Wednesday, 11 March 2026
ISLE OF LEWIS, SCOTLAND... (My new poem inspired by Louise McIntosh's painting...)
Isle Of Lewis, Scotland…
(Inspired by a Louise McIntosh painting…)
As a kid, the ideas of the sky and the sea being light and deep blue respectively,
Plants and grass being green, roads maybe brownish, roof thatches the hue of straw
And houses constructed from bricks of reddish brown, went somehow unquestioned.
But with age and experience, clearly the childhood ‘ideals’ would change, retrospectively…
The Isle of Lewis painting though brings back those uncomplicated
Wiles, for the sea is a strong dark blue, the sky lighter, foliage and grass a lustrous green
And dwellings are patchworks of motley browns and buffs,
Their disordered crowded downhill placements huddled and emancipated…
The startling colours of still life extend along the headland,
Red-amber and like the downhill browns, training the eye towards the ocean.
A reddish roof states its claim too, as does a row of dark pink flowers
And almost hidden is a small shore, with its haven of Scottish beach sand…
Pete Ray…
9th March 2026…
I still feel amazed that Louise McIntosh’s bright paintings make me look so deeply into her subjects and they certainly offer so much to interest me…
The thoughts of The Sand Martin, an independent source...
'This vivid depiction of the Isle of Lewis instantly captivates the eye; from the grey-brown road leading downwards through the cottages towards the smooth deep blue sea in the distance and then to the lighter but still bright blue shades of the sky in the background.
The low cottages painted in clear brown tones show the size of rock used in their construction with simple windows and topped with bright orange yellow tones of thatch and roofing materials. Chimneys with wisps of smoke rising upwards show us that although the day may be bright it is nevertheless chilly or perhaps the fires are used to heat back boilers or range ovens. It all combines to give a cosiness and welcoming feel to this charming view.
The vivid green and yellow-brown hillside provides texture that indicates the steepness of the slope leading downwards to the road, whilst an area of dark brown tones may be infertile soil, perhaps used for parking although interestingly there are no vehicles, a rarity in this day and age.
A bright orange headland jutting far out into the deep blue of the sea is the perfect contrast on the wheel of colour and used here to excellent effect.
The vivid bright colours of this picture lift the spirits as clever perspective leads one down the road through the village and towards the joy of the shore.'
Tuesday, 10 March 2026
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