‘Shifting Light’
It’s late November, and I’m crouched on the banks of the Mawddach Estuary in North Wales. There’s no breeze, just a damp, icy winter chill. My hands are freezing. I’ve been painting here for four hours, but nothing’s working. I've had enough today.
As the winter sun drops, I begin to pack away my things. Suddenly, the estuary is flooded with shafts of amber light. The distant silhouette of the Cadair Idris mountains turns ultramarine, and reflections on the river turn dark aubergine. Frantically I grab my inks and start to paint. With every second that passes, the light keeps shifting. I paint one study after the other, trying to capture every moment. In my haste, the inks begin to bleed, and colours merge together as wet washes spill across the paper. I feel so incredibly alive and present.
As the final glimpses of light disappear and darkness falls, I sit back, exhausted. I slowly pack up and return to the accommodation with a pile of damp paintings. I feel like I’ve been to a distant universe! The whole experience has wiped me out. I shower, gulp a glass of red, and go to my warm bed.
The following morning, I pulled out my studies. I’m transported! The fusion of colour on the paper takes me back to that moment. I was there again, on the edge of the Estuary with the setting sun. The colours and marks in these jewel-like paintings created lasting evidence of my beautiful experience. This is the power of art. This is the wonder of painting outdoors.
Capturing Last Rays
Painting with inks and acrylic on an autumn evening.
My time in Mawddach changed me as an artist. Since that cold November, I've developed a deeper understanding of what inspires me. I find myself seeking out the fleeting moments of sunrise and sunset, looking for times of day that can infuse my art with the sense of changing light. It doesn't always need to be setting suns—reflections, stormy weather, even low mist—these conditions seem to heighten your senses and create an exhilarating experience.
I've also developed a deeper love for ink. I love the way it gracefully moves on the paper, creating delicate shifts of colour. It’s a truly mesmerising medium to work with, especially when juxtaposed with acrylics' solid, rich texture. Ink has the flexibility to be a subtle tint, but when used undiluted, it can bring extreme tonal depth to your work.
Sketchbook page from Mull
Over the last year, I've had the privilege to paint in some truly stunning locations. My favourite has to be Scotland. Its wild and untamed landscape has ‘an otherworldliness’ to it. The beaches and mountains never cease to inspire me. I always come away desperate to paint there again.
This collection of new paintings is my response to all the incredible locations. These are honest and raw responses, expressing how I feel about each place, from the silvery sands of Calgary Bay on Mull to the gritty shores of the Mawddach Estuary.
When I finally began curating this collection, I knew it had to be called “Shifting L It p” It perfectly encapsulated the essence of these paintings. It's the inspiration behind each piece, and I couldn't be more thrilled to share it with you.
To view the full collection, follow the link below. I hope you enjoy it —it’s been created with love!
Sam xx
