Tea break: Joceline Hildrey

In our regular feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time and their time off. This week, we welcome Joceline Hildrey for an artist’s view on island life.

Joceline Hildrey

Can you introduce yourself?

I’m Joceline and I work as an artist and illustrator based in one of the studios at Talla na Mara, Niseabost. My work is influenced by my love of birds and the pattern and colour I see in the landscape. I studied Illustration and printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee and qualified with a 2:1 degree (BDesHons) in 1993. After working as a territory and key accounts manager for various design-led publishers in the gift trade, I jumped at the chance to pursue my art full time and applied for the studio space at Talla na Mara. Luckily, I was offered one, and here we are 9 years later.

What’s the appeal of Harris for an artist?

Harris is full of inspiration for me as my work is influenced by my love of birds and the pattern, colour, and detail I see. My absolute favourite things to illustrate and photograph are details of the landscape. Gates tied up with baler twine, the detail of lichen on a rock, birds cooried down on a nest, a sheep resting up in the sun beside an old house. I have to balance these with painting everyone's favourite beaches. One of the lovely perks of the job is to be able to visit the smaller islands to collect reference photos for my work, as I only work from images I’ve taken myself. So far, I’ve made it out to St. Kilda, The Flannan Isles, The Shiants, The Mobachs, Taransay, Pabbay, Shillay, Wiay, and a highlight which was an impromptu spin about the skerries in the Sound of Harris.

What’s coming up next?

2025 looks to be a busy season as along with the studio/gallery I will be running a few Artists Island experiences in an evening, where a guest can come along and find out how, as an artist, I am influenced by the landscape and the wildlife, take their own images on the route, and see and find out about some of the unique features of the Harris landscape. Hopefully, we will see some wildlife along the way.

Artwork by Joceline Hildrey

Where are your top Harris places?

The beautiful and varied walk out to Northton temple, the Scarista side of Ceapabhal along to Toehead, and scrambling along the coast on the east side exploring the inlets and cliffs there. I try to get down to Uist as often as I can for the change in colour and atmosphere which always gives more inspiration.

Are there any secret spots that might feature on your tours?

There might be one or two wee islands to point out where there are colonies of nesting seabirds safe off shore.

How do you spend your time off?

Usually walking with my border collie Leo, which inevitably ends up with me taking more pictures for reference to work from. I enjoy meeting up with friends and going for a meal out.

It's tea break time. What‘s on the menu?

Ooh... Coffee and a Tunnock's Tea Cake.

To book an Artists Island tour, email jocelinehildrey@yahoo.com or message 07801812261.

The Studio is open Monday to Friday, 10 am - 4 pm.