An impressive new painting of Nancy Blackett by noted marine artist Patrick Donovan (ARSMA) has been presented to the Nancy Blackett Trust. Prints and cards are available from our shop.

About the painting

Patrick Donovan's watercolour of Nancy Blackett is the result of a commission by a Nancy Blackett Trust member, who subsequently donated the painting to the Trust. Most unusually for a work of art, it has come to the Trust together with its copyright, which enables us to make use of it to raise funds by selling prints and reproductions.

Measuring 300 x 600mm, it shows Nancy Blackett sailing in her home waters off the East Coast, surrounded by the sort of local boats that would have been familiar to Arthur Ransome when he owned her. Astern of her is the smack Charlotte Ellen, built by Kidby of Brightlingsea in 1906, while to the left of the picture is Mayflower, built by Aldous of Brightlingsea in 1897.

About the artist

Marine artist Patrick Donovan specialises in meticulously researched paintings of historic vessels in specific situations, though his range also embraces yacht portraits.

Born in 1944 in Hampshire, Patrick served 10 years in the RAF's Mountain and Desert Rescue Service until a climbing injury forced early retirement and he took up painting. His works are a regular feature of the Royal Society of Marine Artists' annual London exhibition, where they command four-figure prices, and he is an elected Associate of the RSMA. He is also a member of the American Society of Marine Artists, exhibiting regularly at Mystic Seaport's Maritime Gallery.

He works chiefly in watercolour because, he says, "in some ways it is less forgiving than oils – once you start, you are committed. You are always conscious of where the light is and the weather, and what the light does to the sea."

Patrick and his wife Marilyn live by the sea near Dover, Kent.