Ardersier painter turns illustrator as second children’s book Ebb and Flow is published
The works of an Ardersier-based artist bring colour to a new children's book to get young reader's passionate about the sea and its fascinating creatures.
Donald Jack (76), who is also well known as a local musician, has teamed up with fellow Obanite Michael Macfayden, said the illustrations of the book Ebb and Flow were inspired from the coastal landscapes he can enjoy from the village.
The book is a series of short sea-themed tales to teach little ones about coastal wildlife.
A professional painter and artist, this is the second time Mr Jack is called to illustrate a children’s book — the first one being a collaboration with Ardersier’s own George Livingston, which was also about marine wildlife and was titled Dotty The Dolphin.
He said: “Illustration is not something I have done much of, but two years ago I illustrated a book based in Ardersier, about dolphins and unusual sea creatures. And following through from that, last year I was approached by another writer from Oban asking me to illustrate a story he had written. That kind of expanded into three stories published and this little book was published last month.
“In a way, it’s very similar in content to the previous book: it’s all about the seashore, the coast and the different creatures that inhabit it — from whales and dolphins to lobsters. Much of the inspiration has been from living on the coast here in Ardersier.”
This a new territory for the artist, whose work feature forests and other subjects rather than the sea — however the link to the sea is strong, having lived all his life near the coast.
“This is only the second time I published anything, it’s quite different from what I usually do,” he explained.
“The movement of water is central to these stories, that’s why they are called Ebb and Flow. It was easier for me to make them into characters in the story.
“There is an educational element built into the story - you are introducing local creatures, and there are warnings of safety at sea and overfishing, for example. I think these topics are quite important to all of us. Some things are worthwhile and need to be told.”
He added that a potential second collaboration with Michael Macfayden is on the horizon.
