Painting Hastings Pier

Hastings Pier in East Sussex

I've waited a long time to be able to paint Hastings Pier!
It was opened in 1872 and closed in 2008 as it became unsafe. Plans were arranged for it's redevelopment but then in 2010  disaster struck and a devastating fire sadly destroyed 95% of it

2010, Hastings Pier on fire

Luckily, unlike some other piers, it was not left to slowly disappear into the sea and work was completed for it's reopening last year .
It's spacious new design means that it's an ideal location for a variety of events such as concerts, fairs etc .
Originally the huts were painted a depressing black!

But the people of Hastings ( known for their colourful enthusiasm to dress up and celebrate just about everything) complained and by popular demand the huts are now bright and seaside colours and look great!

Huts on Hastings Pier

My local beaches of Seaford and Brighton are made of pebbles so it was interesting to explore a beach  where wet sand and pools of water catch the reflections perfectly .
I loved this view as it seemed show how defiant Hastings Pier is.....long may it survive!

                                          "Pier Reflections"

"Pier Reflections" Painting of Hastings Pier

      
                                   Acrylic on canvas 18"x 24"x 1.5"
 https://www.artfinder.com/product/pier-reflections/#/

Christmas time and back to the seaside !

Well it's been a very busy few weeks! I have now sold so many paintings that I can't actually keep up with the demand ! 
I have however made sure to make time for the little things that make Christmas a little bit more special .  A bit of baking...a bit of making and....... a bit of festive cheer :)  I thought this year that I would have a woodland animal theme for when the grandchildren visit . For something a little different I made a cake stand for the Yule log, it has 2 doors that hide a secret surprise .....

Tree stump cake stand

of course I can't tell you what's inside or it wouldn't be a surprise!

Now as you know I'm rather partial to a good ale and thought it was only right that I should enter into the spirit of my theme .....well...it would be rude not to ;)

Christmas is an odd season, you find yourself doing things that you wouldn't normally do . I dislike cooking but it wouldn't seem right if I didn't make a few mince pies, with added cherry liqueur and chopped marzipan. A rather sticky result but tasted pretty darn good.

I was however being watched through the kitchen window to make sure that I made them right...

he was more concerned about his peanuts than me !

Another thing I enjoyed was a visit to our village church, I'm not religious but couldn't resist going to see the Christmas Tree festival. I have to say it was delightful and

Newick church Christmas Tree Festival 

there's not many villages that would put Guy Fawkes on top of the tree..brillant !ha ha!

Newick bonfire society's Christmas tree 

So then, "what's all this got to do with the seaside? " I hear you ask.
Well, as I don't cope very well with the dark gloomy days of Winter I specifically planned to paint something colourful and lighthearted to  help keep me sane. The best subject of course is the Summertime seaside.  I decided to create a composition that would capture a typical day at the beach..
So I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and some wonderful Summertime memories x
                       "Joan and Nancy's trip to the seaside" 
                                  Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18" 

Acrylic seaside painting 

 A few days later........
So....did you guess what was inside the cake stand ? 

  Squirrel, Hedgehog, Fox and Owl !