The High Art of Keith Salmon

We stumbled across Keith Salmon’s work at the Arran Distillers on Arran and the above large scale piece drew us in immediately.  Salmon’s love for high places and the outdoors is incredibly evident in his semi- abstract landscapes that breathe with the shadow and light found at altitude in Scotland. Keith’s expansive visual style resonated with us deeply after spending time scrambling around the very fells and glens depicted in his pieces.  As a result we were shocked to learn that he is seriously visually impaired and as a result, sees things in quite a different manner.  We have included a small selection of Keith’s work and some of his fine words.  For more inspiration and to see a tremendous amount of talent have a look over at his site.  We can’t think of another artist that captures the feeling of being in these awe inspiring places quite like Keith.

“Winter Scene, Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran”

“When I’m out on the hill I really can’t see much detail, rather I see the landscape more as pattern. I see the large forms and shapes, bright colours, and contrasts between light and shade. I am unable to paint or draw accurately without the use of magnifiers and so the methods I developed to paint and draw, seemed perfect for creating paintings that were about how I experience the hills.”

“In Sun, Rain, Mist, and Snow”

“My paintings are, I guess, impressions of the mountains and glens as I experience them. They try to convey something of what it’s like to be out in these places, the ever changing atmosphere, colours, light and conditions.”

“Breaking Mists- Isle of Arran”

All Images by Keith Salmon