Midday Sun

Sometimes a landscape is transformed not by the place itself, but by the light that falls upon it.

Midday Sun captures a moment of brilliance along the dramatic coastline of Hastings Country Park, where an ancient pathway winds through vibrant green slopes towards the sea below. Above, an expansive sky opens to reveal a radiant burst of sunlight, illuminating the landscape and drawing the eye towards the distant horizon. The interaction of light, land, and water creates an atmosphere that feels both uplifting and timeless.

There is a sense of discovery within the painting. The winding path invites the viewer to step forward, descending through the rolling coastal terrain towards the cliffs and shoreline beyond. The rich greens of the countryside contrast beautifully with the cool blues of the sea and the soft silvery tones of the sky, evoking the unique character of this remarkable stretch of coastline.

Inspired by the ancient landscape of Hastings Country Park, where bedrock paths weave through hidden glens, ferns, and waterfalls before reaching the shore, the painting celebrates the enduring relationship between land and sea. The dramatic sunlight transforms an already captivating view into a moment of wonder, reminding us of nature's ability to surprise and inspire.

Started in 2022 and completed in 2025, Midday Sun evolved over several years through a process of building numerous thin layers of oil paint. Marks were created, worked into the surface, and allowed to dry before further layers were applied, resulting in a richly textured finish that reveals its complexity on closer inspection. Palette knives, large household brushes, fine art brushes, cloths, and even the artist's fingers were used to develop the varied textures and expressive surfaces throughout the painting.

A luminous and deeply atmospheric landscape, Midday Sun captures not only a place, but the fleeting magic of sunlight breaking through the clouds and transforming the world beneath it.

Title: Midday Sun
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Subject: Coastal Landscape, Hastings Country Park, Seascape
Style: Contemporary Landscape
Canvas size: 102 × 81 cm
Frame size: 105 x 85 cm