artists & artisans
There are many highly creative and gifted people in Great Bernera, from artists to film-makers to needle-workers to jewellery-crafters to basket-weavers. Some sell their work from their own premises, others from the Community Shop and others online.
Below is a selection of some of the amazing work being created in our community. Click on the links to find out more.
Jenny’s island scenes in oil on canvas can be viewed and purchased from her Open Studio at 9 Kirkibost.
You can make an appointment by calling Jenny on 07902 235551. Or you can drop in anytime—after crossing the Bernera bridge simply follow the Jenny Wilson Art signs to Kirkibost.
For more details and information about Jenny and her paintings go to www.jennywilsonartist.com
CROFT CRAFTS
Catherine Macaulay of Kirkibost makes a range of lovely gift items from wool and Harris Tweed, such as cushions, footstools, bobble hats, scarves, sewing bags, picture frames and coffee pot warmers.
Catherine’s products are available to buy in the Community Shop or by calling her on 07738 008153.
Paul Cadden of Croir creates incredibly intricate and highly accurate pencil portraiture in a holistic, ‘social’ fashion, capturing not just individuals but the culture and feel of their place and time.
Working with charcoal ink and graphite, and watercolours and ink, Paul aims to create the illusion of a new reality—one that merges a believable, life-like appearance with emotional, social, cultural and political themes.
Paul’s work is available for purchase through Plus One Gallery (UK), Mason Fine Art (USA) and Mulan Gallery (Singapore).
He can be contacted via his website at www.paulcadden.com
Dawn Susan has been weaving willow baskets since 1999. She grows over 100 species of willow on her croft in Croir and makes a range of products, including baskets, platters and decorative items.
Some of Dawn’s basketwork is available to buy in the Community Shop or by contacting her at dawn@hebrideanbaskets.co.uk
Dawn also offers basket-weaving workshops. If you are living in or visiting the Outer Hebrides, she can tailor a workshop experience for you and/or your friends, making a great special day for everyone!
Find out more at www.hebrideanbaskets.co.uk
Zoe Paterson Macinnes is an artist and filmmaker working in identity and place, often through macro landscapes.
Zoe has created an archive of cultural heritage work through films and interviews, working with communities to promote and sustain culture and heritage based arts.
Her practice involves film, physical artwork and poetry, with a focus on the relationship between the sea, the land and its people.
Zoe’s artwork is available to buy in the Community shop.
She can be contacted at info@zpmcreative.uk or via her website www.zoepatersonmacinnes.uk
Olivia Marczak is an animal and pet portrait artist working mainly with pencil and acrylic paints. Olivia’s greetings cards can be purchased at the community shop, with a larger selection of portraits available to buy online.
If you would like to commission a portrait of a much loved pet or find out more about Olivia’s work you can contact her via her website at www.brighteyedartistry.com
Niall’s philosophy embraces the Japanese concepts of wabi-sabi and ichi-go ichi-e (“one time, one meeting”). These ideas complement each other, emphasizing the beauty of imperfection, and the unique nature of each moment.
Wabi-sabi embraces the transient beauty of imperfection and the natural cycle of life, while ichi-go ichi-e encourages cherishing every encounter as a unique, irreplaceable moment. These concepts inform his choice of subject, from the imperfect and transient human-altered landscapes, to a single moment in time captured in one of his street photographs.
Niall can be contacted at info@niallhugganphoto.scot or via his website niallhugganphoto.scot
Joanna George creates original art and craft pieces inspired by her natural surroundings and spiritual themes. Using techniques such as wet felting, needle felting, knit and crochet, she combines natural wool fibres, sourced locally from local weavers, crofters and her own flock of Hebridean sheep, to create wall hangings, soft furnishings, felt vessels and wearables.
Joanna is also available to run felt making workshops.
Her handmade items can be bought at the Community shop or by calling her on 07386 244448 or emailing olannfibrecraft@gmail.com
For more information about Joanna’s work visit her Facebook page.
Cherie Love of Breaclete makes ethical and sustainable jewellery inspired by the wild nature of Lewis.
Her jewellery can be viewed on her Instagram page at @oui.cherie
Call 07950 684209 or email oui.cherie@yahoo.com
THE WEE GIFT BOX
The Wee Gift Box at No. 8 Breaclete sells a range of Harris Tweed gifts, cards, souvenirs, fridge magnets, keyrings and 3D printed toys and other items.
The booth is open 24/7 from March to October and is located on the right-hand side of the road just past the Community Centre heading north towards Bosta Beach. Payment is by cash using an honesty box.
For more information see their Facebook page.