"The watercolours you will enjoy in this book are in the tradition of The Grand Tour, when, in the eighteenth century, young men were sent abroad to experience European culture. The places they visited would be recorded in a sketchbook to be displayed on their return. The paintings are presented as a journal of his travels near and far and painted over several years. The works are, like those of Prince Charles, an irrepressible expression of a desire to paint..."
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Across the Waters is a joyous journey across the globe through a series of watercolours fashioned in the tradition of Honorary Member of the Royal Watercolour Society, The Prince of Wales (now His Majesty King Charles III.)
This book is sure to capture interest both locally and abroad for its sweeping depictions of both familiar and foreign spots. Paintings in the book include autumn scenes in Virginia, to lovely coastal landscapes in New Zealand and safari scenes in South Africa just to name a few. With the true patience necessary for any “amateur” artist, James Moser pairs each painting with a description describing the conditions of his paintings, some dating back to his early travels as a teenager and some to recent trips he has been blessed to take – no matter the timeline, Moser’s tone is always modest and curious, highlighting local trivia and bringing the reader along a fascinating and often humorous international tour. The book is also stuffed full of stories, from the difficulties of trying to photograph scenes for later study in a bad fog, the memory of an angry mother rhino accompanying a painting from South Africa, or the fond nostalgia accompanying a painting from his native Virginia. While Moser describes himself as an amateur artist, he no less cares for each painting in a consistent, attentive fashion, and emphasizes interesting and lovely facts and anecdotes about his travels all over the world. Across the Waters is sure to delight both art lovers and those simply looking for a jolly good tale. |