Balsdean. "The silence and the crow"

Balsdean 

Back in the heat of the Summer I explored the paths between Kingston ridge and Rottingdean . A wonderful area, mostly agricultural and I was amazed that the farmers manage to plough and grow crops in such a flint filled area!

Flint on the South Downs

The paths twist and wind along the valley of Balsdean. It was once a small hamlet consisting of farms, manor house and chapel but in 1939 it was taken over by the MOD and the buildings were destroyed by being used for firing practice . It has an interesting history and you can find out more here https://southdownhill.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/balsdean-newmarket-farm-photos/

What struck me the most was as you enter the area you are overwhelmed by the sudden silence ! Just as if someone suddenly turned off the volume .

Balsdean 

There's a few bits and pieces remaining of the lost village but on this day it was just me , beautiful scenery and the odd curious crow.....perfect!

                      "The silence and the crow" 
                               (  acrylic on canvas  )

                                               

"The silence and the crow" Acrylic painting on canvas

Windover Hill and The Long Man of Wilmington

Windover Hill and The Long Man of Wilmington

In the heat of the Summer I decided I would take a walk up and over Windover Hill in Wilmington. A walk that I have wanted to do for a long time.
I started at the base of the hill where the chalk image of The long Man of Wilmington stands proudly on the slopes over looking the Sussex landscape. It's almost as if he is guarding the territory.
My climb up the steep paths was a slow one , not only was it very hot but there were so many little blue butterflies that I was afraid I might step on one!

Ascending the hill was no mean feat ( I'm not the fittest of people)  so being passed by a cyclist made me smile at his determination.

Ascending Windover Hill

As you can see the views were magnificent!
The heatwave had turned the landscape into a sun scorched panorama .

Views of Windover Hill

As I reached the top I could see the unmistakeable rise of Firle Beacon in the distance along the route of The South Downs Way.
 This was the perfect view for a painting .....

                                                 "Sun Scorched to the Beacon" 
                                       Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

"Sun Scorched to the Beacon" Acrylic on canvas

 

The long hot Summer

Sadly Summer has come to an end. But what a wonderful Summer it has been!
I have covered many miles walking over The South Downs and travelling to the coast.
I can now reap the rewards and concentrate on painting some of my favourite views and capturing memories.
One hot sunny day took me to the Downs at Lewes where I headed up to the Southerham nature reserve . It's a fabulous place filled with wildflowers that constantly change throughout the Summer.

Souterham nature reserve to Mount Caburn

 On the day of my walk the air was filled with butterflies and the red and black of the Burnet moth...amazing!
A very inspiring area resulting in two paintings "Wild to the sky " and "Wild to the brow"  (Sold)

Acrylic paintings on canvas of the Lewes Downs in Smmer 

The arrival of the heatwave meant that some days were just far too hot for walking, especially up the steep slopes of the South Downs ! On these days my trips were to the coast. I've been watching the tide times this year so that I could catch low tide.
 My quest has been to capture the reflections on the sea and wet sand....I wasn't dissapointed !

Summer days on Cooden Beach in East Sussex

With temperatures soaring I headed off to Cooden Beach...wow....I mean WOW!
The sea water was so hot and the sand glistened in the bright sunlight.
A mixture of sand and soft clay "rocks" where small shellfish dig in and make their home.
I couldn't have wished for a more perfect day....time to get painting...
                           

"Those Blue Sky Days" (Cooden Beach) Acrylic on canvas 

So many Summertime memories ! Now, where're my brushes .....see you soon ! :)

Painting Eastbourne Pier "Seaside Gold"

Eastbourne pier, East Sussex

I had planned several walks over the South Downs this Summer and then.....the heatwave arrived!
Far too hot for climbing steep hills so I decided to concentrate on the coast ...sea breeze and cooler ....cunning plan! Ha ha!
As I don't drive I have to rely upon public transport and havn't visited the coast as much as I would have liked over the past 2 years because of the rail strikes :(
This year however I decided to go on a quest.
I have been watching the weather and tide times and planning trips that coinside with low tide. This is when the beach comes alive with the reflections that surround it.
One of my trips was to Eastbourne Pier. A very grand structure recently adorned with golden domes . A wonderful addition that was part of the rebuild after  the pier was severly damaged by fire .

I wasn't dissapointed....in the Summer sun the reflections looked amazing!

Time to paint!!!

                                                     "Seaside Gold" 
                                Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

"Seaside Gold" Painting of Eastbourne pier

 

Brighton Palace Pier

Brighton Palace Pier with it's new sign

Well what can I say....Brighton Palace Pier epitomizes the Sussex seaside !
It's noisy, fun and colourful!
 Amusements, ice creams, fish 'n' chips, fun fair, deck chairs, sticks of rock, candy floss and so very much more! 

Add caption

The Pier holds so many happy memories for so many people.
It was always called " Palace Pier" but new owners changed it about 18 years ago to "Brighton Pier", which upset many of the locals. Now it has once again been changed .
I couldn't wait to go and see the new sign in all it's glory....looks wonderful! :)
 I felt that a painting was needed to celebrate the event :)

                                              "Brighton Palace Pier"
                                   Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

Painting of Brighton Palace Pier

 

"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

                                                      

"Where the kestrel flies"

Kestrel on the South Downs near Rodmell

I was walking over the South Downs from Rodmell to Telscombe when I saw a kestrel sitting on a gatepost just ahead of me.
The sloping landscape was a lush green and barley crops swayed in the breeze.
I was as close to the sky as I could possibly be !

The South Downs between Rodmell and Telscombe

                                "High on the hills,
                                    below Summer skies.
                                 Wild is the path,
                                    where the Kestrel flies" 

           

Painting of a kestrel over the South Downs near Rodmell

 "Where the kestrel flies" Acrylic on canvas 24"x 18"

Painting the poppies on the South Downs

It's been a while since I have updated my blog.
It's been a while since I painted.
It's been a month of artistic trials and tribulations  .....things that I won't go in to as I want to move on from them now.
The best tonic for me has been to get out into the solitude and tranquility of the countryside.
Summer has arrived and brought with it patches of bright red wonderful poppies and fields of barley that sway in the breeze like a soft green magical sea . 

Blackcap and Plumpton plain

I have been up on the South Downs where the chalk white tracks highlight my route ahead

My path took me from Blackcap and Plumpton plain over to Falmer .
A blue sky and sunshine day .
Perfect!

                                       "Poppies to Blackcap" 

"Poppies to Blackcap"  Acrylic on canvas 24" x 12"

 

Painting The South Downs Way (Southease)

May brings the arrival of the wild flowers so I couldn't resist a walk along the South Downs at Southease.
At this time of year the grass lands between the brooks in the Ouse Valley are filled with Buttercups.
The lanes are edged with Cow Parsley.
The fields are a blazing patchwork of Rapeseed crops and the slopes of the South Downs are covered with Cowslips...my favourite childhood flower .
All in all....just stunning!

The South Downs at Southease

Descending the steep slopes of Itford Hill brings you to the Ouse Valley where a welcoming break can be taken at the Youth Hostel and Tea room . From here the view takes you back up the slopes and the distant journey ahead .

                                            "Travellers Rest" 
                             Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

Painting of The south Downs at Southease 

The flowers of Rapeseed crops are now fading but I have enjoyed some very colourful walks , especially around the Cooksbridge area ..

Rapeseed fields at Cooksbridge 

 There was a cottage right in the middle of the fields ....a perfect subject for a smaller painting 

                                                  "The House in  the Yellow" 

"The House in the Yellow"

 
 

Painting the Spring Bluebells

Spring Bluebells

Yay! The Bluebells are out!
As soon as the sun comes out (between the April showers ) I've been out walking around my local countryside .
Either this year is particularly good for Bluebells or I've been fortunate to have chosen some exceptional paths . Either way the woods are covered in a blanket of blue and the air filled with the sweetest scent.

Sussex Bluebells 

This of course means I've been painting. It would be easy for me to paint several bluebell scenes but it would start to get a bit tiresome and my enthusiasm would wane. So each year I pick 2-3 scenes that really catch my eye ....so here's the first of 2018 ...

                                              "Along Bluebell Rise" 
                                Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

"Along Bluebell Rise" Acrylic painting of bluebell woods in Sussex

                                                           **********
It's now a couple of weeks later, the season is coming to an end and the bluebells are starting to fade away .
I have enjoyed several walks that have taken me "off the beaten track "  . These are the walks that I enjoy the most, you never know what lies ahead!
Sometimes I turn a corner and I am greeted with a view that makes me stop ...stare...and just think "WOW!"
This is from one of those moments ....

                                          "The gates to bluebell wood" 
                                 Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18"

"The gates to bluebell wood" Acrylic painting on canvas

 

" From Caburn to Canopy"

Goodness! What a busy few weeks it's been!

I have been working on a commission which is top secret until the end of the Summer but I can tell you that it's sport related.
 Whilst painting it I was reminded of a delightful Summer walk I took up to the top of Mount Caburn on the outskirts of Lewes.
In June and July the slopes come alive with a mass of wild flowers and butterflies.
 From the top,  the views over the South Downs , Lewes Brooks and the River Ouse are just stunning!!!!

Views from mount Caburn

It's a very popular place for paragliding, the skies are often dotted with bright coloured canopies soaring and swooping in the breeze.
On this particular walk I stopped to watch,  envious of their flight of freedom above the Sussex countryside.
This was a perfect picture and a perfect subject to paint ...
                                             "From Caburn to Canopy" 

"From Caburn to Canopy" Painting of paragliding off Mount Caburn in Lewes, Sussex

 So, this is what I've been painting.
 On the other hand I've been re-landscaping parts of our garden. Laying new paths and tidying borders. Unfortunately this caused a trapped nerve in my neck which caused constant numbness in my right hand...the hand I paint with! Grrrr! Painting has NOT been easy! 
Now an unexpected heatwave has arrived :) 
In the mean time.....
The trees are turning green, the Bluebells are in flower and the Rapeseed fields are rapidly turning bright yellow! 
I am busy planning walks for next week....watch this space!

A painting journey ..the ups and downs and lessons learnt

So...although I've always painted and created, it was only about 8 years ago that I found myself in a situation where I  was given the opportunity to concentrate on it.
So...there I am...full of enthusiasm...ready to paint...but...then what?
What direction should I take ? 
My thoughts were why limit my choices? (That still stands today) .
I read article after article about the process of learning...each was different..many conflicting !
What should I do ? How do I find my path...my niche...my style? 
****knows!
Well ..first I had to decide on what media I wanted to use. Acrylics...yes...acrylics! Bright , vibrant and colourful! :)
yes....acrylics...crude...course...and hard to blend! :(
Life had taken me on many journeys which resulted in me ending up in South Wales for nearly 30 years. Now , I'm not knocking South Wales but it's industrial and the mining areas have meant that wild flowers etc have not had the chance to establish . This means that it's all a bit bland and colourless. I remember when my daughter was about 14 years old and she embarked on a trip to visit her cousins in Essex and Sussex. I told her that the sky was bluer and the grass was greener. On route she text me and said "you're right! The sky IS bluer and the grass IS greener"  (there is SO much more to all this that I don't intend on going into)
So any way....many years later...I threw a few things into a bag, caught a train and headed back to Sussex  to be with the love of my life (Oh yes, we're married now )
Back to the painting. I couldn't see any reason to limit myself. It was all about exploration .
I had spent many years painting wildlife and animals but my problem was about composition, I could paint the main subject but not able to put it into context.
So..what about landscapes ? Oh God No! looking at art history they all look dull, dark...lifeless.
OK..what about still life? Oh God No! Again...dark and lifeless!
OK..thinks I...what if I make them bright , modern and colourfull?
Perfect!

Still life paintings by Paula Oakley

This all went really well,I really enjoyed putting together a composition and telling a "story" in my paintings . However, although they sold it was to a limited buyer. I'm a prolific painter and I was painting on box canvas with very little space to store them :(
On top of this I started to find that they were being copied and sold on various products  in China . The Chinese do NOT respect copyright and have no worries about selling badly produced products using poor quality images. Many of my paintings had had my signature or watermark removed  !
Oh ..how my blood boiled!!!!!
So...what about people or animals ? Well, this works well for many artists but It's not really for me . Why? First I think that acrylics are a bit too harsh and secondly I don't want to get into painting endless pets or children . This would result in me painting subjects just for the income rather than the pleasure . No no no!
So...back to the landscapes...I've always loved walking, exploring my surroundings.  I'm now living in an area where a 20 mile radius will take me to....the sea...the seaside piers...the Seven Sisters..Ashdown Forest (Home to Winnie the pooh) , the wonderful South Downs ..and views that go on forever!
I will still go back to the still life paintings but whilst I'm still able to climb all those hills and see all those views .............<3 nbsp="" p="">

Acrylic landscapes by Paula Oakley

Over the past years I have learnt many things . Social media is amazing! Approx 40-60% of my sales come from them. 
Competitions are fine but only if you don't pay to enter ( Once they've received your entrance fee they don't care how you fare. Same goes for online galleries.
I've had many paintings featured in art and local magazines...this is great exposure!
Never...never....assume that because you sold "X" amount last year that next will increase!
Each painting is an exploration of colour, style, technique. Each is a personal challenge. Each is a special unique artwork. Each is just another step forward! :)
Each will be ...A little bit brighter....A little bit clearer ..and...A little bit more colourful than real life! 
Happy painting! 

"Snow and Still Water" Painting the Winter landscape

Winter in Chailey, East Sussex

Wow! How different the landscape looks with a little bit of snow!
For my third and final snowy landscape of this Winter I return once again to my walk around Chailey.
I loved the contrasts of light and dark, the crisp clear reflections against the frozen patches of water. The brown and purples among the Winter foliage....
"Dear Winter snow...
you were short and sweet...
but a delight to paint!!!  "
                                        "Snow and Still Water"
                                    Acrylic on canvas

"Snow and Still water" Acrylic painting . Sussex Winter landscape

  

"Snow and Still water" in progress