THE RETURN OF THE WHALE

by neil williams April 18, 2022

I dream of seeing this - the return of whales to the waters around the Isle of Wight. Not so long ago, in the lives of our great grand parents, whales were a common sight and were even hunted in the Solent.

In the painting I've imagined a Fin Whale breaching with the Needles lighthouse behind. Lit by a crescent moon, you can also make out St. Catherine's and Hurst Lighthouses in the background.

The picture began life as a big messy watercolour, which I then rework in photoshop.

In 2016, after an absence of 25 years, dolphins returned to the island, and living in Ventnor it makes me happy seeing them every summer. Large whales are being seen again more frequently off Cornwall now, with occasional sightings off the South Devon coast just 100 miles away.

How great would it be if we could look after our seas just that little bit better and allow the whales to return? One day we might take our kids on a whale watching trip out of Cowes....

neil williams

Author

Also in NEWS

The Winner is... £8012.50 sent to UNICEF in Ukraine.. And a new Painting...

by neil williams March 29, 2022

THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE..

Paula Russell won our raffle for Ukraine ( She was so very happy when we spoke!). We are even more thrilled to tell you we sold 641 tickets, which means that with Gift Aid we were able to send £8012.50p to UNICEF in Ukraine yesterday. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us in this - you guys are amazing!

FOURTEEN JACKDAWS PAINTING

Six O'clock most mornings you'll find me sitting in my garden in Ventnor overlooking the sea, a mug of black coffee in my hands. For company I have the local tribe of Jackdaws.

Like clockwork, summer and winter, shortly after six am they make their rounds: two or three always clockwise circuits cutting across my garden. They babble excitedly in their squeaky quack chatter and make me smile. I wish I spoke Jackdaw!

This picture began life as a messy watercolour with pen and ink birds, which I've then brought into photoshop and reworked. I like it and hope you do to!

RAFFLE FOR UKRAINE

by neil williams March 11, 2022

Wind Against Tide off St Catherine's Point

by neil williams May 12, 2021

I've been entranced by the sea off St. Catherine's Point for years. The tide races through here, and on a big spring ebb when a Westerly Gale blows against it, the sea comes alive. It's like a crazy dance fight - the ocean against the wind - and I can watch it, and photograph it, for hours....

Follow

  ✉