Grey skies and still life painting

The grey skies and dark Winter days have arrived and my walks are now few and far between .
I'm hoping for some good frosty mornings or maybe even snow but at the moment it just seems to rain .
So, I have decided to bide my time with a few still life paintings. It's been a long time since my last one and I have sooooo missed creating them!
Once I have an idea in my head it all turns into a fun quest to source the objects that I wish to put together to create the composition. Then there's the challenge of photographing them in different positions and light to discover the effect that I like the best.
Light, shadows, colour, reflections etc.
On a recent Autumn walk I collected a few  twigs ,berries and nuts and decided to put them together with a Ploughmans lunch. This of course required finishing off with a bottle of good ale.
Now , not being one to waste things I thought it only right that I should consume the food and drink the ale whilst still fresh....of course it was all in the name of art you know.
 
                                                 "The Ploughmans"
                                       Acrylic on canvas

"The Ploughmans" Autumn still life painting on canvas

    If you wish to see more views of this painting then please visit my gallery  HERE

Sussex Autumn landcapes

Autumn seemed to take a long time to arrive this year. Then suddenly, for just a few days, the countryside turned into a mass of glorious colour before quickly fading away for another year.
I was lucky enough to have a few sunshine walks during this brief period which gave me some wonderful views to paint.....
The first is from a beautiful walk on the ouskirts of Cuckfield
                                "Autumn Days and Bridle Ways"

"Autumn Days and Bridle Ways" (Cuckfield)

 Second is from an early morning walk around Wivelsfield ...
                                              "One Autumn Morning"

"One Autumn Morning" Wivelsfield)  Acrylic on canvas

  Lastly but not least , from the Sussex Border path walking from Scaynes Hill to Wivelsfield ...
                                                 "Shades of Autumn"

Autumn painting "Shades of Autumn" (Scaynes Hill)

  With Winter now approaching I struggle with the weather and light . It gets harder to get good reference photos for painting. So....I've decided to paint a few more still life subjects and a bit of Summer fun now again :) 
                                                "Waiting for an ice cream" 

"Waiting for an ice cream" A fun and colourful Summer painting

  Oh....and that reminds me....I'm delighted that my painting "Joan and Nancy's trip to the seaside" has been chosen by the Artists and Illustrators magazine to be included in their 2019 calender....I'm August....perfect! :) 

Artists and Illustrators 2019 calender

 

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!