Mindful of the swell, the wind and the run of the tide, the sea links individuals and at the same time excludes others in a way that the land cannot. Seafaring men anxious to prepare their boats share harbours with day-trippers and dog walkers with a predictable routine; a walk to the end of the pier followed by a thorough inspection of the lobster pots, then a good gawp into the boats before returning to the car and moving on. Those that remain arouse suspicion. Wandering about, pausing, jotting down notes and taking an unusually keen interest in everyone and everything that's going on; no one likes to be watched too closely. Annalong harbour has many interesting viewpoints; choosing one to paint requires a lot of pacing about and long considered pauses. I was asked to do a painting that included Binnian, the Cornmill and a few of the boats, this required a fair bit of walking around to select an appropriate composition, watching and recording all that was going on. When I eventually settled down to work on the initial sketches I was soon interrupted. Any artist working outside is well used to coping with interruptions, I don't mind, but some artists go to great lengths to avoid any disruption; wearing big hats, choosing inaccessible positions, flicking paint or simply coughing and spluttering when approached. The man had spent the afternoon working on his boat, he made no comment on the sketch was but seemed relieved to see that I was only sketching. No one likes to be to be watched too closely; perhaps I should have recommended a large hat or a suitable affliction.
If you are interested in a painting you can contact Eamonn by ringing 07962 189132