Two sets of eye-catching and collectable stamps, featuring the work of three well-known, international Manx artists, have been released.

Eight scenic landscapes depicting the southern Manx coastline, painted by the husband-and-wife team of David Byrne and Nancy Corkish, under the title ’Creneash, y Balley Ain’, have been unveiled by the Isle of Man Post Office, along with six stamps featuring the sculptures of Michael Sandle RA, which will be released on Tuesday, March 8.

The collection of watercolours take on an extra significance, as they will form a tribute to Nancy, who died in January last year.

David and Nancy lived together in the last house on the road before the Sound in Cregneash for 28 years, using the dramatic view form their house to create hundreds of paintings of the coastline, including these images, which feature views of the Chasms, Spanish Head, Cregneash and the Sound itself.

David still lives in their Cregneash cottage and, after a lifetime spent painting, this is his first set of stamps.

He is also a Manx speaker and the title, ’Creneash, y Balley Ain’, translates as ’Cregneash, Our Home’.

’I am delighted and honoured to see the work of Nancy and myself paired together on this set of stamps,’ said David.

’We have lived at Cregneash for many years, witnessing all seasons and the dramatic effects of nature on the landscape.

’I hope the artworks of our home are enjoyed by many.’

The six stamps featuring the work of Michael Sandle, include two of his works which will be instantly familiar on the Isle of Man.

A world-renowned sculptor, Michael produced the imposing frontage of a Viking warrior which adorns the front of the Erin Arts Centre, as well as the dramatic low-relief image of a lifeboat crew, on display in the sunken gardens, on Douglas promenade.

Michael was brought up and studied at the famed Douglas School of Art, between 1951 to 1954, before taking further studies at the Slade School of Fine Art.

He then embarked on an illustrious career in art and education in Germany and France, spanning more than 60 years.

Also featured on the stamps is his most famed creation, the Malta Siege-Bell Memorial 1988-92, which was unveiled in Valletta by Queen Elizabeth II, something that Michael describes as his greatest achievement to date.

’I am proud of the fact that I am considered to be a Manx artist too and also feel extraordinarily fortunate to have been surrounded by the shapes, colours and ever-changing light that is special to this island when I was an emerging young artist, all of which went into my work,’ said Michael.

’Now that I am a very much older and established artist I am extremely proud that the Isle of Man Post Office are issuing six stamps with examples of my work on them.

’I feel that this means that I am now thought of as a local boy what done good.’