Five very different artists, based in Ross-shire, Inverness and Moray, are joining forces for the next exhibition at the Eden Court.

‘Lifelines’ features paintings and drawings by Diane Roberts, Leo Sharratt, Carola Splettstoesser and Helen Suzanne, along with ceramic objects by Brigid Sharratt. The exhibition opens to the public on 9 October at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness and runs until 9 November.

Although the work on display is diverse, the five are united by a love of nature, particularly the scenery and wildlife of the Highlands and Islands.

Each artist is well known in their own right.

Inverness-based Diane Roberts grew up in Fife and Northern Ireland. A graduate of Dundee University, her work ranges from landscapes to more abstract pieces as well as human and animal portraits. Her paintings, drawings and digital prints have been bought by private collectors as far afield as the USA and Australia.

In addition to taking part in the new exhibition, Diane is also Eden Court’s regular yoga teacher.

Durham-born Leo Sharratt was educated at Newcastle University and the Slade School of Art, London. He has shown regularly with the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and exhibited internationally. A former teacher at Dingwall Academy, he has lived in Evanton for 30 years.

For the Inverness show, Leo has chosen a mix of abstract and figurative work, including Scottish and Norwegian landscapes.

Carola Splettstoesser is originally from Munich and moved to Moray in 1992. Currently she lives in Kinloss. Both her parents were artists. Carola, like her father, has combined painting with journalism, first in Germany and later with the BBC’s German Language Service in London.

Her work has been admired in many solo and group exhibitions throughout Germany, Scotland and England.

Originally from Yorkshire, Helen Suzanne has lived and worked in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland for over 15 years. She currently lives in Evanton and takes inspiration from the west coast wilderness environments of shore and moorland.

Helen works mainly in oils and has recently extended her range to include textiles and encaustic wax.

Brigid Sharratt, who is married to Leo, was born in County Durham. A former primary school teacher, she trained as a potter in Wales and the Netherlands, and is a member of the Scottish Potters’s Association.

Brigid has shown work in several exhibitions in Scotland. Like the other artists showing at Eden Court, she draws much of her inspiration from natural forms.

Entry to the exhibition is free of charge and most works are for sale.

•       ‘Lifelines’ – Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, 9 October – 9 November, 2011.

Source: Eden Court Theatre