"Summer Days and Water Ways" The Wey and Arun Canal

The Wey and Arun Canal, Loxwood, Sussex

It's been a busy month as Summer rolls out and commissions roll in.  I don't often take on commissions but sometimes the subject is so suited to me that I can't resist!

In between, my daydreams have happily taken me back to  sunshine days and lazy river walks .
 Earlier in the year we visited the Wey and Arun canal at Loxwood in West Sussex.
https://weyarun.org.uk/
It is I believe the only canal in Sussex and is now a restoration project offering boat trips .
 We took a lovely afternoon stroll from The Onslow Arms along the water's edge  .
On the way we stopped to watch one of the barges being navigated through the lock , a sight not often seen around this part of the country !
All in all it was a perfect Summer scene , bright sun and cool greens....and of course...just wonderful to paint!

                                   "Summer Days and Water ways" 
                                                      Acrylic on canvas 18 x 24"  

"Summer Days and Water Ways" Painting of the Wey and arun canal

"Goring-by-Sea" and commission painting

Goring-by-Sea,West Sussex

Good grief ! Where did August go? It seems to have gone so quickly and now we're sadly at the end of the Summer !
It's been a busy month. I don't often take on commissions as they can be restrictive but I received a request that was of a local scene from Burgess Hill and I couldn't resist the challenge!
The painting includes a waterfall, something that I havn't done before.
It's an enchanting view that  that made me think of the wonderful art of Arthur Rackham

Arthur Rackham

  Situated in a rather shady area meant that it wasn't easy to see the detail of some areas but all in all I was happy with the result.....
                                           "Down by the Witch's Den" 
                        

"Down by the Witch's Den" Acrylic on canvas 

After so much green I decided to head back to the seaside for my next painting. This time the subject was a splendid blue fishing boat close to the beach huts at Goring-by-sea in West Sussex.
It's a scene that I was looking forward to painting, that is until the hot weather arrived!
With paint drying so quickly it became harder and harder to put in the details .
I was getting up before the birds just to make progress !  I eventually managed to complete it but every time I look at it I remember how much of a task it became so it's perhaps not my most favourite painting at the moment.....

                                               "Goring-by-Sea" 

Painting of the fishing boat and beach huts at Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex

 

"Over The Seven Sisters"

The Seven Sisters ,East Sussex

The Seven Sisters are one of the most iconic and picturesque places in the UK and I am very fortunate to live so near to them.
The views are stunning and never cease to take my breath away!
This Summer we set off to the middle part of the cliffs at Crowlink near Friston.

My sister and I headed across the sheep fields to Flagstaff Brow to the monument .
 Here the rich green slopes are lit up by the beautiful vivid blue flowers of Vipers Bugloss.

Crowlink on the Seven Sisters

 Blue skies and sea go on forever, edged by the pure white chalk cliffs ...perfect!
 Walking the South Downs Way takes you along theses cliff tops where the view east overlooks the cottages at Birling Gap and the Belle Tout lighthouse,  proudly standing on the cliff tops in the hazy distance.
How could I resist?

                                            "Over The Seven Sisters" 
                                              Acrylic on box  canvas 24"x 12" x 1.5" 

"Over The Seven Sisters" acrylic painting 

South Downs Poppies

Poppies on the South Downs in Sussex

A beautiful sunny day in late June took me for a walk on the South Downs.
My plan was to start at Rodmell village , walk up Mill hill , and descend at Swanborough, then back to Lewes via the brooks ...

My route

At the top of Mill hill I joined The South Downs Way , here at the top is one of my favourite sign posts leading you to the Abergavenny Arms at Rodmell..

The sign at the top of Mill Hill

Then heading north  I couldn't help admiring the stunning views along the way. But the path is a concrete track and not easy on the feet!

Views from my walk on the South Downs

Arriving near the top of Swanborough Hill I noticed a track to my left and a white barn on the hill in the distance, I thought it would make a good place to stop for lunch .
From the barn the views headed south towards Rottingdean and Ovingdean , the sea lined the horizon and splashes of bright red poppies lit up the views!
Looking south the bright white chalk track contrasted brilliantly with the colours of the wild flowers !
Most of the fields this year are filled with crops of barley that gently sway in the coastal breeze, mimicking the waves of the near by sea .
It's hard to describe, but I have tried to capture it in my painting...

                                                 "South Downs Poppies"
                                                       Acrylic on canvas 18"x 24" 

"South Downs poppies" Acrylic painting

 
To capture the scene a little more I decided to paint a small picture of the view south overlooking the sea towards Rottingdean....
                                          "Poppies to the sea"
                                Acrylic on canvas 12" x 10" 

Painting the poppies on the South Downs

 

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/#/

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

 https://www.artfinder.com/product/pier-and-proms/

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 

                                    https://www.artfinder.com/product/springtime-yellow/

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