Sailing and Sketching

During the sailing season, which happens between April and October, we try to get away on the boat as often as possible.

From where I stay, there is good access to some lovely anchorages in Loch Sunart, and the Small Isles of Canna, Rum, Muck and Eigg are not too far away. Heading out to one of the Small Isles is a favourite destination. They provide the inspiration for many of my paintings. Such beautiful and unspoilt places. Our furthest sailing adventure took us all the way out to the Western Isles last year. Hopefully, we will get back there before the end of this season… weather permitting. One thing experience has taught us… it is better to go WITH the wind and tide than fight against it, so we will see what happens!

Sailing is quite a physically demanding pastime. With only two of us on board, images of me sketching whilst we sail along is not the reality… both of us need to be fully focused on sailing. Still, I try to soak up the atmosphere and store up images along the way.

Travelling by sea gives you a unique perspective on the land, and even familiar places onshore can look so different from the boat. The light can be pretty special too, and magic weather moments frequently happen, especially on the west coast. There is also an opportunity to have some close encounters with marine life. Dolphins are particularly playful and will follow the boat, especially when under sail.

Although I enjoy the sailing bit and journeying by sea, I also love discovering new places. Archie, our Springer Spaniel, makes going ashore a necessity, so there is plenty of opportunity for exploring, and I often take my sketchbook with me. I have a box of materials onboard but prefer my pastels and inks for sketching.

It is a joy to be able to explore new places by boat and to anchor in isolated and remote locations, and it is something I never take for granted.