"Seaweed and Salt Water" Painting of Cuckmere Haven

Cuckmere Haven

Summer has well and truly arrived! Hurrah!
I have been busy making the most of the wonderful weather and venturing off to various seaside resorts.
For a long time I have wanted to follow the path from the picturesque village of Alfriston along the river to Cuckmere Haven .  Good weather gave me the chance to do so. It's a lovely riverside walk that takes you past the chalk horse on the Downs and ending at the Seven Sisters .
You can see photos from my walk here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.179164846272581&type=3

Now, I have painted views from this area several times.The cliffs and coastguard cottages are iconic ..

Views from Cuckmere Haven

but this time I wanted to do something slightly different.
 The river twists and turns to the shore where it becomes one with the sea. I spent ages mesmerized by the flow of the conflicting directions where the river water joins the rolling waves.
 The tide was receding, pulling the seaweed around the rocks and pebbles making wonderful green swirls and abstract patterns . Nature creating art..perfect!
                                               "Seaweed and Salt Water"
                                     acrylic on canvas 

Painting of Cuckmere Haven

The original painting has been sold but products are available https://www.redbubble.com/people/poak/works/32813521-seaweed-and-salt-water

                                                      

Painting the Seven Sisters 2016

The Seven Sisters at Cuckmere Haven, Sussex

I rarely paint the same subject more than once but there is something so magical about the Seven Sisters that I just can't resist!
My walk took me up the steep slope of Seaford Head and along the cliff top to Cuckmere Haven. it's a lovely walk with absolutely stunning views in all direction.

Seaford Head to Cuckmere Haven

Although very warm it stayed rather cloudy so I decided to explore the beach and rock pools at Hope Gap while I waited to see if the sun would break through.

Rock pools and groynes

It's a wonderful place for children to explore....... and me!
I continued on to the beach where the river Cuckmere snakes it's way into the sea. Even on a cloudy day it was an enchanting place to sit and watch the world go by.

After about an hour the skies started to clear and I was able  to take some reference photos for painting. I only intended to paint one but couldn't make up my mind which view to go with....so....I painted two!
                                         "Seven Sisters View "
                                Acrylic on canvas 24"x 12"

"Seven Sisters View" Acrylic painting on canvas
 

                        " Where the river meets the sea" (Seven Sisters)
 

Painting of Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters "Where the river meets the sea" 


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"Sea breeze over Seven Sisters" Acrylic painting on canvas

The Seven Sisters

There is one place that I never tire of visiting or painting and that is the wonderful Seven Sisters cliffs on the East Sussex coast.
As I mentioned in my last post the walk up Seaford Head leads you to the amazing views of the cliffs ahead.

The Seven Sisters from Hope Gap

The valleys in between the cliff tops are the "Sisters" and each brow has a name....

 I have painted these cliffs several times, each from a different angle...

Some of my paintings of The Seven Sisters at Cuckmere Haven

If you have Chromecast TV then you may have seen my previous one pop up on your screen now and then !

"Seven Sisters Summer"  Acrylic on canvas (Sold)

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This time I wanted to paint the view that greets you on the walk over the cliff tops from Seaford Head. It's a scene that just takes your breath away!
 In the Summer sunshine the chalk white cliffs look  magnificent against the blue skies and calm sea water.
 The colourful selection of wild flowers add to the overall beauty.

Wildflowers on the cliff tops

                           "Sea breeze over Seven Sisters"
                                                              Acrylic on canvas

"Sea breeze over Seven Sisters" Acrylic on canvas 

Close up view

Wall view

Painting Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters

Some of my paintings of Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters

Cuckmere Haven is one of my favourite places. The views over the sea against the backdrop of the Seven Sisters is stunning. So much colour and all so beautiful!
This is the fifth time I have painted a scene from the area and probably not the last.
I started my walk at Seaford beach climbing  up the steep slope of Seaford Head . Not exactly the easiest of walks but well worth the effort !

The walk along the cliff's edge was delightful, bright sunshine, warm breezes and an array of wild flowers to brighten my route

Walking along the cliff top at Seaford Head

The path took me past Hope Gap and on to the coast guard cottages at Cuckmere Haven and yet more wonderful views.

                                            "Cuckmere Haven"
                                         Acrylic on box canvas 32" x 16"x 1.5" 

Painting of the cottages and Seven Sisters

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