This unique set of five Fine Art Greetings Cards, depicting Nancy Blackett at sea, is available from the Nancy Blackett Shop on special offer for just £5.

Nancy Blackett greetings card by Patrick Donovan (click to enlarge)

The design is reproduced from a watercolour by the renowned marine artist Patrick Donovan, and 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 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.

Patrick Donovan was born in Hampshire in 1944, and 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.”

His watercolour of Nancy Blackett was the result of a commission by a Nancy Blackett Trust member, who subsequently donated the painting to the Trust. 

These Fine Art Greetings Cards are A5 in size and blank inside, and come with their own envelopes. The set of 5 is available for £5 (plus delivery) from the Nancy Blackett Shop, saving 50% over the individual cards which are priced at £2 each.

As always, proceeds go towards the work of the Nancy Blackett Trust, and the ongoing care and maintenance of Nancy Blackett.