This is the new Dan Rox shop in Tiverton, Devon.
A new venture for Dan and Adam selling crystals and rocks, running workshops on all aspects of working with crystals, and having guest presenters along to join in the fun.
And they had a personal anniversary, too!
Around 1830 the railway arrived in Gosport. It was a special line for the convenience of Her Majesty Queen Victoria who had a house on the Isle of Wight, Osborn House, to which she was inclined to visit on occasion, so a train from London direct to Gosport, for onward travel by ferry, was most advantageous.
Also quite handy for others in the area, whether frequenting the railway station, or just in need of refreshment, was The Railway Inn. It was built around 1830 and is of traditional design for the period. Sadly, or not, the licenced trade has not faired well in recent years, and in 2010 it closed and the building was sold.
It has been beautifully converted to a spacious dwelling, retaining many of the original features, and is now grade ll listed, in an area steeped in the history of the Royal Navy.
This was commissioned as a new home gift for the new owners – let’s hope it still has a well stocked bar.
What better gift for a birthday or anniversary present than a unique drawing of your house. Or how about a gift for yourself just because you can.
This is a lovely town house, somewhere north of London and includes a personal memory.
One of my early commissions, three years ago, was ‘The Shed’. It was the new workshop of Karen of @karensquilts. All sorts of ‘additions’ appeared – Cheryl, the crow; Lance, the good knight; Treacle, the family’s late cat – and a strange dog who was who was, perhaps, a premonition of Arthur, the cockapoo.
Karen has now moved to Devon, and for her special birthday, I was commissioned to draw her new home. This is the barn, The Old Granary. And Karen and Ray now have a real Arthur to keep them company.
This lovely house was ordered as a Christmas present to celebrate moving to a new home, but because of lockdown restrictions it wasn’t received until until the person’s birthday. So another happy customer, and I can post it for you all to see.
Do you know someone who has moved to a new home?
A tidy modern house, somewhere in central southern England, commissioned for a birthday. Unfortunately, the first picture not to arrive undamaged.
Not me! The glass was smashed when the new owner received it. I sent it to the commissioning buyer, and it arrived safely, but the damage occurred when she sent it on. Luckily the picture was undamaged.
… long, long ago, well that’s how it seems! We are unable to post pictures of our Christmas commissions yet, so how about a bit of history.
We first got serious about art and craft in 1994, when we took over a business running ceramic art classes – we called it ‘Studio Minerva’. The shop was built in the mid 1800s and has been used for all sorts of trades.
The picture on the left dates from 1870, the one on the right slightly later.
Unfortunately we closed the business in 1999, because trade was not flourishing – and now, ironically, the shop is a financial advisor, ‘Assured Private Wealth’.
But we loved our time there, made many friends, learned loads about ceramics, glazes, kilns, and customers, so thought it fitting to do a caricature of the old place. It hasn’t changed too much in over 100 years. The houses to the left are now replaced by the Co-op.
How life changes in 25 years, or even 150!
Last year I was asked to draw a family house that held memories for three generations of one family. It was to be a Christmas present, but because the recipient was poorly I was asked to bring it forward as a birthday present instead.
A few days ago, the lady who commissioned it contacted me to tell me that her mother had sadly passed over and the picture was now back with her again. It had been her mother’s favourite present last year, and now her daughter had inherited the picture and she, too, would continue to enjoy the memories it brings.
So, as much as I enjoy creating caricatures of houses, it is satisfying to know how much joy it brings to the new owners. I hope she enjoys it, and how great would it be if she passed it on to her children in years to come.
Contact me to arrange your future family heirloom.
There are records dating back to 1650 for this Devon cottage. The modern extension is what used to be ‘the stick store’, presumably where firewood was stored, now kitchen/diner with bedroom and balcony above. It is also recorded as being the place where ‘the pauper in the stick store’ resided, according to census records. Apparently, as a family home the younger couple and their children occupied the main house – and grandma was relegated to the stick store.
And now my wife and I call it home.
If your home would like the attention it deserves, or you would like to give a unique and personal gift, contact me for further details.
Image is drawn with dip pen and acrylic ink, enhanced with graphite pencil shading. A4 size.
This lovely Cotswold cottage was isolated from the rest of the row for a special anniversary present. Specific details were included at the commissioners request.
The texture of the honey coloured stone lends itself to the pen and ink technique.
If you need a gift for a special occasion coming up, why not a caricature of their house? Contact me to discuss details.
Pen and Lens Artwork 