W150cm
2018
Crisis
Watercolour on paper, H50 x W70cm
2015
Volcanic Vertebrae
Watercolour on paper, H50 x W100cm
2016
Cinder
Watercolour on paper, H50 x W70cm
2017
Crisis Triptych
Watercolour on paper, H50 x W240cm
2018
Critical Force
Watercolour on paper, H50 x W240cm
Critical Mass
Watercolour on paper, H70 x W150cm
Critical Point
Watercolour on paper, H70 x W100cm
Cutting Edge
Watercolour on paper, H70 x W150cm