Stirling-based artist Iona Leishman is to exhibit at Dundee’s inaugural Art Fair next month. 

The Dundee Art Fair is taking place from May 24-26 and is hoping to attract over 10,000 visitors; it is the first of its kind for the city. 

Iona is one of over 50 exhibitors who will attend, and has become known for depicting historic events in her painting since her artist’s residency at Stirling Castle. 

For four successive years, she exhibited in the Castle's Chapel Royal with her castle experiences in 'A Sense of Place'.

In 2013 she marked 500 years since the catastrophic Battle of Flodden, going on to recognise the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn in 2014. 

In 2015 her exhibition 'And Yet It Stands' celebrated the 500th anniversary since the birth of Marie de Guise, mother of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Since then, Iona’s paintings continue to be seen at Stirling Castle in the Unicorn cafe and she is the proud artist of ‘The King at His Fireside’, which is the only painting on show in the whole of Stirling Castle. 

It hangs in the Princes Tower and depicts James V, a glass in hand, the shadowy figure of a woman behind him. 

The rich tapestry of the Hunt of the Unicorn drapes the wall and the stone carving of the mermaid-like creature was drawn from the Queen's Chambers in the Palace at Stirling Castle.

Iona gained much of her inspiration from time spent at Stirling Castle, where she was Historic Environment Scotland’s first artist in residence. 

Commenting on her work, she said: “My best painting is when I'm quiet and I listen for the energy and frequency of past peoples and events. 

“I allow the materials to suggest stories and patterns, feeling my way into the colour and textures of the time."

Dr Neil Oliver, TV presenter, historian, archaeologist and author, is a fan of Iona’s work, and said: “I have loved many of Iona’s paintings over the years and, as a resident of Stirling, I especially enjoy catching fresh glimpses of places I know, seen through someone else’s questioning and pondering eyes.”

He enjoys Iona’s work so much that he had a painting, ‘A Stirling Story’, commissioned by her. 

On receiving his painting, he said “a joy, pure and simple.”

Iona will be attending The Dundee Art Fair in person, where she’ll showcase and sell her art.