1st exhibition of 2026 - runs until 24th May

Meraki: An Exhibition by Janet Nisbet

The Old Haa presents Meraki, an exhibition by Yell-based artist Janet Nisbet, featuring a collection of intuitive acrylic paintings that trace her artistic journey.

The exhibition takes its name from the Greek word meraki - defined as doing something with soul, creativity, or love; leaving a piece of yourself in your work. Often described as a labour of love and considered somewhat untranslatable, meraki relates to the concept of entering a state of flow where your work becomes an extension of yourself.

For Janet, this state of flow is visceral and all-consuming. "Nothing else matters except the painting," she explains. "Effects I didn't even know I wanted or needed until they happen. As the paint takes shape, all of a sudden it just makes sense.

She adds: “Once it takes shape I can form the detail. It's my time, and I lose myself. I get Radio 2 on and I can lose hours. Sometimes I'll even have a peerie dance around the studio."

Meraki is a fitting title for Janet's deeply personal body of work, which emerged from her return to painting in late 2020 after a long hiatus spent raising four children and working full-time.

As a self-taught artist, Janet has developed her distinctive style through persistence, experimentation, and an intuitive approach to her craft. Every aspect of her artistic practice - from technical skills to her signature mark-making techniques - has been learned through self-directed discovery and countless hours at the canvas.

The exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness Janet's evolution as an artist. Her journey began with fantasy tree paintings, inspired by the work of Australian artist Ashvin Harrison. Several of these early tree pieces will feature in the exhibition, providing a fascinating glimpse into the foundations of her practice. From there, Janet progressed to experimental seascapes - a natural subject for someone whose father was a fisherman and who has always been drawn to the ever-changing moods of Shetland's surrounding waters.

Visitors will see how Janet's work has evolved from these early explorations into her current dreamlike fantasy florals and ferns, characterised by their atmospheric quality and distinctive textural approach. Over time, she has increasingly moved away from traditional brushwork, instead embracing unconventional tools and materials to create depth and movement in her paintings.

One of Janet's signature techniques involves using scrunched cellophane - often the wrapping from new canvases - dipped in paint to create organic, unpredictable textures and patterns impossible to achieve with a brush alone. This innovative approach produces varied effects, from delicate, lace-like impressions to bold, dramatic marks, depending on how the cellophane is manipulated and the wetness of the paint. The results are striking: paintings that capture the interplay of light in Shetland skies, the fluidity of seascapes, and organic forms that blend reality with fantasy.

Throughout the exhibition, viewers will encounter recurring themes drawn from Janet's island environment - the blues and greens inspired by the Northern Lights, the atmospheric qualities of Shetland's dramatic landscapes, and above all, the sea that has shaped both her life and her artistic vision. While inspired by these real elements, Janet's paintings exist in a dreamlike, fantastical space - imaginative interpretations rather than literal representations.

Meraki features a range of original paintings in various styles, demonstrating Janet's experimentation with different techniques and subjects. Visitors will also find greetings cards and cushions featuring her distinctive artwork - perfect for taking a piece of Shetland's artistic spirit home with you. All items are available to purchase and take away on the day, making this an ideal opportunity to acquire original work by this emerging artist.

Janet's paintings offer what she hopes all her work conveys - a sense of escape, peace, and freedom from daily pressures. Come and experience the journey of a self-taught artist who has found her voice through paint, intuition, and the landscapes of Shetland.

Rozanne Perdu is a self-taught artist who has been painting and drawing for a number of years. Initially starting off with making and painting wooden seasonal gifts and selling at local craft fairs. Commissions of small to large stones/slate for personal remembrance, garden and gifts.  Acrylic or pastels commissions of pets and places.

Rozanne also works with pastels as well as acrylics. Which can be seen in a few pictures displayed here bringing explosions of colours within the landscape and making a connection to the past. History has left its mark, stonework structures blend into landscapes. These pictures explore how history and nature have merged together.

Rozanne has an appreciation of tactile, three-dimensional work as well as other media such as pastels.

There is a display of art work in Speldiburn cafe, Bressay.

Commissions through social media have brought recognition throughout Shetland and further afield including art works going to Canada, America, Norway, Germany, France, England and Scotland.

This exhibition is called - Changing colours.

Illustrating the flow, the tides, the changing light and the full force of nature. These paintings invite the viewer to experience wild Shetland through the seasons. Depicting dramatic waves, rock and stone textures.

Saturated light creating an immersive feeling alongside textures and paint marks.

You can catch up with Rozanne and check out her art on her social media.

Facebook Rozanne’s Crafts

Email [email protected]

Instagram @Rozanne_crafts