For quite a number of years I have wanted to publish my own book and when an opportunity arose early in 2025 through local publisher Home - The Orcadian Online and manager, the late Craig MacInnes, I jumped at the chance. Craig was incredibly enthusiastic and inspiring which was a wonderful start to my journey but I also want to thank The Orcadians new manager Leah Seator who was a great support with the writing of my book. I already knew I wanted my 'new' book to be full of pictures from throughout the past 40 years of working as a professional artist so I began the process by going through the hundreds of my artwork computer files stored yearly since 2007 by either scanning directly or photographing them myself. Any previous artwork going back to my Art college days was copied on to slide form initially by myself and later by the photographer Ian Cooper. I decided to start by choosing the paintings I personally liked best. I then looked at representing a particular townscape or landscape, making sure I didn't replicate a certain theme unless it was necessary. It quickly became clear that my work was split into two main areas which was my watercolour paintings from around the first twenty years of my career and my mixed media artwork which had gradually grown throughout the second half of my 40 year career. The time line of my book was set and I soon felt the artwork was the easiest part of creating my book although it was in reality a lifetime in the making. But the writing quickly became all consuming and for the best part of 2025 I could hardly think of anything else but of what I had written that day or even in the middle of the night! I began by noting down thoughts and ideas on bits of paper and on my phone gradually writing larger sections and constantly going back and fore trying to create order and sense. The more I wrote, the more I wanted to write on not just how I felt about painting but how I had survived commercially on a small island. And why not share those experiences with my customers and collectors but with other budding artists too! My title 'Seeing the light' only came later after the text was finished. It seems obvious now that of course Orkney is all about the light whether it is the dark light of winter or the long light days of summer.
Painting is a wonderful healer and there is no doubt that I personally have used it to overcome ups and downs throughout the years. It is a shame that as children we are all encouraged to draw and paint but as the years go on many of us are told we can't do it! It certainly is under rated as a career path but I hope my book inspires folk to draw and paint to their hearts content even if it is just for fun. I personally couldn't have wished for a better career path doing something I loved and felt compelled to do!
I hope you enjoy 'Seeing the light' which can be purchased here 'Seeing the Light' 40 years of Orkney Art by Jane Glue – www.janeglue.com