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Date Added: Thursday 8th October 2009 09:28

Bespoke plates for charity auction

Just back from North Uist in the Outer Hebrides where I spend as much time as possible. It was very wet and windy, perfect for kitesurfing (a new found passion), until I lost my board in the tide. Still this allowed me more time for painting.

Monty Halls is filming a BBC series on islands and to raise funds for signposts for nature trails there was a great feast at Langass Lodge and a charity auction. I donated a set of the four dinner plates featuring game birds found on the islands, with bespoke drawings on the backs. As well as a large oval salmon platter which I drew a leaping salmon on the back, Monty signed with a pen and Ruben his dog with a paw. Which was no mean 'feet' given Ruben was not the most cooperative with his paw! Can you blame him, all captured on film! The series is showing on BBC in the New Year. The evening was a great success raising money for a worthwhile cause. Wonderful delicious dishes made from local produce donated by crofters, divers and fishermen. Cooked by Chef John Buchanan and his team at Langass Lodge. Well worth a stay and dinner if you are visiting the islands.

Velvet Crab Watercolour

Whilst diving during the week for scallops off Grimsay the next island down from North Uist, I caught a velvet crab, definately the most beautiful of our crabs found in British waters. Original watercolour opposite.