HILLS OF HOME

When my friends moved to Scotland, they found their dream place. A beautiful house surrounded by wild nature, endless hills, and walls waiting for some stories and colors.

So I packed my tools and flew north.

The first day, we wandered around Edinburgh, just catching the vibes of the local culture, while I picked up some paints and hid a few of my prints around the city.

The following days, we spent exploring forests and hills, watching deer casually walk across their land, and soaking up the views and nature all around. Here and there, I managed to sneak a new sketch into the sketchbook I had just picked up from a local store.

Once I had decided on the concept, I set up my workstation for the next couple of days.

This project also became the perfect excuse to experiment with a new technique I had been looking into lately. I believed both the technique and its aesthetic would fit this place much better.

Instead of thick layers, I worked with water and time. Thin washes of diluted acrylic slowly dried one after another, creating flowy organic shapes inspired by the surrounding landscape.

I chose this style and color palette to mirror the calm and flowy character of the surrounding nature indoors and bring it a little closer in. This technique proved to need a bit more patience than I usually have... testing me right back.

The final result became three paintings.

Two abstract landscapes inspired by the mountains surrounding their new home, and one larger piece capturing their favorite beach—a place that made them fall in love with Scotland years before moving there. One of the memories they wanted to bring into their home.

I finished the paintings just in time to hang them up before we headed back to Edinburgh to catch my flight the following morning.

Before leaving, I couldn't resist hiding a few more pieces of art for my Catch That Art project.

This time, four mini paintings inspired by the hills of Scotland were hidden around Dean Village.

I was so happy to find out they found new owners and made them smile.

I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this art venture...

Even with the almost missed flight 👀