It is so hard to describe with words the magical allure of Cornwall’s coastline. It immediately soothes a busy mind and allows you to feel like you can take the deepest breath you’ve taken in months just to be still.

Watching the waves rhythmically roll in, whether it be a roaring swell crashing in or a gentle little break lapping at the shore, is truly hypnotic. I feel free, and everything is put into perspective when I am either standing atop a clifftop watching from a vantage point or sitting on the shoreline with the sand between my toes. Do you feel like that too?

I think that’s why I am so fascinated with painting it now, I feel I need to express what the ocean does to me, and how it makes me feel. I have a deep affinity with it, it calls to me on a daily basis, and I know, from the many clients I have worked with now, that they too feel that calling.

I am so incredibly grateful I get to call this place home now, but I remember how I felt before I moved here, how I wanted to bring the ocean, and the beauty of Cornwall to me in my home in the city. So that is why I am constantly looking for ways in which I can do that for other, whether it be original paintings or my prints.

My limited edition bamboo prints are an easy and accessible way to bring that Cornish ocean magic to you wherever you may be.

I get asked all the time what my favourite beach is in Cornwall, and quite honestly, I couldn’t pick one… I have so many, all for different reasons. So let me take you on a little tour around the North Coast of Cornwall with my ocean-inspired prints:

Carbis Bay

Such an idyllic spot, just outside of St Ives, it is a swimmer’s paradise. The bay being sheltered it has the perfect conditions to gently flow through the turquoise waters. Not only that but is the location of my favourite foody spot, The Ugly Butterfly Restaurant. With their zero-waste ethos on all that they do I was honoured when they asked me to create a collection of paintings for the bar restaurant. You can view the whole collection, including my piece ‘Carbis Bay Shoreline’ when dining with them or just sitting in the stunning bar looking out over the bay.

Crantock

My hometown beach and daily dose of vitamin Sea… it is my local swimming spot and my dog Marley’s favourite walk. Heading up around the dunes and then down onto the beach for swim around in the tidal pools, this piece ‘Summer At Crantock’ captures one such moment.

Diving into the turquoise waters, the coolness of the water gently biting at your skin while the sun warms your face. Enjoying the peace and the feeling of oneness with the ocean.

Fistral

One of the most famous surfing destinations in the UK, this shore is well known for its huge swells that are a mecca for surfers from across the globe. I find it mesmerising and chilling just how much power there is in some of the bigger swells. Too windy at times to stand upon the clifftop to wave watch, one of my favourite vantage spots is The Esplanade Hotel, sat in The Cove restaurant and watching from the cosy warmth of the hotel. You can also view the full collection of Fistral paintings I created for the restaurant while you are there.

Watergate Bay

The place that enabled me to relocate here, with the hotel giving my chef husband a job on the spot while we were still down on holiday! It holds such special memories for me, of excitement at the possibilities lying ahead. I remember sat watching the many surfers masterfully ride the infamous waves, in awe of how they worked with the powerful swell. My piece ‘Paddle Out’ was created based on my admiration for the avid surfers, having attempted many times myself and realising I preferred sea swimming, I now just find it mesmerising watching them.

Rock

My second home for nearly 10 years when I was still a fashion buyer, Rock beach was my daily lunchbreak stroll and lunch eating spot. From the first time I saw the sand ridges, the Doom bar, I was instantly fascinated by the place. I have created many paintings based on the sand ridges, but the Spit holds many wonderful memories for me, sat on the sand laughing with friends, letting the sun warm our faces.

Polzeath

Just around the corner from Rock, this surfers haven is the complete contrast to Rock. Seeing huge, heavy swells roll in, crashing at the rocky outcrops. One of my favourite coast path walks is the stretch from Polzeath round to Rock. Watching the change in conditions as the open ocean meanders into the Camel Estuary. If you are in the area, I have a collection of paintings in The St Enodoc Hotel depicting that contrast, one of my favourites is ‘Breaking on the Rocks’ The original piece has now sold but prints are still available:

My work is well known for its texture, and I am really proud of the quality of my bamboo prints. I wanted the reproductions to show all the depth and beauty of the texture I had worked so hard to create on the original. On a lot of the prints it is hard to see the difference between original and print from a distance, giving you and affordable way to bring Cornwall to you.

Cornwall has long been a mecca for artists and creatives, with its light and sheer never-ending inspiration, so I hope my work conveys my adoration of this beautiful coastline, in a unique yet sustainable way. With every piece I sell I donate to various ocean and environmental charities, so you are helping me to preserve it, and the ocean in general for future generations.

If you’d like, take a closer look at my full prints portfolio, where you can order your print, each one being custom made to order by my artisan printer in Cornwall. Choose from multiple sizes, unframed, framed and why not add hand embellishment?

Allow me to bring Cornwall to you, with my textured expressions of my adoration for this beautiful county.

Gemma

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