The Art Boat and Hippie Boat on tour.
I am really excited to be joining the Hippie Boat for this year’s tour. Over the years I have often set up the Art Boat gallery alongside the Hippie Boat, but this is the first time I have actually started the year with them. Jules and Pete are a lovely couple who sell beautiful ethically sourced fair trade clothes from their boat. They have a loyal following and you can see why when you visit. So much colour and choice, and they make buying from them such a positive experience that people keep coming back for more.
The first date is planned for
25th/26th February in Ellesmere. The exact towpath location will be advertised nearer the date. The end of February is much earlier than I usually start my trading year, so I have lots to do to get ready in a much shorter time than usual. No…not panicking! Wish me luck!
The next few dates after Ellesmere are.
4th-5th March Whitchurch
11th-12th March Middlewich
18th-19th March Anderton
A shiny bottom!
For the first time in the 12 years I have owned Tonka I’ve done the blacking myself. It was hard work, and I was absolutely shattered when I’d finished, but it looked great once it was done. I think I would have to consider the pros and cons of doing it myself when the time comes around again. I have a feeling I will forget how tiring I found it and just remember the sense of achievement.
No photos of me working as I didn’t want to cover my iPad in bitumen, but doesn’t she look beautiful😎
A Favourite Commission
Winter is the time of year when I get on with commissions, and this year, a painting that I have really loved doing was this one of Essex Bridge at Great Haywood. At 80cm x 90cm it is one of the largest paintings I have completed on my boat.
Spanning the Trent it was built in the late sixteenth century by The Earl of Essex. It is now the longest remaining packhorse bridge in England with fourteen of its original forty round span arches left.
I will be putting commissions aside for the spring and summer, and starting again in October. Message me here if you want to discuss a painting and book a slot.
Walking lily
Such beautiful beginnings and ends to the days at this time of year. We have had many days of lovely crisp mornings and beautiful sunsets. It has made me realise how much I was missing of the special places close to the canal before I got Lilydog. I often thought of walking to various local beauty spots along the way, but would get tied up with painting, making and trading and put the idea on hold. Lily isn’t having any of that and insists we go out and visit these places. Especially if she thinks there may be squirrels. Ellesmere has some wonderful walks and I feel so lucky to have visited and made it my home for a short time.
I look forward to meeting many of you on my travels this year. New waters (to me), are waiting to be explored.
Until next time,
Take care,
Jan x