AIMEE’S LATEST ARTWORK COMMISSIONED BY FORMER GOLF PRO

NASHVILLE-based artist Aimee Smith is working on a series of paintings capturing the ever-changing mood of Royal Dornoch’s world famous Championship Course.

But her most recent work – a private commission and the largest painting of her career – is now hanging in the home of a former golf professional based in North Carolina.

Aimee is a regular visitor to Dornoch, often accompanied by her one-time Scots-born pro husband Steve, and she admits the Highland town and historic links has captured her imagination.

“So many visitors come principally for the golf and it seeps into their soul,” she said.

“I know from personal experience that they also fall in love with the town. It is a very special place.

“I would love to have maybe five or six paintings and prints in this series.

“There is certainly no shortage of inspiration for an artist.

“I have visited Royal Dornoch at different times of the year and it is amazing how the course and the light changes, even over the course of a day, never mind with the passing seasons.

“The challenge for me is capturing that on canvas so golfers can enjoy a print which triggers fond memories of their visit to one of the great links courses of the world.”

Aimee focused on a Royal Dornoch sunrise and the famous 14th hole, “Foxy,” for the first two paintings.

And after mulling over a series of photographs and drone footage with general manager Neil Hampton and past captain Willie Mackay, she is already planning the next in the series.

The recent private commission was prompted by an American husband and wife who have fallen under the spell cast by Royal Dornoch.

“The couple are regular visitors to Dornoch, and they’d seen prints of the paintings I have already done,” said Aimee.

“After talking things through we settled on a panoramic view looking towards the Firth and the distant hills over the 13th, a par 3 hole surrounded by intimidating bunkers.

“We went over a few photographs and videos for reference to get the perfect angle and discussed the time of year they were thinking about.

“Being an ex pro golfer, the husband had travelled the world playing countless different golf courses.

“But he remembered Royal Dornoch most fondly and the couple still enjoy regular visits.

“Their passion for the Championship Course was obvious from our first Zoom call. They were looking for a permanent reminder in their home of their favourite golf course.

“They wanted a painting five feet by six and I must admit that was a little daunting initially as it would be my biggest painting to date.

“But after the initial sketch was on the canvas I was much more comfortable.

“Now that it’s in their home they say it feels like you can walk into the painting.

“To hear them say that was incredible, as that is the goal every time I sit down in the studio and paint.”