Profiles

As an Artist and Chef, and husband and wife, James and Maggie run the Art Cafe together on Mersea Island.  James is a traditional Mersea lad and grew up on the Island, Maggie has lived there now for eight years.

One of James' beach hut watercolours

They set up the Art Cafe in Mersea five years ago and since then it has grown in popularity:

"I don't know which comes first - the art or the coffee.  Whether you are feeding people's tummies or soles, but art and coffee definitely go together," James says.

The couples passion for their business shines through and they virtually work seven days a week.  They have a twin cafe based in Colchester.

Maggie and James know most locals

Most of the artwork sold is from Mersea artists at the moment.  There are about ten artists exhibiting work at any given time.

James says: "Since we've opened it's become a hub of the community, where as the intention was people would come here for the art, now they come and sit and chat and drink coffee."

They have tried to make the cafe reflect the location as people visit Mersea for holidays.

Whilst James is busy with his water colours and pastels, Maggie has her work cut out for her, supplying the food.  She insists on making everything herself, from salad dressings to cakes.

Most of the art work sold is local

So as a married couple, what is it like running two cafe's, working and living together?

"It's lovely," they both say in unison.  

James continues: "I think we have surprised ourselves as to how well we get on in business.  Touch wood so far we are really enjoying it."

Being so busy all the time where does James get the inspiration from for his art work?  He says:

"Sometimes I know exactly where it comes from - I get out on the marshes, it's such an inspiring environment, the sky is so big and interesting.  The beach hut's I've always been fascinated with and the Englishness of them."