Cornwall is a special place for artists, a ‘plein air painters’ dream. I try to get there every year for a weeks plein air painting.
Being a peninsular, it is surrounded by sea, which reflects the sky, and results in that ’special’ light which artists crave. It’s small coves, often very rocky, and usually hosting a few fishing boats, make ideal subjects for artists.
Here are some of those rocks at Porthgwarra, which supports two small boats, which are winched high up the steep slope, when at rest. Other subjects include old abandoned mine workings, especially along the rocky north coast. This was once the worlds finest source of copper and tin, some of the mines go out under the sea for almost a mile. Tall chimneys reveal the site of steam engines, used to pump out the water and ventilate the workings. A dangerous industry long gone from these shores.
Here is my painting of Botallack mine, on the north coast. Other nearby mines were Levant and Geevor, all with their own chimneys and redundant buildings and workings.
Below are some of the small boats at Mousehole, a favourite picturesque village on the south coast.
Mousehole remains popular with artists, to this day, many of them running active studios and supplying local galleries with fresh works.
Below are some more mine workings at Levant.
I’ll leave you with a larger boat seen in Penzance harbour, preparing for a voyage, see below. All these original paintings, and more, can be seen on my web site, click on any photo to go there! It will be a real treat!
