Painting of the Sussex Weald at Worbleton

The Black Duck at Warbleton

As Winter fades away I found myself in the depths of the Sussex Weald . My trip took me along the narrow lanes surrounded by fields and woodland slopes to the Hamlet of Warbleton. The area has just a few old houses, a pub and a church but all full of history and character.

 The church stands proud on top of the hill and close to where Richard Woodman, a wealthy farmer lived. He was one of the Sussex Martyrs that were sadly burnt at the stake at Lewes for his religious beliefs http://www.sussexmartyrs.co.uk/warbleton/

 The views from the church look out over the Sussex Weald , to the west I spotted a couple of old houses nestled between the trees and freshly ploughed iron rich fields. The woodland has yet to come into leaf but Spring is arriving with blossom on the trees and freshly washed laundry hung out in the warm breeze. 

"Home on the Weald"
Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18" 
  

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Painting "On the slopes of Cissbury Ring" Steyning, West Sussex

Cissbury Ring

Spring has almost arrived! Yay! Blue skies and sunshine days are on their way!
My recent explorations took me over the border into West Sussex , to the picturesque village of Steyning. A place full of interesting  architecture topped off with the old Horsham stone rooftops.

Steyning , West Sussex 

My sister and I had a quick wander around the shops before heading off to the heights of the South Downs at Steyning Bowl, where the South Downs Way runs along the roadside.
 The weather made it a perfect Spring day and the views went on forever!

Views from Steyning Bowl

To the west lies the iron age fort of Cissbury Ring . Woodland slopes merge into a patchwork of patterned fields and grazing cattle and sheep.
I was fascinated  just watching the farmer plough the earth whilst being besieged by flocks of seagulls in search of an easy meal !

Seagulls flock around the plough

The view was captivating, it was so very typical of the Sussex downland . A perfect picture to paint! ...
                                              "On the slopes of Cissbury Ring"
                                     Acrylic painting on canvas 24"x 18" 

"On the slopes of Cissbury Ring" Acrylic on canvas  

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"Tracks to Blackcap"

"Blackcap" on the South Downs near Lewes, Sussex

The recent bleak weather meant that I hadn't been out walking for a while and although I don't mind staying in I finially reached a point where I just needed to escape outside.
Setting off from the outskirts of Lewes I headed west over the South Downs towards Blackcap.
It was a damp and foggy morning where the cloud covered slopes disappeared from view...

My path took me past the beacon at Mount Harry and on to the clump of trees at the top of Blackcap that were replanted to commemorate the coronation of queen Elizabeth in 1953.

Blackcap

At this point the sun started to break through so I decided to head on a little further onto
The South Downs Way . I had 2 choices, South towards Falmer or West towards Ditchling. I couldn't make up my mind so I walked a part way in each direction ....

The South Downs Way at Blackcap

The path ahead  towards Ditchling was very wet and didn't make for easy walking. I made slow progress, but looking back towards Blackcap I loved the way that the solid chalk track was patterned with a mixture of milky white puddles and cycle tracks . This I thought would be a good composition to paint :)
                                          "Tracks to Blackcap"

"Tracks to Blackcap" Acrylic painting 24"x18"

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"Winter trees" on the South Downs

In previous years because of the weather and light I have painted Still Life subjects during the Winter months. This year though I have decided to stay with landscapes.
The views look so very different at this time of year but just as impressive !
I love the sloping curves of the South Downs and the way that the fields interweave with each other.
I found the perfect composition at Falmer, the slopes and patterned  fields all set off by the lines of the Winter trees.
 A colouful mixture incorporating a selection of purples, greens and browns ....perfect!

                                                          "Winter Trees" 
                                                         Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

"Winter Trees" Landscape painting of Falmer, Sussex

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"Fading Boundaries" Painting the morning mist

Finally January draws to a close.
 It's seemed like long month full of fog and mist and not very good conditions to get out and about with my camera .
One day last week I couldn't even see the house over the road as the mist was so thick, so I decided it would have to be a cleaning day instead. However , just after 9am the sun started to shine through and I found myself spending more time looking out of the window than being productive.
It was no good trying to fight the desire to get out so I grabbed my camera, put on my boots and headed off.
I didn't want to walk far as my ankle is still rather painful after spraining it. With this in mind I decided to take a stroll along one of my favourite paths which is part of the Ouse Valley Way.
The path takes me north of the village through Rotherfield woods. These are lovely woods and have an almost magical atmosphere to them, they are the sort of woods that would make you believe in fairy tales !

Rotherfield woods, Newick (Sussex) 

On the far side  the path leads you to where the River Ouse meanders between the fields and the outskirts of  the Sheffield Park estate (Sheffield Park Gardens) . It's a lovely part of the river , I have spent many Summer days just watching the Dragonflies and Beautiful Demoiselles dance and swoop over the water.  But the Winter brings a different kind of light and it all looks very different.

Winter along the river Ouse

I usually end my walk when I reach the Bluebell Railway but the mist added such a magical atmosphere to the morning that I ventured a little further to explore the other side of the river .
Now my walk took me around the perimeters of  Sheffield Park , best known for it's beautiful gardens  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden
This area is a much more natural landscape than the gardens and a delight to explore...

Sheffield Park, Sussex 

I could have spent all day there but the Winter light fades so quickly and I still had the walk back.
As I was about to leave I met the archaeologist  David Brown, who is working with the National Trust tracing the boundaries of an ancient deer park.
 I didn't realize at the time but this brief meeting would play a big part in my next painting !
On returning home I browsed through my photos and was delighted to discover that I had managed to capture some of amazing misty views that I had seen.
Now it was time to paint! I loved the way that the scenery just seemed to suddenly disappear and I chose a gate and fence to be the subject of my composition....a fence....a boundary....
it was then that I recalled my brief meeting with David Brown and how fitting the idea of the deer park boundaries disappearing just just like my own.....
                                           
                                          " Fading Boundaries"
                                 Acrylic on canvas 24"x 12" 

"Fading Boundaries" Acrylic landscape of a misty morning in Sheffield Park, Sussex

"In the grounds of Sheffield Park estate (Sussex, UK) Morning mist lays heavy over the long forgotten landscape of an ancient deer park. Now new boundaries disappear into a magical and atmospheric view bringing back images of the past.
This painting contains gentle iridescent highlights that catch the light enhancing the "glow" of the early morning mist." https://www.artfinder.com/product/fading-boundaries/

 

"Winter Reflections "

Well it's been a bit of a slow start to the year. I unfortunately sprained my ankle which meant I havn't been able to get out much . It's been so very frustrating!
Stubborn determination couldn't keep me in for long though and my recent walks have been close to home ( just to be on the safe side).
I'm lucky to live in a village where there are plenty of rural paths to follow and in  the recent frosty weather they were a delight to walk.
My path took me around the south side of Newick through woods, over fields and by the frozen waters of Winter.....perfect....just right for a painting!
                                            "Winter Reflections"
                                  Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

"Winter Reflection" Acrylic painting

 "A cold Winter's day in the Sussex countryside when the sunlight barely manages to break through the trees upon the icy waters of the lake .
The muted colours mingle with the mist and soft rays of sunshine as the wild geese fly in almost unnoticed . "
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The South Downs and "Lunch along the way"

The South Downs at Firle, East Sussex

Happy New Year!
I thought I would start 2017 off with a South Downs painting.
The blue skies and sunshine were too good to miss over the holidays, so we took  a trip down to Firle beacon for a break out in the fresh air.
 We obviously weren't the only ones with that thought , I couldn't believe how busy it was!
 My explorations are usually during the week so I'm used to hardly seeing anyone else but with such wonderful views along The South Downs Way I wasn't surprised .
I spotted some walkers taking a lunch break on the bench whilst looking out over  the  Sussex Weald as it faded off into the horizon.
 So many times I have done the exact same thing myself.
 Couldn't be more perfect for a painting!

                                 "Lunch along the way"
                           Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18" 
                   

"Lunch along the way" Painting of the view from The South Downs Way at Firle, East Sussex

 

If you would like to see more then pop on over to my gallery page https://www.artfinder.com/paula-oakley

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 !   

"Downland Dawn" and "Old Spot and Spuds"

Walking up Kingston ridge with views towards Lewes, Sussex

My painting world has been so very busy over the past couple of months . It's now nearing the end of November and this year's sales now amount to 37....that's just brilliant!
 I always paint what I want to paint rather than creating something  because I think it would sell, so it's very reassuring to know that  my artwork is well received.

We've been fortunate with the weather this Autumn so a couple of weeks ago I decided to take one last  South Downs walk of the year . I wanted to see the sunrise but unfortunately I had no way of getting there quite that early.
I caught the 7am bus to Lewes and headed off along the old Juggs road towards the village of Kingston. By the time I reached the bottom of Kingston ridge the sun was just above the horizon . It was a beautiful morning, no breeze, blue skies and a low lying mist hovering over the hill tops.

The view south east from Kingston ridge looking towards Beddingham

It's not the easiest of walks as it's pretty steep but the views were splendid !
As the sun rose it gradually lit my path ahead causing the grass covered slopes to almost glow . This would be my fondest memory of my walk and my wonderful  inspiration !

                                            "Downland Dawn"
                                                Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

"Downland Dawn" Acrylic painting of the path up Kingston Ridge

 I continued along the top for about 3 miles before returning. By this time the mist had cleared so on my return to Lewes I stopped to have my lunch by Ashcombe windmill. It has recently been restored and this was the first time I had seen it with it's new sails...looks rather magnificent ....

Ashcombe windmill, Kingston

 Now, just I was preparing to paint "Downland Dawn" I received a request for 2 paintings. I don't often take on commissions. They can often come with such a long list of requirements that the whole thing gets to feel rather laboured and the enthusiasm wanes . These however were not only local subjects and views that I am familiar with but also fitted perfectly with the compositions that I have been working on this year. To top things off I was entrusted to do things "my way". 
The first subject is the farm shop in the village of Piltdown "Old Spot Farm Shop" . It sells a splendid range of quality and locally sourced food. Well worth a visit if you're in the area http://www.oldspotfarmshop.co.uk/
As you know I'm rather partial to a good ale but a good Sussex cheese comes a very close second!

  It's a unique building  .Looks like a Swiss chalet  in the heart of Sussex .  I love the quirkiness , the colours and it's originality. Autumn also seemed a perfect time to paint it ...harvest time ....
                                            " Old Spot and Spuds" 
                                                      Acrylic on canvas 32"x 16" 

"Old Spot and Spuds" Acrylic on canvas

 Behind the farm shop the view takes you over the trees and fields to the village of Fletching. This was the second painting. The contrasting shapes and colours of the Autumn trees with the farms and church spire in the distance....
                               
                                                    "Fletching Views"
                                                       Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

"Fletching Views"

 As I said, life's been busy and as much as my gallery needs stocking back up I have decided to have a painting break . I'm now busy cleaning through the house and getting ready for the oncoming celebrations of my birthday and Christmas....life is good! 

 

Dark days and painting a "Misty Morning"

As the days get shorter and the sun sits low in the sky it becomes increasingly harder to get good clear reference photos for painting. I dislike these dark gloomy months and try to find ways of using them to my advantage.
I have therefore been venturing out really early whilst it's still dark so as to catch the bright morning light with the rising sun. The air is chilled and the first frosts blanket the ground with an icy glow.
The landscape looks very different now and quite atmospheric . You never quite know what awaits you around a corner or beyond the hedge.
It was on one of these days that I watched the mist form in the fields as the rising sun appeared over the tree tops.
 I witnessed a painting being created. Nature was the canvas and the sun was the brush.......

                                              "Misty Morning" 

"Misty Morning" Acrylic on canvas. Inspired from a walk around north Chailey

The dark days mean that my walks will now be few and far between.
 However, on the bright side this means that I shall be working through my reference photos that I have been purposely collecting during the year.
 There will be moments of colourful Summer fun to brighten up my days once again .
For a start I am delighted to announce that this month's Artist and Illustrators magazine have included my painting "Large Cod and Chips" in their 2017 calendar ....I'm "August"....perfect! 

My painting "Large Cod and Chips" in the A&I calendar

   

"Autumn Highlights" Painting the colours of Autumn

Autumn around the fishing lakes at Horsted Keynes

It's been a rather busy week.
 My husband took a week off work which meant  I had good company to explore with and my painting "September Downs" is featured in this month's "Inside Sussex Magazine" and "Inside Kent Magazine" .....excellent!

Top left . "September Downs"

Between trips out I have been continuing with the Autumn paintings . The weather is unpredictable for planning walks and the seasonal colours will not be around for long.
I decided to to be slightly less obvious and chose to paint the conifer trees that looked so magical in the early morning mists in the woods nearby....

                                                "An Evergreen Autumn" 
                                       Acrylic on canvas 24" x 12" 

"An Evergreen Autumn"  Acrylic painting on canvas

Then the sun came out!
 We headed off to Horsted Keynes to find the fishing lakes. They are old hammer ponds that lie just south of Broadhurst Manor, a beautiful old building one occupied by my husband's ancestors ...

Broadhurst Manor, Horsted Keynes
   
The walk along the lakes is part of the "Sussex Border Path" and totally delightful!

 The bright sunshine really brought out the colour of the trees and their reflections creating so many  perfect scenes to paint ! 

"Autumn Highlights"
Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"