Welcome to my canal art and blog website. My tale of buying a boat and starting to paint began in 2016 after a career as a university lecturer. Now I earn my living selling my hand painted canal art, as a Canal and River Trust licensed roving trader. During the summer months I trade from my 32ft narrow boat, Pea Green. If you can’t get to the boat shop I am happy to post items. Just send me an email or message me through Facebook or Instagram. On the boat I can accept contactless payments. However, if you are buying remotely I prefer payment by BACS transfer.
My canal art
I paint a wide variety of items with traditional East Midlands canal art. This includes everything from traditional Buckby style water cans to piggy banks. As an historian I recognise the fascinating backstory of this traditional waterways folkart. Of course, I understand my 21st Century customers want useful and beautiful items. As a result, many of my painted pieces are up-cycled, for instance teapots and gin bottles. However, alongside the old I also paint new too – for example wooden spoons and hand painted slates .
Commissions & ‘bring me your stuff’
Additionally, I regularly paint bespoke commissions for my lovely customers. For instance, I am happy to paint your own items – as long as they are clean! Just ‘bring me your stuff’ to paint, this has included everything from a train driver’s lamp to a tambourine, not to mention barrels and boat doors. If you need a personalised piece I usually have a ready supply of Buckby style cans and horseshoes ready to paint. To get the ball rolling just message or email me to discuss options and prices.
The Pea Green boat
My 1973 Braunston ‘Barney’ Boat is named Pea Green after the Edward Lear poem, ‘The Owl and the Pussy Cat’. Moored close to the historic Welford Wharf on the Grand Union canal on the Leicestershire/ Northamptonshire border, here in the UK.
When not at Welford I take Pea Green on adventures around the English canals. Usually, Monte, the reticent boat cat (aka Montefiore-Montague) helps me along the way.
To find out more
If you would like to know more, please browse my website and view the galleries on each page. My Instagram feed which appears here on my homepage has a new picture every day. Feel free to scroll through. I welcome people making contact and asking questions, and I will do my best to help. To contact me send an email, or a message via Facebook or Instagram . I try to keep my postage costs as low as possible, many items can be sent as small parcels for £3.80.
Media
I have featured in a number of waterway’s publications where I have been interviewed about my work. As well as print, you can also see me interviewed by Joanna and Victor from Holly The Cafe Boat at Great Haywood in 2021. Additionally, Andrew from Tales from the Swan’s Neck filmed me me at Braunston in 2021. Finally, you can see some of my recent painted work onboard Fran and Rich’s lovely boat on their Floating Our Boat channel. A big thank you to all the vloggers for including me in their videos.
Want to learn to paint?
Are you inspired and would like to have a go at painting canal art? I offer small group classes of 2-3 people in my house in Northamptonshire. Contact me if you are interested.
Looking for a speaker?
Finally, I have spoken to a number of groups regarding canal art, canal history (after all I am an historian…) and my boat. Do message me if you are interested.