Cara : "I have been exhibiting for many years throughout the U.K and overseas. Any solo exhibition is a milestone, this one is no exeption.
The overriding aspect of this show is that it is dedicated to and in memory of my father, and artist, the late John McKinnon Crawford.

It is he who opened my eyes, introduced and continiously encouraged me into the wonderful world of putting paint onto canvas from a very young age. I have inherited his dedication, love and passion for the craft of painting, he was the best mentor any potential student could have had.
Being his daughter is a tremendous privilage.

Many of the places to which I am attracted are not particularly well known. I enjoy the isolation of the more remote parts of Scotland. The exciting aspect of painting here and on site, is trying to capture the continuously changing light, atmosphere and colour of this diverse land and sea scape.

I also enjoy painting in France, Italy, Spain and Greece, but where, so often you require sunlight to show them to advantage.
Scotland however, has colour when there is no sun. Where dark purple skies can make a winter hillside look like gold.

The sea features in many of my paintings, either as a subject in its entirety or just as part of a background, because where ever we are in Britain we are never far from the sea. It is here that I find my greatest challenge, to capture an ever changing expanse of water. The sea capable of provoking so many different emotions.

Fishing villages, boats or just a beach, and even the animals that frequent these areas become my subjects.
Kiloran Bay, on the island of Colonsay, or the very familiar outline of the Cuillins on Skye or Eigg and Rum.
The many Scottish islands have always seemed very romantic, sitting out in a silvery or turbulent sea, each with their own character.
I have always felt a strong connection with them, perhaps because I am named after one of them. Cara sits just below Gigha on the West Coast of Scotland.
These paintings reflect the deep love of where I live and work.
Scotland is my canvas!