IF I HAD A BOAT…

IDLE

“Day after day, day after day

We stuck, nor breath nor motion

As idle as a painted ship

Upon a painted ocean.”

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

54 thoughts on “IF I HAD A BOAT…”

  1. I really like what you are doing with ink line and watercolor. So much energy in one image of an old boat. If it could only speak and tell us where all it has been.

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  2. …and if I had a jot of your talent, I would so happy with myself! This is beautiful. I love the muted tones and details of this old boat. You seem to be able to capture the essence of a subject, from this faded yet beautiful old wreck to that inviting, rich comfort of the red chair in your previous post. P

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    1. You are way too kind. Thank you so much. And…here I think as I look at your beautiful photographs and watercolours…you are such the artist with the “eye” to capture such beautiful images. Let’s call it a draw…mutual admiration.

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  3. It’s a true pleasure to see your artistic skil, Raye. This one goes so well with one of my favourite poems! ♥
    Dina

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    1. Hope you noticed, Dina, that this derelict little boat is situated on the raised marsh foot-path between Blakeney and Cley-Next-the-Sea…closer to Blakeney harbour.
      My friends and I have such fond, fond memories of our holiday there, and in Salthouse. Must return….

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    1. Where have you been? I lost you when you went on holiday to that state that performs the sunshine act! Was ready to make your Christmas pound cake recipe. Bought all the ingredients. Christmas came early this year…so I ate all the ingredients without benefit of putting them all together. Then…POOF!…January happened, and from what others tell me….January is still happening. Go figure…..

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      1. Ya know… ’twas most difficult indeed to get my arse back into the groove. Can’t explain it…. maybe was the instant freeze it went through upon my return. Am just now finding my way!

        What? You ate all the ingredients? Well… seriously, makes for a nice trail mix, dontcha think?

        And… nice to know someone missed me! ‘sides the cats, of course. But they’re tramps, they care not who feeds them, as long as they’re fed.

        So without further ado, I shall return to my long-awaited post (’twas stuck amidst all the other subjects that could not seem to jump from brain to digit to keyboard…)

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        1. Waiting for post….just so you know….I’m not one for standing around and picking nut-meats out of my teeth with a tooth-pick or bent paperclip whilst other’s dilly-dally and nap the day away. Get busy……..waiting is not one of my virtues….actually nothing is. I can confess this here, right? And you won’t tell anyone? I have no virtues.

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          1. My lips are sealed! Puh-leeze, no virtues. Whatchou talkin’ about Willis?

            I’m working on it! I’ve got two issues… new phone and new computer. D’oh! Dropped Apple for PC and Android. Now I’m all buggered up – but I shall prevail.

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  9. A great visual interpretation. Interesting to depict the boat as though it’s been forgotten on dry land as opposed to stranded at sea without wind. Although I love the poem I feel this take on those lines is somewhat more comforting 🙂

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  11. Raye, well done. I love the style and colors. And, the poem tops it off. At some point, we need to set sail. Thanks, BTG

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  12. “..newbie to the watercolour process” Really?! Your work betrays that modest comment. Beautiful, as always. Also, thanks for the mention along cousin Lyle.

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  13. Beautiful drawing! We have lots of STC connections round here, as he lived on the nearby Quantock Hills. There’s a great statue of the Ancient Mariner complete with bow and Albatross at Watchet Harbour, and the cottage where he lived at Nether Stowey is open to the public..And finally…I went to the same school as he did (somewhat later) in Ottery Sy Mary, Devon.

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    1. Thank you so much, Anne. Your comment means a great deal…since I consider myself such a newbie at the watercolour process. Side note; I’ve not “done” the Devon coast in depth in my travels “home”, but plan on heading west as soon as I’ve calmed the east side beast…s favourite, so far. So much to see…so many journeys yet to be taken…

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    1. Hey you!!! Nice to see you. All is well, Monica, I hope…and the New Year bringing peace and focus…don’t forget we are “sparkling” this 2014 year!! Raye

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  16. before i opened this page, the song was already playing through my head! what a fun song, and yes, i’ve sort of made that journey!

    the painting is WONDERFUL! you have a light touch paired with strong drawing skills and the effect is calming and peaceful! buen trabajo! z
    !

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      1. hey! what great timing – strong rains fell during the night, and i’m in transit and hope that the sun comes out and smiles on me the way that it did you! i’ve been with a tour group, and i’m about to walk (in the mud most likely!) to catch a bus and head home.
        thanks for the internal playlist that will be rolling thru my head, most likely strong enough to trump the sound of the cumbia playing on the bus!
        and now there’s a little girl staring thru my bedroom glass door! ah, you have to love latin america!

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  17. Wow, great painting…and great verse. I love the idea of life by the sea, and with this painting can’t help but be reminded of Santiago in Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea…something wonderful from the past.

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    1. Life by the sea…since I grew up a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean…I don’t realize how much I miss the pull until, as you say…”something wonderful from the past”…evokes fond memories. Nice to see you….

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    1. It’s been a while, aFA…you’ve got a lot on your plate besides the snow shovel! Take heart and take care….I’ll be over in a while for coffee and a chat…

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      1. Tons on the plate … Although some frazzle moments, for the most part holding self together. … but more snow came this morning that created some havoc! Thanks for keeping me smiling.

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  19. Love the painting, and I agree with Carrie Rubin about the great line, a painted ship upon a painted ocean. What meaning and depth. Thanks for sharing this with us

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      1. Thank you. My ideas are pushing my abilities, which I think is a good thing. Who knows what comes next?

        Great to read you, I always enjoy your posts

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    1. Yes, that line “painted ship Upon a painted ocean”…was a perfect fit. Happy that you picked up on the…drift. (Sorry…but it takes one to know one…..she said grinning.)

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    1. Many thanks, Cindy, for your comment. Don’t know how I missed the San Diego reference…since I was born/raised in the area! By the way…your photo essay on the wild horses….magnificent!

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  23. …and YOU! El G…continue to make me smile. …And we could all together go out on the ocean. Me upon my pony on my boat. Plus this other favourite reminder: Tonto was always the smarter one….

    [I like your stuff always….but especially todays.]

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  24. If I had a boat, I’d go out on the ocean. And if I had a pony, I’d ride him on my boat.
    Lyle Lovett

    Jots, your art continues to astound. I love this!

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