"Over The Seven Sisters"

The Seven Sisters ,East Sussex

The Seven Sisters are one of the most iconic and picturesque places in the UK and I am very fortunate to live so near to them.
The views are stunning and never cease to take my breath away!
This Summer we set off to the middle part of the cliffs at Crowlink near Friston.

My sister and I headed across the sheep fields to Flagstaff Brow to the monument .
 Here the rich green slopes are lit up by the beautiful vivid blue flowers of Vipers Bugloss.

Crowlink on the Seven Sisters

 Blue skies and sea go on forever, edged by the pure white chalk cliffs ...perfect!
 Walking the South Downs Way takes you along theses cliff tops where the view east overlooks the cottages at Birling Gap and the Belle Tout lighthouse,  proudly standing on the cliff tops in the hazy distance.
How could I resist?

                                            "Over The Seven Sisters" 
                                              Acrylic on box  canvas 24"x 12" x 1.5" 

"Over The Seven Sisters" acrylic painting 

"Bluebells at Birling Gap" Painting the coastguard cottages at Birling Gap

Birling Gap on the Sussex coast 2014

Birling Gap is situated at the western edge of the Seven Sisters cliffs on the East Sussex coast.
The coastguard cottages are a well known land mark that are gradually being destroyed by erosion. The cliffs have dramatically changed over the years as the pictures below illustrate.

Erosion of the cliffs at Birling Gap

The severe storms of last Winter caused such extensive damage that the end cottage has had to be demolished as it was now unsafe.

Cottage before demolition February 2014

It's such a picturesque location that it seems rather sad to see it gradually falling apart.
On our recent visit I was surprised and delighted to see that on the cliff top grew large areas of bright bluebells. Swaying in the breeze as if  imitating the gentle waves of the sea.
. It seemed a fitting subject to paint, as one day it will be gone.....
Work in progress..
                                        "Bluebells at Birling Gap"
                                           Acrylic on box canvas 20"x 16"x 1.5" 
The picture has been sketched out, under painted and work has begun on the cliffs, sea and background 

Work in progress, painting the cottages at Birling gap

Most of today's progress was on the cottages, they're not finished yet but they are well on their way!

Painting in the cottages

Finally the foliage and bluebells fill the foreground like scented sea waves and now it's all finished .
                                  
                                          "Bluebells at Birling Gap"

Bluebells at Birling Gap

                                                                           ***
The bluebells this year have been wonderful my local woods have been a delight to walk through, Scented blue carpets and sunshine!
                                            

                                  

                                                                            

                            

Painting the "Sussex Sea" . Birling Gap, East Sussex

Birling Gap, East Sussex

I've been watching how our stormy Winter weather has been having such a dramatic effect on our coastline. So many landmarks have been destroyed or damaged by the severe wind and rain.
The constant onslaught of the sea and it's relentless waves have been changing the shape of our beaches.
Cornwall and Devon have had the worst but here too in East Sussex we have not escaped the storms and there have been several landslides on the cliffs where in just a few seconds they crumble away into the sea.
One such place is Birling Gap on the South Downs. Since Christmas there have been two 9ft landslides, the first bringing the old cottages on the top of the cliff even closer to the edge!

The cottages at Birling Gap

I remembered when we went there on New Years Day last year. It was a beautiful day with bright sunshine that made the chalk white cliffs of the Seven Sisters almost glow! Several people were there indulging in their New Year swim , a tradition I hasten to add that you won't find me taking part in! Brrrrrrr!
Anyway, with the recent events and my memories I thought I would paint a picture of a more colourful and less destructive time. I have chosen the view from the beach looking towards the cliffs of Seaford Head.
                                                               "Sussex Sea"
                                                     Acrylic on box canvas 18"x 24" x1.5"

The view of Seaford Head from Birling Gap