My art reflects the quiet strength I find in nature

Wide skies, quiet coastlines and small moments in time. I paint to slow down, breathe more deeply and feel grounded.

Hi, I’m Elspeth, a Scottish artist based in Edinburgh, drawn to the emotional space that landscape can hold.

If life feels rushed or stretched thin, my work is here as a place to pause - a quiet moment to come back to yourself.

I believe art should be more than decoration - it should offer a sense of adventure, nostalgia and possibility. My hope is that each piece brings a spark of energy and a quiet moment to pause, breathe and reconnect with yourself.

Abstract watercolor painting with a beach and rocks

My inspiration

The coast, the rhythm of nature and the small moments that often go unnoticed.

As a Scottish coastal rower and artist, I find endless inspiration in the wild beauty of Scotland’s shores. My expressionist paintings blend vibrant colour with intuitive brushwork, reflecting the power and serenity of the sea, as well as the joyful burst of flowers reaching for the light.

People, feelings, fleeting scenes - the world as it quietly unfolds around me.

coloured crayons

Drawing

"Drawing is where it begins - a way to notice, understand and connect with the world around me."

Sketching is important to me. It allows me to explore my subject and notice what attracted me to it. I work loosely and quickly, looking at shape, texture, tone and the spaces between objects.

Art materials close up

Bringing it to life

From acrylics to watercolour crayons, pastels, pencil, charcoal, ink, and collage - each tool gives me a different way to express the world I see.

"Combining them freely lets me explore mood, texture and movement in ways that feel natural and intuitive."

I begin each painting with loose, intuitive brushmarks in thinned acrylic, setting a spontaneous foundation. Layering both opaque and transparent paint, I build depth and atmosphere, then add expressive marks and drawing with materials like pencil, charcoal, and ink. My process balances control and freedom, aiming to capture fleeting moments and invite viewers to find their own stories within the work.

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

THOMAS MERTON

My creative home

When I’m not sketching outside, I’m working in my wonderful studio with its fabulous views of Leith Docks.

It's great to have this temporary space, provided by the Scottish charity Outer Spaces, who match artists with empty commercial spaces.

“I feel very lucky to work in this space with its fabulous views of Leith Docks.”

Take a look at my Collections

1 2