An exhibition of hand painted ceramics by Maureen Minchin has opened at the Castle Gallery in Inverness.

Maureen, who lives in a remote and beautiful part of Argyll, is inspired by the landscape, seascape and wildlife around her.

Her hand thrown bowls, plates, lidded jars, teapots, jugs and mugs are decorated with paintings inspired by the natural world. 

She combines the shapes of her pottery with the characteristics of the wildlife she depicts.  The corncrake with its up-stretched body fitting perfectly within the shape of her elongated jugs while the supple bodies of her otters flow around the rounded forms of her jars or the concentric circles of her plates and bowls.

Other subjects that inspire her include salmon, sea anemones, jellyfish, crabs, dragonflies, water beetles, frogs, herons, grouse, lapwings, snipe, cockerels, kingfishers, puffins, geese, hares and wild flowers.

Maureen Minchin’s ceramics are in numerous public and private collections including the Henry Rothschild ‘Eagle Collection’.

The exhibition is on from 8 to 30 October 2004 at the Castle Gallery, 43 Castle Street, Inverness.  Opening hours are Monday to Saturday  from 9am to 5pm.  Admission is free.