Month: May 2024

Early morning, high tide. A thin veil of cloud promises to lift to reveal a bright, shiny day. A few Methil men are already on the sea wall fishing- cod and mackerel one tells me, no luck as yet. The still air allows sounds to travel across the docks – voices, lorries, a small boats engine coughing, gentle lapping of water against the pier. Warm concrete to sit on and draw the old jetty. I am astonished by the number of plants that have taken up residence in nooks and crannies of split concrete and rotting wood, where dockan, scurvy grass and birds foot trefoil seem out of place, out on a limb. I walk to the end and look out to sea. ‘Catch anything ?’, I ask. ”Naw, nearly caught a crab, this big, but it fell off. I’ll call it a day soon’. ‘Me too’, I say.

Oil on wood panel – 100 x 120 cm.

Getting ready for the mackerel coming soon. An overcast sky. A ‘Watchtower’ leaflet politely declined. Nice day I say. Have you ever thought who gave us this nice day ? he says. I laugh, walk on. George tells me about going to the co op as a child with a line from his mum, can still remember his number. The Corrs on a cd player – Irish whistles and a quiet singalong to the fixing and painting of boats. The haddock are back off Elie, first time in years. A gift of an orange boilersuit off the rigs. It’ll work once the arms and legs are cut down. Looking and watching and drawing.

Oil and charcoal on panel – 20 x 25 cm.

Charcoal and gesso on papaer – 140 x 96 cm.