Inspired by the Coast – Penny Sherwood – The South West Coast Path

Why is the South West Coast Path important to you?

When I think of the south west coast path, I’m instantly transported to my childhood. Happy, sweet memories of running along The Jacka (the coast path/cliff) behind my grandparents house, family dog walks near our home in St Austell and just the best beach days at Pentewan and Charlestown. The summer’s felt endless and I spent most of them on the coast with sea salty hair and skin.

I’ve definitely come to appreciate the south west coast path more in adulthood. It’s my favourite playground for running, walking and finding gorgeous, quiet places to swim and explore. I truly love everything about it and take time to notice and appreciate the wild, unkempt parts as well as the seasonal changes in colour and atmosphere. While there is much beauty on a bright sunny day – the sea can be tropical, luminous and inviting, but spending time on the coast path when it’s windy and brisk is equally uplifting, inspiring and exhilarating.

I think the south west coast path is where I feel most at home. It offers a sense of escape and freedom but also connection. I consider myself to be most fortunate that I can experience it so easily.

What is the biggest influence on your art?

There’s no doubt the biggest influence on my artwork is Cornwall and the Cornish coast. Having a personal connection to the places and views I paint, or to experience them for myself, is important to me. I like to know what each place is like, to amble along and see different perspectives across land and sea. I think some subjects of my artwork connect with stories and memories and the drive to paint them maybe about what it felt like to be there, rather than something I specifically observed. That said, small details catch my eye, such as swaying coastal flora, the direction of the waves, or the way the light dances on the cliffs.

It’s not just coves, beaches and coastline that influence my artwork. Other features pique my interest, such as matted fishing ropes and nets (despite the smell!), or the glimpse of a house on the horizon. The Cornish countryside offers some wonderful views, particularly in Spring when it come to life with pops of colour from wild gorse, cow parsley and bluebells.

How has the coast inspired your creativity?

The coast offers infinite inspiration. I love how I can visit the same spot several times and each visit offers a different feel or mood. I really enjoy translating that to canvas and seeing what evolves. I’ve spent hours wave watching over the years and have so many photos of the sea. The sways of the ocean and the colour palette going from grey to blue to green is something I will never tire of painting. Contrasting features influence the subject of my artwork too, such as the hard jagged rocks against the fluidity of the sea, or dark looming clouds against warm, golden sunlight. There’s a lot to potentially take in, When I’m out, I sometimes find myself thinking about how I would paint a particular view, the marks I’d make and the colours I would use.

How does your Cornish heritage feed into your creative process?

It’s definitely there. I find I’m drawn to many places along the Roseland Peninsula. Admittedly, it’s where I live but my maternal family has been here for hundreds of years! I dare say this has a lot to do with the places I feel compelled to paint. My grandfather was a Cornish fisherman and my dad enjoyed sailing before we came along. I think my connection to sailing, Cornwall’s fishing heritage, and a need to be in or near the water, is very apparent in my work.

What does Blue Health mean to you and your artwork?

I’m a true believer in Blue Health and the positive impact of being on, in or near water has on our physical and mental health. There’s plenty of science to back it up and I find it fascinating. As someone who is naturally drawn to the sea, I think this feeling flows through to the canvas. I find it a restful and calm process, a feeling I hope to bring to any finished painting.

Blue Health : https://thegreatcornishoutdoors.com/blue-space-living-by-the-sea-health/

Guest blog written by Penny Sherwood.