I am captivated at the incredible environment that is Rahoy Hills and the special opportunity to spend time in this place, to research the theme of rainforest and as a spontaneous response to the daily activity of painting – literally what I see in the moment and then from memory at the large kitchen table. I am constantly reviewing the inter-connections with nature – the scale of trees in the landscape, and the sense of timelessness and historical references that exists when immersed outside.

When working outside it is not always apparent how the image will emerge and this adds an immediacy that is inspiring, uncertain and exciting creatively. The creative outcome is determined by weather, fleeting light, skies, and connecting thoughts whilst recording these moments in time and place. Developing the sketches from life into oils or larger works takes time, often many months and I can be encumbered with the sense that I don’t know what will be revealed and to trust instinct to capture the moment, feeling, quietness and spaciousness.

11th to 15th March. The last few days are pretty free and I’m looking forward to experimenting with surfaces, using pastel, watercolour, water-based paint and, using the space at the farmhouse table. I prefer to be outside at some point during the day to draw, and wait to see how this works weather wise. I have enjoyed the spaciousness and quietness of Acharn Farmhouse and Rahoy. Being a succinct timescale helps keep focus and yet it is still an unpredictable, even mysterious process painting and finding ways to incorporate the emotional response to the landscape.

I have been staying around the house at Acharn mostly, up the hill, down to Loch Arienas, looking, producing pastels – one of my favourite mediums for outdoors. The SWT Trust Ranger, Steve Hardy met up with me last week to introduce me to the wildlife reserve and I hope to meet him again on Thursday as he is monitoring an eagle site. We managed a walk between extreme hail showers and spotted an eagle on the nest. A few small paintings and we were both glad to be back on the move and lucky to be off the hill, out and dry as the weather breaks.

Deirdre from Acharn Farmhouse has just been in touch to let me know the house is available mid-April through to mid-May so I would like to come back then, once I have checked dates with family.

Nearly two months flies by, daylight increases and it is transformed into spring. The north wind is present still yet the abundance of green is every day increasing. This visit I have decided is more about painting as it is possible to dry work outside, and to spend longer on field sketches and explorations on sites higher in the hills.
Birds are nesting and care is needed not to disturb the raven, cawing vigorously as you pass by. I have missed seeing snow on the hills until one day it is back again, despite the sun. Nights are chilly and brisk. The sunlight is intense, almost too bright contrasting cadmium yellow gorse with young leaves. I am using a lot of yellow for mixing.
The second visit is very different and much greener, and there is time to go further afield – a walk with Steve to check the eagle nest and the greenshanks loch. Herds of deer watch nervously on the hill then disappeared silently. I love the presence of the deer despite the fact there are too many and sadly culling is necessary. Things are out of balance. The golden eagles have not bred successfully this year. Sad news. Empty nest.

I visited the abandoned villages on opposite sides of Loch Arienas. Walking around the sites, I thought about the families who had lived there in the past eking out a living in the remote location and how hard it must have been to leave and all the memories they had to leave behind them. People likely lived there for generations before being forced to move from their homes.

I was thinking about a sense of place and the comfort one feels being ‘at home’ or having a home to return to. The kale yard evoked a particular image and having to grow everything to eat for the year ahead. My paternal great grandparents were crofters near Tarves, north Aberdeen, which had fertile land. Old photographs show a large garden with lots of vegetables. Whilst it is not a surprise that the clearances took place as the land was so poor, the act of having to leave ones’ home, being forced to leave, and to travel somewhere unfamiliar is harsh and many crofters must have struggled to adjust.

I am also thinking about themes of displacement. The surrounding landscape is a witness to such happenings, sadness, birth and the cycles of life and the lichen mossy covered ruins are remnants of past lives. The reality is people have to adapt. I wasn’t aware before my visit that families from St Kilda had been relocated to Morvern.

A series of small paintings were produced up the hill, watching rain clouds, rainbows and sunlight filter to the black river glen below. I was thinking about where the rainforest starts, beginning its life in the glen, alongside the river, gathering moisture from the mountain water. Gradually the tree cover increases, looking happy amidst the gorge to create this beautiful peaceful river valley with mixed deciduous Atlantic Forest. The myrtle is in appearance and the gorgeous scent.

Back in the studio in Argyll I am sifting through sketches, painting threads, thoughts and colour to clarify the subject focus. It can be mysterious how the paintings emerge and it is not a formula, more of a recognition that a process of feeling and connection with a subject is genuine. It is very exciting creatively to be able to wander and look, and to discover new material or subject matter. It can then take time to decide what imagery to develop further into painting in my home studio. I’ve been focusing on water-based media mostly in the studio and anticipate painting with oils later in the year.

Lesley is taking part in Artmap Open Studios from 28-31 August where you can view sketchbooks produced during the Rahoy residency. For more information, visit the profile on the Artmap Argyll website or her website.