Thick mist and gales had thoroughly scrubbed the mountains for two days. The air was damp, dense globules packed around everything and everyone. The sea sat gravely under the weight of new moisture, swaying in the wind, seated over it like the ghost of ponderance.

​Slowly, the grey curtain started to lift, like swathes of fabric unveiling a shop window. Peeks of the beautiful shapes and colours so carefully closeted now sparkled like new - including the sun glowing pure tangerine hues as it sank behind the horizon.

​Sometimes one needs to hibernate into their own murkiness in order to see the true beauty of surroundings.

Monday heralded the first ever 'Meet the Maker' session at the Skye Makers Gallery in Dunvegan - and I had the privilege of being the 'Maker' painting there for the afternoon. The view from the windows at Skye Makers is directly out to the MacLeod's Tables over the Loch Dunvegan, and so it was upon these beauties that were the focus of my attentions.  It was a misty day in true Skye style (sometimes it feels strange when there is no mist or heavy clouds somewhere here!) so I picked out the detail through the swirling haze.

​This was a first for me, I'm unaccustomed to being in full view whilst painting and was somewhat nervous. All of the self-doubt and worry  bubbled up inside as I parked the car and hauled my easel into the gallery. I needed have worried at all! It was a fabulous afternoon, everyone was lovely and incredibly kind. I have a belief that most people in the world are good people at heart and I was surrounded by them on Monday.

Here are the progress photos and the final framed painting (soft pastels, A4 size) which will be on display and sale at Skye Makers Gallery - contact Karen at Skye Makers Gallery (01470 521666 or karen@skyemakers.com for purchase information.

Framed limited edition prints are now available at the Post Office in Dunvegan! They're available mounted as usual in Lynne's Art Shed, the Skye Makers Gallery and online here, but this is  the first time they've ever been available in frames - and only from the Post Office in Dunvegan here on the Isle of Skye. I think they look great, hope you do too :)

(This painting was created for the Postcard Project at Moray Art Centre and will be on display and for sale there during the month of June. See theExhibitions page for more details)

Flurries of determined sky-climbers wind their way up from the bay and over the mountains, their momentum growing as they race in headlong tunnels. Destination unknown, just caught in the rat-race chase. So focused are they on their journeys, they fail to notice warm salmon rays tentatively daring to break through for the last few hours of daylight. The glow builds to patchily show through the clumpy clusters, momentarily slowing them to catch their breath as they lazily flirt amongst the beautiful contrasts.