Storms Made us Stronger, Mug by Ann Vastano

Wind‑raked branches bow beside a corrugated byre, their stark silhouettes proof of many a gale tearing in from the Atlantic. Yet the scene hums with resilience rather than hardship. Whitewashed stone bears patches of weather‑softened paint, while tin roofs flash confident stripes of red and teal under a pale spring sky. A saltire flag adorns a feed bin like a proud badge, fluttering above amber grasses that sway through shades of rust, saffron and burgundy. Two sheep root contentedly for hidden shoots, utterly unfazed by whatever squall might be brewing beyond the hills. Pebbly textures in the stone dyke speak of careful hands stacking rock after rock, each lichen‑speckled piece locking the next in place. The palette feels both fiery and fresh—vivid oranges against breezy aquamarines—capturing that uniquely Scottish knack for turning rough weather into spirited colour. It’s a portrait of perseverance, a reminder that crofts and communities alike grow stronger with every storm they ride out together.