Spring Paintings

"Coastal Spring"- Prints available click here Gouache on board 11 x 7 inches Looking out from my studio window, the sunset has just dipped behind the trees that sit due west. That means that the winter months of sunsets that I can see from the house, that start at Lundy in October , all the way to Hartland point in late December and now back to Lundy in March is over. That’s a big moment for me, because it means that Spring is so close, and I can look forward to warmer days on the coast painting outdoors again after a long Winter in the studio. To mark that joyous season, that brings us so much new energy and positivity, not to mention warmer days, I have painted a new series of gouache works called “Spring”. I hope they bring you a taste and welcome reminder of the warmth and light to come.                                                             _______________________________________   "Sand Dunes View" - Prints available click here Even the roadside verges and garden walls leading down Beach Road into Woolacombe celebrate the Spring season with explosions of colour from every south facing plot. This is one of my favourite gardens that I walk by on my morning strolls. Gouache painting 11 x 7 inches Would you like to commission a painting?   Portraying the coast in all of its splendor and sending it to a new home is something that is incredibly satisfying to me. Connecting the customer with their very own unique painting that they can look at and enjoy for years to come, is a wonderful thing. If you would like to discuss a commission, I’d love to hear from you

Nightfall- Original Woolacombe Gouache Painting

Gouache painting on Bristol board.  6 x 4 inches unframed - £100 click here to buy this painting

When day is done and night slips over the hill to dance, one last bather watches the two entwine.

I love the feeling of warm summer evenings by the beach that this painting conveys.

High Tide Glistens - Original Woolacombe Gouche Painting

 Gouache painting on Bristol board.  6 x 4 inches unframed - £100 click here to buy this painting

A high tide surge at sundown, bathes the rocks on Woolacombe beach leaving a golden glisten as it recedes.

I really love the way that the muted palette creates a warmth in this little painting. Especially adding a touch of alizarin crimson into the rocks, giving them that glow.

Travels from the Heart - Gouache Painting in Corfu, Greece

Travels from the heart

"Olive groves of Perama, Corfu"- view in my gallery  During a recent trip to Corfu,Greece. I had the pleasure of reading Lawrence Durrell's "Prospero's Cell". Not only did it describe the area where I was staying, it did something that has often intrigued me. It evoked the experience from memory, not from the present. Durrell fleeing the start of the WWII escaped to Alexandria in Egypt, and not knowing whether or not he would ever return to his greek island home, he set about recounting as many memories and accounts of island life as he could before the memories started to fade with time. The result, is a an emotionally charged ,vivid portrayal of a way of life and an environment that was about to change forever.  To link this to my visit and the work that I would create, made me think of some connections. Through Durrell's words, I pictured how life must have been there, whilst I actually looked with my own eyes on the views and scenes that he described. The sparkling sunlight as the currents moved in the early morning sea breezes. The squid boats fishing by their huge lamps after a full moon. These were so passionately described, I felt like I was actually present in that time. A strange loop of emotions distant and present connecting through memories and words. My work came from observing, photographing, discussing sights through conversations and with sketches in my pocket sketchbook. Upon returning home I used the sketches, and memories to paint two small gouache paintings, and what I found was a week or two later as I painted these, some elements from my experience seemed really strong and forefront in my mind. Is this possibly how Durrell felt as he wrote down his Greek recollections? Maybe that's why some paintings and some artwork keep that feeling alive for us , so long after the visit, trip or holiday is over? Maybe our nostalgia for the experience stays alive and even strengthens the more we enjoy looking at those paintings as the real life event fades into our past? Just a thought. Does nostalgia or a period of time enhance your memories or special moments?                                                           "Last rays of the day, Perama, Corfu" - View in the gallery Also available; "Early Morning Warmth, Hydra,Greece" View in the gallery "Lunch Break, Florence, Italy" View in the gallery Warm regards, ____________________________________________________ Originals - Prints - How to Commission a Painting

Hot Summer Minis

Hot Summer Minis

"Saturday Morning on Barricane"--  8 x 6 in - Gouache It’s almost the weekend and it’s hot and sunny, that means one thing….. beach time! Early morning sun worshippers getting into their groove down on Barricane Beach. Gouache mini 8 x 6 inches                                                             _______________________________________   "Sandcastle Builders"-- 8 x 8 in - Gouache “Sandcastle Builders” oblivious to the world around them, totally engrossed in their tower building toils. I love watching the children play on the beach. They get so consumed by their play, totally living in the present moment. Maybe a good lesson for us to absorb? Gouache mini 8 x 6 inches   Also available; "Sundown Serenade" "Curries and Couples" Warm on the coast today, stay cool and enjoy the day. Best wishes as always, ____________________________________________________ Originals - Prints - How to Commission a Painting

New Gouache Minis

New Minis

"Sundown Serenade"- view in my gallery -  11 x 8 in - Gouache I'd like to introduce you to a new series of paintings, "Minis" are the perfect size to fit into that small space on our walls that just need that little something special. They also allow me the opportunity to experiment with some looser, more energetic paintings without being bogged down with the tighter detail of the larger paintings. Which in turn allows me to explore themes and compositions that might in turn lead to a series of larger paintings. After an evening with friends and  a curry from the beach cafe down on Barricane, a walk down to the tideline makes you appreciate the really important things in life.                                                              _______________________________________   "Curries and couples"- view in my gallery - 8 x 5.5 in - Gouache This one was inspired by the very same evening that "Sundown Serenade" came from , as I walked home from the beach , I looked back down into the cove and watched the last of the curry diners enjoying their meals as others walked off their dinners at the tideline. One of my favourite times of the day to watch the light play on the water and enjoy the long shadows on the beach.   Also available; "Evening Serenity" View in the gallery "Heatwave" View in the gallery I hope you enjoy the new minis, it looks like Summer is about to turn up the thermostat again this week. Plenty of opportunity for me to get down onto the beach and get inspired by the summer visitors. Have a fantastic week! Best wishes as always, ____________________________________________________ Originals - Prints - Subscribe

A view that you never tire of? - Commission a unique painting.

A view that you never tire of?

I've thoroughly enjoyed working on this large 36 x 24 inches commission for a new customer this week. It’s a very satisfying feeling to be able to create something that captures memories, feelings and life’s experiences for someone. Something that they can cherish for years to come. If you would like to commission a painting, contact me with a message and we can discuss painting something unique and special for you. I’m happy to work from your own reference photos. * Do you have a special view that you would like me to paint for you? Paintings usually take approx one to two weeks to complete. A small deposit is required upon ordering. Then a digital sketch is made of the composition of the painting for your approval. The remaining balance is paid after the painting is completed, and you have received photos of the finished piece for your approval. Your painting can be collected from the studio or posted or couriered to you depending on it’s size. Contact me if you have an idea that you would like to chat through or you would like to receive my price list and size chart. I look forward to creating something special just for you! Have a fantastic day!                   _______________________________________   Also available; "June Evening " Woolacombe art print View in the gallery "Barricane Sea Pinks" View in the gallery Originals /  Prints / Subscribe to Newsletter / Contact Steve