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This is my third year at UHI based in Auchtertyre studying for the NPA Drawing Skills. Trying out all the different techniques has been fascinating. I joined the course after working for the NHS for 40 years.I always wanted to get back into art but didn't know where to start. The course has really guided me and enabled me to resurface and gain confidence in my art again.Art showcase from Anne MackenzieArt showcase from Anne MackenzieAnne MackenzieThis course has allowed me to play again and push myself beyond my safe zones.Teaching myself to see more and observe my surroundings has helped me to look for those angles, shapes and gaps that capture my interest.Heather Beaton ArtworkHeather Beaton ArtworkHeather Beaton ArtworkThe Drawing Skills course offered fresh opportunities, from trying out new drawing materials and different papers, to looking for interesting objects and locations to draw.Finding a subject for analytical (detailed) drawings mid-winter was interesting!Encouraged by my lecturer, I zoomed in on a dormant climbing rose on the wall of my house, finding rose hips and leaves which fitted the brief. I am looking forward to using my new-found skills to continue my art exploration.Jennifer Teague ArtworkLiving in nature and enjoying the calmness of life, learning to appreciate the simple things have been themes that I try to evoke in my work.Jane TomlinsonCollege is such a welcoming and supportive environment and getting to meet new people and see the work they produce is a great experience.I would encourage anyone to apply even those like me usually filled with self-doubt because it has brought a new joy to my life.This is my 3rd year on the NPA course and I have enjoyed the variety, exploration and meeting fellow artists.This year, I've loved experimenting with pastel pencils, ink and charcoal.As well as college, I work full time from home and am also part of a small collaborative group called Sound of Raasay who have a little shop selling our arts and crafts on the croft opposite the Raasay distillery.Kirsten DuncanMy work this year is focussed on seed heads in Winter. I am intrigued by the complex nature of the seed head; fibrous and hairy, hard and delicate.Winter is a time both for us and for nature to be dormant, a time for rest, reflection and restoration. There is potential for change, for new growth and renewal in spring, but also a reminder that the cycle of life inevitably at some point, leads to death.Shelia Hamilton Creative Arts FestivalThese drawings are from my favourite module on the course. I chose my collection of exotic plants as my subject to explore.I loved my plants before but now love them more after studying their structure in depth, observing them in different ways and presenting them in varying styles, taking inspiration from other artists. I'm looking forward to next year.Emma Bennon ArtworkEmma Bennon ArtworkEmma Bennon ArtworkEmma Bennon ArtworkFrank BurstowBefore that I lived for many years close to the shore at Portnacloich with its views across to Skye and Raasay.Both these places influence the kind of subjects that I wanted to develop during the drawing course which has given me the confidence to just get on with it!Finally my tutor Susan and all my fellow students have been hugely supportive and made the year so enjoyable. Onwards and upwards towards year two - the painting course!I enjoyed the NPA Painting Skills course and was grateful to progress through the NPA Art and Design, and now the Drawing Skills course.Portraiture has been my main focus, and this course deepened my understanding of tone in pencil and charcoal, as well as the power of colour through chalk pastels.Though new to landscapes, I grew to enjoy charcoal sketching scenes from Plockton—especially the brae, which the class praised for its perspective.James NazThis year for the NPA Drawing Skills course I have chosen my croft for the focus of my work. I am fortunate enough to have views of the hills, land and sea – lots of inspiration. I used seedheads and pinecones for the unit on analytical drawing.Now that spring is here, for the final unit – location drawing, I am turning my attention to burns and waterfalls."Alison MackenzieArt showcase from Alison Mackenzie content
We have been exploring the theme of “Colours in Nature”, in which I have done paintings of fruit, leaves and flowers.I have learnt a variety of techniques including using Acrylics, Watercolours, Pastels and Gouche, using different types of brushes and palette knives.I have found I enjoy watercolours the most, and the effects I can achieve with them, especially the soft muted tones.Fiona Christie ArtworkFiona ChristieI have enjoyed learning to use a variety of media, techniques and tools. The support and challenge from the course tutor and fellow students have been invaluable in my development.I have chosen five pieces from the “Colour in Nature” module of the course which showcase a various media and techniques.Fiona Allan ArtworkFiona Allan ArtworkFiona AllanHyeran Yang is currently continuing her studies in the NPA Painting Course, where she has spent the past two years exploring drawing, illustration, and printmaking.Through her exploration of colour formation, she realized that effective colour expression doesn’t require excessive paint purchases.The process of discovering new techniques, combined with the synergy and inspiration gained from exchanging ideas with peers, has made this journey truly enriching.Her personal project, Flowers Around Me, explores winter-blooming flowers like the Christmas cactus and gorse, symbolizing the courage to bloom in our own time and in our own unique way.In Capture the Moment, she revisited cherished memories with her daughter, reflecting on fleeting yet meaningful moments.. I choose to look into micro colour studies of the folds of fruit and vegetables and worked with lettuce leaves as my final studies.I chose to work with acrylic paint as I had very little experience with this medium and wanted to develop this. I have enjoyed the learning process and differing techniques I have developed.Our second assignment was titled Capturing a Moment. I had a lot of photos that I could work with and used these images that I have taken to create my final painting.I choose to use acrylic paint again to further develop my knowledge of that medium.profile picture of student AngelaI have enjoyed studying simple still life forms exploring reflective colour in both acrylics and watercolour.The course requirements have encouraged me to trust my tutor’s encouraging words and suggestions, which in turn have made me try that much harder to express my art more freely with the various elements of art.I enjoyed using colour and tonal values specifically, when depicting fabric and still life forms and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome.Jackie Shylan ArtworkJackie ShylanThe NPA Introduction to Painting has been a great experience in using various mediums to utilise in artwork alongside the support and development from the course tutor and fellow students.I have chosen these five pieces as they showcase the various techniques I have developed over the course; watercolour, acrylic, ink and pen.The themes of these pieces relate to the natural world and the beauty found around us throughout the year.Jane Evans ArtworkOriginally from South Africa, with their creative genes from their mother, Ren’s journey to pursuing art has been long, but worth it. This course has been a way of pushing them outside their comfort zones yet developing new techniques to use with their creative outlets.Between using palette knives, sponges and weird concoctions of paint & water, their art will show who they are to the world.To follow their art journey, have a peek at their instagram! @painted.by.renArt showcase from Ren HawthorneRen Hawthorne content
I draw from personal themes that I hope connect with viewers on some level. Aesthetically I use abstract and conceptual ways of working, the ideas behind the work being as important as the final look. I am constantly exploring new ways of mark making, surface texture and juxtaposition of line and form.Sarah Walker Creative FestivalSarah Walker Creative FestivalSarah Walker Creative FestivalAfter completing an NPA in Drawing, which I really enjoyed, I signed up for the HNC to learn new skills.I especially enjoyed the Printmaking project, a new discipline for me, and loved Lino prints and this is a medium I want to further develop as I move into the HND.My work is influenced by nature, the natural environment, especially the sea and island life. Marsali 1974 BRD100, was based on the theme of Memory, and my father’s fishing boat.Mairi Kennedy ArtworkMairi KennedyI particularly enjoy working with charcoal and natural materials and will often use just my fingers and hands as I feel more connected to the subject.Printing is a relatively new technique for me, and I like the precision and technique it requires.. In this first year of the HNC Contemporary Art and Practice, I have moved from 2D practice into 3D and love the possibilities the different materials bring.Kirsten Sierag ArtworkKirsten SieragAlong with Emotions and how childhood experiences shape a person throughout their lives.It’s these experiences along with fears and phobias that she’s been most interested in painting.Colours have always played a huge role in her work, as colours connect quite deeply to emotions.Another strong theme throughout has been Storytelling and the balance of good and evil. Another strong theme throughout has been Storytelling and the balance of good and evil. Look closely, there are many intricate details in her work which hint to a bigger picture.Niamh BennettI have been studying the hands; my mum’s hands have been a prominent memory for me, happy and sad memories, a warm mothers touch, a hold of hands on her death bed. I see her hands in mine, a constant reminder of her.The hands are an important symbol in showing compassion, love, care, they can have the simplest gesture which could mean so much.Art, to me, is therapeutic. The art courses available at UHI are a fantastic way to guide you and give you the space and time to stay on an artistic path during life, which can be so busy.Fiona Stoddart ArtworkFiona StoddartHer recent explorations into place-based practice have inspired these bodies of work; ‘Às an Àirigh’ and ‘Gruagach’, which weave together Gaelic song, historical text, sculptural forms and natural materials in response to Eilidh’s research into shieling culture on Skye.The physical landscape is constant as a source of inspiration, but equally as important is the cultural landscape; language, music, vernacular structures, local lore and oral traditions. Instagram: @coimheadEilidh Mackenzie HND Contemporary Art Practice exhibit itemEilidh Mackenzie HND Contemporary Art Practice exhibitionEilidh MackenzieFor the HND I based all my work on a sense of place, seasons, and the effect of humans on the landscape.Talla Hopper Creative Arts FestivalTalla Hopper Creative Arts Festival. My drawing is of trees in Sleat, the landscape paintings are of the area around my house at Roag during different seasons of the year and my most recent work is based on aerial photographs of places in Skye that show the effect of human actions: clear felling of trees, a twice cleared and deserted village, and shielings.Talla Hopper Creative Arts FestivalTalla Hopper Creative Arts FestivalThis year I have been immersed in story-telling as a theme for my drawing and painting and have been following the family trees of our family from the 18th century. The Macleans in Skye – and the Macmillans in Lewis.I have enjoyed learning the background of our families, and I have imagined the family members from 1746. Photography in the 19th century gave a glimpse of our great grandparents.The families have grown and it has been very interesting drawing and painting their lives.Kirsteen Graham ArtworkKirsteen GrahamDoing art at college has been a great opportunity and the supportive, encouraging setting has been great for me. I recommend it highly. I have been able to experiment with lots of different mediums and explore and push myself towards styles and techniques outside my comfort zone.It is great meeting staff and students and seeing what everyone is up to.Art showcase from Donald MackenzieBA (Hons) Contemporary Film Making in the Highlands and Islands content
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Showcasing the next generation of artists, designers and storytellers
Welcome to our Creative Arts Showcase - a vibrant celebration of talent, originality, and innovation from students across our creative courses at UHI North, West and Hebrides.
From Stornoway to Portree, Auchtertyre to Alness, this showcase brings together emerging artists, designers, musicians, and filmmakers who reflect the diverse voices and creative energy of our communities across the Highlands and Islands. Explore their unique journeys of exploration, collaboration, and personal expression.
NPA Drawing Skills
NPA Painting
HNC & HND Contemporary Art Practice
BA (Hons) Contemporary Film Making in the Highlands and Islands
"The Squatter" by Calum Sutherland
I am a student filmmaker from Easter Ross in the Highlands, I’ve been studying film for three years starting with an access course at Eden Court and before joining the BA at UHI. I feel I am an enthusiastic storyteller and really enjoy using the medium of film to express this aspect of myself. I have put together several short films in my time, the one I have submitted here is ‘The Squatter’ a short comedy set in the USA. For me, less is more when it comes to filmmaking, if you have the right techniques, you can create something enjoyable with very little.”
"OneDay" by Donald Henderson
Producing One Day from start to finish taught me a lot about the film making process. From the first draft of my script to my final edit, I loved seeing the progression at each stage. With this being my first production in this style, I feel like the skills I had been developing throughout the year with UHI left me well equipped to face the challenges that inevitably come with producing film. My main aim for this production was for it be enjoyed in some way by each viewer and I hope it does just that.
"ONENIGHT" by Fiona MacIssac
Fiona MacIsaac is an artist and filmmaker based in North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Her work reflects her interest in concepts around the Uncanny and Weird as well as her interest in Gaelic language and Culture. Gaelic culture informs Fiona’s work from the earliest stages to the final finished piece. Fiona’s aim as an artist is to reflect her lived experience as a Gael and to engage with the rich folklore of her local area – the weirder parts of it in particular. All this is done through a playful exploration of Film, Photography and Drawing.