Classic yacht paintings · J-Class yacht paintings · Superyacht paintings
My Yachting Work
“My simple aim is to recreate these spectacular scenes in oil paint.”
The sea on my doorstep
Where it began
Born in a coastal town has meant I’ve had the sea on my doorstep for the whole of my life. I began by painting the local Falmouth Working Boats. With the beauty of their gaff rigs and striking colourful topsails, set against the backdrop of Falmouth Harbour, St.Mawes, Pendennis Headland or the Carrick Roads - How is that not going to be a pretty sight?! . . . It’s one I’ll never tire of.
Then, in 2001, everything changed.
2001 · Jubilee Regatta, Cowes
The moment my career path changed forever
An invitation from my good friend — and one of the world’s best marine artists — Tim Thompson took me to the Jubilee Regatta in Cowes. The Classic Yachts I witnessed were utterly stunning.
The sheer size was one thing — but add to that their grace & beauty, and I was totally hooked.
Four decades on the water
Forty years of spectacular sights
I’ve now been painting yachts for 40 years, and in that time I’ve attended many worldwide regattas and events, and witnessed some pretty spectacular sights — to name just a few…
If you love yachts but have never witnessed them up close — please make the effort to get on the water for one of the Classic Regattas. You won’t ever regret it. Seeing them from afar is one thing; having one power (or glide) past within metres is something else entirely.
Personal favourites · The 19 Metre Mariquita
“In my opinion, the most beautiful yacht in the world — bar none.”
The classic yachts I keep coming back to . . .
The magnificent J-Class; the stunning 19 Metre Mariquita; the current 15 Metre fleet of Tuiga, The Lady Anne, Mariska & Hispania; and long-loved favourites such as Moonbeam of Fife, Moonbeam IV, Mariette, Cambria, Elena and Eleonora — among many, many others.
“Jamie Medlin is one of the finest living marine artists… his near-photographic attention to detail is perfectly suited to the yachts he depicts, evoking memories of the golden age of yachting, which — combined with the colour and vibrancy of his paintings — makes these works modern masterpieces.”— Christie’s Auction House, London
Original Yacht paintings
Christie’s, London
I was then encouraged to auction my yacht paintings at Christie’s in their maritime sales. It took a long time to build up the confidence to approach them — but when I did, the auctions were a huge success.
I’ve been privileged to be given three front covers on their maritime auction catalogues — including a front-and-back jacket double-cover for my America’s Cup painting (the only time this has ever been allowed) and an inside double-page spread of my Mariquita – Pendennis Cup.
A portfolio of high-profile yacht commissions
Yacht paintings sold to owners & some of the world’s most prominent collectors of marine art
- Royalty — HRH The Aga Khan’s ground-breaking superyacht Alamshar, plus seven further paintings bought at Christie’s to furnish his Costa Smeralda yacht club in Sardinia.
- A rockstar — considered by many the greatest guitarist ever — with two paintings of his motor yacht Va Bene.
- Superyacht owners — two commissions for the late Tom Perkins of his ground-breaking Perini Navi, The Maltese Falcon.
- J-Class owners
- Classic Yacht owners
…among a host of other commissions.
In print
Publications featuring my work
The portfolio of yachting work has led to a host of publications — books on Mariquita, Lulworth, Mariette and the J-Class, alongside many high-end magazine articles on my paintings.
Where to find the work
Representation & prints
I’m represented for my yachting work by Rountree Tryon Gallery, London, and sell my full range of limited-edition yachting prints directly through this website and through the K1 Britannia Shop in Cowes. Hope you like the work…
