FIFE'S iconic coastline from the Kincardine Bridge to the River Tay has been celebrated by a series of artworks.

Artist Philippa Mitchell turned to the Kingdom's shorelines during lockdown for fresh air and inspiration.

In the process she walked and sketched through the four seasons, resulting in a body of work which now illustrates her new role as Fife Coastal Path artist in residence.

Philippa's sketches and paintings are characterised by colour, whether it’s the azure waters of a sheltered bay, purple thistle down or the bright yellow splash of buttercups.

Dunfermline Press: Philippa started her journey in Kincardine, with an image in January showing the Fife Coastal Path route towards Limekilns.Philippa started her journey in Kincardine, with an image in January showing the Fife Coastal Path route towards Limekilns. (Image: Philippa Mitchell/FCCT)

These include a January image from her walk on the stretch between Kincardine and Limekilns and a snapshot of February at Silver Sands beach in Aberdour.

The 117-mile coastal path is managed by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) and links heritage sites, wildlife reserves, fishing harbours and communities across the Kingdom.

Philippa, who is from the East Neuk, walked the route, starting in Kincardine, with her bird ecologist husband, Carl.

She said: "Starting on 1st January, leaving a chilly Kincardine Bridge, we walked, I sketched, and Carl recorded the birdlife through the seasons and the months so that we ended in Newburgh in December as the Christmas lights came on.

"There was snow and ice, hot sun and wildflowers, as well as the odd blister.

"There was also the constant presence of the changing sea to our right.

"The Firths of Forth and the Tay, as well as the coastal waters off Fife Ness, reflected the landscape and weather with storm clouds and strings of gannets."

Philippa trained as a textile and surface designer and through that gained her love of colour and pattern as well as drawing and painting skills.

Since then, she has been largely self-taught and has lived and worked in wild and beautiful places around the UK including the Highlands, the Cotswolds, Somerset, Wales and the Norfolk fens.

She added: "Inspired by observations and impressions of specific places experienced, I aim to convey my passionate interest in the natural environment and wildlife in my paintings.

"My work tells a story or records a moment that I have experienced while walking, usually in my local environment."

Jeremy Harris, CEO at FCCT, said: "Philippa’s uplifting art has captured the ever-changing colours and moods of the landscape and wildlife along the Fife Coastal Path and we are delighted she has agreed to be our Artist in Residence.

"I know so many local artists who have been inspired and moved by the spectacular scenery that can be seen from the paths that we manage and am pleased to connect FCCT further with the arts through this residency.

"We hope that Philippa’s work will inspire many more to put brush to paper and canvas or to sketch!"

Philippa's collection of landscapes and wildlife images will be showcased at Pittenweem Arts Festival running from August 5-12, along with other pieces of her work.