Springtime on the South Downs

Paintings for sale

Springtime  arrived and all I can say is "WOW!"  It's been so wonderfully sunny and the blossom has been stunning!
 I've not painted anything for a few weeks though. Sadly sales this year are dreadful ,  not just for me but for many , many other artists as well. I've no idea if things will improve or for how long I'll be able to continue painting. Only time will tell on that . 

In the present circumstances the sunshine has been a real blessing . It's been really good to get out and about in the tranquility of countryside around me.  Fabulous views and the scent of blossom in air . 

My first walks were around Wivelsfield and Chelwood Gate . Days of beautiful Bluebells , carpets of  Wild Garlic and some lovely old twisted trees .

 

Bluebells and Wild Garlic on my walk

   My Chelwood Gate walk took me along some very old paths  to Furner's Green and  Sheffield mill  

The path from Furner's Green to Sheffield mill

  Bluebell season is always short lived and it's a matter of getting out and about as much as possible to see them . I'm surrounded by woods that are full of them but this year I decided to explore a few different paths and places . I wasn't disappointed  and I discovered some interesting places along the way .

The Bluebells faded  and were quickly replaced by an explosion of Cow Parsley and Hawthorn blossom. Everywhere turned white and green ! 

 The Hawthorn has put on a magnificent display this year , I presume it's because of the weather being so dry, hot and sunny.   

This time my walks took me around Lewes Brooks. It's a nice easy flat walk and a must for bird watchers . The new wetlands at Lewes are great place to just sit and watch the wildlife 

Cow Parsley and Hawthorn blossom around Lewes Brooks

                                 

Of course I couldn't let Spring pass without a couple of walks on the South Downs . 

My first was to Ditchling beacon, it was more of a wander rather than a walk , a delightful dawdle . 

 I decided to descend via Westmeston bostal as it was one of the very few paths that I hadn't walked.  It's not great underfoot. Steep, rain worn and rutted, with loose flints and chalk ....   my knees didn't thank me for that one! Ha ha!  

It was all so very pretty . Lots of wildflowers and the views were stunning  ....

Ditchling beacon and Westmeston bostal

Finally I headed down to Rodmell . I took the path over to Telscombe and back via Cricketing bottom. I couldn't believe that it's been 10 years since I last done this walk . Where did that time go ?  Not only was the Hawthorn in blossom but I was treated to a purple field full of Phacelia and Red Clover which looked amazing!  

Rodmell to Telscombe

I have to say that this really is my favourite time of the year !

The South Downs above Rodmell

The Bluebells faded away and the countryside turned to lush greens and brilliant whites . New crops  growing in the fields, Cow parsley along the verges and Hawthorn blossom adorned the trees .
The sun came out and it was a perfect day for a walk over the Downs .
My path took me from Rodmell , past Telscombe and to the sea at Saltdean.
It was a lovely walk with amazing views !

Views from my walk from Rodmell to Saltdean

On my way I passed the vineyard at Breaky Bottom . It sits nestled among the patchwork fields that curve and slope around it . A perfect composition to paint !
                                        "Blossom over Breaky Bottom" 
                                  

"Blossom over Breaky Bottom" Acrylic on canvas

Arriving at the coast I was greeted by the colourful flowers that grow wild along the cliff tops at Saltdean . Thay made a vivid contrast against the white chalk and sea views.
                                                      "Wild by the sea" 

Painting the wildflowers on the cliffs at Saltdean

"Where the kestrel flies"

Kestrel on the South Downs near Rodmell

I was walking over the South Downs from Rodmell to Telscombe when I saw a kestrel sitting on a gatepost just ahead of me.
The sloping landscape was a lush green and barley crops swayed in the breeze.
I was as close to the sky as I could possibly be !

The South Downs between Rodmell and Telscombe

                                "High on the hills,
                                    below Summer skies.
                                 Wild is the path,
                                    where the Kestrel flies" 

           

Painting of a kestrel over the South Downs near Rodmell

 "Where the kestrel flies" Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

South Downs Poppies

Poppies on the South Downs in Sussex

A beautiful sunny day in late June took me for a walk on the South Downs.
My plan was to start at Rodmell village , walk up Mill hill , and descend at Swanborough, then back to Lewes via the brooks ...

My route

At the top of Mill hill I joined The South Downs Way , here at the top is one of my favourite sign posts leading you to the Abergavenny Arms at Rodmell..

The sign at the top of Mill Hill

Then heading north  I couldn't help admiring the stunning views along the way. But the path is a concrete track and not easy on the feet!

Views from my walk on the South Downs

Arriving near the top of Swanborough Hill I noticed a track to my left and a white barn on the hill in the distance, I thought it would make a good place to stop for lunch .
From the barn the views headed south towards Rottingdean and Ovingdean , the sea lined the horizon and splashes of bright red poppies lit up the views!
Looking south the bright white chalk track contrasted brilliantly with the colours of the wild flowers !
Most of the fields this year are filled with crops of barley that gently sway in the coastal breeze, mimicking the waves of the near by sea .
It's hard to describe, but I have tried to capture it in my painting...

                                                 "South Downs Poppies"
                                                       Acrylic on canvas 18"x 24" 

"South Downs poppies" Acrylic painting

 
To capture the scene a little more I decided to paint a small picture of the view south overlooking the sea towards Rottingdean....
                                          "Poppies to the sea"
                                Acrylic on canvas 12" x 10" 

Painting the poppies on the South Downs

 

Buttercups, tractors and the South Downs Society

Buttercups, tractor painting and the South Downs

It's been a busy but rather wonderful week. Summer is here and I've been out and about on several walks enjoying the sunshine and scenery.
In between I have also been  working on a commission painting.
 Earlier in the year I was asked if I would paint a vintage Fordson tractor. Now....I'm no tractor expert and although I was given a reference photo I prefer to work from my own. Not only can I  capture the angles and details that I need but it ensures that my paintings are original .
So my quest began! As luck would have it I spotted an advert for the Cuckoo Fair at Laughton ( just out side of Lewes) a big country fair embracing rural life from times gone by.

The Cuckoo Fair, Laughton,East Sussex

 On the day of the event the weather was bright and sunny and to my delight I found just what I needed!
Now all I needed was a backdrop to create a suitable composition.
I chose a landscape view from Lewes Brooks , at this time of year bright yellow blankets of buttercups fill the fields and the South Downs are rich green ....perfect!
The view includes glimpses of the picturesque village of Rodmell , Swanborough Hill and Kingston Ridge.
I have to admit that it wasn't an easy painting , it took about 45 hours and just as many cups of coffee! Ha ha ! But I got there in the end....
                              "Fordson on the Brooks" 
                                   Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

Painting a vintage Fordson tractor 

   ....and the fiddly, time consuming bits! 

Close up of the Fordson engine detail

 Now as you are by now aware I am a great lover of the South Downs .
 They are of course female....voluptuous curves adorned with floral gems and scented like no other! 

View East from Telscombe

I have recently discovered the South Downs Society. 
In their own words ...

"We fight campaigns against inappropriate development and fund conservation projects
We take an active role in safeguarding and improving the rights of way network and extending areas of open access land across the National Park
We encourage the public to learn more about the National Park
As the National Park Society we watch over the activities of the National Park Authority as a challenging friend including suggesting things they might do to enhance the National Park"

 A few weeks ago I entered a competition on their Facebook page , it required recognizing a particular image from the South Downs. It was by total coincidence a place that I had passed on my walk that very morning! On Monday I was delighted to be informed that I had won !
My prize was a goody bag selection of their gifts that can also be purchased from their web site http://www.southdownssociety.org.uk/support-us/merchandise-2/

A gift selection from The South Downs Society

 Never was a prize so perfectly matched to it's recipient ! (The box of chocolates didn't last long enough to be photographed )
Well, only one thing to do now and that's to sit out in the garden and enjoy the sunshine with a good cup of coffee...... just PERFECT!

"Buttercups and Brooks" (Rodmell and Lewes, East Sussex)

Lewes Brooks

In the middle of the South Downs on the south side of Lewes is a flood plain where the River Ouse takes it's last journey before reaching the sea at Newhaven.

The River Ouse and Mount Caburn in the background

The area is made up of fields and drainage brooks and is a haven for wild birds.

To the west the picturesque villages of Iford, Rodmell and Southease are nestled at the base of the Downs with their chocolate box houses and narrow country lanes.

Iford and Rodmell

 I left Rodmell and walked along a chalk track heading towards the river, June brings the fields alive with a multitude of golden buttercups set off by the vertical reeds and grasses that line the brooks.
It looked so pretty in the sunshine!  Looking back at the village all you could see were a few roof tops and a glimpse of the church. A lovely composition to paint.

                                          "Buttercups and Brooks"
                                            Acrylic on box canvas 12"x 16"x 1.5"

"Buttercups and Brooks" Acrylic painting of Rodmell and Lewes brooks

 On my last visit to this area I painted Southease as seen from Itford Hill....
"Summer over Southease"