Neil Pockett
Watercolour pictures & landscape paintings of Sidmouth
About Neil
Neil Pockett retired from the teaching profession in 2005, having been Headmaster of St John's School in Sidmouth for 23 years. He has always had a keen interest in art and enjoyed watercolour painting and sketching as a hobby throughout his teaching career.
On his retirement the parents, colleagues and governors presented Neil and his wife with the gift of a painting holiday to France. His present style of pen and watercolour sketches evolved from the encouragement and guidance he enjoyed during ten days spent in the Lot valley of France.
A regular visitor to the Isles of Scilly, Neil enjoys spending the days sketching and painting the islands, beaches and pure beauty of this unique part of the UK.
The idea of his first book Sidmouth Scribbles was prompted by his daily early morning walks along Sidmouth Esplanade, Connaught Gardens, and the town. Retirement has led to a more measured lifestyle with more time to look and reflect on the beauty of the town and the environment Neil is fortunate to live in. Encouraged by his son who is a professional artist and friends, Neil took the decision to publish the book after finding a local printer who he felt would be sympathetic to the work he was producing.
His second book called Sidmouth Snippets which contains smaller and more intimate paintings of the town has now been followed by a larger book of paintings of Sidmouth throughout the seasons. “Sidmouth Seasons”, recently published along with the other two books are available from Paragon Books on Sidmouth High Street.
Neil is currently exhibiting the original paintings in the Samaritans Charity shop in the old bank on Sidmouth High Street.