Blog Archive

Listing slightly….

If I was being professionally employed to run my life, I think I would have had the sack by now.  My days are littered with ideas unexplored, paperwork unfinished, friends neglected, emails unwritten, exercise not taken, songs, paintings, stories and articles half finished, empty sketch book pages, unmaintained boats and reproachful bank account. Is it continue reading »


Bilgewater and bright ideas

  ‘Else’ on the quay at Waldringfield…. one of the nicest spots on the river If you’re a worrying sort of person, I recommend a life afloat; it gives you so many more things to fret about, especially on an old boat. A clonking noise on the hull in the middle of the night – continue reading »


How to catch creative ideas

It’s been an intensive time for teaching this last few months – watercolour courses, drawing workshops, demonstrations, small group sessions, in the studio or to art clubs – and the more I teach, the more I learn. Art techniques, like other creative skills, can weave you a net to catch ideas and inspirations. The better continue reading »


Pencils, pilot cutters and apologies to Pete Seeger

Hooray, the date has been set for my favourite commission of the summer, guest tutor for the Classic Sailing Art Cruise. The boat: Eve of St Mawes, built on the lines of a traditional pilot cutter and a treat to the eye. She sails rather well, too. The setting: South Cornwall, Falmouth harbour and the continue reading »


Wisdom and warm socks

  When I lived in a house, the contrast between seasons was not particularly stark. On a boat, the difference between summer and winter involves a whole different way of living. Summer afloat is a glorious, expansive picnic. The entire river is my living space, into which friends ebb and flow with boats, music and continue reading »