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Welcome Aboard

I’m Gordon. I worked the Halifax harbour ferries for thirty-one years, mostly lines and ropes and calling out the stops. I never drew anything but the odd map on a napkin. When I retired at 65, the quiet in the house was louder than I expected, and my wife gave me a tin of colored pencils and a pad of paper and said, ‘Try it for a month.’

That was a few years ago. My drawings are not going on any gallery wall, but I have a stack of sketchbooks, a lot of fond memories of mornings at the dining room table, and a decent pencil sharpener I’m unreasonably proud of.

What you will find here

  • Plain advice on tools that are easy to hold, easy to find and easy on the wallet
  • First projects you can finish in an afternoon
  • Notes on setting up good light and a comfortable spot to sit
  • My honest thoughts on online courses, and who each one suits
  • Plenty of mistakes, mine included

Who this is for

Anyone who thinks the time for art has passed. It hasn’t. Retired, newly retired, nearly retired, or just a late starter at any age: pull up a chair.

If you want to say hello, my address is on the Send Word page, or you can write to me at [email protected].