Established land & 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 oil paintings featuring classic Kent coast and harbour scenes, as well as the stunning sunsets seen on Whitstable beach.
He has recently set up apermanent display at the front of his house with a rolling exhibition of finished pieces. This gallery space is open on weekends from 10:30am – 5pm.
If you are visiting Whitstable, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artist in his studio, pick up some lovely greeting cards and view his original paintings while passing by on a scenic (circular) walk only 20min from town centre. You can combine it with stops at some of our most well-known pubs: The Old Neptune on West Beach, The Rose in Bloom in Joy Lane, (next door to Ric’s place), and The Sportsman gastro pub in Seasalter.
To arrange a visit, call 07835294317, or email enquiries@richorner.com
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Ric collaborates on site with his partner Annett, who works in a bold, expressive, semi-abstract way. In her art, she focuses mostly on their beautiful koi fish pond and wildlife garden.
Ric works in a modern classical way and creates atmospheric, light-filled land and seascapes. The sublime light of his paintings is reminiscent off a style called Luminism. He takes part every year in theEast Kent Artists’ Open Houses, which was on this year from12th/13th, 19th/20th and 26th/27th October 2024.
It is now 12 years since Ric moved into the cottage built by the eccentric painter Dan Sherrin – a small summer residency on the seafront in a secluded garden on The Saxon Shore Way, 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.
An elderly neighbour who lived nearby, 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.
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“Since moving into Dan Sherrin’s 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 wealth of natural beauty in front of me and I am less dependent on notes and colour sketches.”
“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.
I can now work directly on canvas while engaging with my subject and depict various sea states and light events that may have otherwise evaded me. It has become possible to study storms in greater detail and track showers and their influence on the sea in some degree of comfort. These paintings are therefore composed in my imagination based on observed realities. They are true to my inner eye. Unfortunately, despite the house’s prominence and history, time and gravity have taken their toll, leaving every floor uneven, so when I first moved in, the horizon appeared to lean when looking out from the window!”
Ric opens his studio to the public on most days throughout the year. You can now visit him and buy his original paintings, prints and greeting cards directly from him.
Award winning artist Ric W. Horner is one of the county’s leading landscape painters whose professional career spans more than 30 years. His work focuses on the elemental qualities of open space, the energy of weather and the expressive qualities of light. https://ekoh.org.uk/whitstable
He has opened his studio to the public on various occasions over the past 11 years to connect with clients and collectors in a more personal way. For visits outside this open days contact him on Tel: 07835294317, or: enquiries@richorner.com
“…His mastery of sky, light and colour is breath taking!”
“Wow! My kind of art. Absolutely stunning. Love it!! Xx“
“After seeing his work for the first time it completely changed the way I saw colour in nature, but especially the sky and dark clouds. This incredible oil on canvas captures a moment where the beautiful light and detail pulls you in, so you too are involved and immortalised in the moment.”
Ric created a solo exhibition at the award winning ‘The Sportsman’ in Seasalter back in 2015 featuring the inspiring scenery of the Thames estuary. This famous Michelin star pub is located 2 miles out of Whitstable, on the North Kent coast and is popular with weekend visitors and many Londoners. It is nicely furbished with rolling exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists.
Ric lived at 1-18 Reeves Yard Whitstable from 2002-13 and revamped this old industrial studio in 2012 in order to re-opened it to the public with a rolling exhibition of finished pieces..
Press Release for his latest Open Day on Saturday, 4th May 2013 …..“With the spring weather still evasive, Kent’s finest artist brings sunshine to your home all year round. Ric W. Horner is opening his gallery doors on Saturday, 4th May to present his own, personal colours of the rainbow. He captures moments and places like no camera can. The vividness and energy of his seascapes instantly transport the viewer to the coast on a glorious Summer day complete with breathtaking sunsets – with his passion and love evident in every single piece. “
