What inspires your paintings?
Living in Cornwall, I am lucky to be surrounded by unspoilt areas of natural beauty, the unique charm of the varied coastline and the vast open sea. My paintings are inspired by my lived experience of my surroundings: the dynamic energy of the waves and tides, the raw, plunging headlands, the diffused palette of deep blues and greens, and the wild flora that bloom along the clifftop paths and dunes. I am influenced by both natural observation and the textural inspiration of the landscape, seeking to convey a sense of presence through expressive, gestural strokes of the palette knife.
Why is the South West Coast Path important to you?
I spent my childhood holidays walking the South West Coast Path and exploring its coves and beaches. For me, it is far more than a scenic route, it holds deep personal significance and, now living in Cornwall, I am surrounded by the coastline that has shaped my creative development. I am currently walking the Cornish stretch of the South West Coast Path, from north to south. It’s part of my creative process, a time to stop, observe, reflect, absorb, where the pace slows and the senses open. I hope that this familiarity with the subject allows for paintings which feel real and lived in. The path offers endless inspiration and, even after years of painting it, it continues to offer new angles and visual references.
What is the biggest influence on your art?
The biggest influence on my art is the human connection to a place, shaped by experience and memory, a feeling of something familiar yet unspoken, a quiet sense of belonging. I draw from impressionism and do not aim for photographic accuracy, but rather to capture how a place feels – its atmosphere, mood and ambience.
How does spending time in nature through the seasons translate into your paintings?
I am at my happiest when I am by the sea. My work is reflective of the tranquillity of nature, influenced by the solitary, contemplative experience of spending time on the coast path through the shifting seasons. I am particularly drawn to the calm serenity of spring, its diffused light, the diverse colour palette, the layered waves, the breeze through grass and the coastal wildflowers dotted along the path as the air begins to warm.
Tell us about your use of tools to create dimension in your artwork.
I primarily work with a palette knife and oil paints, using an impasto technique to build dimension and contrast in my pieces. The palette knife is the ideal tool for capturing the rough texture of cliffs, the rolling waves and wind-stirred grasses. I love the buttery consistency of oil paints, they are the perfect medium for applying in thick, textured layers and create raised, tactile surfaces which catch the light and cast tiny shadows, bringing the painting to life.
Guest blog written by Katie Eliza.
About Katie
Katie Eliza lives in Cornwall and has had a love of painting since her childhood. Trained as a midwife and dividing her time between the hospital and studio, she works with oils, a palette knife, her fingers and various other tools, to create expressive seascapes of the South West.
Inspired by the flora of the English countryside and the rugged coastline of Devon and Cornwall, Katie applies the paint in rich layers, using a variety of detailed and fluid strokes, to capture the character, tone and ambiance of the land, sea and sky as they vary with the changing seasons. The use of light and colour, in her semi abstract impressions, induces a sense of calm, serenity and escapism.
Visit Katie’s website www.katieeliza.com and follow her Instagram @katieelizastudio.
The South West Coast Path 