The Incoming Tide

The Incoming Tide

There is something marvellous and peaceful about a harbour when the tide is out. The boats seem to be lying at rest, awaiting the incoming tide and the next period of labour. Some will tell me I am dreaming, it is the time when much of the work of keeping the boat ready for sea is done. I just find the whole scene so restful.


I see many boats where I live; along the coastal path are many small yacht clubs and harbours. I seldom paint them, for a number of reasons. The first is my real lack of drawing skill, I find them difficult to capture. Secondly, if you do not get them just right those with greater knowledge of boats soon let you know. Lastly I never ever seem to catch the inner feeling they stir in me.

I was painting this scene in an attempt to capture the feeling of peace I speak of. My mother in law, a lovely lady, had died just prior to this. My father in law was visiting, still grieving the recent loss of his life long partner. He saw the painting lying and commented that he liked it very much. I asked him what he liked about it. He told me it was peaceful.

It seemed maybe I had managed to at last do what I had failed to so often, capture the peace.

I mounted it and framed it in a stainless steel frame. It now hangs above his fireplace. I hope it still gives him a sense of peace.

Painted using pastel on pastel paper.



I have another blog which is usually related to this one but today on it I speak of other things:- Learning Right From Wrong

The Boatyard

The Boatyard

Yesterday I told you of the “pair” of seascapes I sold that I still see as a pair even though they hang on walls almost 200 miles apart. On reflection when I look at this painting I can see now that they never really were a pair apart from the fact that they were both on the same theme of fishing. Well that was how I saw them at the time. A little further thought on the question posed to me a few days ago by Katherine. Do I find it difficult to part with sold paintings?


When I started painting I had a few thoughts in mind. The first was that this was not going to be another of my obsessions, I failed miserably. Second my art was going to be self funding, it has been to date and I enjoy being able to look at art catalogues and visit art stores and know that I can make a purchase without feeling I am taking anything from the family budget. My third and most important of all was that I was going to try and make art something that people who might never consider having art in their home could afford to. I think to date I have had some success on this. I have sold a lot of art, I make no claim to this being good art or exciting art but it has brought pleasure and for that I am happy. Most of the art I have sold I have sold to total strangers and that warms me. Many of them have become friends and that is even better.

This painting and its partner made it possible for me to paint more and to have my art in even more into people’s lives. I remember them well the art and the people. I remember the painting and the packing and I get pleasure in it all. One day I will stop painting but whenever that is I will know I have left something people have had pleasure from.

This was painted using pastels on pastel board. It and the I used yesterday were painted at the same time on the same large sheet of pastel board the cut apart and framed in identical mounts and frames.

This blog is linked to my other one where I use this artwork:-Fear of Nothing