I feel like I'm sneaking in like a naughty child !  Ha ha! 

 I had hoped to start posting more reguarly this year but it just hasn't happened . Best intentions and all that.  

I'm blaming the weather, wet dreary weather, it makes it very hard to get out and about . The footpaths are flooded and so very muddy ! 

I've been relying on my reference photos from last year to keep me going with my paintings .  It's not a bad thing as it means I get to revisit the wonderful views and glorious sunshine of the South Downs and the footpaths around me .

The three paintings that I have completed so far this year

 I'm also busy planning new walks and places to explore .......I just need some sunshine !

 August brings with it another heatwave, it's just far too hot for me to go walking .

  The land is so scorched and dry ! I feel I should be stocking up on shades of brown paint :(  

Thankfully I'm well stocked up with reference photos to keep me going. I've been busy painting a scene from my walk over the South Downs near Alfriston. It was such a lovely day , the views over the Sussex weald and the downs were amazing!  

                                            "Summer Days and Pathways" 

Painting of the view from my walk near Alfriston.

 

 

Another of my wonderful walks was around Pycombe. I took a circular walk from the Jack and Jill pub at Clayton which took me past Wolstonbury Hill to Pycombe where I joined the South Downs Way. It was yet another hot day and I have to admit that it felt like a long trudge to get to the top of  West Hill !

 I was glad to take a break at the top  where I was greeted by the stunning views that seemed to go on forever!  To the south was the distant sea .....

View towards the sea from West Hill at Pycombe, Sussex 

...and to the West I found myself looking towards Devil's Dyke and beyond ! It really did take your breath away! Such a  perfect view to paint ......

                                                        "Westward Bound" 

                                                          Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

 

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