Naïve Art by Liz Rickard

Scuba Diving Orkney Scapa Flow Churchill Barriers

‘Flying High Over Barrier Two’

‘Flying High over Barrier Two’ and see St Margaret’s Hope Coastguard in training. Beneath the calm clear water, divers explore the block ships. The wreck provides a Wonderful habitat for an area of sea wild life. Visited by a multitude of tourists, fishermen, cyclists and open water swimmers, the Churchill Barriers link Orkney Mainland to the islands of Lamb Holm, Glimps Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsay.

'Bring a vodka'

The Ring of Brodgar is one of the most significant archaeological places in Orkney and renamed to Bring a vodka' by some of the Orcadian youth who can't resist the temptation...

Women flying a kite, puffins flying overhead at Yesnaby

'Girls' Day' Out at Yesnaby'

Yesnaby is a spectacular place to visit, often wind-swept, but one of the few places where The Old Man of Hoy can be seen from mainland Orkney

'Bob's Blackening"

The origins of the 'blackening' tradition is lost in history but as a pre-wedding alcohol driven noisy street ceremony it is well practiced! During most weekends a groom or bridegroom is bound and blackened by his or her friends ensuring he or she is made fun of and remembered by all before the big day.

'Sandra's Blackening'

'The Ba's in the Watter' (The Ball is in the Water')

No now knows when the first game of the Ba took place. Now it is played twice a year in Kirkwall on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Boys and men (and at one time women) aim to score a winning goal.

Orkney High street, Judith glue, discover orkney

'A Windy Day on Broad Street'

It is often common to experience four seasons in one day! Sunshine, showers, wind, hail, snow!

So keep your hats, coats and gloves with you... you just might need them!

'Coffee... Blether...then off to the Hope Show!'

The quiet calm of St Margaret's Hope, a picturesque village in South Ronaldsay, masks the buzz throughout the year when there are many events, cafes, pubs, craft and country fairs to enjoy. Orkney's oldest Agricultural Show, held in 'The Hope', is over 175 years old and a firm date in everyone's calendar. Its a chance for both locals and visitors to meet, see the best produce, cattle, sheep, ponies, goats and dogs, enjoy the delights of the food and drink Orkney has to offer and catch up with a good old blether. What could be better?....

Highland Park Whiskey Entrance, winter scene, children playing in the snow

'Whisky On Ice'

The Highland Park Distillery produces a high-quality tipple' and is known world wide. The debate continues to rage among whisky connoisseurs whether it should be take with or without ice.....

Liz's artistic genres have included impressionism and realism.

However, her recent development has been heavily influenced by exposure to the 'naive art genre', which she has embraced whole-heartedly, as this gives her scope to capture the scenery and Orcadian traditions while expressing the fun, colour and vibrancy they invoke. Her paintings regularly include a girl in stripy tights, a westie dog, seagulls, puffins and people she knows or has met, including tourists!