Fionna's oil painting...with a difference

The artist had to endure the rigours of an oil industry survival course before starting a series of portraits on various people who have played leading roles in the history of North Sea exploration.

The completed collection was yesterday being installed at the Scottish Parliament, where it is it being exhibited.

Energy: North Sea Portraits is a collaboration between the artist, the National Galleries of Scotland and the oil exploration company, Total.

The 24 subjects come from a variety of countries, backgrounds, disciplines and oil companies and range from geologists and platform workers to the doctor and clergyman who provide care to workers in the industry.

Canteen lady Jean Stephen, who served coffee and tea to staff at Total's Altens of?ce near Aberdeen for 29 years, is also depicted, and her portrait hangs alongside First Minister Alex Salmond and Lord Cullen, who chaired the inquiry following the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988.

Wick-born Carlisle, who famously painted Robin Cook in the months before his death in August 2005, took more than 18 months to complete the works, some of which were painted on offshore platforms.

The collection, which has since been exhibited in Total headquarters in Paris, the European Parliament in Brussels and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, is being show at the Scottish Parliament to mark the 50th anniversary of Spinal Injuries Scotland, of which Carlisle is a patron, and to highlight the work of the Juvenile Diabetes Defence Foundation.

Carlisle said: "I had to go through a four-day survival course because I was to spend five to six days offshore. It wasn't much fun, walking through fires and being thrown into the sea in a simulated helicopter crash.

"But it was a fantastic opportunity as I had always wanted to visit offshore. I was incredibly impressed by the people I met. I made connections with these people, there is always a bond you form with a sitter.

"I have never worked so fast in my life as there is limited time offshore. Some of the portraits were completed in a long weekend.