The Railway Inn

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.

The picture framed, and just about to be boxed

Life is a circle

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.

The Shed – from 2018

Lockdown lateness

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?

Smashed it!

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.

North Lodge, Brockenhurst Park

This Grade ll listed gatehouse was designed by Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905) and built in the 1860s by T H Wyatt. It is described as being of asymmetrical composition in a French Renaissance style.

This building often appears on the internet in photographs but this may be the first drawing, albeit a tad stylised. 

A4 pen and ink with shading. POA.

Special Birthday Gift

Last time I said there was another house awaiting imminent delivery, so here it is.

The lovely, half tiled house is located ‘somewhere in Hampshire’, and incorporates its more recent extension.

Have you got a special celebration coming up, or has someone just moved in to a new home? Contact me with details of your commission.