I started working on my 'Arms of the Ocean ~ Coast Path Memories' Collection just over a year ago.  It ended up being a long conversation between me and the pieces with bursts of intense energetic mark making and sweeps of joyous brush marks followed by pauses.  Times to reflect, regroup and adjust.   Creating textured layers which play off one another, catch the light or get hidden away, so only I know their secrets.  Watching the light and feeling the weather and seaspray on the North Devon Coastline whilst painting en plein air for the first time was so freeing.  Sitting high up on the rugged Hartland Peninsula or tucking myself away on the cliff edge at Westward Ho!
 
Walking along the cliffs and Tors, observing the constantly changing weather and the effect it had on the light, forms and tones of the sea and clouds and cliffs.  What was concealed and revealed as storms, sunsets, Spring Tides and stillness touched the Coastline.  Absorbing all of the elemental energy and pouring that into my paintings helped me through a life changing year.