The Campsies: A collaboration with Nicola from n.b property

There’s something special about artwork that tells a story—pieces that invite us to pause, reflect, and feel a connection to a place. When I approached Nicola (you might know her as n.b property on instagram!) I was so delighted that she wanted to work with me, and she asked me to create a commissioned painting of The Campsies, a stunning range of rolling hills just north of Glasgow. The goal was to capture the feeling of a location close to home —one of serenity, natural beauty, and harmony with its surroundings.

The Campsies are known for their sweeping views, gentle slopes, and lush pockets of trees, shifting in tone with the seasons. The hills can be seen from Glasgow city centre, and many Glaswegians visit the hills to get some fresh air, including me.  This commissioned piece was designed to bring a sense of that quiet movement of nature into Nicola’s home. As with any artwork intended for a specific space, the colour palette played an important role. Nicola’s neutral kitchen—a place of warmth and gathering—served as the perfect backdrop and dictated the tones we chose for the painting.

A Palette of Neutrals with Depth
Soft, muted tones were chosen to compliment the existing space: warm taupes, gentle greys, and earthy beiges, punctuated with deeper greens and soft umbers to mirror the natural landscape. The result is a piece that feels grounded yet airy, textured yet restrained—a blend of nature and interior design. Scroll below to view the mood board we created before I started painting.

The Art of Layering
Much like a well-designed home, a great painting is built in layers - this takes time and patience but is always worth the end result. Subtle brushstrokes create depth and movement, giving the impression of hills rolling into the distance, while delicate mark making suggests the presence of trees swaying in the breeze. The composition was designed to feel expansive yet inviting, offering a sense of place without overpowering the room.

An Invitation to Pause
Placed thoughtfully within the kitchen space, this painting does more than just decorate—it adds a personal connection to her beautiful space and a contemporary focal point to the room. 

At the heart of this piece is the idea that art should feel intentional. It should complement a home’s design while also speaking to the people who live there. This bespoke painting of The Campsies embodies that philosophy—where art meets meaning, and design meets nature.