Snow at Sheffield Park Gardens

Well, as we don't get much snow I thought I would paint another snowy scene from my walk around the countryside of Chailey where there was just a light dusting for a few hours.
Then....to my amazement.... a couple of days after I started painting the weather turned worse and presented us with several inches of snow!  Oooooh!
Once the showers had stopped the blue skies and sunshine turned the landscape into a wonderful and rather magical sight to see.
I took this opportunity to take a walk with my friend around Sheffield Park Gardens ...

Sheffield Park Gardens , Sussex

It was a lovely day out and the colours were stunning!
On  finishing my painting I thought how perfectly it depicted the week ....
                                          "A walk in the snow" 

"A walk in the snow" Acrylic painting on canvas

 

A light dusting of snow

Snow! We actually got snow!
I have to admit though it was only a tiny bit and it was all gone by mid day. But...it was just enough to get out into the countryside and enjoy the views.
I set off to cover some of the footpaths in Chailey. There are some really nice walks and as the area is mostly agricultural it has a constantly changing landscape. It's also quite flat terrain and as I'm recovering from a cold it meant I didn't have to try and tackle any hills  ! 
I wished I had been feeling better though and able to venture up the South Downs as they looked rather splendid in the distance ..

Snow on the South Downs

So anyway, as I said, it wasn't much snow but just enough to enjoy and make the most of ...

A Winter walk around Chailey, East Sussex

I usually see deer around here and was surprised not to see any, just saw a few rabbits and pheasants that were far too quick for me to photograph! 
It was a good walk and opened up the opportunity for me to paint a snowy landscape at last!
                                               "A light dusting of snow"
                                               Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18"

"A light dusting of snow" Painting the snowy landscape of Chailey in East Sussex

Blue skies and sunshine ...

2018 and January is almost over! I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. I've been patiently waiting for some good weather but the days have been mainly grey and bleak !
With the ground so wet and muddy I havn't been out much....oh how I miss the Summer!
When the sun does come out it sits low in the sky and poor light just isn't good for my style of painting.
I therefor decided to beat the Winter blues by revisiting some of my favourite walks from last year. Days of blue skies and sunshine .....
The first comes from an early Spring walk around North Chailey and Sheffield Park.
The rising sun lit up the woodland the scent of bluebells filled the air!
                                        " One Spring Morning" 

"One Spring Morning" Painting of the Springtime bluebell woods 

 My other painting for January is from one of my walks along The South Downs Way, just north of Southease in East Sussex. 
I love the way that the wild flowers flourish and sway in the breeze along the edge of the patchwork fields .
                                       "Wild Along The Way" 

"Wild along The Way" Summer painting of the South Downs Way

So farewell January....It's been great to share the memories of last year but I look forward to exploring new paths and inspiring places .

"Autumn Mist"

Autumn mist

December has arrived. A month I struggle with. Short dark days when the sun is low and the long shadows fade away at noon. Dark days that combine my birthday and Christmas preparations. Days of hope and memories. Days of conflicting thoughts.
It's these days that I take the opportunity to get out early when the weather looks hopeful.
It was one of these days that took me out on a local walk from my village of Newick through the woods, along the river to Sheffield park.

The gardens at Sheffield park are wonderful but very formal, it's the surrounding parkland that inspires me the most.
On this particular day I headed out before sunrise .
 Arriving at the river's edge the early morning mist was highlighted by the rising sun as it shone on the Autumn colours of the trees along the river bank.
Just magical!

                                            "Autumn Mist"
                                  Acrylic on canvas

"Autumn Mist" Acrylic painting

 

"Autumn Flow" Painting the Autumn colours

I set off recently in search of Autumn scenes to paint. I was looking for something a bit different .
Although my walk was local I planned a 6 mile route that took me along new paths . It started at the foot of the South Downs at Plumpton Agricultural college and took me north to Chailey Green.
It was a lovely morning where pockets of frost lingered in the shade.

Views from Plumpton to Chailey 

The trees were in their beautiful Autumn colours and my walk embraced the Sussex countryside with every step .
 Heading towards Chailey my path led me through  fields of pheasants into a copse where I could hear the magical sound of trickling water .
Ahead I spotted a stream among some trees. On closer investigation I saw some wild deer drinking from the waters. Unfortunately (as usual) they spotted me before I could get a photograph!
It was a wonderful scene, leaves falling into the water, twisting and twirling like jewels in the sunlight.
There was no choice but to walk into the stream and capture the moment....then to return home and capture it on canvas....I hope you like it :)
                                    
                                                 "Autumn Flow" 
                                                    Acrylic on canvas 18" x  24"

"Autumn Flow" Painting the Autumn colours at Chailey, Sussex

 

Painting the Autumn colours

Autumn

Autumn has arrived and the trees seem to be changing a bit earlier this year.
October has been very mild so far with no sign yet of early frosts or gales.
I have lots of places near to where I live that are perfect for Autumn walks , especially in the early morning sunlight. A lovely combination of farmland and woods.
Last week I explored a couple of new paths around North Chailey . I walked into a field where a herd of deer were grazing but unfortunately they spotted me before I could photograph them !  I didn't have much luck with the pheasants either but I found some lovely views .

North Chailey

My route to me through the tree lined paths on the edge of Chailey common. The path gently twists and turns and the morning light made it just perfect!

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

"Autumn Arrival" Painting the Autumn colours of the Sussex countryside

  

"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