The huge machines in the Pooil Vaaish workshop lay quiet this past weekend as the space was instead given to six mural artists to create stunning works of art.

As part of the Isle of Man Art Festival, each of the artists created an eight foot artwork over the course of the weekend (August 14-15).

The festival is back after it was forced to cancel last year due to the pandemic.

It was organised by the Creative Network in conjunction with the island’s artistic community.

The weekend was jam-packed with events in southern-based art studios - including various gallery displays.

Various artists displayed their work at the Engine House in Castletown, and Maureen Kennaugh, Eve Adams, Carol Baker and Shane Lucas set up a temporary studio in the Old School House, near Castletown Harbour.

Other events were held at Grenaby Studios, and in Port Erin.

In the Pooil Vaaish workshop, which is located behind the petrol station on the road to the airport, on Douglas Road, Ballasalla, the six artists who took part created a varied collection of work which was impressive to say the least.

James Duggan, who painted the mural on Westmoreland Road in Douglas created a piece depicting an adult’s hand reaching out for a child’s, whilst 15-year-old Beth Coole painted an intricate freehand design of a supernatural woman in purple, with several eyes, which grabbed your attention from across the room.

Fenella Logan created a portrait bursting with life - striking eyes surrounded by leaves and blooming flowers.

Karolina Pawlowska (Cup of Layna) - who is behind the huge mural covering the Port St Mary Town Hall - captured the Isle of Man itself, with a vast, unknowable creature hiding in the waves beneath.

Grainney Sheard (Mountains and Moon) was inspired by Sophia Morrison’s Manx Fairytales, and her piece depicts mythical creatures across a vast dreamscape of purples and reds.

Alice Armstrong (Pinktoaster) created a snow globe-esque landscape, which contained a mushroom village fit for any Manx fairy to live in.

The pieces - once all details have been completed - will be varnished to protect them from our unpredictable weather, and put on display around the island.

Some will be displayed along the Silverburn Art Trail, which runs from Castletown to Silverdale.

The mural event also featured a board for visitors to contribute art to - something which many children and adults alike participated in over the course of the weekend.

Karolina described the weekend as a huge success.

’You never really know how these things will go, if people will turn up, so it’s been great to see people come out and engage with the artists as we have been working over the last couple of days,’ she said.

’I’m really impressed, I didn’t know what to expect. People have come in in waves.’

Karolina’s mural is striking. Its comic-book style thick lines jump from the board and draw you in - along with the game of trying to work out all the different Manx landmarks depicted within the design.

The ’Mystery of Mann’, with its beautiful landscape and menacing kraken-like creature was inspired by the love/hate relationship visitors to the island can have, and the mythological mystery of just what could be lurking in the waves below us.

The art festival continues this Saturday and Sunday (August 21 and 22), with more events in the north, east and west of the island.

Visitors are encouraged to check the Creative Network website at www.creativenetwork.im/artfestival21 for more information.

All events are free to view.