Pastel painting of sailing boats moored at Hastings Marina by award winning Australian artist Emily Holsman.

Boats and Yachts

If nothing else, the number of nautical images on the Pastel Art Prints web site will give you a clue as to how much our artists enjoy painting boats.

From the age of eight, Emily Holsman’s summer holidays were spent at the family beach house and although there was a local yacht club, hers was not a particularly boating family.

When she was in her late twenties, she stayed in a magnificent house overlooking Rushcutter’s Bay in Sydney. She would snatch precious moments alone sitting out on the balcony, gazing captivated at the sea and sailing boats below. Always with a pen and notebook in hand she would fill the pages with images that later became poems.

Her former partner was a very skilled and experienced yachtsman, but she had very little to do with his boat. They lived together for some years in Melbourne and one of Emily’s greatest pleasures was driving to the nearby boat haven of Williamstown and walking along the pier. Being surrounded by such a wonderful assortment of boats was like stepping into another world.

Some were sleek and modern, some big and stark, while others had as much character clinging to their weathered timbers as the barnacles below. Their sensual curves, strong lines and jaunty shapes piqued her imagination. The subtle merger of colours and reflections together with the sound of the wind dancing through the rigging sometimes soothed her, sometimes stunned her.

Boats, yachts and their shiny, watery reflections are a perfect foil for a pastel painter. Their gentle, movement colour and shape ideally suited to the medium and pastels seem able to capture their character like no other.

Back then Emily had not even begun to paint nor had the thought to do so even crossed her mind.

How life can change, but her love of painting boats however has never diminished.

A beautiful pastel art print, delivered unframed with a certificate of authenticity – signed and numbered by the artist. A limited edition of 300.

Available in two sizes: 12 x 18 inches and 16 x 24 inches.

Free shipping worldwide with Australia Post.

Printed on 180gsm enhanced matte art paper.

Pastel wall art makes the perfect gift or a beautiful addition to your home or office.