Connections is a collaborative project to showcase the work of emerging and established artists and writers 
living and working in Caithness.

The group comprised 4 artists and 4 writers working in pairings where each artist and each writer created 
a response to their partner’s interpretation of the Connections theme.

Artists: Jana Emburey, Ian Giles, Helen Moore & Mike Weeden
Writers: Donna Booth, Alex Kenny, Jean McLennan & Sharon G Pottinger



Pairings for this project:

Jana Emburey - artwork & Alex Kenny - poetry

Jana, BA Hons Visual Arts, is originally from Slovakia but has lived in various parts of Scotland for more than 
13 years. She came to Caithness in July 2012 and now works as a visual artist, gallery coordinator at St Fergus 
Gallery, and exhibition programmer at Lyth Arts Centre. You can view some of her work on www.jeart.eu

Alex is seventy-seven years old and writes Action/Adventure fiction. He also writes a little poetry, something 
which he wants to develop further. He and his wife moved here from Devon some years ago and though the 
winters are challenging, he loves this part of Scotland.


Ian Giles - artwork & Jean McLennan - poetry

Ian has lived in Caithness for 40 years. He is a self- taught artist exploring expression of imagery through 
abstracted forms using different mediums. For the Connections project Ian has chosen to work in a print 
medium providing a link to the printed word.

Jean is a published author, and a dabbler in, and lover of art. She is very pleased to be involved in this 
challenging and innovative project. For more information about Jean McLennan visit www.jeanmclennan.co.uk


Helen Moore - artwork & Donna Booth - poetry

Helen is a Yorkshire born artist who graduated with a BA Hons in Fine Art from Bradford College. 
She is currently living in Caithness.  She is predominantly fascinated by wide open spaces.  Her work takes 
everyday objects of rural life placing them in bleak, empty surroundings creating a hint of human activity 
within the lonely setting of the landscape. www.helen-moore.com

Caithness born and bred, Donna spends her days running day retreat, Vitality, where she’s also a therapist 
and yoga & meditation teacher. Donna has a particular interest in poetry and has read a selection of her 
poems at the Ullapool Book Festival.  


Michael Weeden - artwork & Sharon Gunason Pottinger - poetry

Following a career in the Royal Navy, Mike pursued and developed his childhood passion and interest in 
painting. He has exhibited widely and has work in the collections of a number of private and corporate 
clients. In 2007 Mike moved to Caithness where he found new inspiration for his work and in 2011 he 
became a member of the Scottish Society of Artists.

Sharon is a hybridized Scot. Born in Chicago, she came here on holiday and a year later come to stay. 
She is a member of Caithness Writers and a regular columnist for local paper, Caithness Courier.