COP26 - WWF and The Great Scottish Canvas

Inspired by Sir David Attenborough, and the ground-breaking series Life on Earth, I joined the World Wildlife Fund when I was a wee girl. So as an environmentalist and artist, when I saw the opportunity to submit an art work to The Great Scottish Canvas in conjunction with COP26 in Glasgow, it was a no brainer.

My hubby had given me an iPad Pro for Christmas, so I started tinkering with digital art. Some art aficionados poo-poo the medium of digital technology, and don't consider it real art. I say it's horses for courses. One person's Picasso is another's unmade bed. 

I'd describe myself as an intuitive artist, there's no real planning. I take an idea and begin. I then let creativity and intuition guide my hand. Although, I've had quite a few of what Bob Ross would call 'happy accidents'.

Fey is a collage and one of my first creations using digital technology. I combined Nan Shepherd's portrait (from the Scottish five pound note) and married it with some of my landscape photography, and an image of my eye.

This is my homage to Scottish Modernist writer and poet, Nan Shepherd.

Feyness is the iridescent exhilaration that comes over climbers, making them appear in Shepherd’s words “a little mad in the eyes of those who do not climb”.

The design is inspired by my love of Nan’s writing and the mountain memoir The Living Mountain. As a keen hillwalker, her words are as essential as a map and compass. It is my hope that the artwork will guide more people to Shepherd
and her writing, so they can see nature through her eyes. Perhaps then, they will care a little more for the very thing that sustains us all. However small the change, as Greta Thunberg proves, you are never too wee to make a difference.

I was overjoyed when I received the news that my submission had been chosen. For my art to represent Scotland and the crucial discussion of Climate Change is a huge honour. To be in presence of not only other talented creatives but my hero, Sir David Attenborough is a dream come true.

My submission also proves it's wise to ignore that inner saboteur and it's always worth giving it a go, the worst they can say is no x

Glasgow Science Centre