Seven paintings SOLD – WOW

Thank you Graham who bought three, to Andrew and Amanda who bought one along with one to a lady in Wales and one each to two other customers. My paintings are original, I don’t do prints or cards or reproductions and while the prime themes of boats and seaside are sources of inspiration each painting is totally unique. They are statement pieces – each 76 x 76cm (30” x30”) and are varnished acrylic on canvas, strung, labelled and signed and ready to hang. Thank you folks

Art in the Pen, Skipton has been a regular venue for many years for me to display and sell my work. In 2020 it was cancelled due to Covid and there was some doubt that it would survive in the future. However there is every likelihood that, like a Phoenix, it will rise again. Plans are in place, to be confirmed, that it will take place this year on the 14th & 15th August. Details to follow.

So, I hope we can look forward to a welcome return to visitors old and new.

Filey Fishing Coble Boats have been a feature of our visits for many years and an inspiration for my artwork for more than seven. On the Coble Landing (the ramp between sea and shore) boats are dragged on wheels by a rusty tractor to their ‘parking’ spots. Two boats ‘Margaret’ and ‘Beth’ were long standing icons, sadly not there anymore but permanently ‘resting’ no longer sea worthy in a car park in the town. The fishing industry has seen and continues to see significant change so perhaps my images represent a past time, a memory. A reminder of fishing, of family holidays by the sea and moments of happiness.

I’m reminded when painting them of the North East traditional folk song ‘Dance Ti Thy Daddy’ of around 1849 including the words:

“Thou shalt have a fishy on a little dishy,

Thou shalt have a fishy when the boat comes in

Dance to thy daddy, sing ti thy mammy

Dance to thy daddy, ti thy mammy sing”

•    “Just a quick note to say the ‘Isle of Lewis’ has landed in our kitchen – really brightens the place up – we love it !  Not quite sure how you get those colours coming through, but really uplifting..

•   “We are absolutely delighted with the pictures ‘The Hen Hut’ and ‘The Broken Boat’. Thank you again.”

•   “The ‘Beached Crab’ arrived today and we are over the moon with it! It really looks beautiful and the colours are amazing. Thanks again, we really love it.”

And a big thank from me to everyone who recently bought paintings including:

The Harbour Crab

The Hen Hut

The Broken Boat

The Beached Crab

The Shoal

Isle of Lewis Fishing Boat – Island Home

# Paintings at the Seagull Gallery, 12 John Street, Filey including ‘Filey Beach’, ‘The Coble’ and ‘The Harbour Crab’[SOLD], ‘The Red Barn’, ‘High Tide’.

The Gallery is ever changing as paintings are sold and new ones added.

There is however a recurring theme – Fishing Boats.

The old wooden fishing boats ‘Margaret’ and ‘Beth’ that once lay forlorn and no longer sea worthy on the Coble Landing in Filey have long been inspiration for my paintings.

Battered, crumbling and weather distressed these coble style craft may seem a sad sight as they now rest in a car park away from the sea but the very nature of their look, their flaking paint and exposed wood bring a vibrancy and variety of colour and interest.

So it is with the wooden fishing boats on the Isle of Mull. Beached near the roadside in Salen these once working vessels now lay with timbers washed by the tide.

There’s a beauty in their demise – great colourful hulks of wood lying like creatures from the deep aching to return to the sea.

And not forgetting ‘Island Home’ an old fishing vessel on the Isle of Lewis. First seen out of the water near Uigean several years later we found it, along with her skipper, in Cnip.

With large sections of timbers and upper structure removed it lies with its ribs exposed like some beached whale – sad but equally beautiful.

I regularly return to these boats as inspiration for paintings. They reflect a time past but the paintings reflect their vibrant and colourful future.

While I’ve had two major exhibitions ‘delayed’ (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough & Art in the Pen, Skipton) I’m pleased to say that there are still people who are enquiring and buying art.

Sales directly from the website are continuing and despite the lockdown, but with strict social distancing, it has been a delight to show people my work – they stand outside on the studio patio while I stay inside and present paintings to them for their selection.

It seems strange not to invite them into the studio, not to give them a cup of tea, not to shake their hands…but, as we all know, it’s currently a fact of life.

Sadly art venues are really suffering and I’m pleased to say that in an attempt to provide some financial support I’ve donated the boat painting ‘Beached’ as a raffle prize to hopefully help raise funds for the continuation of Art in the Pen in Skipton.

Like many artists carrying on painting has been of great benefit and we have witnessed a real interest in making art by many people. Long may it continue.

Thank you to everyone who entered their bids for my ‘Rusty Coble’ painting that was displayed in Neil’s Gallery in Filey with 100% of the proceeds going to the RNLI Filey Lifeboat.

The bidding closed on the 30th Sept 2019 and the winning bid (over £500.00) was from James and Kim of the White Lodge Hotel in Filey.

“Kim and I are delighted to have placed the highest bid and that this money will go to support Filey Lifeboat.  My Father, Philip Hodgson, was Hon Sec of Filey Lifeboat from 1963-1976 and my mother, Eileen Hodgson was actively involved in the Ladies Lifeboat Guild for over 30 years. My brother Richard and I are both former crew members. We will display the painting in the Hotel for the benefit of our guests and I am sure they will enjoy it.  Many of our guests have been coming to Filey since they were children and remember the days when Filey had many working fishing boats on Coble Landing.  We dedicate the picture to all Filey Lifeboat Sea and Shore Crews and all Volunteer workers past and present” says James.

James’s comments reflect my own family long standing relationship with Filey, the fishing boats, the beach and happy holidays. I like to think my paintings reflect the essence of the town and its heritage even though we live in Wharfedale some 90 miles or so from the town!

Special thanks to Gavin and Lisa at Neil’s Gallery for agreeing to display the painting and organising the bidding along with thanks to John and Jim at the RNLI for their help. Also a big thank you for everyone supporting such a worthwhile cause – while having the chance to own a piece of original artwork.

Donation and painting presentation details and date to be confirmed.

Tony

Local Filey Gallery, the RNLI and I combine to raise funds for Filey Lifeboat.

I’ve teamed up with the RNLI and Gavin & Lisa Wilson of Neil’s Gallery and Framing on John Street, Filey to raise funds for Filey Lifeboat by selling one of fishing boat paintings.

I’m an RNLI supporter and last year I donated a painting which was sold through Neil’s Gallery with all the proceeds going to the local RNLI station. Filey is a long standing holiday destination for generations of our family and I’ve always been inspired by the local fishing and coble boats.

Lisa and Gavin, who recently took over Neil’s Gallery, have agreed to display and sell a new painting ‘Rusty Coble’ with a minimum price of £300. Lisa said “Once again we are delighted to provide free space in the Gallery and I’m sure we can sell the painting for this very worthwhile cause as well as giving someone the opportunity to own a great contemporary piece of artwork.”

“While I am the full time Filey Lifeboat Station Coxswain and Mechanic, it is important to remind people that our crew, like those around the country, are all volunteers on call 24/7 throughout the year.” says Neil Cammish “We rely on donations to provide our vital rescue service so the sale of the painting will be a great help.”

The painting is being sold through a closed bid auction that closes at 17.00 on the 30th September 2019. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Filey Lifeboat. Bidding forms are available by visiting Neil’s Galley in Filey or you can email: gavin@neilsgalleyandframing.co.uk

‘Rusty Coble’ painting 30″ x 30″ varnished acrylic on ‘chunky’ canvas (no frame needed) along with an image through the window with reflections at Neil’s Gallery

For several years I’ve had the pleasure of exhibiting at Art in the Pen in Skipton. This annual event of contemporary art showcases work by some 200 artists and attracts an audience from far and wide (one person I talked with ‘up’ from Leicestershire).

While sales of work are very much the intention it is also great to talk to people. To interact, receive their comments and views, to answer the questions (like how have you done that?)[To some paint application other than a brush!] And to encourage people. Yes, encourage people.

The overall quality of work in show is excellent. Which for some visitors who are potential future exhibitors or ‘dabblers’ (as someone described themselves) it can be daunting. Do they have the confidence to continue with their work is often an issue. For me encouraging people to create art is essential. They often show me pictures of their work – on their phone – perhaps believing that I’m some sort of art expert. I dismiss the ‘expert’ handle and why should I judge. However I do attempt to support them by hopefully raising their spirits, building their self belief and trying to inspire them to carry on.

Talking with visitors at the show is wonderful. Equally the opportunity to talk with other artists is brilliant.

It seems my work is wow, cheerful, distinct and stunning. These are expressions of emotion generate by art and not just mine. I like that.