YEARS of research into witchcraft trials in the Wee County and wider area have been condensed into a thought-provoking book by an Alloa artist.

Karen Strang, based at Marcelle House, last month released The BURN and the TIDE which not only showcases her powerful set of paintings depicting the injustice and suffering endured by women, it also provides the wider context and background to her works.

Creating the physical book was a "remarkable three-year journey" according to Karen, but her interest in the subject goes much further back.

And it was also a chance to acknowledge the contributions of many others like Lys Hansen, Katharine Macfarlane, May Queen, Peter Drysdale and more involved – starting with historian and playwright Janette Archibald with whom the artist collaborated back in 2002.

At that time Janette set her off on a path of discovery, but her untimely death and Karen's own health problems meant it was some years before she could continue their unfinished business.

It was no coincidence then that it would be late Janette's daughter Heather Ann Dowd, who also collaborated with Karen and her mum back then, designing and publishing the book, reconnecting with Karen some years later.

Karen and Heather both reckon it was meant to be they once again teamed to showcase the work first started by Janette and later carried on by the artist.

Originally, the idea for the book came as the painter was encouraged to document her exhibition of the same title which eventually launched at the Lillie Art Gallery in February this year.

Beyond details on her research, the book also includes gallery notes which document Karen walking visitors around the exhibition as well as conversations with highly regarded master of the fine arts Alexander Moffat from a discussion in front of a packed gallery audience.

Karen told the Advertiser she believes there is a divide between what people expect from paintings; some just want works to sit and please them, others may be looking for something else.

She said: "For me, the practice of painting is a political act.

"And it has to try and trigger something in people, I don't paint to make people feel good.

"I paint to make people think."

While the local and Scottish witchcraft trials are often looked at as something in the distant past, Karen said: "It is historical, but it is also about now.

"It's a lot of allegory and there's a metaphor there as well – there is still abuse [against women]."

Historians, people interested in the arts and those fascinated by the witchcraft trials are set to enjoy the book, available locally from the artist herself at the Marshill studio complex.

An opportunity to secure a copy, along with many other potential gifts and goods, will be Marcelle House's upcoming Christmas Arts and Crafts Show, to be held on Saturday, December 15, between 10am and 5pm.