Watercolours, Pastels

Landscapes, Marinescapes, Portraits

Born during 1964, in the Highland capital of Inverness, I was inspired by the scenery of the region to develop my early discovered love of drawing and painting. I enjoy painting dramatic landscapes and trying to capture on paper the transient moods of the North Sea and Scottish coastline. However, I am most fascinated by portrait painting, as this has the extra challenge of attempting to decode the enigma of a subject's personality and then trying to convey this in a two dimensional but recognisable form.

I prefer to work with either soft pastels or watercolour. Pastels have a wonderful immediacy and freedom and are, I find, well suited to painting people and animals. Watercolour is more exciting to use, as there is an element of chance. I love the intensity of colour and light it is possible to achieve with this medium.

Working as a commissioned artist is both interesting and challenging. The artist has to convey thoughts and feelings about the subject which is not his/her own. This however, makes it a very rewarding experience.

Miriam Smith - Inverness, Highland, Scotland. UK