Summer has arrived! The lush greens are starting to turn golden and the butterflies dance on the warm breeze from one flower to the next ....perfect, just perfect! 

My recent walks have taken me up on the  South Downs and the views have been stunning . 

The South Downs

 A sunshine day took me to Cuckmere Haven where I walked up over the downs on the  eastern side of the river.  I hadn't been to this part before and I wanted to see where the old church of Exceat once stood. I almost missed it among the long grass

The stone marking the place where the old church  of Excete once stood

It was a fabulous walk, blue skies,  sunshine  and the views were amazing.  

Cuckmere Haven

I reached the top of Haven Brow, which is the first of the Seven Sisters and decided it would be the perfect spot for lunch.

On top of The Seven Sisters

 As soon as I'd sat down a very cheeky Crow joined me and decided that I should share my sandwich with him . He knew when he was on to a good thing! 

After a while I continued on my walk , this meant heading back down hill. I had the choice of two paths,  I stupidly picked the steep one ! I will never EVER go down this path again! It was extremely steep and smooth. No where to safely get a good footing. I'm not good with heights so ended up bum shuffling my way down hill ! But.....I made it!

All in all it was a brilliant day and I couldn't wait to get painting one my favourite views of the day 

                                                     "Haven Views" 

 

"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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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 Seven Sisters of Sussex

The Seven Sisters

Just for a change the August Bank Holiday was a lovely hot sunny day.

 Perfect weather for a trip to the coast and to one of my favourite places, Cuckmere Haven in  East Sussex. 

Here you find the iconic view of the coastguard cottages against the backdrop of The Seven Sisters and see the snake like river flowing into the sea.

The river Ouse running snake -like out towards the sea

It is a wonderful place to visit and the views are stunning.

I have painted the coastguard cottages before on a small canvas so I wanted to return and paint them again a bit larger. I had one problem, I couldn't decide which view to paint!

To solve this I've decided to paint two at the same time, something I don't usually do as I find it hard to concentrate but as they're both of the same subject everything seems to be going well :)

It's interesting to see how the colours change in the light and how different the same subject looks from a different angle...

"Seven Sisters Summer"

Acrylic on box canvas 16"x 20"x 1.5"

"Seven Sisters Summer"

 This image has been painted many many times but the cottages won't be there for ever as the chalk cliffs are rapidly eroding away!

  Good news! "Seven Sisters Summer" is now available as prints, t shirts, note books, mugs, cards, cushions, bags and more! Click on this link to view the full range Paula Oakley at Redbubble

"Seven Sisters Summer" by Paula Oakley

"Seven Sisters Summer" cushion by Paula Oakley

                                                   "Cuckmere Cottages"
                                    Acrylic on box canvas 16"x 20"x 1.5"

The coastguard cottages at Cuckmere Haven

 . Here you can see how close to the edge the coastguard cottages now stand. I love the way the orange clay soil almost glows in the sunshine.

                                                                       

More paintings Sussex scenes http://paula-paintmyworld.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-sussex-coast-on-canvas.html#.U7l_HrGFDIU