A Fishing Fleet

"A Fishing Fleet Sailing Out" - watercolour - 25 x 36 cm Fishing at sea is a dangerous occupation, even with modern vessels and communications. I can only begin to imagine how tough it must have been in past times. In their sailing boats they were at the mercy of the wind and couldn't be sure of reaching a sheltered harbour quickly. They didn't have the luxury of modern weather-forecasting either. Something about this piece reminds me of the watercolours that Winslow Homer painted at Cullercoats. He spent a few years there living with the fishing community and recording their lives. Some of the most memorable images for me are the women waiting on the shore and looking for their menfolk returning. "Fisherman's Family (The Lookout)" by Winslow Homer "Returning Fishing Boats" by Winslow Homer