An inspiring session with Kirsty Whiten.

Posted by Eva Coutts - 21:33 on 23 January 2012

To say there’s been a lack of interesting, fresh artists to be inspired by in the Highlands is an understatement. Until now it’s been difficult for aspiring artists up here to access professionals – local and from elsewhere - which is why the work being done at IOTA is so crucial for people like me who need constant stimulation from new ideas and people in order to create. On a pretty freezing December morning we drove into Inverness, talking fiats, hot water bottles, art college and lady drivers. I’d never really attended workshops like this so what to expect wasn’t really entering my mind but after having been I don’t think even if I had been a regular art workshop go-er I would have known what to expect either. The two hour (may I add free!) session was taken by Kirsty Whiten, her totally relaxed and friendly manner meant that while sketching upside-down-chalk-and-blackboard-representations-of-moody-photographs the whole group chatted away freely.

Part of the event involved all of the artists producing artwork on the walls of Inverness’ Old Town Rose Street car park, we took a trip up to see what Kirsty had created, I still take a de-tour to have a look when I’m there. Amongst all the grey brick, fluro light and aluminium now sits a fantastical almost dream-like image using chalk and blackboard paint injected with colour.

My blackboard creation gave me so much to stem from. A new media to explore, a sense of freedom in the speed at which I’m aware I can now create and an artist to follow and be excited by the successes of her work.

Events like this although only a couple of hours spent in a random little room beside the multi-storey car park really do make a marked difference on how young people feel about art and their future involving it. It’s so easy to become dragged down by competition and expectations of what art ‘should be’, but seeing Kirsty’s passion and determination to stick to her completely unique style of work in a world of imitations and clones is, excuse the cliché, pretty damn inspiring.

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