Cornwall, you were a mermaid’s dream

Bringing a little bit of Cornwall back to the studio

I’ve just got back from Cornwall and I’m still thinking about the colour. The sea in particular. All those blues and greens, changing every few minutes with the light. Turquoise in one place, deep navy in another, then suddenly almost silver. It was a bit of a dream really.

We spent time around Porthcurno, Porthgwarra, the Minack Theatre, Sennen Cove and St Ives and I took far too many photographs. I always think I’ll remember the colours when I get home, but I know I won’t, so my camera roll is now completely full of sea, rocks, skies and all the little details that caught my eye.

I love that part of going somewhere new. I’m not necessarily thinking about painting while I’m there, but I’m always noticing things that I know I’ll bring home with me.

A particular blue. The colour of the sea against the rocks. The way the light catches the water. Those unexpected combinations of colour that you wouldn’t necessarily put together in the studio, but somehow nature makes them work perfectly.

I especially loved Porthgwarra. It felt wild and tucked away, with the cliffs, clear water and all that incredible colour. And then standing at Land’s End, looking out to sea, there’s just this huge expanse of water and sky that makes everything else feel very small.

I always come home from the coast wanting to paint.

This time I have so many photographs, sketches and colour swatches waiting to be explored. I’m trying to hold on to more than just what it looked like, the feeling of it. The air, the light, the sound of the sea, the feeling of standing there. Because really, that’s what I’m interested in bringing back to the studio. Not just a place, but a feeling.

The colour. The movement. The light. The memory of being there. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens when all those Cornish colours start finding their way onto the canvas.

Cornwall, you were a mermaid’s dream.

I’m bringing all that colour and light home with me. Let’s see what happens in the studio.