Which piece really says, "This is Barbados".

"Long Bay Blue" A 16 x 20 Acrylic painting by Mark Phillips

I started this painting a few weeks ago but I was distracted by the "Street that never sleeps", and my finishing of "Tweedside Saturday Morning".

I am now going to finish this over the next few days.

Recently, while reviewing my work, I started to wonder, "What scenes are more distinctly representative of Barbados and the Barbados way of life? I don't mean what we try to represent to the tourist. There is sea and sun in many other countries but what makes Barbados unique?

Is it our street scenes? Our Churches and other historic buildings? Or is it indeed our coastline and beaches?

As fate would have it, while I was pondering this, I received an email from a young lady who had some questions about collecting art. She was in her 20s and wanted some advice about deciding what art to invest in. I must admit that initially, she had me stumped. What did I know about art collecting? Fortunately, she peeked my interest enough for me to do some research.

For many people in their twenties, art collecting can seem like a far-off pipe dream, the preserve of the older and wealthy. I understand that the average income for university graduates is Barbados is just under $50,000.

Fortunately, the art market in Barbados isn’t about $450 million Leonardo da Vinci paintings. There are many local artists that produce excellent work and offer them for sale at reasonable prices. I offer layaway options for persons desirous of purchasing my art and I am sure that many local artists would consider similar arrangements. 

The next barrier to starting your art collection is the need to discover your likes and dislikes, and know where to find and buy the art you enjoy. Local Art Galleries are excellent places to see works up close. Young collectors can support artists who are also just starting out themselves. Buying the work of an emerging (or even unknown) artist isn’t about bringing home an expensive trophy for your wall. It is about fostering the career of a young artist you respect and enjoy.  A collection doesn’t need to start with a Fielding Babb. So next time you see a work that you like and it fits your budget, “go for it.” Owning a unique creation from the hand of an artist is something you’ll enjoy for a lifetime.

Barbadians like to say that Barbados is a small place. If you see an artist's work that interests you, contact them directly. Ask to see some more of their work. More often than not you will find a piece that you like that the artist could offer you some financing on.

As I was trying to determine what type of art this young lady liked, I was also gaining some clarity about what my style was. I never thought of myself having a style. I just painted whatever caught my eye in Barbados. Then I remembered when I asked Facebook readers to help me name one of my pieces. Almost half used the words, "peace" or "tranquil" in their suggestions. While this may not be a style, per se, I realised that quiet tranquillity was the underlying theme in most of my paintings! 

I have not decided how I feel about this. This type of painting sells well but does it truly represent Barbados?

I have attached  6 images of my work. Please tell me, in your opinion,  which one would you like to own as the most representative of a painting depicting an authentic Barbadian scene. You can comment on Facebook.

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3

4

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6

As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate the comments and the kind words of encouragement. Until next time when I will share some more of my work and a little about what makes me tick, please leave a comment.  And, I will really appreciate if you share this post with your friends. To make sure that you don't miss any future posts, Please enter your email address in the subscribe by email box on the right.


Mark Phillips

Artist
Email:- mark@phillipsbajanart.com
Website:-www.phillipsbajanart.com

The Quietness that the Stillness of Nature Inspires

Harrismith. A 16 x 20 Acrylic painting of Harrismith Beach,
Barbados by Mark Phillips

 "The poor long for riches, the rich long for heaven, but the wise long for a state of tranquillity." –Swami Rama

The peace and quiet that is highlighted in these St. Philip beach scenes is what the word, paradise means to me. 

This is the latest in my collection of St. Philip Beaches. I have already painted Peat Bay, Skeete's Bay and Bottom Bay.

This was painted from a photograph that I took n December 2017. I was standing on the cliff overlooking Bottom Bay trying to get an unusual shot of the beach when I happened to look the other direction and saw this perfect shot of Harrismith.

Harrismith Beach is located between Sam Lord's Castle and Bottom Bay in the parish of St. Philip. The name Harrismith originates from a town in South Africa founded in 1849 and named after British Governor Sir Harry Smith. It is my understanding that the buildings seen on the cliff were once the site of the Harrismith Hotel. As a child, I always knew the ruins as the Harrismith Great House. 

A 16 x 20 Acrylic painting of Bottom Bay, Barbados by
Mark Phillips

Harrismith Beach was never a regular haunt of mine as a child. Most of my time was spent at Peat Bay, Bottom Bay and even Kitridge Bay even further east. Swimming was not recommended at any of these beaches because of the strong currents offshore and our swimming areas were either Skeete's Bay further North or Crane Beach or Foul Bay to the South.

Like Bottom Bay and Peat Bay,  Harrismith Beach is perfect for relaxation and inward reflection. For someone like me who enjoys their own company more than most, growing up in this part of Barbados was paradise. 

It is my opinion that the way to enjoy Barbados

A 16 x 20 Acrylic painting of Peat Bay, Barbados by
Mark Phillips

is to experience the tranquillity of our more serene beaches. Too much emphasis is placed on the overcrowded beaches of the South and West coasts. It is somewhat of a paradox for me. On one hand, I know that these beaches offer the best of Barbados and I would love to see them shared with the world but on the other hand, I would hate to see them become overcrowded and commercialised. 

The original painting of Bottom Bay has been sold, I am pleased to say, to a local collector. I am always glad when my art ends up in Barbadian homes to be enjoyed by generations of Bajans. Too often our best artwork is bought by visitors who take them away from the island and away from the eyes of Barbadians. Personally, I find this rather sad. That is why I would sell me art to residents of Barbados for far less than I could get for them just for the satisfaction of knowing that they will remain at home. 

“If you have time to chatter, Read books.
If you have time to read, Walk into mountain, desert and ocean.
If you have time to walk, Sing songs and dance.
If you have time to dance, Sit quietly, you happy, lucky idiot.”
― Nanao Sakaki 

As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate the comments and the kind words of encouragement. Until next time when I will share some more of my work and a little about what makes me tick, please leave a comment.  And, I will really appreciate if you share this post with your friends. To make sure that you don't miss any future posts, Please enter your email address in the subscribe by email box on the right.

Mark Phillips

Artist
Email:- mark@phillipsbajanart.com
Website:-www.phillipsbajanart.com
Online Store:- PhillipsArtStore

"Tranquillity" Do you recognise this beach?

"Tranquillity" A 16 x 20 Acrylic painting on stretched canvas
 by Mark Phillips

I am 95% finished with the piece. I started with a clean white canvas at 10 am and finished at 11 pm. A marathon session that saw me stopping only for the occasional bathroom break.

This is one of my favourite childhood haunts. I have spent many hours alone on this beach. In fact, I studied for a few of my GCE O'Levels sitting under the coconut trees that you see in the painting. I said a few. The truth is that I only studied for 2 O'levels, Biology and Geography and those were the only 2 "A" grades that I received. The other 6 that I passed were a combination of a decent memory and extraordinary luck.

I asked if anyone recognised this beach. The reason that I am pretty sure that not many people will. Despite my efforts to reproduce it as accurately as possible, it is simply because it is not a very well known beach. There are no signs, no access roads that do not require a 4 x 4 vehicle in good condition, nor is the water particularly safe. Many, many years ago, an artificial barrier of rocks was placed across the entrance to the beach and as small children, we were warned about the dangerous tides that existed beyond this barrier. Even the most adventurous of us did not venture there.

As children we used the beach mainly for body surfing, using whatever pieces of plywood that we could salvage to use as body boards. However, the main attraction of this beach was the coconut trees. A rite of passage into our "gang" and the status that you maintained in the group was always determined by how well the individual performed a number of tasks known as "trials". If this is sounding all too familiar, remember that we grew up reading Enid Blyton books. The Famous Five, The Secret Seven along with the Hardy Boys adventure books were a major part of our life.

These trials were always difficult. Designed to test your courage and your physical strength. Anyone could design a trial and present it to the group. He just had to be the first one to do it. One such trial was to climb every coconut tree on this particular beach. Carrying a rope and a knife you were required to cut a bunch of coconuts and lower them to the ground. This particular challenge was designed by me and I had done it alone long before I presented it to the boys. I spent many days alone on the beach and I regularly climbed every tree. Sometimes spending up to an hour perched in the treetop enjoying the breeze and the gentle and sometimes not so gentle sway of the tree. If you have never drunk a coconut while relaxing in the top of a 30ft coconut tree on a beautiful tropical beach, you have not lived!

As an adult looking back on those solo trips into the treetops with no one around, I realised that this was possibly one of the more stupid things that I had done in my lifetime. (And believe me, I had done a few stupid things!). Had I fallen and was injured, no one would have found me for a long time. I never told anyone where I was going.

I visited this beach only last week and very little has changed. It is still one of the most secluded an peaceful spots in Barbados. The occasional plastic bag and pep bottle is evidence that someone visits occasionally but until the access road is fixed, this will not be a tourist attraction any time soon.

If you know this beach please leave a comment below.

"When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused." - Rainer Maria Rilke

As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate the comments and the kind words of encouragement. Until next time when I will share some more of my work and a little about what makes me tick, please leave a comment.  And, I will really appreciate if you share this post with your friends. To make sure that you don't miss any future posts, Please enter your email address in the subscribe by email box on the right.

Mark Phillips

Artist
Email:- mark@phillipsbajanart.com
Website:-www.phillipsbajanart.com
Online Store:- PhillipsArtStore

Window to the Sea

"Window to the Sea" A 16 x 20 Acrylic Painting
by Mark Phillips

This piece was done from a photograph I took one day driving from St. Lucy's Parish Church to Speightstown. As I came around the bend at the bottom of Colleton Hill, I came upon this perfect scene.

This was painted in acrylics with a limited palette. That is to say, I used only red, yellow, blue, black & white. There was no preliminary sketch. At about 9 a.m. I started working on a blank white canvas with my #2 Filbert white bristle brush. It was one of those rare days that I could dedicate all my time to painting and by 11 pm that night I did my symbolic, (and actual), "dropping of the brush", to indicate to myself and the universe that I was finished.

I sat back looking at the painting and I realised immediately where this painting belonged. It was the perfect complement to another 16 x 20 of mine done of Bottom Bay in St. Philip and bought by a collector a few weeks before. I contacted her the next day and told her that I had a piece to show her. I took it a few days later and she wrote me the cheque on the spot! The two pieces belonged together. 

My daughter came into my studio the very next day and asked me where it had gone. She was very annoyed with me when I told her that it was sold. She wanted it for her room! I even offered to purchase a framed print of it, larger than the original, from my online store but she refused with a, "Daddy please! I only hang originals!" I have raised a snob!

Over the next few days, I will be sharing some of my older work. Many of these would have been sold and the photographs of some of them may not be of the best quality.  The main reason that I will not be showing any new work for at least a week is that I will be travelling to Miami for a few days on business and will be away from my studio. 

It is not that I have not been working. Currently, I have three (3) paintings working on simultaneously and none will be finished before I go.  They are all commisions. My facebook page has been keeping me busy but I refuse more than I accept. I am determined not to let my art turn into another "job". I work on what I enjoy and on subjects that I believe I can do justice to. At my age, this is the only way to work.  Don't just take my word for it. 

Here is what he has to say...

“There comes a time when you ought to start doing what you want. Take a job that you love. You will jump out of bed in the morning. I think you are out of your mind if you keep taking jobs that you don’t like because you think it will look good on your resume. Isn’t that a little like saving up sex for your old age?”  Warren Buffet

Warren Buffett is worth over 66 billion dollars. He is the third wealthiest person in the world. He’s the owner and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and he has pledged to give away 99 percent of his wealth to charity upon death.

As always, thank you for reading, I appreciate the comments and the kind words of encouragement. Until next time when I will share some more of my work with you, please leave a comment.  And, I will really appreciate if you share this post with your friends. To make sure that you don't miss any future posts, Please enter your email address in the subscribe by email box on the right.

Mark Phillips

Artist
Email:- mark@phillipsbajanart.com
Website:-www.phillipsbajanart.com
Online Store:- PhillipsArtStore

Fishing Boats at Six Men's

Six Men's Bay. An 11 x 14 Acrylic Painting by Mark Phillips 

I completed this painting earlier this year. This was the first in my fishing boat collection. I did this on a smaller canvas as I wanted it to sell at a price that was affordable to everyone. Like all of my 11 x 14 pieces, this piece is only Bds $400.00 and can be hung without a frame, however, as it is of a standard size, frames are readily available.

Six Men's Bay is one of the few traditional fishing villages left in Barbados. It is located on the North West Coast of Barbados, in the parish of St. Peter.

Six Men's Bay developed as a fishing village towards the end of the 19th century and to this day Bajan fishermen still regularly bring their hauls into the bay to be sold at the local Six Men's Fishing Complex. 

Due to its northerly location, Six Men's Bay is one of the less busy West Coast beaches in Barbados, perfect for those of us who enjoy peace and quiet. There is a wide sandy beach and restrooms and showers at the Six Men's Beach facility makes it the perfect location for a family day out or a picnic. Years ago, this was a favourite Sunday lime. I would cook Sunday lunch and pack it in the trunk of the car and my wife, the children and I would spend many a Sunday afternoon at Six Men's and the nearby Heywoods Beach. Alas, the children are all grown and that way of life is but a fond memory.

Six Men's Bay represents the best of what Barbados used to be. Visiting Six Mens is akin to stepping back in time. An ideal place to slow down and "chill". The Six Men's Bay community has not let development rob it of its unique Bajan character.  You can still see the local boat builders repairing their small wooden fishing boats or even building new boats on the beach, using the wood from the Barbados mahogany tree.

The Barbados fisheries sector is a significant contributor to the local economy.  Fishing in Barbados provides employment and income, directly and indirectly, for an estimated 6,000 people made up of mainly small entrepreneurs.  The Barbadian fishing fleet consists of mainly wooden vessels, some of which fish on a daily basis, and a much larger trawler-type, which stays at sea for several days. The smaller boats are referred to as, "day-boats". That’s because they usually spend one day at a time at sea, while the larger vessels are called, "ice-boats" because they carry large supplies of ice and can spend days at sea without returning to shore.

I have a lot of respect for anyone who makes a living working on a fishing boat. On a few occasions, I have spent some time on a day boat and I can personally attest to the fact that it is no picnic. I was first introduced to life on fishing boats in Skeete's Bay, St. Philip when I was a youngster, so I don't get violently seasick, (anymore). 

Early, one Sunday morning, about 15 years ago, I accompanied a friend visiting from the U.S.A and Evvy, a local boat owner, on a fishing boat out of Weston, St. James. We rowed out to the boat on a small "moses", (small wooden canoe), and climbed onto the boat with our lines and our bait  Throughout that trip, I remember having that very uncomfortable feeling in my stomach that all but the most seasoned mariners still feel every time they venture into deep, choppy water on what is no more than a few pieces of wood held together with a hope and a prayer. 

My friend, Derrick, fared a lot worst. I believe that it was his vomit that attracted the first flying fish! We spent about 4 hours out and caught a couple dozen flying fish and 2 small dolphins, (Mahi Mahi, not Flipper). We shared them among ourselves when we returned to shore. 

I cannot remember a more satisfying Sunday morning!

I leave you with the words of the inimitable Karl Marx.

"Sell a man a fish, he eats for a day, teach a man how to fish, you ruin a wonderful business opportunity." Karl Marx

As always, thank you for reading, I appreciate the comments and the kind words of encouragement. Until next time when I will share some more of my work with you, please leave a comment.  And, I will really appreciate if you share this post with your friends. To make sure that you don't miss any future posts, Please enter your email address in the subscribe by email box on the right.

Mark Phillips

Artist
Email:- mark@phillipsbajanart.com
Website:-www.phillipsbajanart.com

Online Store:- PhillipsArtStore 

Long Beach

Long Beach. A 16 x 20 acrylic painting by Mark Phillips

Earlier this year I started painting a series of beach scenes around Barbados. The initial idea was to create a body of work known as the "Sea & Sand Collection". I started with Bottom Bay in St. Philip. Bottom Bay has already been sold and this is the next instalment of the collection.

Long Beach is situated on the South East Coast of Barbados in the parish of Christ Church. It is located at one of the most south-easterly points of the island. Long Beach is Barbados's longest beach but the lack of signage and amenities means that this beach is often deserted. Just the way I like it!

In 1986 or 1987 when the Barbados Defence Force held its first training course for the newly established Commando Squadron, Long Beach was used for one of the qualifying test, "The Obstacle Course". The other tests were the" 9-mile run" through St. Philip and St. John an the "30-mile run" which started at St. Ann's Fort in St. Michael, went through St. Thomas, St. Joseph, St. Andrew, St. John, St. Philip and ended in Christ Church in the clearing between the trees on top of the cliff shown in this painting. 30 miles to be done in 7 hours and 30 minutes.

The Obstacle Course started with a run across the entire length of Long Beach. Followed by a scramble up the cliff face you see in the painting and onto the obstacle course that is just behind the line of trees in the distance. I was a young Second Lieutenant, just back from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and I had a lot to prove. I passed all the tests and I even ran the 30 mile run and the 9-mile run a number of times after I had passed , just for fun, but I never attempted the Obstacle Course again. That was not fun!

I have been asked about my motivation to paint. To be honest the short answer is that I am making up for lost time. For far too many years I let "life" get in the way of art. I painted when I was in High School. I joined the military directly after school and that was the end of my practising art for many years. After the military I was trying to build my own business. I got married, (another full time job), and my last daughter was born. For the next 21 years, I would do the occasional drawing but nothing serious.

Then, one day last year, my grand-daughter asked me to help her with a project for her Art exams, and, to paraphrase the Mighty Chalkdust, I "took up my paint brushes again"  As I was working with my grand-daughter, I realised that, my daughter,  the young lady I had planned my whole life around for over 20 years no longer needed me in the same way. She had finished her studies and was now the youngest Registered Pharmacist in Barbados working with one of the largest companies on the island. She was well on her way and I still had a lot to offer. My Art could be my new focus and with the reach of Social Media and the Internet I could expose my work worldwide.

I do not find it difficult to start painting. I sit in my studio, turn on my favourite calypso or reggae music and start looking through the large file of reference photos that I keep on my computer until something catches my eye. I will then upload that photo or photos into my photoshop type software and compose a painting. So far this has not failed me. Once I start painting I just get lost in the process and I will work until I am reach a point where I feel I can do no more at the time. 

After 1 hour

After 3 hours

As I have said before, last week was a busy one for me outside of my studio. On Monday, I just started the first in my "These Fields & Hills" collection. This is a 11 x 14 acrylic painting and I have only done about 3 hours on it so far. It was the scene at sunset. As usual, I did a rough block in. (No sketch). Then I started to develop colours. Next, I will add some trees in the mid-ground and finally add the accents produced by the sunset. Hopefully, I will more to show you next time.

"The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power". Unknown

As always, thank you for reading. I appreciate the comments and the kind words of encouragement. Until next time when I will share some more of my work and a little of the history of this blessed place that I am privileged to call home, please leave a comment.  And, I will really appreciate if you share this post with your friends. To make sure that you don't miss any future posts, Please enter your email address in the subscribe by email box on the right.

Mark Phillips

Artist
Email:- mark@phillipsbajanart.com
Website:-www.phillipsbajanart.com
Online Store:- PhillipsArtStore