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"
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Mermaid Street Rye.

Mermaid Street ,Rye, East Sussex 

A recent trip took me to the old Cinque port of  Rye . A lovely old town  renowned for it's smuggling history.
You can't visit without taking a walk down Mermaid Street . A steep cobbled lane lined with enchanting and picturesque old buildings including the well known Mermaid Inn.

Mermaid Street

 

  The houses have wonderful names like
 "The House With Two Front Doors"
   and
"The House Opposite"
 It's hard to imagine that it was once a poor and disreputable area!
A rich assortment of crooked old architecture adorned with flowers and foliage.
I do like a painting challenge!!!    :)

                                      "Down Mermaid Street"
                                 Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18" 

Painting of Mermaid Street in Rye,East Sussex

 
 

Ferring ,West Sussex. Painting the beach and beach huts

Ferring beach in West Sussex

Today is the Summer Solstice and predicted to be the hottest day in June since 1976 ! Phew! I love the sunshine but not the heat!
It's far too hot to go exploring and too hot for painting . My acrylic paint start to dry on my brush before I can get it on the canvas ! Arrrrgh!  But I'm not one to be defeated so I've been getting up really early and painting before the temperature rises . In fact I think it's the first time I've ever painted at 5am.
My adventures this Summer have continued with a trip to Ferring beach in West Sussex.
 Here a colourful row of beach huts lead you up to the Bluebird cafe. I've wanted to paint these since last year but didn't get a chance to visit.  It was great to find a subject with lots of  Summer colour ....

                                              "Beach huts to the Bluebird"
                                     Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18"

Painting the Beach huts on Ferring beach 

 I left my sister at the cafe to enjoy her coffee while I went off to explore the beach. 
The colours were spectacular,  seaweed greens and browns contrasting with the blue glistening water. 

Ferring beach

 The tide was out which had left the beach covered in rock pools where flocks of seagulls noisily  swooped and dived to catch the tasty sea life that was now exposed....
                                          "Seashore and Seagulls"
                             Acrylic on canvas   24" x 12" x 1.5"

"Seashore and Seagulls"  Acrylic painting

 

Paintings of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

The weather's been so wonderful that I ventured out to make the most of the glorious sunshine !
This time my quest was to explore the nature reserve at Rye harbour.
A long concrete track led me down past the old red and black hut that stands alone at the mouth of Rye harbour .

The tide was out and I was greeted by a vast expanse of sand, shingle and sea . Old weathered groynes stood like sculptures along the shore and birds scoured the shallow lagoons for a tasty morsel or two.

Low tide at Rye Harbour nature reserve

My intention was to walk out to the sea but it was so very far away that I thought it would take me forever!
Instead I sat and admired the view. It was a very hot day and the sunshine made the wet beach glisten and shine as if it was adorned with jewels ....fabulous!
 The next day I was eager to get painting !
                                         "Forever to the sea"
                              Acrylic on canvas 24"x 12"

"Forever to the sea" Painting the beach at Rye Harbour

                                                  "Old Harbour Hut"
                                    Acrylic on canvas 12" x 10"

"Old Harbour Hut" Acrylic painting

 

"Pier and Proms" Painting Eastbourne seafront

Eastbourne pier

Summer's almost here! Hurrah! Time to get back to exploring and painting our wonderful Sussex seaside views!
My first sunshine visit was to Eastbourne. We headed down in "Alice", my husband's TVR to take part in the Magnificent Motors Show...

The weather was amazing and gave me the perfect opportunity to have a look along the seafront and pier.
 Last year my trip here wasn't very productive as  repairs were still underway after the awful fire that destroyed part of the pier.
 There are still signs of the destruction but it's looking rather grand!

Fire damage

Eastbourne pier

 I spotted a row of deck chairs. Standing at different heights that seemed to mimic the waves of the sea. The view beyond overlooks the Promenade and Bandstand where concert music fills the air.
A perfect seaside composition!
                                                   "Pier and Proms" 
                                   Acrylic on canvas 18" x  24"

Painting the deck chairs on Eastbourne pier

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Painting of the river Ouse, Sussex

The river Ouse in Sussex

Returning from my bluebell walk the other day I followed the path back along the edge of the river Ouse.
There has been hardly any rain for several weeks and the water level was so much lower than usual causing sunlit ripples around the rocks and plants.

        "Rippled reflections around rocks flow.
                When the rain didn't come
                               and the river ran low.
         Sun scorched lilies strive to grow.
               When the rain didn't come
                               and the river ran low "

                            "When the river ran low" 
                                            Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

"When the river ran low" Acrylic painting of the river Ouse

  

Painting the bluebells

Bluebells in Sussex

Every year I tell myself that I'm not going to paint the bluebells and every year they look and smell so wonderful that I can't resist!
I don't want to paint the same old bluebell picture each year so my quest was to find a location that would give me a different composition to previous paintings.
This year I explored the woods that are situated just behind the Bluebell Railway (very apt) at Sheffield Park.
I set off  about 6.30 am so that I could catch the soft, early morning light. It was a lovely walk and I discovered 3 different woods each delightfully adorned with a scented carpet of blue!

Wapsbourne woods, Sussex

So....did I paint them?  Yes, in fact I painted two!

                                                  "Morning Blue" 
                                  24"x18" Acrylic on canvas

"Morning Blue" Painting the Bluebell woods in the early light

                                                        "Bluebell Days"
                                      12"x 10" Acrylic on canvas

Bluebell painting number 2 "Bluebell Days"

  

"Springtime Yellow"

Yellow rapeseed fields

For my latest painting I decided to stay with the beautiful yellow fields of the oil rapeseed crops. Due to crop rotation the opportunity doesn't arrive every year, in fact I've waited 2 years for some good local displays.
My walk took me to the western outskirts of Lewes in the early hours of the morning. The colours were stunning and the frequent slopes that my path took were ideal for capturing the curves and contours of the South Downs.

Views from my walk among the rapeseed crops on the South Downs

It's great to use such vibrant colours , Spring is a delightful season !

                                          "Springtime Yellow"
                        Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

"Springtime Yellow" Painting the yellow rapeseed fields on the South Downs at Lewes, East Sussex 

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Painting the Sussex landscape in Spring

Bo peep on the South Downs

There is nothing brighter or more colourful than the yellow Rapeseed fields in full bloom!
My travels took me up on top of The South Downs at Bo Peep near Alciston in East Sussex.
As you can see the views were stunning.....

I've wanted to paint this view since we went to the Firle Hill Climb last September http://paula-paintmyworld.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=Firle+hill+climb#.WPIRJKK1s1k
But now the views are even better and a perfect composition to paint. It was hard going at times but I persevered and got there in the end!

                                               "Springtime Sussex"
                                    Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

Painting of the view over Sussex from the South Downs at Bo Peep

 

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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