Paintings For The Palms
Although sculpture probably comes more naturally to me, painting has always gone hand in hand with my creative practice. I love to paint and, as everyone who indulges knows, it is a fulfilling and happily introspective process. My paintings provide an environment to place my sculptural characters within based on the settings and landscapes that feature strongly in my everyday life and memory.
Throughout my life I have been fortunate to have had a strong connection with the picturesque Isles of Scilly, which lie 25 miles off the coast of Land's End in Cornwall. My mother was born there and my family still live there, which makes me 50% Scillonian.
As life has inevitably moved on, I have now become the owner of a tiny part of those islands, having inherited a share of what was once my Grandmothers house.
The Palms is a spacious bungalow built by my Grandfather in what I believe was the early 1930's, on a triangular patch of land on one of the highest and most central parts of the main Island, St. Mary's, known as Maypole, literally across the road from the house my mother was born in. It has white walls and a grey, yellow lichen covered roof and is surrounded by the subtropical gardens and most importantly the palm trees that my grandfather planted.
From left to right: The Palms bungalow, me with Grandad’s palm tree planted circa 1930, both sets of grandparents on The Palms Balcony, Grandad with auntie June and mum in his garden at The Palms.
My mother eventually moved to the mainland and to London where she found excitement away from the slow pace of island life. Later on, my grandad would build a second home next door to The Palms for her sister June, my auntie to live in. My auntie and cousin Phillip still live there today and quite often, on one of my visits, I encounter random islanders who will pronounce themselves to be a cousin of mine...!
I have been fortunate to be able to stay in The Palms once or twice a year for most of my life, using it for holidays and an idyllic escape, while finding endless inspiration in the rich surroundings of the islands. While I was at University I secured a grant which allowed me to stay on the islands for seven weeks exploring creative ideas in my sketchbooks to take back and utilise in my fine art degree - I enjoyed every minute of it!
Having previously been rented out as a holiday let for many years, in recent times, The Palms interior has become dated, the exterior has fallen into disrepair and grandad's garden has become an overgrown jungle. In the last few years, however, our family, with a little help from our friends, have been working to bring it back to it's former glory, to once again be offered as a holiday let so that it can earn its keep and be maintained properly.
Some of my many holiday snaps!
"Can I stay!?" I hear you cry... The property is not quite ready yet, but we are hoping that it will be open to visitors in 2026. The Palms itself sleeps six, with two double bedrooms and one twin room, bathroom, ensuite, sitting room, games room, kitchen and two balconies for alfresco eating (sorry, no dogs or smoking). Once upon a time you could see the sea in the distance, but my grandads palms have obscured that view, however the nearest beach is Pelistry and is around 10 minutes walk, offering the obligatory unspoilt sandy beach and stunning vistas plus the gardens surrounding the house are buzzing with wildlife to keep you company.
The expansive interior of The Palms is now freshly painted in a white and neutral theme, with the exception of the original red tiles of the kitchen floor and matching round red melamine topped 1930's dining table that I used to play Rummy with my grandmother at, so to add some vibrancy I have been busy creating some paintings to hang on the walls.
Six Oystercatchers, Pelistry, Seven Seagulls, Seagulls at Pelistry, Acrylic paintings on canvas (prints available).
These comprise large acrylic paintings on canvas, painted in my usual cheerful style, depicting stylised scenes and wildlife from the Isles of Scilly. The paintings will be for sale, although I haven't quite worked out how shipping the paintings off the islands safely is going to work... In the meantime I will be offering prints, cards and tea towels of the images for sale as available or on request so do get in touch if you would like something.
Palms with Sparrows
The Palms is on schedule to be available to let for holidays from mid 2026, please contact me for further information or to enquire about Isles of Scilly themed artwork.
