About Black Dog Bargeware
ABOUT
All items are hand painted in Aberdeenshire, freehand, without using stencils etc so each item will be unique and may differ slightly from the picture. I only use quality paint and varnish so your new canalware will look vibrant for years to come.
Most of what is for sale has been re-purposed and upcycled (except for bookmarks, coasters, door plaques etc) as I feel it's important to save these items from landfill, and give them a new lease of life
CARING FOR YOUR BARGEWARE
Your item won't need much care, but any scrapes or paint chips should be touched up ASAP.
The varnish manufacturer recommends that a new coat should be added every two to three years, possibly more if kept outside year round.
My items are NOT dishwasher safe, a wipe down with a damp cloth will be sufficient
IF YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT YOU WANT
please don't hesitate to message me via the contact page, as I have a garage full of pots and pans etc waiting to be painted, and most weekends I'll be trawling the local salvage yards so can keep my eye out for anything.
Likewise if you have something that you own and would like painted, get in contact to discuss your requirements.
WHAT IS IT?
Bargeware, canalware, canalia, narrow boat art, folk art, call it what you will, was developed by the working boatmen and boatwomen as a way of colourfully decorating their homes inside and out. The painting is stylised, and was done in a brisk fashion, as time is money, so there wasn't much time to sit round retouching bits and perfecting each stroke. Thus was born a beautiful and vibrant artform that is still ubiquitous on the canals today, even though the working boat familes are long gone.