Jackie Newton

I was born in Thurso and went to school here.

I studied graphic design/illustration and printmaking at Gray’s School of Art (a long time ago), I graduated in 1985 with a Degree I returned to Caithness from Aberdeen and have lived here since. I worked freelance everything from illustrating Children’s books to airbrushing surfboards and motorcycle tanks. I also set up an Art course at North Highland College, with my then section head Mr John Sawkins, in all I worked for 14years as an Art tutor, at one time I had probably 65 students a week, from all ages and abilities.

My real love is the sea, I love painting the wild Caithness Coastlands, and I’m constantly trying to catch the moods and atmosphere of these waters. I tend to work predominantly in oils on canvas, but I also paint in watercolours two almost opposite in terms of media, but equally challenging.

I also make bespoke jewellery pieces, but again very influenced by the coastlands. My jewellery tends to be made using precision metal clays, polymer clays, gemstones and sea glass (locally found).