The art of Debra Blore



Whenever I am in Scotland, especially The Highlands,
I think of this William Wallace quote:
 
"Every man dies. Not every man really lives."





"Priory in Soft Light"    oil on linen, 12x16"

Inchmahome Priory is a mystical setting on the Isle of Menteith, Port Menteith, Scotland.  Only accessable via boat, it was a religious sanctuary for centuries.
At one point, Mary Queen of Scots was secreted for her safety with the Monks.  It was here I spent many weeks, finding my own sanctuary, my own peace and created several paintings.






"Morning Ride"   pastel on sanded paper, 11x14" 

This parent/child combo could be on any seashore, however they crossed the beach I was painting in Scotland.  There is no scene I enjoy more than watching parents guide their children through activities, through life.  I felt pastel gave the soft look of a Scottish morning-- always  soft on both the eyes and the skin.


     

     Diptych     "Trossachs Church Across Loch Acry"     
pastel on sanded paper,  each painting 8x12”


Often in the Scottish Highlands, the views are too wide to fit on one painting. I have been working in Diptychs and Triptychs to bring my visions to life.

The Trossachs Church is a tiny stone building, ancient, yet still serving the local community. The very day I painted this scene, a Highland wedding took place and I could hear the music of an entire bagpipe band from across the Loch. Breath-taking.



"Inside the Walled Garden"    pastel on sanded paper, 11x14"  


I spent an entire afternoon making drawings of this lovely Scottish garden and
     enjoyed the peace one would hope for inside a walled garden.  After
    several    hours, a quiet English woman asked to approach and see my
drawings.  She spoke quietly, nearly whispering that she didn't want to disturb
   the mouse, sitting near my shoulder on the back of my bench.  She said it
 had been watching each movement of my hand and seemed interested in my
  drawing.  After my human visitor took a gentle look at my studies, the mouse
and I continued to enjoy the day.  I added my wee friend beside the pathway in
                                             the foreground.


              

               "Eerie Light on Holy Cairns"     pastel on sanded paper, 8x8"

After growing used to the long days and semi-lit nights of Scotland, where golfers are seen at 10 PM and we go out walking at 3 AM, I decided to try to capture the eerie light with pastels. When I first visited the Cairns, I could imagine druids practicing ancient rites even in the daylight. Painting the burial site during the strange lights of the Scottish summer nights added to the mystical feeling.


 

                      "Plein Air Priory"     oil on linen, 12x16"

The roof of Inchmahome Priory has been missing for centuries, so looking from the shaded entry into the sunlit Nave affords an unusual view of the sanctuary where Mary Queen of Scots and Robert the Bruce worshiped. The days are so peaceful there, I always find sanctuary from the rest of my world.

The island is owned by the Stewart Clan and maintained by the Historic Scotland Commission, who ferry visitors there each day for a look at this pristine priory.