Scorching Summer on the South Downs

Summer on the South Downs near Blackcap 

Summer's arrived and what a scorcher it's turned in to !!!  

It seems to be one heatwave after another which has meant that it's far too hot for many walks . Yes, I know I'm wimping it (if that's an actual word) but above 25 degrees and my brain starts to cease functioning .  

There are a few places that I like to walk each Summer , usually in late July or early August  .This year though I decided to do them a couple of weeks earlier and I'm so very glad I did , I saw them at their best before they became so sun scorched . 

 Mount Caburn is always a favourite for the wild flowers and the Exmoor ponies. It varies every year . This July the petrol blue colours of the Viper's Bugloss not only looked amazing but were buzzing with Bees and Hummingbird Hawk Moths , it was quite magical . 

Viper's Bugloss on the path to Mount Caburn 

 

Exmoor ponies on Mount Caburn 

                             More pictures from my walk here Mt Caburn

Another walk took me over the South Downs from Firle to Southease. It's only a short walk but it's so very pretty and has such stunning views!  It was a lovely sunny day although a bit hazy for good photos and the gusts of wind nearly blew me off my feet at times . I didn't expect that . 

It was well worth it as the wild flowers at the top of Beddingham hill were amazing. Especially the Round -Headed Rampion  / The Pride of Sussex . I've only ever seen a few together before but here they were in their hundreds . Sussex at it's best ! 

Round-Headed Rampion 

The Pride Of Sussex on Beddingham hill looking towards Mt Caburn 

 

 Photos from my walk Beddingham

 The green fields were rapidly fading and the harvest fields were golden. This time my walk took me from Ditchling beacon to Blackcap via Falmer . I was surrounded by glorious countryside full of wildflowers, butterflies ,Skylarks and fresh bales of hay .  It was perfect timing and it really doesn't get any better than that . I could have happily stayed there all day just breathing in the scent of Summer.  It was a scene that I just had to paint ..........

                                          "Bales to Blackcap"  24" x 18"   

 Painting the harvest fields on the South Downs near Blackcap 

                                                      Click here for PRINTS

 

As Summer continued it just got  hotter and hotter and my walks got less and less .  I love the sunshine but not the heat. I resorted to short visits to places rather than long walks . 

It was just one heatwave after another and far too hot to go out during the day . Painting became almost impossible with the acrylic paint drying on my brushes before I could even use it ! 

  With windows shut and curtains drawn it felt like home had become a prison . Breaking out at cooler times was a necessity ! 

 One August evening we decided to visit Windover hill ( near Alfriston )  to watch the sun go down.  The land all around was scorched and parched so I was surprised to see so many wild flowers still blooming.  There was a warm breeze and everything around us seemed to glow in the low evening light .  It looked stunning ! 

                                         A Summer evening on Windover hill, Alfriston 

                                   Wild flowers on Windover hill, Alfriston 

As I walked  up the chalk  track I was captivated by the arrival of hundreds of birds. They  flew by me and gathered on the steep escarpment.  I think that they were Rooks but I'm not certain ,they were getting ready to head off to roost for the night.  
                                       

Hundreds of birds gathered on this steep escarpment . 

                             It was quite a sight to see and made the Summer evening even better . 

Watching the sun set from Windover hill 

                                                               

                                                  It had been a lovely evening and a joy to capture on canvas 

                                                          "The Gathering and the Gold "

                                                              "Warm breeze, Summer sun ,

                                                                  gathering Rooks, day is done.

                                                               Downland slopes, all ablaze ,

                                                                  golden fields, harvest days " 

                                              

Painting of the birds gathering at sunset on Windover hill, Alfriston . 

 

 

 

It's now late August and once again it's been a Summer of rain or being just too hot  .  I've spent the past few weeks weather watching and dashing out in the good spells . A bit like one of those little women in the weather houses where they come out on the sunny days !    ha ha ha! 

 

  

 

This Summer has been a mixture of good walks and just visiting places that I've not been to . It's been an interesting few months of discovering little bits of Sussex that I didn't know existed .

 

I do however  have a couple of favourite walks that I try and do each year , one of them is up to Mount Caburn on the outskirts of Lewes .

On my way there I  noticed that the wild flowers were starting to fade along the roadsides so I didn't expect to see many on my walk ......I was so very wrong!  

As I entered through the gate into Southerham nature reserve I was greeted by a sea of colour overlooking the South Downs. So many flowers swaying in the warm breeze that seemed to go on forever!  It looked stunning ! 

My path through Southerham nature reserve

I walked very slowly through the fields  just mesmerised by the beautiful scenery around me ! 

 

 

On the other side of these fields I was greeted by splendid views  over the Sussex Weald.

 I continued my walk to Mount Caburn where I stopped for a while to watch the Exmoor ponies that were grazing in the fields . Then after stopping for lunch at the top I made my way back through more fields of flowers . 

Views of Mount Caburn, Lewes 

 It was  wonderful weather and the most delightful walk , It turned out to be a perfect day !

 

The only thing left for me to do was to capture it on canvas and paint one of my favourite views of the day . 

 

"The Scented Seas of Summer" 

Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

"The Scented Seas of Summer" Acrylic painting on canvas

" From Caburn to Canopy"

Goodness! What a busy few weeks it's been!

I have been working on a commission which is top secret until the end of the Summer but I can tell you that it's sport related.
 Whilst painting it I was reminded of a delightful Summer walk I took up to the top of Mount Caburn on the outskirts of Lewes.
In June and July the slopes come alive with a mass of wild flowers and butterflies.
 From the top,  the views over the South Downs , Lewes Brooks and the River Ouse are just stunning!!!!

Views from mount Caburn

It's a very popular place for paragliding, the skies are often dotted with bright coloured canopies soaring and swooping in the breeze.
On this particular walk I stopped to watch,  envious of their flight of freedom above the Sussex countryside.
This was a perfect picture and a perfect subject to paint ...
                                             "From Caburn to Canopy" 

"From Caburn to Canopy" Painting of paragliding off Mount Caburn in Lewes, Sussex

 So, this is what I've been painting.
 On the other hand I've been re-landscaping parts of our garden. Laying new paths and tidying borders. Unfortunately this caused a trapped nerve in my neck which caused constant numbness in my right hand...the hand I paint with! Grrrr! Painting has NOT been easy! 
Now an unexpected heatwave has arrived :) 
In the mean time.....
The trees are turning green, the Bluebells are in flower and the Rapeseed fields are rapidly turning bright yellow! 
I am busy planning walks for next week....watch this space!

Feature and flowers. Painting the wild flowers of the South Downs

Wild flowers on Mount Caburn, Lewes, Sussex

I think this Summer I have become obsessed with the wild flowers !
I am just in awe of their beauty and have sat for hours taking in my colourful and aromatic surroundings .

Wild flowers on Mount Caburn

Then of course there's the butterflies! So many and so many different varieties . I do however have a favourite.
 It is the small Chalk Hill Blue .

Chalk Hill Blue butterfly

To me it symbolises my return to Sussex ( I lived elsewhere for 30 years) the South Downs and the wonderful events that have happened since being back .

My recent walk took me up the slopes of Mount Caburn, part of the South Downs on the outskirts of Lewes.
 It's like being on top of the World and on a clear day you can see forever! Well....nearly.

View south towards Newhaven from the top of Mt. Caburn

With so much inspirational choice I decided to paint 2 larger compositions, each measuring 30" x 20" and both acrylic on canvas...

                                                     "Chalk Hill Blue"

"Chalk Hill Blue"

 "The Summertime slopes of Mount Caburn on the South Downs in Sussex. Here a carpet of beautiful wild flowers flourish among the grass and Chalk Hill Blue butterflies delightfully dance and flutter in the sunshine.
This painting is highlighted with tiny flecks of metallic paint that gently catch the light of the summer sunshine."


                                                         "Wild Summer"

"Wild Summer"

 
The scent of wild flowers fill the air as Peacock butterflies dance in and out of the colourful blooms. Summertime on top of the South downs in Sussex with breathtaking views towards Firle beacon.
This painting is highlighted with tiny flecks of metallic paint that gently catch the light of the summer sunshine."

 To top off my wonderful Summer I am delighted to announce that this month the Artists and Illustrators magazine have given me a full page feature ! WOW! 

My feature in this month's Artists and Illustrators magazine

                                     "

"Mount Caburn Views" Painting the view of the Sussex Ouse valley

Mount Caburn, Lewes, Sussex

My walk this week took me to the top of Mount Caburn on the outskirts of Lewes.
 At 480ft it is an isolated peak with an iron age fort at the top.
 It is a National Nature Reserve with an abundance of beautiful wild flowers.
 My walk took me through pretty wild orchids and scented meadow sweet swaying gently with the delicate grasses in the warm Summer breeze.
It was a perfect day of blue skies and sunshine with superb views over the Sussex Weald.
Westwards  takes you to Glynde and along past Firle Beacon on the South Downs

View of Firle Beacon and Wilmington from the top of Mount caburn

Southwards overlooks the village of Beddingham nestled at the bottom of the Downs

Beddingham, Sussex

But it was the view South West that really made the walk worth while.
The River Ouse leaves Lewes and meanders down the valley past the picturesque villages of Rodmell, Southease and Piddinghoe, finally reaching the sea at Newhaven in the far distance.
As a young child I lived on farms in this area and enjoyed walks along the riverbank as much as I do today.
                                            "Mount Caburn Views"
                              Acrylic on box canvas 24"x 20"x 1.5"

Painting the view south from Mount Caburn

 Paintings for sale at https://www.artgallery.co.uk/artist/paula_oakley_2

" Summertime Downs" Landscape painting of Beddingham and Mount Caburn, Sussex

This Summer my sister and I have been out and about on various walks. The locations depend on the weather and how clear the view is so that I can get the best photos.
A couple of weeks ago we made the most of the wonderful sunshine and went up to the top of Beddingham  Hill, Sussex. The views were stunning ! From Mount Caburn,  to Lewes and the sea at Newhaven.

The view from Beddingham Hill looking north towards Lewes on the left

It's often so windy up on the South Downs that it's hard to hold the camera still enough to take good photos, but this day was perfect! I now have so many that I'm spoilt for choice as to which view I will paint first.

The wonderful chalk paths, part of the South Downs Way

I love the chalk tracks against the patchwork fields, a never ending path of The South Downs Way and the views go on for ever!

Looking out to sea over Newhaven and fields of red poppies.

For my first painting of the area I have decided on the little picturesque village of Beddingham that sits at the foot of Mount Caburn.

 A scattering of houses and farms nestled among the hills where artists such as Eric Ravilious would stay and delight in the surrounding and inspirational views.

"Furlongs" by Eric Ravilious

On the top of the 480 ft Mount Caburn is an Iron Age fort and is regularly seen among a multitude of colourful hang gliders soaring on the breeze.

Both the village and Mount Caburn make a wonderful subject for my painting..              

                                                                     

"Summertime Downs"

Acrylic on box canvas 20"x 16"x 1.5" 

looking over the village of Beddingham towards Mount Caburn

 

 Here are a couple of links if you would like to know more about Eric Ravilious and the Beddingham artists

http://jamesrussellontheweb.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/familiar-visions-eric-ravilious-sussex.html

http://itstartedwithajug.blogspot.co.uk/