Saturday 17 March 2012

My sea legs . . .


This is a random post thrown in, firstly because of my new obsession with boats, ships and Captain Heldt . . . Secondly because I met the Captain of this boat and sailed away with him on St. patricks day 1994.
I won't go into the mess that I was running away from or even what became of  Captain Sparrow as we will get to that all in good time. I will say that he is Stropster's Dad and did eventually settle here in this town to be just that.

Really this is just a quick flash of nostalgia brought on by looking for the "All things Silverhip" photos. I'm really gonna have to sort those photographs out . . . I can't wade through all those years every time I need to find two or three.

We had some great times travelling the country on that boat . . . and met some good "boat folk" . . . and some dodgy ones along the canals. I was content at the time with an easy simple outdoor life. I drew started drawing many pictures, cooked good food and let my creativity run free. Happy days.




Sparrow kept his motorbike chained to the front of the boat for occasions when four miles an hour was not fast enough ;-). Red and black boat, red and black bike . . . Anarchic.

As with the above drawing of the pub, rarely a picture was completed as Sparrow liked to keep moving. No mooring fees.
I need to get scanning as this will mainly be a picture post . . will update real life later . . . Happy St. Patrick's Day to all . . .




Another quick unfinished sketch of Sparrow . . . That thing hanging over his shoulder was a hair extension that I made from some horse tail hair . . . obtaining that was a whole story in itself . . . I then threaded it with hand painted glass beads . . . Long lazy days . . . until we would come across a staircase of six or seven locks. Those were the days that kept us fit, strong and healthy.
 . . . And another copied from an album cover. I would get so into some of these drawings that I wouldn't stop to eat or for coffee . . . Maybe just the odd pull on a spliff.  If I did stop to cook, "man" the locks, stoke the fire, chop the wood or do my steering shift I rarely went back to the same drawing hence all the unfinished business . . .

And one more of Sparrow . . . yes, unfinished! Pity really because that bandana that's (not) round his neck was the bit I was looking forward too. Now I have to post real quick. I'm sorry if this is rushed and with mistakes but Stropster is due in from work and he wouldn't be best pleased that I'm putting up pictures of his Dad. Sparrow would be mortified. On the internet!! Shhhhh ;-)
Ok here goes . . . Publish. Hey I must just say the first photo at the top where the boat looks like it's sailing along a "green" carpet, although the colour has faded, was through Tottenham (London) where there was so much algae it really did look like a green, very littered, carpet.

19 comments:

  1. Stop pissing about and become an artist!! Blimey these are brilliant.

    Great recollections - you look so happy sat on that bike

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    1. They were happy days for sure, though a fair amount of booze was involved at night. I didn't think of it as a problem at the time but it was really just doing exactly the same as the gear . . . and ultimately it was a problem . . . Just a legal one.
      Nevertheless mostly good memories . . . and a wonderful Son who brought me coffee in bed for Mothers Day :-)

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  2. I don't know if they look unfinished....they look like your style. Have you ever thought about it that way?

    You're good. Do more good work. And if you stop, it means that piece in your mind is done.

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    1. I suppose yes, in a way . . . but mostly I was "dragged" away not out of choice and would have continued.
      But yeah those that sometimes come to a natural end before they're "finished" are usually best left that way.
      I'm hoping to do more drawings when Hamper G gets to school . . . I've not done any for years.
      Thanks.

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  3. You are an amazing artist! Thank you for your very sweet, gentle, and kind encouragement to me this past week. It has meant so much. Really.

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    1. Well I wouldn't go that far . . . the portraits here are sketches (heavy lines) not "proper" as in the Peter O Toole one . . . but I did enjoy doing the pub one and would've like to try more buildings.
      You're more than welcome to my encouragement Annette . . . I'm so pleased that you went along. A big learning curve, but well worth it.

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  4. I am so glad you got that scanner hooked up. I love seeing your artwork and you; both are beautiful. Stop selling yourself short, your talent is amazing.....

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    1. Yes it's fun having the scanner and quick, I thought it would take ages and was pleasantly surprised.
      As well as learning to draw from my Dad I also learnt self over-critism from him . . . I can often hear his voice when I draw (he's still alive :-)) and It's rare that I'm satisfied with a drawing . . but I suppose that's not a bad thing . . Then again . . . ?
      I don't know. Thanks anyway Lovey, Bugerlugs

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  5. You are so talented. I think I like the 'unfinished ness' of your work. It just seems right somehow.

    But what do I know...I struggle with stick figures!

    Can't wait to see more.

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    1. Thanks . . . I don't mind un-finished when it just kinda trails off and I don't want/need to do anymore to it . . . But when I've left off suddenly to do something (against my will ;-) then it really looks un-finished to me. Probably only because I know the circumstances.
      I hope I get back "into" it again once I have some free time. Thanks for commenting.

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  6. Late to the party, but agreeing with everyone. You have so much talent. Back to it please. And please, pretty please continue to put up pictures of your work. It is truly amazing.

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    1. Hey better late than never. I really hope I can get back into it when I get Hamper to school and free some time up . . . But there's always so much else to do. I need to make time (as my Dad would say) I'm glad you like it, Thanks

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  7. You have SO MUCH TALENT!!!!!!! Geez! And you are adorable in those photos.

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    1. . . . And I'm not very good at taking compliments ;-) So I'll just say thanks Barbara.
      Now I need to catch up with Blogs and then see if I have time to do a Mothers Day post . . . If not, Happy Mothers Day lovey x

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  8. well i'm just going to say that "sudden abandonment" is a style of its own.

    so there. and i like it. that particular style, that is. =)

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    1. :-) Thanks Sherry . . . I'm not very good at taking compliments, I over analyse and am over self-critical.

      I'm glad you like it . . . I like that title "Sudden abandonment" . . . I might have to pinch that one ;-)
      Thanks x

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  9. Great photos! I love that you spent time on a boat. How cool is that? Thanks for sharing these.

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    1. O it was the best. If ever I earned/won/found enough money I would buy a narrow boat. I used to love the early morning sitting on top of the boat in the middle of nowhere . . . Peaceful gentle rocking with the sunrise. Bliss. I'm glad you enjoy your boat so much.

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  10. YAY living on a boat must have been so much fun! And eye like your drawings, too.

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