The Lincoln Imp Trail this summer was a great success.  Sponsored by the New Theatre Royal Lincoln my Imp represented the Harlequin character from the Comedia del Arte theatre.  Harlequin Imp was situated in Lincoln High Street for the summer.  At the end of the Trail the Imps were auctioned and raised £128,000 for St Barnabas Hospice in Lincoln.  

Click on my News page to see The Advent Windows I've designed and created and for further information about a Living Advent Calendar Trail taking place in Norfolk.

I hope you enjoy seeing the wide variety of items that can be decorated with the Canal Art style, after the fabulous decorations you can see on canal boats throughout the UK.

The tradition of decorating boats and boatmen’s objects dates back to the earliest days of Britain’s canals of the modern era, so circa 1760s. It is hard to say with any certainty how this tradition came about, but the inland waterways story gives us some clues.

Prior to the coming of the canals, carters in England were in the habit of painting floral designs on their carts and wagons. Some of the larger vehicles were elaborately decorated with intricate piping and lining, cartouche panels and clusters of roses. It is thought that these expert horse drivers may have been among the first generation of horse drawn boat operators, we might, therefore, suppose that they began adorning their boats as they had done their carts. Over time, this resulted in a stunning array of swags and garlands of roses which brightened up the boatman’s cabin and many of the tools of his trade.

Images subject to copyright laws. Please contact us if you wish to use them. All items shown on this website are for decorative purposes only.

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