The Tribune

A NEW hardcover picture book on the Bahamas by acclaimed watercolour artist Graham Byfield was launched recently. The 72-page book captures the vernacular architecture of the islands in a series of graceful illustrations, with accompanying historical text.

Byfield and Smith signed copies at an invitation-only launch event on December 12 at the John Watlings Distillery in the historic Buena Vista Estate. Watling’s is one of the book’s key sponsors. Other sponsors include the Lyford Cay Club, the D’Aguilar Foundation, Odyssey Aviation, Callallo Books, Lindroth Development and preservation architect Anthony Jervis.

Bahamas Sketchbook is a celebration of the built environment on several Bahamian islands, portraying classic scenes and architectural details on New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera, Long Island and Cat Island. Some 30 of the book’s original watercolours will be on sale at the launch event.

“I spent about 18 months creating these illustrations, and during that time had the pleasure of visiting many of the out islands,” Byfield said. “I sincerely hope this book will make people more aware of the need to conserve the traditional architecture of the Bahamas.”

The illustrations are accompanied by notes handwritten by the artist, and an introductory text by Bahamian journalist Larry Smith. Published by Singapore-based Editions Didier Millet, the book retails in local stores for $30.

Bahamas Sketchbook is an attractive coffee table book that depicts historic buildings in the central, eastern and western districts of Nassau, including over-the-hill, and on Paradise Island, Abaco, Eleuthera, Long Island and Cat Island. The text includes a general historical introduction, with brief commentary on the various communities and buildings portrayed.

Over the past several years Byfield has published a series of sketchbooks featuring cities and other places of interest around the world. Born in London he had a long career as a graphic artist and creative director for major ad agencies like the Saatchi Group, retiring about 12 years ago to paint full time. He currently lives in Menorca, Spain where he operates an art gallery.

Larry Smith is a Bahamian journalist who writes a high-profile weekly column for The Tribune on current affairs, the environment and heritage issues. A former newspaper reporter and tourism writer, he founded Media Enterprises, a Nassau-based communications agency and book distributor, in 1984.

Among the advertising accounts Byfield worked on was Singapore Airlines, which involved a lot of travel to the Far East. In his spare time he created a series of prints and cards featuring the architecture of Singapore, which his wife successfully marketed.

“During this period my work became well known, so I began thinking about a book. And since the city was in the midst of a major restoration effort, I thought my ‘Singapore Sketchbook’ should focus on architectural conservation.”

That book became a best seller in Asia, and was quickly followed by others featuring Bali, London, Oxford, and Amsterdam – all of which are still selling well in four languages around the world. The Bahamas Sketchbook is the latest in this series, and was suggested by Graham’s cousin, Bonny Byfield, a fellow artist who has worked in Nassau since 1983.

“Our fathers were very close brothers and I stayed with Bonny whenever I visited Nassau on my travels. She has run a decorative painting business here for the last 27 years,” Byfield said. “With her encouragement and logistical help, we managed to find a very good writer as well as some like-minded sponsors who are passionate about architectural conservation, and the Sketchbook gradually took shape.”

• Bahamas Sketchbook is distributed by Media Enterprises (www.bahamasmedia.com).