FAQS
Where is Caithness?
Caithness is a county in the Highland region of Scotland located at the tippy top of Mainland UK. It’s home to Mainland UK’s most northerly point (Dunnet Head), settlement (John O’Groats) and town (Thurso).
What’s it like in Caithness?
With limited access, a predominant coastline and the odd rolling hill; living in Caithness is similar to life on an island. This largely untouched, ‘lowlands beyond the Highlands’ might not be your stereotypically rugged ‘Scottish Highlands’ landscape. Its flat horizons with little trees offer more of a sense of vast open space. Its scattered with settlements, harbours, farmland, quarries, castles and an abundance of undiscovered archaeology (check out Caithness Broch Project for more). The weather, land and sea influence Caithness and it’s culture and people - who are mostly modest, yet welcoming and proud. We hunker down in the dark depths of winter when the sun barely lifts above the horizon, before rising to soak up the warmth and endless daylight of summer. The simplicity of life and landscape in Caithness foster feelings of calm. It forms deep connections with those who take the time to get to know it.
What’s a ‘StoneScape’?
‘StoneScape’ is the merging of Caithness Stone with a landscape to create a piece of art. It is the title of both my digital art process and collection of artwork.
What is Caithness Stone?
Here’s a link to where you can read all about Caithness Stone and how it inspires my work.
What is Digital Art?
Digital art is an artistic practice where digital technology (ie. computers, digital cameras, etc) is used as part of the creative process. Also known as new media art, Digital Art has been around since the 1960s and is a globally recognised artistic practice. The introduction of technology to the art industry has “greatly broadened the creative opportunities available to professional and non-professional artists alike” - Wikipedia.
How do you create a ‘StoneScape’?
First, I go out exploring with the camera, photographing landscape views and textures of Caithness Stone. Often stone textures are captured from harbours, beaches, walls, paving slabs and even ancient standing stones. Back in the studio, I digitally recreate a chosen landscape (or view) using photographs of Caithness Stone. For example, often the sky is a paving slab or boulder from the beach. Sea, land and all elements of the composition are recreated using textures of stone in Photoshop. This digital process involves days of meticulous cutting and layering on the computer. Once the landscape is cut into sections, it’s then recreated with multiple layers of stone textures, colours, and gradients, like a multilayered jigsaw puzzle. I subtly allow some of the original landscape to bleed through.
Although there are countless photo editing tools and filters which could automate and speed up parts of the StoneScape process, I prefer to work manually wherever possible. Working by hand (using a Wacom tablet and pen) not only means the finished product is completely unique, it allows me to work intuitively, use my own creative eye and not that of someone else, or a computer program.
What is Photoshop?
Adobe Photoshop is an extremely powerful computer application used by photographers and designers. I like to think of it as my virtual studio space. It’s where I can be creatively free, splash colour and stone textures around, and push the boundaries of my artistic ability. I was introduced to Photoshop at Thurso High School some 20 years ago and have used it almost every working day since. Even to create the North Coast 500 logo back in my design days. As an application, its highly comprehensive with endless features encouraging me to continually learn.
How is your art printed?
My print team in Glasgow are experts in the printing field and give real peace of mind when it comes to quality. Their Giclee Fine Art Printing service offers exceptional quality prints to many renowned artists in Scotland and I’m proud to be one of them. After carefully selecting an acid free paper to best suit my artwork, they help bring my artwork to life using Epson Ultrachrome K3 inks - regarded throughout the world as the benchmark in colour and black and white printing. They then deliver the printed artwork to me for signing, certifying and packaging before being sent out to their new homes.
What is limited edition art?
Limited editions are a limited run of any item. In my case its a piece of artwork where each StoneScape title I produce is strictly limited to a certain number of editions (or prints). Once all editions for each StoneScape title have been sold, it will never be available again. All digital files and photographs used to create each title are destroyed in order to ensure it’s originality.
What is open edition art?
Open editions are the opposite of limited editions. This means the number of editions produced is unlimited. All small Wee Prints are open edition, however the mount is still titled and initialled.
Do you create originals?
Yes! Where my artwork is concerned, an original is a one of a kind StoneScape. All photographs and digital files related to each original are destroyed to ensure its originality.
What comes with a limited edition StoneScape?
Each limited edition StoneScape is issued with a unique Certificate of Authenticity, confirming the originality of every artwork sold.
What happens after I place an order?
Once you’ve added items to your cart, proceeded to checkout and placed an order with payment in full, you’ll receive confirmation of your order by email. If an email doesn’t appear in your inbox, its worth checking your junk folder. You’ll then receive an ‘Order Ready’ email as soon as everything has been packed and dispatched for delivery. For order timescales, see ‘when will my order arrive?’ below.
Do you care about the environment?
Absolutely. I continually strive to reduce the environmental impact of my business and invest both time and money into seeking more sustainable solutions like these:
Greeting cards and StoneScape prints printed using recyclable paper based materials.
Greeting cards wrapped in fully compostable clear bags made from 100% vegetable starch.
Materials used to package orders are recyclable and biodegradable.
Paper parcel tape is used as an alternative to traditional plastic tape and is fully recyclable - it can be left on cardboard for recycling.
How should I look after my StoneScape?
In order to keep your unframed artwork in top condition, I’d highly recommend keeping it attached to the cardboard packaging provided right up until the moment its framed. This will not only prevent your artwork from warping or bending, it will also protect it from any knocks or scrapes. The printed surface of your StoneScape is very delicate so its important you handle it with the greatest of care. I’d also recommend avoiding direct sunlight, moisture and fluctuating temperatures when choosing a wall to display your artwork.
Why is most of your artwork sold unframed?
Framing is an art in itself and, if done professionally, helps protect and preserve the artwork you’ve invested in for a lifetime. I’d rather leave framing to the experts.
Where can I find a frame for your artwork?
If you’re lucky enough to have a framing shop near you, this would be my first port of call. By choosing bespoke colours, textures, mounts and even glass for your frame, a professional framing service makes sure your framed artwork ties in beautifully with your interior. If you’re local to Caithness, I’d highly recommend Coo’s Tail Gallery and Durrans, both in Thurso.
When and how will my order arrive?
Please allow 2 -3 weeks for orders to be ready for delivery unless specified otherwise. Newly released limited editions can take much longer (timescales are confirmed when adding to cart). If you have a specific date in mind, please do get in touch.
Caithness addresses - Parcels are delivered by Royal Mail, Parelforce or sometimes by hand.
UK addresses - Small and medium parcels (e.g. greeting cards, Wee Prints, rolled prints and gift vouchers) are delivered by Royal Mail. Large orders (e.g. flat prints) are delivered by Parcelforce.
International addresses - are delivered by Royal Mail or Parcelforce with tracking where possible.
You will receive relevant tracking information in an ‘Order Ready’ email as soon as your order has been dispatched.
How much is delivery?
Delivery costs are calculated at checkout and are dictated by the shipping address you provide, order weight and value.
Caithness addresses - Delivery is FREE
UK addresses - from £3.00 to £20.00
International addresses - from £20.00 to £90.00
What should I do if my order arrives damaged?
Due to the sturdy packaging I use, damage to orders during transit is extremely rare. However, if something doesn’t seem quite right, please contact me and I’ll happily look into it for you.
When will your online shop open next?
Opening the online shop is usually a last minute decision so I’d recommend subscribing to my newsletter to be kept in the loop. You can signup below.
Where can I find your work while the online shop is closed?
By opening throughout the year only to release new StoneScape titles, I gain much more creative time. If there’s something you need in between times, you’ll find a wide range of prints and cards available to buy from one of my friendly stockists.