My first visit to Cornwall was in 1966 whilst courting my now wife Eileen. I remember the excitement of such an adventure, the impact to my artistic eye of this stunning county never has left me. The clean beaches, the aqua coloured sea with bright light bouncing and glittering on the waves, the unique luminescence of the light, the warmth of each day.
It became a desire of ours to live and paint this wonderful part of the country, but life at that time in the commercial art world dictated I stay north. Many, many trips and many hundreds of paintings of the area later we finally made the move.
It was a difficult choice to relocate our long established “Art Breaks in Yorkshire’ art holiday company where so many good and loyal customers annually joined us to paint the Yorkshire Wolds. But the chance to explore and paint even further the delights of the stunning Cornish land and seascape won the day. I’m glad to say some of our old students have committed to visiting to enjoy this magnificent place.
For over a century, artists have been drawn to Cornwall, inspired by its spectacular, unspoilt north coastline and the unique, translucent quality of the light it reflects. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, Cornwall’s mild subtropical climate attracts painters all year round for its historic charm and scenic setting.
Many, many trips and many hundreds of paintings of the area later, we finally made the move.
We are now based in the delightful market town of Wadebridge next to the Camel Estuary where the Camel river flows down from Bodmin to the open sea at the fishing port of Padstow. Its a dream location on our very doorstep with the constant rise and fall of the tidal reach, and the ever changing dawn to dusk light providing a never ending source of inspiration.
The now defunct railway line passes through Wadebridge from Bodmin to Padstow and has been ergonomically transformed into a walking/cycling trail passing through woodlands and wetlands with views of the soft rolling Cornish landscape. Within a short drive of Wadebridge we have the many stunning coastal locations including Polzeath, Bedruthan steps, Harlyn Bay, Constantine Bay, Morgan Porth, Watergate, Newquay, and Port Isaac (where Doc Martin is filmed). Just above Port Isaac is the historical castle at Tintagel.
Each day is a new delight inspiring a fresh outlook in the way of thinking about my artistic life, whilst exploring visual techniques and images which may never been aroused had we not made the move. I feel a whole new artistic life has opened up whilst still based on the lifetime skills and techniques as a professional artist. As I write this I have just returned from a sunny afternoon on Polzeath beach developing coloured drawings of the slate cliffs in a way and with colours far more adventurous.
See more of Tony’s work, or book a holiday at: www.hoganart.co.uk
