A Working Life in Fishing, Art and Advocacy
Combining firsthand knowledge, visual storytelling and industry expertise to bridge the gap between the quayside and the wider world.
The Skipper, The Artist, The Advocate
My work is defined by over four decades of observation—whether that is reading the weather from the wheelhouse, analyzing policy for the industry, or capturing the light over Newlyn Harbour on canvas.
My career began in 1978, taking me from deckhand to Skipper. That lived experience is the foundation of everything I do. It fuels Through the Gaps, the UK’s longest-running and most comprehensive fishing blog, and grounds my consultancy work. When needed, I act as a bridge between the fishing community and those wishing to engage with the community. .
With 25 years of experience in Further & Secondary education, I specialise in translating complex policy into practical language. I advise bodies like the MSC on how to communicate effectively with fishermen, ensuring that the gap between high-level documentation and life on the quay is bridged with respect and clarity.
This deep connection to the industry also informs my art. Working in the studio and plein air in oils and watercolours, I document the working life of the harbour. From illustrating fish festivals, writing for fishing publications to sitting on the Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commissioners Advisory Board for 12 years, my goal is always to represent the reality of the sea—whether through a paintbrush, a policy document, or a camera lens.
Newlyn: Through the Lens, The Brush, and The Net
Capturing the authentic spirit of the Cornish fishing industry since 1978.
To understand the harbour, you have to know the rhythm of the tides and the weight of the gear. My work—whether on canvas, through a camera lens, or advising a film crew—is rooted in over four decades of life on and off the sea.
I don’t just observe the maritime landscape; I have lived it.
The Artist & Photographer
My artistic practice is driven by a desire to document the reality of Newlyn. I primarily work in oils and watercolours, filling sketchbooks that serve as a visual diary of harbour life. As a proud member of the Cornwall Plein Air Painters, I believe in the energy of working on location, capturing the shifting light of the Atlantic coast. I have had works hung in the Getty Photograpic Libray and the RSMA Annual Exhibition, Mall Gallery.
Unlike many maritime artists, my background means I know how a boat sits in the water and how the gear operates. I strive for technical accuracy as much as atmospheric beauty.
Since 2000, I have also been building a comprehensive digital library of the industry. This archive chronicles the evolution of the fleet and the people who work it. This passion for documentation led to the creation of my blog, Through the Gaps, which has been recording the daily pulse of the fishing industry since 2008.
The Consultant & Media Fixer
Beyond the easel, I act as a bridge between the fishing community and the wider world. My years of experience “fishing out of Newlyn” have evolved into a consultancy role where I facilitate projects for media, academia, and scientific organizations.
I specialise in acting as a Fixer and Advisor for television and film, ensuring productions get the access they need and the authenticity the story deserves. My portfolio includes advising on productions such as the BBC’s This Fishing Life, helping producers navigate the logistics of a working port.
I also dedicate time to mentoring:
- Student Research: Facilitating university students with dissertations and field studies.
- Journalism & Literature: Advising authors and journalists on industry accuracy.
- Industry Collaboration: I have worked alongside key organizations including the CFPO (Cornish Fish Producers Organisation), CSMA, MSC (Marine Stewardship Council), and Cefas.
Connect
Whether you are a collector looking for authentic Cornish art, or a producer looking for a fix on the fishing industry, I am here to help.