I am nearing the end of this year’s tour.
After 18 months away, The Art Boat has returned to the Summit level of the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals. I love travelling and have fallen in love with the Yorkshire canals this year, but the summit level always feels like home. It was touch and go whether we would make it, as we thought closures would mean that we wouldn’t manage to get through Marple locks. But we did a mega dash (as mega as it can be on the Huddersfield canal) and made it before the proposed closure date of 31st July. However all the rain we’ve had in the last couple of months has meant that there was plenty of water to keep both Marple and Bosley lock flights open. Saying that, Marple locks are now closed until next year because repairs are needed on Lock 7! The joys of the uk canals. Flexible planning is a must 😎
Au revoir but not goodbye!
It has been an amazing year travelling with Jules and Pete on the Hippie Boat, but we have now parted ways. They are sadly leaving the water and moving to Wales and embarking on new adventures. You will still be able to get their lovely Fairtrade, ethnic festival clothing from the Hippie Boat website. I’ll put a link at the bottom of this post. I’m missing them already, but wish them real joy in their new chapter! They won’t be disappearing completely though, so look out for them next year when they will be popping up at select festivals and land based events.
What’s next?
It is getting to the time of year when I put the awning away and get the paint brushes out. I have several commissions to get on with, but also plans for new work. I have a pile of blank canvases stored in my wardrobe, which have been not so patiently waiting for me all year. Watch this space, I get butterflies thinking about all the painting time I am going to have!
I have just said goodbye to the largest painting I have managed since using the boat as my only studio. I shall miss it, but am happy it has a new home and am looking forward to filling the gap with…Ooh I don’t know yet. So many ideas!
I will be making Limited Edition prints of this painting, so please let me know if you’re interested and I’ll let you know when they are available.
Keeping up with the Art Boat
I have one last pop-up planned for this season. You can find me at Marple this coming weekend, Saturday 23rd -Sunday 24th September. I shall put the exact location up on my Instagram and Facebook pages when I get there.
I am hoping to do a few pop-ups pre Christmas. Bollington, Marple, High Lane perhaps? But as always at this time of year it is weather dependent. Just keep an eye out on my social media pages for details.
Talking of Social Media…for someone who professes to hate it, I’m a glutton for punishment. I have been playing with a new trend on TikTok…the “art reveal challenge”. I am addicted to these little videos but I’m running out of paintings to share, so am going to have to get painting soon,
Don’t forget you can see my work, and buy from my website gallery shop all year round
Sorry, this one turned into a bit of a ramble…but I think I covered everything I wanted to say.
Until next time,
Take Care…Jan x
And as promised a link to the Hippie Boat website –
https://www.thehippieboat.co.uk/