The work of an artist who likes to paint large scale canvasses has gone on display at new gallery in the south of the island.

Sally Black has had her work hung on the walls of the Engine House, a business, media and arts centre in Castletown, alongside the work of her friend and fellow artist Chrissie Moss.

Dominating the room are her huge canvases, many of which depict animal and fish forms and plant life.

Her fish paintings and, especially, a huge attention-grabbing picture of a hawk moth, resplendent on near-six foot canvas, display the creature’s textures and features in graphic detail.

’I like to paint fish, but anything with a texture, and that has a lot of colour, that has reflection and shine,’ said Sally.

’Fish have those qualities, but I like to focus on anything that grabs my attention.

’Not straight lines, though. I do not like straight lines.

’I also don’t like ’pictures’, where everything is in a frame, and it is enclosed. I like to paint things that are different, and give a different expression of what I look at.

’It makes people look at things differently when they are on a different scale. Big paintings are my real love.

’My biggest picture here is slightly under six foot. But I think I would like to paint much bigger pictures in the future.’

Sally praised the new gallery space at the Engine House.

’This is the first exhibition at the Engine House, and I think it a fantastic space.

’It is the biggest space on the island to show art, especially now that the Sayle has gone. Everyone walks in a says ’wow, what a great place to show art work.’

The exhibition of both Sally and Chrissie’s work is on display until Saturday, December 15.