Artist appeals for safe return of 'precious' sketchbook

A RENOWNED British landscape artist is seeking the help of the public to locate a sketch book of drawings which he lost after leaving them on the top of his car before driving off.

Alan Cotton, who is one of Britain's most distinctive landscape artists, was in Westport last week gathering new drawings along the west of Ireland for his next West End Exhibition with David Messum Fine Art, in St James, London.

Alan and his wife Tricia were staying in the Westport Country Lodge Hotel in Aughagower and on the morning of Wednesday, June 7, he placed his drawing book on the top of his car while loading other things. He forgot to take the book off the roof, and then drove off towards Westport.

An hour later, he discovered the book was missing and despite retracing his steps he was unable to find it.

Speaking to The Mayo News from his home in Devon, Alan said that he hopes that someone may have seen the book on the side of the road and be able to return it to him.

“It was a very stupid thing to do. I put it on the roof and simply drove off. You would think that if you retraced your steps very quickly you would find it but I did not. The hotel staff also had a look along their road without success so we are guessing someone must have picked it up.

“I was absolutely devastated and now that I am back home in Devon, I am still feeling deeply distressed by the loss. I know it is a long shot but if someone local saw it and picked it up I would be thrilled if they did. It was my stupidity really but we all make mistakes,” he explained.

As well as containing new sketches, the book also contains 'many precious drawings' from an expedition to Everest in 2011 with the explorer, Sir David Hempleman-Adams which are of sentimental value to him.

“The drawings were done above Everest Base Camp at freezing temperatures, below 20 degrees, wearing silk gloves and working for short periods because of the intense cold. I am unlikely ever to return to Tibet so the drawings are irreplaceable.

“If anyone has found a large black drawing book with a ring binder, containing over 50 drawings of Mount Everest, I would be so thrilled and grateful to have it back again and I will be offering a reward for its safe return,” he said.

Alan explained that the reason he brought the book to Ireland was because there were still a lot of blank pages left and he was going to fill them up with drawings of the west of Ireland. The drawings form the basis of the paintings which are done in his Devon studio and were to be used as part of his next exhibition to take place in London in September.

“I have painted in Ireland a lot over the years. I have mostly painted around Dingle but I have painted a lot around Donegal too. One of the reasons we like going to Ireland is because of the people who are a friendly bunch. We absolutely love it, the culture, the music, the Guinness, everything, we love it,” he said.

Anyone who may have found Alan's drawing book around Aughagower is asked to email him alancotton1@btinternet.com or contact The Mayo News office on 098 25311.