Iceland Series
Vegurinn gegnum hraunið (Path through the Lava)

oil on canvas, 60cm x 60cm, Iain White, 2014, £300

The basic (alkaline) basaltic lavas of the Beserkjahraum, where vegetated at all, are blanketed by carpets of moss and liverworts through which grow some vascular plants and dwarf shrubs such as the dwarf willows. Much of this moss carpet is comprised of species of Rhacomitrium whose translucent leaves with their extended silica tips appear almost white when dry. Consequently in sunshine the moss carpet reflects the light transforming the lava surface. When wet and moist the darker dull green grey imparts yet another aspect to the surface . Here beyond the lava field the mountains, part of the active volcanic systems Lýsuskarð and Ljósufjöll form the spine of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Vegurinn gegnum hraunið (Path through the Lava)

oil on canvas, 60cm x 60cm, Iain White, 2014, £300

The basic (alkaline) basaltic lavas of the Beserkjahraum, where vegetated at all, are blanketed by carpets of moss and liverworts through which grow some vascular plants and dwarf shrubs such as the dwarf willows. Much of this moss carpet is comprised of species of Rhacomitrium whose translucent leaves with their extended silica tips appear almost white when dry. Consequently in sunshine the moss carpet reflects the light transforming the lava surface. When wet and moist the darker dull green grey imparts yet another aspect to the surface . Here beyond the lava field the mountains, part of the active volcanic systems Lýsuskarð and Ljósufjöll form the spine of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.