Location, Location, Location
The search begins
In the first blog post, Jon spoke about how city centre retail had changed so dramatically since we arrived in 2016, and the time has come for another move.
But where?
There are lots of factors at play when deciding the location for business premises. In our case we’re looking for somewhere that offers easy access and convenient free parking, enough space to accommodate display and workshop areas together, and that hopefully offers lower overheads than city centre.
All of which points towards an out-of-town small business unit. First decision made.
That, however, was the easy bit. Next we had to decide where the unit should be!
For many years I was known as a mountain painter, and then farming and rural life. Special as these subjects are to me, in reality I find beauty all around me and a place I have often been at my happiest when painting is at the coast. I love the drama of the British coastline with its ever-changing light and atmosphere.
Power - oil on canvas
From mountains to the sea
Besides any painting considerations, Jon and I also wanted to take the opportunity to think about where we wanted to live. We’ve been in the same property on top of the Clwydian range for over twenty years, and maybe it was time for a change here too. We spoke about it, and both said the same thing - we love the mountains, but we both felt it was time for a move down to the coast. Second decision made.
We took a drive out to look at business parks around the north of Chester and along the North Wales coast, and although we found a few that could work, nothing was really hitting the spot for either of us.
Maps, miles, and possibilities
Then the penny dropped. We have customers all over the country who are happy to shop over the internet, so we no longer needed to restrict ourselves to the area in which I’d first become established as an artist. Maps were duly pored over, and in July we headed off to explore a stretch of coastline we knew and loved - the bay that extends from Dartmouth around to Weymouth, which includes the Jurassic Coast.
First impressions of Devon
It was only a short visit, but it didn’t disappoint. One day was spent hunting business units - more of which in the next blog - and the other, more significant day was spent touring potential painting locations to give me a feel for the area. I had already painted several times in Sidmouth with its fabulous red cliffs, so this day we started on the quayside in Dartmouth. Any nervousness we had both felt about the decision we were contemplating was ebbing away as I instantly felt at home sketching the boats on the River Dart.
After a fabulous pasty, we slowly made our way through Torbay. I tried sketching in Torquay harbour but it was so windy I was struggling to keep the pages down and both me and the palm trees were having a proper bad hair day. Finally we ended up on the sea front in Teignmouth - more fabulous views, the best fish & chips, and an evening walk along the sea wall waving to the train drivers.
All deliberations were over, and the third decision was made. We will be making our new home in Devon.
In Dartmouth, pre-pasty
A new chapter in the West Country
Besides Devon itself, I am very excited about the possibilities of painting all four counties of the West Country - Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and Dorset. We are currently looking for a business unit that’s convenient to get to if you live in or are holidaying in the area - or passing by to or from your holiday, and we’ll keep you up to date with progress.
Not saying goodbye
Does this mean I’m abandoning North Wales and the Lake District? Absolutely not. There might not be so many new paintings of these areas in future, but I’ve enjoyed painting them, they are close to my heart, and I will return. Of course, all my existing work will still be available on my website with free UK delivery.
Next time we’ll share more about our hunt for the right business unit in Devon
Epilogue - he’s a very naughty boy
We didn’t see this sign prohibiting wheelchairs until we got back from our walk along Teignmouth sea wall.
Rest assured that if Jon had seen it before, he would have just regarded it as a challenge.
He said the path was absolutely fine, just a little uneven in places.
More stories, more sketches, and maybe more mischief await us in Devon 😊