The meeting of the waters – pastels
A sight that constantly inspires me is the meeting of the waters at St Ninians Isle, when during high winter tides the waters run into each other from opposing directions, bridging the gap of the beach and mixing with the other in this dance of interlacing patterns. A push and pull towards and away from the other that creates a magical unity of togetherness.
I like to think that the Pictish creators of the St Ninians Isle treasure were inspired by this very sight as they composed interlace patterns around 800AD.
The interlace created by these waters has been a focal point in many of my pictures, for me a symbol of completeness, when elemental opposites come together as one. The interlace language found in Celtic /Pictish art is an expression of a multidimensional non-linear world view that understands the fluid interconnectedness between the elemental life forces and energy of nature and the spiritual forces that hold everything together.
The waters at St Ninians ebb and flow. Sometimes they come together in mystical unity bought together by the force of the divine. At one and attuned to the light they dance and play in a mystical union of one ness. The pattern they create is like interlace infused with jewels that reflect back colour and light. As the tide starts to ebb the waters draw apart but still the pull remains. Like the seasons and night and day the waters are held in balance with a magnetic pull. Although they are separate, they are as one. As darkness descends the light is gone but light remains as inner life. Sometimes a storm batters the waters into turmoil but after the storm calm returns and loose sand settles a new life and energy infused by wind and rain. As tide begins to flow the waters sense excitement. Soon they will meet and dance in a pattern of divine beauty. The waters at St Ninians ebb and they flow but they belong to each other.