Emma MacKenzie – Weave-art, Lewis

by Julia Welstead Like so many island makers I am meeting, Emma MacKenzie is a multi-tasker extraordinaire. Her love of textiles began with spinning and dyeing, felting and sewing, all skills taught to her by the Barvas wool and spinning group. From this she has developed her own unique style of collage to produce stunningRead more ⟶

Kirsty O’Connor – Artist-maker, Berneray

by Julia Welstead I initially find out about Kirsty O’Connor through a Tiree friend who attended UHI (University of Highlands and Islands) art college at Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy. I’ve already passed through the Isle of Berneray on my Outer Isles odyssey, but I’m more than happy to re-trace my steps for such a fascinatingRead more ⟶

Cally Yeatman – Artist, North Uist

by Julia Welstead The day I’m due to meet Cally Yeatman she is still testing positive for Covid-19. I ring her to rearrange, and an hour later we are still on the phone, having naturally talked our way through most of what I might have asked in an interview. I still hope to meet thisRead more ⟶

Ruth Slater

Ruth is a contemporary illustrator from the Isle of Bute. Her work features pen and ink drawings of animals, places and nature and she turns these fantastic illustrations into products, including fine bone china mugs, coasters, prints and cards, which can all be found on her isle20 shop. We asked her about what inspires her and about lifeRead more ⟶