Welcome to Spring/Summer NEWS

If you have any comments or queries regarding my work, the website
or this newsletter, do get in touch – I'll be glad to hear from you.

I was heading for an exciting start to 2006. Christmas in Florence set the adventurous tone (try it sometime - it's not only magnificent, but there are NO queues!) and I had everything organised for my first overseas commission in the south of Spain at the end of January (life's tough sometimes...)

Then, the day before leaving Skye I found myself heading for hospital in Inverness in the back of an ambulance. Not quite the adventure I'd had in mind, but it kept me occupied until the end of June, one way or another.

So the camera had a bit of a rest, and I found recuperation a perfect excuse to make further plans. By the middle of July I was back at work, with a lot of ground to make up, and the summer has been busier than ever.

Marion MacPhee is a delightful and talented young printmaker from Waternish, in Skye. Several hours in her company left me inspired by her determination and enthusiasm - and of course with some photographs and a story! You can see them here.

My collaboration with the Scottish Clarinet Quartet began after my first solo exhibition in 2003. Three years later - in April 2006 - we were delighted to launch the completed work at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Skye.

The project brought together eight composers, four bass clarinettists and one photographer It resulted in an innovative audiovisual synthesis of photographs, created in the Isle of Skye in response to the eight cutting-edge, contemporary pieces of music.

Our first two audiences gave Songs of the Earth high praise - watch out for announcements of further performances!

You can see some of the photographs here, and read more about the musicians on the SCQ website.

Postscript: the commission from David Fennessy, 'Confetti Medley - Slowing down study', has been shortlisted for the Gaudeamus Prize 2006. The competition will be judged during the International Gaudeamus Music Week, held in Amsterdam, September 3-10, 2006.

There are new sizes, a wider range of prices, and the ever-popular greetings cards are available again, all made to order to the usual high standards.

As always, you are welcome to contact me without obligation, if you would like to discuss a possible purchase.

Photographs and words from a visit to Canna in the Small Isles - it's a wonderful place.

I have words and pictures from this walking and arts festival, based in Dunoon.

A photographer visits a photographers' paradise - words and pictures.

Feis an Eilean is Skye's annual ten-day arts extravanganza, held in June. The highlight for me this year was the final concert with fiddler player, Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas.

Alasdair followed his Feis appearance with the 20th fiddle week at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, and found time to talk to me about his work and enthusiasms. I hope to publish an illustrated feature, which will link Alasdair with Skye artist Donald MacKenzie...watch this space!

A short newsletter this time. By the time I get the next one organised, I should have made progress with some of the other projects I have on my list.

So do visit again - you'll be very welcome!