Seascape painting ‘View from the Coastal Path’ by Cynthea Gregory
Our artwork of the week is ‘View from the Coastal Path’ by Cynthea Gregory. It is a colourful coastal seascape painting in acrylics on canvas, and is ready to hang. It has a bold patchwork of colours representing the cliffs and sea of the seaside town of Budleigh Salterton.
In Cynthea’s Words
My lively semi-abstract seascape of Budleigh Salterton aims to capture the atmosphere of a memorable walk along the East Devon coastal path on a bright, sunny day. The canvas is painted in acrylic and measures W 61 cm x H 45.5cm x D 1.0 cm. Finished in matt varnish and ready to hang on the wall.
SEE MORE ARWORK BY CYNTHEA GREGORY
QUESTIONS TO THE ARTIST
Firstly, I love the patchwork of colours you use in your landscapes. How are they created? Do you paint them on location, or are images taken, which you then work from?
I always paint a landscape which I have immersed myself in. I need to take in factors such as the time of the year, and the lighting of that day. This work started in August, on a bright sunny day. The basic structure of several ideas will be sketched in situ, and I will always take lots of accompanying photos. I find it very difficult to paint on a canvas outside. Therefore, acrylic work is done in my ‘studio’. The patchwork in this work is really only tonal. It shows the light, medium and dark tones of the landscape. My colour palette is dictated by the impression and atmosphere I wish to portray of the landscape. They are not true to life. I’m currently painting a winter coastal scene, and the palette is more subdued.
You use varied styles of painting and subjects. Which is your favourite style and subject to paint and why?
Though I was initially art trained, I did not pick up my paint brushes again for a very long time. As a mature adult, I haven’t been painting for very long, and only started painting in acrylics about two years ago. I love to attend art workshops, and naturally, my work is influenced by the artist leading it. And I feel I’m still developing my own style of work.
I love painting my local environment and have a photo file full of ‘possible landscapes’. Also I am a follower of an ecological charity which helps orangutans. You will see my work ‘Back to the Wild’ has been painted for the charity and all proceeds will be given to them. I spent two years trying to perfect a children’s picture book (painted in watercolours) about orangutans.
I’m a real animal lover and enjoy drawing and painting birds and wild animals. In this field, my work has been heavily influenced by Tom Shepherd.
Is Acrylic your preferred medium to use and why? Have you used other mediums?
I don’t have a preferred medium. Some subjects seem to be more appropriate to be worked in watercolour (usually gouache), some in coloured pencils, or acrylic inks, others in acrylic or mixed media.
How long would an artwork like this take to produce?
From the initial sketching stage to completion – probably two weeks, or around 40 hours.
Lastly, which artists inspire you?
Tom Shepherd has strongly influenced my animal paintings. Chris Forsey’s workshops have been a great help with my acrylic and mixed media work. My colour palette has also been influenced by local artists George Hutchinson and Cherry Ferris. But my biggest influence has been the Impressionist and Post Impressionist Schools. I have always loved Vincent Van Gogh’s work.
About the Artist
Art and photography have been a passion of mine since I was a teenager. I pursued a teaching career, initially in Art, and then later in Design and Technology.
My artwork was cast aside when I followed my husband to France because of his work. There I had several cookbooks published in French, taking all of the photographs of the recipes myself. On returning to Britain in 2018, I picked up my paint brushes again.
I work mainly in Acrylics and Gouache, focusing on local landscapes and wildlife portraiture. I endeavour to encapsulate the atmosphere of a venue using colours stimulated by my love of the Impressionist artists.
SEE MORE ARTWORKS BY CYNTHEA GREGORY
CYNTHEA AT BUDLEIGH SALTERTON WETLANDS PHOTO CYNTHEA USED AS REFERENCE FOR THE PAINTING
