Newhaven Harbour 3

There's plenty of interesting views on the river at Newhaven. This is looking North, away from the sea.

Queens Hotel, Eastbourne

A few weeks ago I took some photos on the seafront at dusk. It was raining and VERY windy. This is a painting looking east in front of the Burlington Hotel looking towards The Queens.SOLD

Winter sea

It's SO COLD today!! I've had a cold over the past few days so it seems even colder, but you can already feel the days getting longer as it's been quite sunny. Here is a view of the sea off Birling Gap. SOLD

The Corn Exchange

This is a view loking over the Pavilion Gardens towards the Corn Exchange near the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. It was late in the afternoon, the sun was going down and there were just a few flakes of snow floating about.

Merry Christmas

I've been unable to post the regular daily paintings over the past week so many apologies. Thanks though to all of you who have been looking at this blog over the past year. I hope you've enjoyed looking at them as I have painting them. Merry Christmas!

Farmland near East Dean

A semi abstract view of East Dean from the hill just south of the village, looking north. Spring.

Farm trail near East Dean

This is a pastoral view of a farm trail just to the west of East Dean on the hill out of the village towards Eastbourne.

Belle Tout 3

Here is another view from the road from East Dean to Birling Gap, looking East towards Belle Tout lighthouse.

Shopping in Lewes

This is a painting of Cliffe High St Lewes with Christmas tree on the left and the downs above the Cuilfail Tunnel in the background. EXTREMELY cold today!

In the bleak midwinter

This is just about the simplest landscape I've produced since starting this project in April. I just didn't want to add anything to it. Really feels like we're in the 'bleak midwinter' SOLD

Spring view

I know I keep going on about the temperature but today is REALLY cold! As a response, this is an imagined (spring) landscape based on the view nearing Birling Gap and looking East towards Belle Tout. SOLD

Snow on the Downs 2

This is another view looking over towards Belle Tout from the path that winds up the hill along the path next to Frith & Little.
REALLY cold again today and Christmas just a few weeks away now. This weekend in Eastbourne we have the first Christmas Open Houses featuring nearly 50 artists showing their work at 30 venues around the town. Leaflets available from various locations around the town including the Tourist Information Centre and The Library, and from me at 100 Hurst Rd - 01323 643727

Snow on the Downs

Very cold this weekend up on the downs.(Nice though) This is a view towards Belle Tout from the high ground near the car park at Crowlink. SOLD

Brrr!

As predicted, it's become very cold in Eastbourne today, though no snow actually. This is based on some pictures I took in the snow storms earlier in the year. It's actually been very very cold, very wet and very windy today.

Beachy Head 4

Another view of Beachy Head from the air. Less cold here in Sussex today but it's predicted to get colder again at the weekend!

Crowlink 2

Here's a view from the car park at Crowlink near Friston Church, just before the cattle grid and looking West. SOLD

Firework Night 2

This is another painting of the Firework Night festivities in East Dean on Friday 7th November. There seem to be many more fireworks than usual this year. I wonder why that is? SOLD

Firework Night

Went to East Dean firework display on November 7th. This is based on some photos I took on the night. SOLD

Near Lewes 2

Travelled to Brigton and Lewes yesterday. Nice and bright and the downs looked beautiful.This is a view near the Cuilfail tunnel in Lewes. SOLD

Eastbourne Seafront

This will be a familiar scene to Eastbournians. There are many exotic plants on the seafront, particularly between Terminus Road and the Wish Tower. This has turned out to be a 'Vettrianoesque' study of a palm. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing! SOLD

Eastbourne Pier 6

Another night view of the pier. It's a shame that the pier seems to be running into slight disrepair and I hope it doesn't go the way of the West pier in Brighton. It's such a beautiful structure and gives wonderful views of Eastbourne, east and west.

Beachy Head 3

Here's another view of Beachy Head from above. Occasionally the sea around here takes on an almost Carribean feel with rich turquoise over the white chalk rocks.

Downland at dusk

I usually paint early in the morning but today I made this painting at dusk. I haven't painted the Sussex downland for a while now but plan to do a lot more as winter sets in. NFS (commissioned)

Snowy Pier

Another image of Eastbourne Pier, this time almost hidden in heavy snow (based on a photo taken last winter). I love watching the effect of snow on both the natural and built environment. Of couse, in a painting like this I get both!

Marina

This is a marina scene painted as part of a commissioned collection of 36. Each painting has to feature one of the company's corporate colours - grey, orange, purple, mid blue and mid green. NFS

Eastbourne Pier 5

Another familiar view seen from the beach just west of Eastbourne Pier. You may have seen the flocks of birds flying in strict formation around the pier. Thousands of them have made their home amongst the metal girders under the wooden walkway and you only tend to see them emerge when they are disturbed by fireworks! SOLD

Eastbourne Bandstand

The bandstand was built in the mid thirties I believe and I've always loved it. Every Boxing Day for the past 25 years or so I've gone along with my family to join the hundreds of people who congregate around midday, dance a bit, have some mulled wine and watch the swimming club take their traditional dip. In the seventies we used to watch Miss Eastbourne competition here in the summer! SOLD

'twixt East Dean and Eastbourne

A solitary van on the brow of the hill between Eastbourne and East Dean. I used to paint a lot of automotive material and exhibited at several prestigious car shows - Goodwood Revival and The Antwerp Classic Salon. Have a look at some on my main website.

www.sutherlandbeatson.com/automotive-paintings

A Brand New Day!

No Sussex painting today, but here's a quick collage to celebrate the election of Barack Obama. What a day! There's something about the promise of a good national leader that I just love. I don't think the impact of todays' events can be overstated. Over and above the election of someone from a minority group in a country like America, an intelligent, charismatic individual has been chosen to help at a time when the world needs true leadership. Hurrah!

Imagined snowscene

Here's a painting based on an imagined snow scene, possibly Venice. More Sussex paintings coming later this week. Thanks to all who came along to the Open Studio at the weekend.

Bethlehem 2

I'll be honest. I haven't been able to get a painting done today. I've been tied up finishing a brochure. So here's another 'Bethlehem' painting I did a while ago. It's framed in a very thick white painted frame and I think would make a very pleasing Christmas present for someone!

First snow!

Admitedly it was only for a few minutes, but we had snow today at about 2.00pm. It was SO COLD! Here's a seascape painted at dusk looking out from the main lifeguard beach at about 5.30pm

Christmas!

I know Christmas is still a couple of months away but I'm currently working on the brochure for Eastbourne Artist's Open Houses and I came across this painting I did a while ago. It's a graphic study of Bethlehem at night.

Eastbourne Pier 4

Here's another view of Eastbourne Pier. At night this time. Back in 2004 I had 2 paintings purchased by the House of Lords in the style of 1930s travel posters. One was of De La Warr Pavilion, one was Eastbourne Pier, both rendered in a hard edged 'graphic' style, This one is more atmospheric.

Near East Dean 6

This is another view towards Belle Tout from the footpath that snakes up to the top of the hill just South of East Dean village.
SOLD

Looking West

This is looking West from the same position as the last painting (though this was painted at dusk)

Top of the Hill

... so you take the path up the hill opposite the Tiger at East Dean. When you get to the top and look straight ahead you look out over the cliffs to the Channel. If you look back inland you see this.SOLD

Near East Dean 5

This is a view looking East as you take the footpath up the hill opposite the Tiger Inn. The weather is definitely changing now and getting quite cold at night. Nice and bright over the weekend though. SOLD

Pebbles 2

Another close up of a group of pebbles on Eastbourne Beach. The variety and HUGE quantity of the pebbles on the beach never ceases to amaze me. The overall colour and tone of the beach tends to be warm mid beige, but look closely and you'll see everything from black to white with all shades in between. NFS

Eastbourne Bandstand 2

Here's another study of a familiar view. Looking down at the striped deckchairs at the Bandstand. This is a commission, so not available to purchase I'm afraid!

Near East Dean 4

This is a view taken from the bridle way running south (uphill) from East Dean village. Belle Tout is on the horizon in the centre with Birling Manor over to the left. SOLD

Near East Dean 3

Well, what a beautiful weekend, particulary Sunday! Walked from East Dean village green up towards Crowlink with fantastic views along the way. This is a painting at the top of the bridle way looking towards Belle Tout and showing the wind-blown trees that are in abundance up here. SOLD

Hastings Pier

I was born in Hastings and looking at this pier is one of my earliest memories. It's a beautiful structure, sadly not in brilliant repair but very good to look at at all times of the year and in all weathers. SOLD

Cuckmere Haven 4

Here's another view of Cuckmere Haven from the road towards Eastbourne. Apparently the hill on the Seaford side of the valley was the scene of a battle some seven hundred years ago. We re-enacted the battle when I was at school back in the late sixties.

Near Birling Gap 3

Another view from the road approaching Birling Gap driving from East Dean village. The first and second Birling Gap paintings have now sold, so - here's hoping! SOLD 11.4.09

Beachy Head 3

Did some 'astral planing' today to get this view of Beachy Head lighthouse. Pretty cold up there today though even though it's been nice and sunny all day!

Beachy Head 2

Another view of Beachy Head, this time an imagined aerial view. The hedges and roads make a fascinating pattern when viewed from above and it's interesting to note that until just a few hundred years ago there was forest almost right to the waters edge. SOLD

Cuckmere Haven 3

Here's a view from the hill leading west out of Cuckmere Haven. If you havent ever seen the 'meander' of the River Cuckmere here, it's brilliant. If you have a spare hour or so, park opposite the visitor centre and walk down towards the sea. It's a beautiful walk at any time of the year.

Beachy Head

The weather this weekend was fantastic. On Saturday we walked up towards Beachy Head from Whitbread Hollow. Occasionally the sea near here takes on an almost Carribbean blue/green. This is an abstract study looking down towards to shoreline. The lighthouse is just out of view.

Eastbourne Pier 3

Here's a nightime picture of Eastbourne Pier from the promenade on the east side. I haven't seen many night paintings of the pier but it looks spectacular from all angles in all seasons.