Laura Drever

Radula markings – limpet journeys. Natures patterns.

Finding these marks while walking never gets less exciting. Nature is amazing. I wonder if these limpets know that they are drawing a beautiful pattern? I don’t suppose they do, think that is what makes them even more wonderful. Do they make them all by themselves or is this a group of them working together?

I could have photographed these all day, they were everywhere. The tide was low so it gave the opportunity to walk the coast over all the rock pools. Fascinating to be somewhere that is usually covered in water – where in the winter months when the sea is wild or when there is a high tide, it could be unsafe. There is a calmness to look closer. The roar of the sea keeps you alert.

This month has been full on painting in the studio.

Also this month, we sadly had to say goodbye to our Samuel pup. He spent his last few weeks with me in the studio letting me know he was done. He needed cuddled a lot and when he went to sleep he had a little paint on his white patches of fur from my painty hands. We never thought a dog would leave a sadness but I guess they become part of the family, after being company in the studio and on walks. He was a good pup, happy, with a quirky personality. A bit of a shite at times. This painting will remind me of him, the painting I was working on during his last few weeks. I will miss him being at my feet wanting attention.

This painting will also remind me of times in the sea, jumping from the cliffs, exploring rock pools. Finding lochans surrounded by grass and heather. Walking the coast to rediscover places visited before. Moments when the light makes the blue look tropical. This painting has been a real pleasure to work on – in my eyes, an important part of the new collection. Some paintings are just like that.

It’ll be interesting to see how this painting fits with the others. 20 paintings have been carefully packed away and put into storage until later in the year. Space was needed in the studio and although it would be great to have enough room to work beside them all, that just isn’t practical in the space available here. Opening them back up will be something to look forward to, exciting to get them all together alongside the new ones still to come.

In the meantime, I will continue painting and be inspired by walks taken. There are so many natural patterns to be inspired by here in Orkney. The colours at the moment are magnificent. The Seapinks are out and popping up anywhere they can. This coastal walk – Warbeth to the Blackcriag – is a real treat. Something new to see at every step. Fresh air, the smells, looking closer, slowing down. Emptying your mind, a kind of meditation.

If you are feeling sad about something, I really recommend getting out and about and taking a bit of time. Find something in nature that makes you smile – find some radula, find a Groatie Buckie, look for the new growth in the heather, jump in the sea with friends, spend time with family, take your dog on their favourite walk.