Love of Sailing Transitions to Passion for Painting
by Del Morrison 3 Dec 2020 22:05 PST
Del Morrison © Del Morrison Art
My love of sailing started as a young girl sailing with my father. Over the years I have raced in the Heineken Cup in the Caribbean, the Brisbane to Gladstone, Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta in Melbourne and many other long and short distance races in Australia.
I have helped deliver boats both overseas and within Australia. This experience and knowledge allows me to depict the details of a boat, its hull and rigging and the effect of the wind on the water. This has inspired me to capture my experiences and those of other sailors through my art and create lasting memories of great adventures on the ocean.
I love to paint sailors' memories onto their own charts. The charts may be dog-eared and stained but the way-points they have painstakingly marked will reflect their adventures in sailing their boat to their destination. The old paper chart still holds such fascination. I find that when people see my work, they are not just looking at the painting, they are identifying and remembering the places on that chart they have raced or cruised past - or may have anchored for a night or two.
The exciting part for me is that everyone's memories are different. It is great to work with clients and custom design a painting using their selected chart and a photo of their boat. I was so pleased with a client's reaction to his painting saying he was ecstatically happy with it—the chart was relevant to where the boat was sailed and the painting just "nailed" the boat. It brought back wonderful memories of the great times he and friends had on the boat.
Clients can commission me to work with them in designing their own custom made paintings. Clients can chose if the boat is going downwind with the spinnaker flying or upwind on a starboard or port tack. Also if they wish to use some old ropes and shackles, they may be used to hang the painting. I work with the client through the process, sending them photos of the progress and once they are happy, the painting will be sent to them either framed or unframed.
I offer free shipping within Australia.
These unique paintings make wonderful gifts and my commissioned work is often a gift from a partner, son or daughter to the sailor in their family.
To discuss designing and commissioning your own painting contact me on or go to the website, delmorrisonart.com.au