| As well as vast numbers of pleasure
boats Phil has worked on countless historic boats for private owners,
museums and heritage trusts – including , between January and April of
2011 alone, Ovaltine motor boat “Mimas”, Holloway's tug “Helen”,
Grand Union motor “Greenock” and Clayton's “ Gifford”. He
has Waterways Craft Guild “Master” Accreditations in Boat Painting,
Signwriting, Coach Painting and Decorative Painting.
Phil offers the following services ;
Boat Signwork and Traditional Decoration, Back-cabin and external
Graining. Coach-Painting, Lining
and authentic canal Painted Ware. No Giftware in any shape or form!
In recent years he has extended his market to include the occasional
signwork and coach painting on heritage vehicles although canal boats
remain his main focus.
His recent move, with his (very tolerant) wife Zita , plus dogs , cat,
horses, Alfa Romeos, motorcycle and so on, to the Highlands of Scotland
has caused rumours of his retirement – but it isn't so, not for a few
years yet (see above – particularly horses and Alfa Romeos. His
enthusiasm for boat decoration is the only one of many that brings an
income!). To counter the need for greater travelling expenses Phil
arranges his diary so that he can do two or three jobs on every work
trip to England as well as fitting boat work around the painting courses
he runs near Stourbridge. This means that no one customer need pay an
unreasonable amount beyond the price of the work itself.
Phil, with Zita, created Craftmaster Paints and was Managing Director
for ten years during which time they developed and brought to market a
comprehensive range of specialized paint products. These they
successfully established throughout the canal, steam, fairground and
vintage transport markets. Although Craftmaster is now owned and run by
the Brown family of Over near Cambridge (friends as well as colleagues)
Phil remains very much involved as Craftmaster's “Head of Technical”.
His boat painting business at Dadford`s Wharf Wordsley is now in the
hands of his long time employee John Sanderson and Chris Lucas – John is
still fit enough to do the job (perhaps “young enough” is nearer the
mark!), and having been Phil's right hand man for fifteen years was the
natural successor when the old man began to feel his age somewhat!
Sanderson – Lucas are hugely talented and highly recommended
by Phil himself – who does their signwork and decoration as often as is
practical. Phil's last and best trainee, now colleague, Meg Gregory
covers for Phil when he is not available and very often works alongside
him when he is.
PAINTING COURSES:
Phil has run training courses in traditional painting for many years and
many hundreds of people have, over that time, gained valuable practical
knowledge, a grasp of the historic significance of boat decoration and
had a good time doing so – despite Phil's selection of appalling bear
jokes. Courses for 2011 are as follows ;
MARCH 26th /27th - “ROSES and CASTLES”
A limited number of students paint a tray with a landscape and flowers
with demonstrations and tuition from Phil and Meg. Trays, brushes and
all materials are provided. Course fee - £100.00 for the weekend
including refreshments and lunches.
APRIL 2nd/3rd – JUNE 4th/5th – SEPTEMBER 10TH/11th – OCTOBER 22nd/23rd
“HOW TO PAINT YOUR BOAT”
These courses have become hugely popular. Over the two days Phil
demonstrates and describes all the techniques and tricks he has learned
over the years as a Coach-painter – painting , lining , colour choice
and schemes. This includes steel; and wood preparation , the nature and
use of Primers, Undercoats and Enamels, all the equipment necessary –
its use and where best to acquire or hire it.
Course fee - £85.00 per person.
All courses are held at Red House Cone Museum in Wordsley near
Stourbridge.
For details please contact ;
richardhspeight@ntlworld.com or 01838 400269 |
