Raven Press Gallery
Kathleen Lindsley - wood engraver

Kathleen Lindsley came to Skye in the winter of '78, a graduate of Newcastle College of Fine Art. Home for the first two years was a caravan, then a one-room building fondly known as The Hovel, until her move to the 'north end' in 1987.

I first met Kathy in 1982 at her shared, rented workshop in Struan on the island's western edge. Several small, exquisite wood engravings of landscapes and wildlife were on display and an 1850 Albion hand-printing press had pride of place in the middle of the floor. More than 20 years later, her gallery is a freshly-converted cottage in Carbost in the far north-west corner of the island, her framed engravings fill the walls and the faithful Albion press is centre stage, ready for work.

The intervening years, a partner and two children (both born on the island and now attending Portree High School) have hardly altered this slighty-built, modest woman with an unwavering commitment to her engraving, no matter what other responsibilities she takes on - and there have been many. Kathy and her family are very much part of the local community. Their way of life reflects that of island families in general: involvement in the local primary school, the youth club and the new community hall (finally completed in 2004 after 12 years' fundraising).

After all this time, Kathy says her work earns her a small living and she has several 'satellite' jobs, each bringing extra income into the household. She and her partner, Nick, (graphic designer, builder, one-time fisherman and lighthouse keeper) worked together to create the Raven Press Gallery. Versatility has always been essential to survival in island communities.

Over the years, much of Kathy's work has been commissioned for book illustration and collections of themed prints. In future she would like to explore her capacity as an engraver through her own projects. One is a series of images which she would print and have bound in book form. Her preferred subject matter is the island landscape, its people and its wildlife. An early work depicts eagles in courtship display over the Cuillin mountains. Skye Shepherd (more recent) presents another aspect of island life and when I visited, the work in progress was a cameo from everyday family life - a small cat hiding in a broom bush, entitled Ambush. The personal touch has crept in gradually over the years. The standard of work remains resolutely high.

For many years Kathy travelled widely, showing her work as far afield as London, Oxford, York, Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Family commitments curtailed the travelling, but she is able to keep her work and her name in the public eye through the Society of Wood Engravers. She submits three pieces of work to their annual touring exhibition, which travels the length and breadth of the UK - in 2004 it even reached Shetland!

I sense that Kathy's future journeyings may cover more self-discovery than on-the-road miles, but there's no doubt that the old Albion has many years' work ahead before it can think of retirement.

You can see Kathy's work at:
www.kathleenlindsley.co.uk

If you wish to use any of my photographs for publication, please contact me. Commissions for similar illustrated features are welcome - contact me any time to discuss your ideas.