An artist is preparing to swap the Granite City for an inspiring adventure to the Arctic Circle.
Aberdeen painter and glass-maker Shelagh Swanson leaves to take up the unique 10-day residency at the Arctic Glass Studio in Berlevåg, on the northern tip of Norway, tomorrow.
The Gray’s School of Art graduate has been selected along with nine other international glass artists to take part in the project.
The 32-year-old, originally from Caithness, last week hit the shops to buy winter clothing in expectation of the temperatures, known to plunge to -30C in the region.
Ms Swanson said: “It’s going to be an amazing experience. A few years ago I went to do a masterclass in glass in Caithness and I was taught by an American artist, he keeps in touch with different artists and he invited me along to this one.
“I’m trying to make glass more painterly and get an expressive quality into glass. We have got four days to explore the area first and four days to explore and communicate our ideas.”
She said she was looking forward to spotting the region’s spectacular Aurora Borealis – which she’s only ever spotted as a youngster on the family farm.
Ms Swanson is also looking forward to seeing how she might be able to “translate” them into glass art.
The artist will leave the running of her studio Oil and Glass, on Holburn Street, to staff as she embarks upon the adventure.
She added: “It’s been seven days a week really, it’s hard just trying to market the business and having a half mind on what will sell, now I’m at the stage where I can rely on my staff. It’s very good timing.”
Ms Swanson said she was looking forward to the change in scenery and “the whole experience of being there and working alongside such incredible artists”.