Tag Archives: Thames estuary

Artist working on Whitstable beach

Ric Horner painting on the beach

It’s now 10 years ago that Ric Horner moved into 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. Over time he has recorded the dynamic changes in weather, atmosphere and cloud formations that one sees in this area, focusing predominantly on the views across the Swale Estuary towards the Isle of Sheppey. 

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Artist Dan Sherrin (1869 – 1940) 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 his 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.

J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851) described the famous sunsets along the North Kent coast as some of the best in the world and just like Turner, Ric also explores the unique atmospheres found in this area. He says:

“My work has as much to do with the changing weather; encompassing all sorts of environmental conditions, which can range massively from attractive and peaceful to threatening and dangerous,  as well as with the geographical location. 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 from my studio!”

 

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‘The Street’, a natural strip of shingle on an exposed clay bank on Tankerton beach, which runs out to sea and is revealed only at low tide for a distance of about half a mile. It is the last remnant of the Swale river valley that got lost to sea erosion over millennia and now provides a temporary, natural promenade. You can still visit it, or read about it at: http://The-Ley-Lines-and-Lost-Past-Of-North-Kent.

 

Ever since the opening of the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery in 2011, Ric’s hometown Margate has also grown to be quite an artistic hub for Kent. With The Old Town growing to be increasingly trendy and a rise of down-from-Londoners moving to the area, as well as Tracy Emin opening her studio there, it’s no wonder the area has grown so chic in recent years. Ric is hoping to soon showcase his prints and greeting cards of Margate Harbour at the Turner Contemporary gift shop and tourist information office.

 

Open Studios 2013 -23

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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. He has opened his studio space to the public on various occasions over the past 10 years to  connect with visitors in a more personal way.

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“…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.” 

 

 

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Below: visitors to one of his Open Studio events. The next one will be from 14th -28th October 2023 as part of the East Kent Artists Open Studios and the Canterbury Festival. 

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Ric Horner at The Sportsman Seasalter

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. 

 

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