Established land and seascape painter Ric Horner focuses in his work on the elemental qualities of light, the energy of weather and the drama of the sea. He creates highly atmospheric paintings that feature Kentish coastal, harbour and beach scenes, focusing often on the stunning sunsets seen in Whitstable.
Whitstable is situated in the Canterbury district, on the north coast of Kent adjoining the convergence of the Swale Estuary and the Greater Thames Estuary in south-eastern England. It sits five miles north of Canterbury and two miles west of Herne Bay and has been attracting visitors for centuries with its charm, beautiful scenery and cosy atmosphere.
All of Ric’s Prints are available directly from his online Shop. There is also designated page for all things Canterbury.
If you like to view his whole range of Whitstable cards go to: Cards, alternatively you can find his individual cards in two places on Whitstable: High Street: George’s Mini Market and The Horsebridge centre, but also directly from Ric’s studio ( by appointment only).
Dancing with clouds, 37 x 37cm – mounted giclée print – £50.00 (including postage & packaging)
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Above: Evening at Whitstable Harbour, 40 x 50cm, mounted print on paper – £ 50 (including postage & packaging)
Above: Whitstable Harbour in turquoise tones. 40 x 40cm, print on paper of – framed £ 75
Above: Whitstable Harbour, 30 x 42cm, print on paper – £ 20 (including postage & packaging)
Above: The Neptune, Whitstable, 27 x 16cm, Giclée prints on paper – £ 27.00 (including postage & packaging)
To arrange a studio visit call 07835294317, or email enquiries@richorner.com.
Original water colour studies and prints in Ric’s studio.
On show will be about 22 original oil on canvas paintings, as well as a wide range of Gouache/ Water colour studies and many attractive greeting cards of Whitstable and surroundings.
Feel free to get in touch to arrange a studio visit prior to this event, if you are interested in purchasing any of his original pieces, or prints.
It has now been 11 years that painter Ric W. Horner has lived in the late Dan Sherrin’s quirky cottage on The Saxon Shore Way in Whitstable, a long-distance footpath in England, which starts at Gravesend, Kent, and traces the coast of South-East England for 163 miles in total. He is one in a long line of artists , writers and novelists that made the town their home, for reasons such as the gorgeous light and stunning sunsets.
Eccentric painter Dan Sherrin (1869 – 1940) was an artist that could not be missed about the town, as he insisted on wearing the most outrageously chequer plus-fours and his love of beer was legendary. Dan was also a famous self-publicist of the most humorous kind, a practical joker who not only poked fun at those in authority – he even built his own airplane and created a spoof fire brigade!
One of Dan’s paintings still hangs in Buckingham Palace, as he was once commissioned by King George V. Furthermore. An elderly neighbour who lived nearby in Preston Parade Seasalter, has told Ric that he recalls seeing Winston Churchill plus entourage on the little foot bridge on Preston Parade, viewing the newly installed gun battery, which was right in front of the house in about 1943.
Now working from Mr Sherrin’s space overlooking the sea, Ric’s records the dramatic changes in mood, atmosphere and dynamic cloud formation one can observe in the sky above our heads. He says about it: “My paintings have much to do with the changing energy of weather; encompassing all sorts of environmental conditions, which can range massively from attractive, peaceful and scenic to threatening and dangerous.”
“Since moving into the late artist Dan Sherrin’s old cottage, I have set up my studio at the front of the house, which overlooks the sea. This has changed my working practice profoundly, as I now have a myriad of subject matter in front of me and I am less dependent on notes and colour sketches. I can now work directly on canvas from my subject and study in detail various sea states and “light events” which may have previously evaded me. It’s become possible to study storms in greater detail and track showers and their influence on the sea in some degree of comfort. Sadly, despite the house’s prominence and history, time and gravity has taken its toll, leaving it bereft of level floors, so when I first moved in, the horizon appeared to lean when looking out!”
The famous painter J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851) described the sunsets along the North Kent coast as some of the best in the world and just like Turner, Ric continues to explore the unique light conditions found in this area.
In February 2024 another acclaimed artist has worked on Whitstable West Beach. Originally intended for placement in a tidal area along the adjacent coastline, internationally known sculptor Jason De Caires Taylor installed his sculpture on private land only five minutes away from Ric’s studio outside The Old Neptune Pub, since he encountered resistance from local authorities. The artwork features an activist group of people and is called Sirens of Sewage.
It stands in support to SOS Whitstable, a group of 10 local activists who have been working tirelessly to hold water companies to account and make the sea safer along the Kent coast.
A good selection of Ric’s his beautiful greeting cards is now also available directly from Whitstable town centre! One outlet is the lovely gift shop George’s on 15-18 High Street and the other one is at The Horsebridge arts centre on the beach. thehorsebridge.org.uk/visit-us/shop
Georges is open from Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 5:00pm , or Saturday, 9.00am – 5:00pm and Sunday, 10am – 4:00pm in Kent, CT5 1AP.
The Horsebridge shop is open from 9am-5pm Mon-Sat (Closed on Tuesdays) and 10am-4pm Sun & Bank Holidays, 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, Kent. UK. CT5 1AF
After graduating from Exeter College of Art in 1989, Ric Horner spent the first two years of his career living and working on Dartmoor in Devon, developing a unique and profound engagement with light, mood and distance. Consequently he produced two solo shows; one at Marloes gallery in London in 1989 and one at Exeter College in 1990.
Twenty-six years later, in 2016, Ric had the opportunity to put together yet another stunning exhibition on the subject, this time at Green Hill Arts in Moretonhampstead on Dartmoor National Park. Thanks to his longstanding friend, supporter and art collector, historian and internationally acclaimed author Dr Ian Mortimer, Ric was able to showcase a selection of over 40 original oil on canvas paintings in the town’s dedicated art space.
Dr Ian Mortimer said about this exhibition in his introduction:
“Ric Horner is one of the country’s leading landscape painters. I have no doubt that, in due course, he will be recognised as one of the most significant landscape artists of our time. Ric’s dedication is astounding; his integrity no less so. For me it has been a privilege and an honour to be so closely involved with this exhibition, and to have been able to buy a number of his paintings over the years. “
The “Dartmoor: Theatre of Light” exhibition (10th September to 29th October 2016) at Green Hill Arts in Moretonhampstead was very well received and sold well for the gallery.
This year, in spring 2024, Ric has returned to the subject and has produced 26 different greeting card designs taken from this solo exhibition, as well as from other Devonshire and Cornish coastal areas.
He is currently selling some of these cards via MAKE Southeast in Bovey Tracey and the Moretonhampstead Visitors’ Information Centre.
With over 150,000 visitors a year traveling to Dartmoor National Park, there can be no question that Dartmoor and it’s landscape has attracted artists, as well as tourists for centuries and helped fire their imagination. From the thick mists that suddenly appear and roll across the moor to the dark, bottomless mires and the craggy granite tors, each lends an air of mystery and magic, all ripe for associated legends and tales.
In this exhibition, you will find yourself on a road at night having just seen the first welcoming streetlight of the village: you will soon be home and warm. The sun has gone down behind Laughter Tor leaving a few drifting clouds and vapour trails in the deep blue sky: the seemingly eternal rocky outcrop is juxtaposed with the ephemeral vestiges of the day. But the most striking feature of these Dartmoor paintings is the light. Often the painting is not actually about the hill, rock or any other object in the distance; it is about the space between you and that object. It is a portrait of the light, a place where skies brood, threaten, delight, obscure with mist, groan with rain or brighten with a ray of optimism.”
“A stunning exhibition of the highest calibre!”
“Poetic, beautiful, bold and absolutely marvellous!”
“They are sublime. So magical and true to the atmosphere”
“Ric Horner’s work is superb – truly spectacular!”
“Breathtaking views and big skies! Fabulous.”
“Wow! “I absolutely love your work; such stunning paintings. The most amazing sky and little houses shining like jewels. What an uplifting exhibition!”
“We recently saw your Theatre of Light exhibition in Moretonhampstead and were both really moved by it. I just wanted to let you know how delighted I am to have been able to purchase one of your pictures. I bought your picture of Scorhill (image below). It’s always been a favourite place of mine on the Moor and your picture captures it so vividly.“
Ric in his studio in summer 2016 preparing for the show.
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Below: Friends Ian Mortimer and Ric Horner on field trip to ‘The Strangles’ in September 2014, where the idea of the ‘Theatre of Light ‘ exhibition was first perceived.
Ric is available for commissions. Please contact him at: enquiries@richorner.com, if you fancy your own favourite views painted.
He has recently (April 2024) completed a large scale panorama picturing the view as you walk across the pebble bed heaths around Joney’s Cross near Sidmouth, a high point that is looking towards the coast in East Devon.
The UK coastline is one of the most beautiful in Europe and has a huge number of sailing towns that range from rocky and scenic to stylish and dramatic. It’s destinations are known to, and admired by many visitors from around the world. You just can’t beat the rugged cliffs and lush green landscape of England, which is unofficially the ‘home of sailing’ and it has a long and glorious tradition of boat building and for rearing fine sailors. Salcombe on the South Devon coast is particular scenic with lovely spots for sailing traditional boats and classic yachts.
Salcombe dusk
Salcombe is known for its outstanding views, rolling surrounding countryside, breath-taking natural beauty, sparkling turquoise waters and rugged cliffs. Once a major port for the fruit trade, it has now found fame as a safe haven for family holidays. The Salcombe Town Regatta takes place every year for one week in late July/early August. This year it will be on from 3rd – 10th August 2024 and many visitors and yachtsmen are expected.
Ric has recently created a range of greeting cards made from his original paintings of Salcombe, which were initially produced between 2017 and 2018 for the Tonic Gallery (at the time based in Island Street). At present this arrangement has paused, however the gallery is still operating from a new location in 7-9 Union St, Salcombe TQ8 8BZ. (tonicgallery.co.uk)
Below is Ric’s Salcombe Greeting Card Collection. They can be ordered from this website via the link above, or by clicking on the images.
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Please note, the selection below includes 3 card designs of Eryri (Snowdonia). They can be removed, or exchanged if required.
Some of the large, stormy paintings that were in the exhibition at the Tonic gallery are still available. Please view the front page for more details. If you are a retailer and interested in stocking some of Ric’s cards, get in touch. Alternatively, you can also order a catalogue to view the whole range of cards on offer.
Salcombe Harbour, 26 x 26cm, oil on canvas – available
Ric was represented by the White Wood Gallery in Ashburton, Dartmoor from November 2016 until February 2018. This arrangement has now come to an end.
Lovely feedback was received from previous buyers:
Dear Mr Horner, as a 50th Wedding Anniversary present to ourselves we purchased from the White Wood Gallery in Ashburton your oil painting entitled “Approaching Rain near Princetown, Dartmoor” (see above). My wife and I have known, loved and frequently visited Dartmoor since we were both young and we felt your painting captures the atmosphere of the Moor very well. We are generally more familiar with the eastern side of the Moor – i.e. Chagford/ Haytor/Hound Tor – and not so familiar with the area around Princetown. We wondered if you were able to give some more detail of the location from which your painting was taken?
It is now 10 years since the Horsebridge Centre (Home :: The Horsebridge) was build on the site of Johnny’s Arthouse. The new space is unlike any other building in Kent with it’s design based on an upturned boat and is soon stocking Ric’s greetings cards of Whitstable and surrounding.
Salcombe Harbour, 26 x 26cm, oil on canvas – available
