Meet the Portsmouth artist who found solace in ancient art form and is hoping to teach others how to do the same

AN ARTIST is encouraging people to visit his studio and learn the relaxing art of water painting.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

James Mouland, who runs James Mouland Ebru Studio, at the Hot Walls, in Old Portsmouth, with his wife Bahar, has been practising the ancient art of Ebru for the past 12 years.

After a horrific car crash – from which he was the only survivor – changed his life in 1998 James has found solace and peace through Ebru – a form of water painting.

The 46-year-old from Southsea learnt the skill in Istanbul from master Kubilay Dincer after James’ wife introduced them.

James Mouland (46) inside Hotwalls Studio 13, with some of his huge range of art pieces. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)James Mouland (46) inside Hotwalls Studio 13, with some of his huge range of art pieces. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)
James Mouland (46) inside Hotwalls Studio 13, with some of his huge range of art pieces. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)

He said: ‘He couldn't get rid of me. I spent the next five years pestering him and learning techniques.

Read More
Water quality campaigners hope new owners of Southern Water Macquarie will impro...

‘The first time I did it, it was the first time that I had gone more than an hour without thinking about the crash.

‘After something so traumatic, it is always there in your peripheral, especially if you are living with pain. It is a constant reminder.

Some of the larger creative works produced by James Mouland. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)Some of the larger creative works produced by James Mouland. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)
Some of the larger creative works produced by James Mouland. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)

‘I kept going until I learnt how to do the marbling and before long I had built up a skill. I found that by focusing on something, it was so meditative.’

James met his wife Bahar in Southsea in 2004 when she was working for IBM in HR. After several years back in Bahar’s home country, the pair have settled in Southsea with their two children Baris, 10, and Melodi, seven.

They opened the studio in the Hot Walls in 2016, selling art and products such as cards, T-shirts, plus more, as well as holding classes and workshops.

James said he is keen to welcome people back into the studio, especially after a rocky 18 months.

James Mouland (46) and Bahar Mouland (43) outside their Hotwalls Studio 13, with some of their original artworks. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)James Mouland (46) and Bahar Mouland (43) outside their Hotwalls Studio 13, with some of their original artworks. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)
James Mouland (46) and Bahar Mouland (43) outside their Hotwalls Studio 13, with some of their original artworks. Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)

He can teach the skill for £50 for an hour, or £130 for the day, plus he holds regular free 10-minute taster sessions and he can take his classes into other venues.

James said there are so many benefits to the learning the art form, and that he hopes to help people by spreading awareness of it.

He has taught classes to Veterans Outreach Support and at Making Space in Havant to people with learning disabilities.

James Mouland, 46, and Bahar Mouland, 43, outside their Hotwalls Studio 13, with children Melodi, seven, and Baris, 10 Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)James Mouland, 46, and Bahar Mouland, 43, outside their Hotwalls Studio 13, with children Melodi, seven, and Baris, 10 Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)
James Mouland, 46, and Bahar Mouland, 43, outside their Hotwalls Studio 13, with children Melodi, seven, and Baris, 10 Picture: Mike Cooter (060821)

James was a builder before learning the art – and has no formal art training – and he says anybody can find enjoyment in it.

He said: ‘You don’t need to be an artist. The action draws you in. Everyone who does it gets that buzz. It dips into a very simple human nature of feeling good at achieving something.’

For more call James on 07968 702136 or go to jamesmouland.com/

Story by Kimberley Barber

Promote your business with The News

We have seen how tough the past year has been on businesses so we’ve decided to do our bit to help by offering a new way for businesses to market - and a lower cost.

The scheme, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, will help businesses promote themselves at a fraction of the usual advertising or marketing costs.

As the pandemic ends, there’s never been a better time to promote your business and make it stand out.

Come to us and take up this one-time only opportunity for the lowest-ever cost to appear in the area’s biggest news outlet with authentic, interesting copy.

- How much does it cost?

75 per cent off normal rates. A one off, one time fee, no contract

- What do you get?

A guaranteed published article in The News - and online at portsmouth.co.uk

- How does it work?

Our business editor Kimberley Barber has been helping businesses to stand out for 10 years. She will help you identify the thing your business needs to shout about, in order to get it noticed.

Whether that’s a new product, an expansion to your team, an award win, or even just simply a change of opening hours - there are many reasons that a business would need to shine a light on itself.

Kimberley will help you to find your ‘top line’ and her team will create an authentic article to appear in the pages of The News.

Your company doesn’t need to employ somebody to find the best news, or even write it, let the experienced team at The News do it for you.

Not only will your article run alongside the daily business page, putting it in the perfect spot to reach engaged readers, it will benefit from the News’ insider track on what makes attractive content that will engage your customers.

- What could happen after appearing in The News?

Our newspaper is read by thousands of people everyday. It’s been the traditional route to reach people in Portsmouth for hundreds of years.

It is read by all major news outlets, and is often the starting point of national stories.

Being in The News gets your story in front of the right people.

If your story has editorial value, it will appear on our website portsmouth.co.uk - reaching worldwide audiences of hundreds of thousands of people.

As well as this, with the right tweaks, it could appear on The News’ Facebook page - reaching a following of 120,000 people who all have an interest in this area instantly.

The News also has Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter followers - if appropriate for these audiences, your story will be shared on these accounts too.

Being published in The News is just the start, with our help, we can get you on the path to national recognition.

- What else do I get?

As well as the pride and prestige of appearing in the biggest and longest-serving news outlet in Portsmouth, you will become part of our network.

You’ll join a group of like-minded businesses and individuals who all have Portsmouth at their hearts.

You’ll also get access to special advertising packages and discounts, should you wish to further promote your message.

Join us, it’s the start of our business community coming together and working together for the benefit of our community.

- How do I sign up?

Email your local rep Liz Wiffin on [email protected] to get signed up

For further business support contact Emma Weatherstone, membership advisor Portsmouth & Solent Federation of Small Businesses on [email protected] or 07764432489

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, for 27p a day.