Blog Archive

Drawing at the edge of the world

This month brings more pilot cutter sailing and a few arty notes on the usefulness of horizon lines…..   My idea of a perfect moment is sitting on a traditional boat, preferably in the sunshine, with a glass of wine in one hand and a pencil in the other. My idea of a perfect job continue reading »


Sailing plus…

There’s something about pilot cutters. They earned their keep by being fast, seaworthy and powerful enough to beat against wind and tide in the days when pilotage was a competitive business – first out to the ship got the job. They are used now for more gentle pursuits – sail training, charter, and in recent continue reading »


Worse things happen on shore

This month I have been voyaging in my slippers, had a storm surge in my studio,and discovered how fascinated most men are by large engines. I have earned little and spent a lot, valued the support of friends, danced in pubs and spilt lentil soup all over my laptop. At some stage soon I ought continue reading »


Ink blots and bowsprits

The party’s over and I’m back ashore, writing lists. Even my lists have got lists…. admin, invoices, replying to emails, catching up in the studio/gallery, wondering where I’m going to live this winter . You know the kind of thing – all the life ‘stuff’ that you leave behind when you go gadding around and continue reading »


Tropic of Grimsby

Sailing the north east coast of the UK has been a pleasant surprise, full of contrasts, from tiny Scottish fishing ports to Newcastle’s humming city centre. I’m now at the Grimsby and Royal Cleethorpes Yacht Club enjoying their hospitality and wifi, on the Inverness to Suffolk leg of my trip as crew of  Witch. There continue reading »