"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 

"Gulls and Groynes"

Cliffs and beach at Seaford in East Sussex

On my recent trip to Seaford I spent a while watching the seagulls on the cliffs and beach. I could spend hours watching them swoop and soar over the waves, even if they are rather noisy at times!
 It always amuses me the way that they each sit on top of the groyne posts as if they were put there specifically for them !

Seagulls on the groynes

 With the sunshine on the water and the gentle splashing and crashing of the waves it was picture perfect!
                                         "Gulls and Groynes"
                                 Acrylic on canvas 20"x 16" 

"Gulls and Groynes" Acrylic painting on canvas

....and further up the beach "Beach huts and boats"

"Wild Flowers at Beachy Head"

Beachy Head, East Sussex

After spending 2 weeks suffering from a cough and cold I couldn't wait to get out and about again.
Blue skies and sunshine meant perfect conditions for a trip to the coast.
We decided to visit Beachy Head on the East Sussex coast near Eastbourne.
 It's the first time we have been since the lighthouse has been repainted and it looks rather splendid now.
The cliffs are the highest in the UK reaching 530 ft above sea level which means that the views are stunning!
Taking a walk along the top took us past the Bomber command memorial which has recently been sited here. A very fitting tribute.

Bomber command memorial at Beachy Head , East Sussex

Walking further along I was delighted to see the amount of wild flowers that seem to thrive here. One bank was covered in cowslips and wild orchids , whilst the cliff edge was adorned with viper's bugloss, ox eye daisies , poppies, buttercups and more!
Goodness knows how they survive on the chalk slopes and in the sea winds.
 I decided to capture the flowers against the iconic backdrop of the cliffs and lighthouse.  So here is the result.....
                           "Wild Flowers at Beachy Head"

                                  Acrylic on canvas 16"x 20"

Painting of the "Wild Flowers at Beachy Head"

 

Close up of flowers

Close up of lighthouse

Wall view "Wild Flowers at Beachy Head" Acrylic painting

Fun on the beach ......

I've decided I've had enough of the bleak Winter weather and thought I would have a bit of Sussex seaside fun.
Eastbourne is a well known retirement resort and seemed like the perfect setting for my composition. Working from several reference photos and changing the clothing I have created somerthing that I hope you will find amusing and perhaps a little typical of our British seasides .
As we get older, rounder and slower , perhaps we all still hold a childhood desire to be a Super Hero !

                            "Seaside Super Heroes" 
                              Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18" x 1.5" 

Fun seaside painting set in Eastbourne, Sussex

Then of course I couldn't leave the seaside theme without a pretty girl sunbathing on the beach ,waves crashing on the shore ensure a cooling spray to make a perfect day....

                                               "Hot Pink and Heatwave"
                                                      Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"x 1.5"

Hot Pink and Heatwave , beach painting