Boulmer Cottages inspired by Joan Eardley

I so enjoyed painting this of Boulmer Cottages, inspired as I was by reading a biography about the amazing artist, Joan Eardley, who died far too young at the age of 42 just as she was reaching the height of her powers.

I very much decided that less is more with this painting and like the way it almost painted itself, without too much interference from me!

I dedicate it to the memory of Joan Eardley 1921 - 1963

Work in Progress

I have been wanting to do a painting of the cottages at Boulmer, Northumberland for over a year.  I didn't like my first attempt, and it went the way of any of my paintings that don't make the grade....recycled into another painting. Lately I have been looking at the work of the great Joan Eardley 1921-1963. Her amazing paintings of the cottages at Catterline reminded me of the ones at Boulmer. Inspired by her work I decided to have another go. 

I am sure she just painted straight onto the canvas but I like to draw the important features first. I am trying to keep the painting loose and the colours muted and although I have been inspired by Joan I am very pleased with the fact that the painting is still very much a Sue Nichol!

Commission Success!

The commission I have been working on for the last three weeks and can now show as the clients have been to view and declared  they love it! The painting is  big, a 5'x4' view of the steelworks from Redcar beach an area my clients and myself know very well from childhood.

Making The Most of a Sunny Day

I have brought my studio out into the garden and I am really enjoying painting these trees with the sun on my back. The warmth is  loosening up my brush and knife strokes and I am just 'going for it', trying to complete a painting in one day. No fussiness no drawing simply painting!

Latest work update.

After a visit to Staithes for reference material for a new commission which I have now finished. (a little peek, top image)

I am starting to paint other wonderful things that inspired me. Second from top is South Gare Lighthouse which is an amazing place to visit. It is a mixture of stunning scenery, industry and a man made harbour, called Paddy's Hole (above) which is a boat painter's paradise.