Art at Sea…………

When I took my first P&O cruise in 2004 I never ever thought I would become a lover of Art. My husband and I were on a cruise to the Fjords on Oceana and on the first sea day there was an art auction and as there was a free glass of champagne for grabs we thought we would go along and see what it was all about. It was amazing how many people turned up for this and the pieces up for auction were even more amazing. Watching people bidding for pieces that were worth more than my house had me gobsmacked. In 2008 on the maiden voyage of Ventura P&O intoduced Whitewall Galleries to their ships and these galleries are now aboard Ventura, Azura, Oceana and Arcadia, and this is where I found my real love for art in the shape of Doug Hyde.

In 2002, Doug Hyde was a young artist painting pictures for his family and friends in his spare time. In 2005, Doug Hyde was named as the UK’s best selling published artist and described as the UK’s most popular living artist on a BBC TV national news broadcast.

Since then Doug’s popularity and profile has increased both at home and abroad, and he has recently returned from a sell-out tour in Japan. Yet despite his phenomenal success he has never lost touch with the realities of life, and has continued to produce work based around his love for his family, his unfailing optimism and his sheer enthusiasm for life.

I am now the proud owner of one of his pictures  and 3 of his sculptures and as I will be on Azura in September again, who knows what I’ll buy!

My Proud Possesions!

The most recognisable artist they have featured in the Galleries is of course ” have you guessed what it is yet” Rolf Harris. While I was onboard Azura in June this year they actually had an original on sale for the small price of £45,000.! Bit out of my price range but lovely to see all the same.

For any of you art lovers out there, or even if your not a big fan, next time you are on a P&O cruise pop along to the art gallery and take a look for yourself its definately worth a visit.