This is such a relaxing painting showing two people taking a leisurely stroll on the bank of the Grand Western Canal. There is no wind and the reflections of the trees on the water are just perfect. We love how Vince Peterson used subtle shades of blues, purples and greens in this painting, which are offset by the splash of red and yellow in the right bottom corner. It just gives that little zing. The Grand Western Canal extends for eleven and a quarter miles (18km) from the Canal Basin in Tiverton, through the villages of Halberton, Sampford Peverell, and Burlescombe, to its present-day terminus at the hamlet of Lowdwells, close to the Somerset border.

Originally part of an ambitious scheme to link the Bristol Channel with the English Channel, the Canal was proposed as a way for shipping to avoid the long and perilous journey around the Cornish peninsula, and as a route for transporting goods, including coal from South Wales, into the heart of Somerset and Devon. The first section was opened in 1814 and, rather than using locks, the canal follows contours through the construction of cuttings and embankments to make it as flat as possible.

The frame measures 48 by 41 cm, whilst the painting itself measures 34 x 26 cm.

Gathering Seashells

When we saw Gathering Seashells being offered on the market, we were delighted to secure the painting for our clients. What can be more important than gathering seashells during a walk on the beach? We get positively greedy as there is always a prettier seashell just a few meters down the shoreline. Despite the tranquil subject of the painting, it has loads of energy and movement. The colors are beautifully muted and light, just as you would expect at a bright day at the seaside.

Johnny Morant is a very well known British painter who has had many solo exhibitions in London. Looking at his website, Gathering Seashells was painted in 2016.I

The size of unframed painting is 60 x 60cm and the frame makes it slightly larger (78 x78cm).

Exam Tomorrow 

The well known artist Alexei Chebotaru has painted this lovely little painting in shades of pinks, corals and creams. It depicts a little girl cramming for her exam the very next day. It is obvious that she is assisted by a very serious teddy bear providing mental support. We thought that it would delightful in the Creativity and Children area of any house, especially if there are children in the house. You will be able to point at the paint and tell them to look things up for themselves.

It is amazing how small things learned at school can have an effect on a later career. One of Mrs. B's business contacts thought she was well read in French classic literature. Mrs. B. had an amazing French teacher with a love for literature, which rubbed off. At her French literature exam, Mrs. B.  could tell the teacher the informal connection between Guy de Maupassant and Gustave Flaubert because she had read an extra book about French literature and she remembered that little detail at the crucial moment.

The painting has been framed in a whitewashed floating wooden frame for a fresh look, which complements the paint beautifully. The size of unframed painting is 33 x 43 cm and the frame makes it slightly larger.

In Feng Shui an image of a bird will bring light, inspiration and good luck to your home. A seagull represents adaptability, resourcefulness as well as opportunities and favorable circumstances. In our view a life buoy is always a handy item to have around on the waterfront.

This beautifully painted little oil on board by the charming painter Vita Schagen is rendered in tasteful shares of cream, grey, turquoise and deep hues of blue. Mrs B. thinks it would make a perfect present to inspire a young lawyer. A lawyer once told her he wanted to be a Seagull lawyer; fly in screaming, poop everywhere and fly away screaming. Vita has signed the painting and provided a certificate of authenticity.

The painting has been framed in a neutral floating wooden frame and measures 27 x 33cm.

Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying ‘the smallest feline is a masterpiece’. And in this lovely little oil painting, the very talented Vita captured the essence of perfection twice. Cats bring great energy to a house and this duo can be counted on not to scratch your furniture, shed hair all over the place or serenade you in the middle of the night when they are bored. The colors are lovely with black, white, earth tones, blue tones and some red. Vita Schagen has signed the painting and provided a certificate of authenticity.

The painting has been framed in a neutral wooden frame and measures 27 x 33 cm.

Happy Days is a contemporary oil painting by the well known Ukrainian painter Aleksei Chebotaru. It measures 50 by 70cm and has been framed in modern neutral wooden floating frame.

When we saw 'Happy Day' for the first time, we knew we wanted it to have it for the Black Hat Gallery. It reminded us of drinking a cup of morning coffee in the garden on a gloriously summer day followed by a nice nature walk, a very boozy lunch (without calories) followed by reading a good book or some afternoon shopping and a concert in the evening. We should have more of these days...

'Happy days' is so colorful that it would enhance any area in your house which could use a boost. We will have to pry it out of Mrs. B's hands as she loves this painting so much. Don't worry, we will distract her with some peppermint choc chip ice-cream..