These two paintings were inspired by idea of the view from a chasing boat. The thrill of reeling in a leading boat or the frustration of watching them pull away! The first is of American Cat rigged boats, the crew of the clinker built Julie pile up sand bag ballast to keep her upright and get another half a knot..

Oil on canvass 24”x24”

The second painting is of a pair of victorian gaffers playing out the same scene this time in English waters.

Oil on canvas 24”x24”

There two paintings were exhibited at the Mystic Seaport International in 2009.

The Cat rigged racing boat, numbered 74, has made a quick turn to time her start perfectly for the first up wind leg of what is going to be a lively and blustery day.

Oil on canvass 36”x28”

Currently showing at the J Russell Jinishian Gallery

The American Sandbaggers of the late 1800’s. These were extreme boats built for speed. Over canvassed with long bow sprits and overhanging booms. Raced with large crews with internal ballast of sandbags, from where they get their name, which the crew would frantically shift from side to side on each tack.

We see the crew preparing for going about the first mark, the main sheet and jib sheet being hardened up. They are behind for now but it’s a long race….

Oil on canvas 30”x25”

The larger class of the Sand baggers at full tilt. A large wager is at stake and the crews carry as much sail as they can, the black has a small lead at the windward mark but one small slip and that could be lost on the wild downwind leg.

Oil on canvas 36”x24”

Another painting of the American Sand Bagger. This is one of my favourite subjects! They are exciting boats paint as there is always a lot of crew action to get stuck into. I do love the back story of the very high wagers between wealthy owners and often the pride of their state would be riding on the outcome as well as the money.

Oil on Canvas 36”x28”

More Sandbagger action. Despite being reefed down the boat is still hard pressed. They’ve rounded the mark for the beat to the finish ahead but it ain’t over till the fat lady sings……

Oil on canvas 36”x28”

The 16ft sandbaggers were a smaller class but no less extreme in their sail area to boat length and skill required to sail them. Here we see the crew out for a training sail in preparation for a season of hard campaigning and hopefully good prize money.

Oil on canvas 24”x20”

Cat rigged boats of the smaller class in a tight race in very squally conditions. The wind has eased a little and now, finding themselves loosing groundthe crew are about to shake out the reef to catch the leading boats.

Oil on canvas 36”x28”

I named this painting Solitude. I wanted to convey that peaceful feeling of a late summer afternoon sail in an ubiquitous Beetle Cat. It’s sort of a memory of my father who would take himself off on a Sunday to go sailing, to get away from the family I suspect until I was old enough to go with him.

Oil on Linen 28”x28”

It’s not always leaning over the rail with salt in the face action sometimes the best times are in the quite moments. Here a couple use a humble sprit rigged fishing boat to ghost their way up some hidden creek to a quite anchorage for a picnic in the evening sun of a Maine summer.

Oil on canvas 12’x12”

Exhibited at the Mystic miniature show and now at the J Russell Jinishian Gallery

The Americas cup Jubilee 2001. I was being battered about in my small rib by the huge amount of wash from the thousands of boats in the Solent for this amazing event. So many great boats took part it was difficult to know where to look! I was lucky to be in a great position to see these two magnificent yachts duelling it out to windward as the sky cleared into a sunny day.

Oil on canvas 36”x24”

This painting was donated to the Seamen’s Church Institute charity auction in New Port RI.

The Nat Herreshoff designed S Class Osprey. I saw this gem sailing off Newport RI which inspired this small painting.

Oil on canvas 24”x24”

The crew have hastily taken in a reef during a quick squall. Re hoisting the gaff before letting go the topping lift and trimming out for a wild down wind dash.

Oil on Canvas 24”x24”

Winner of the Maritime Gallery Yachting award 2007

This painting was inspired by a water colour by Josiah Taylor (1819-77). It depicts Victorian yachts rounding the Nore lightship while racing in the green waters of the Thames Estuary. Having sailed there myself, It must have tested the skill of the crew and skippers handling these large boats in the shallow waters and fast tides of the estuary with no engines!

Oil on Canvas 36”x28”