Capturing the Crimson Coast: Why Sidmouth’s Red Cliffs Dominate My Abstract Landscape
Looking out over a sunlit Sidmouth bay in East Devon, one is often met with the beautiful sight of turquoise waters turning to a soft shade of pink as it reaches the shore. This pink hue is created by the red stone of the local coastline. Down at the waters edge the beach is dominated by the striking red cliffs laid down millions of years ago, dating back to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. They are vulnerable to the elements and subject to many cliff falls during winter storms, when the sea becomes a burgundy broiling mass. The large rocks forming Sidmouth’s sea defenses have become a major feature of the landscape here, as well as the iconic Esplanade and Jacobs’s ladder.
Moving away from the popular esplanade the cliff path winds upwards from Connaught Gardens to peak hill where you are met by its beautiful far reaching views of the coast. A little inland is the area known as Mutters Moor, an area of lowland heath, rich in wildlife and local flora. Follow its ancient tracks and take in the breathtaking views across the Otter Valley. This area is steeped in history and legend and is said to have been inhabited by Stone age man. Thousands of years ago the ‘seven stones’ monument was thought to have stood here, before allegedly being dug up and moved to the Bicton Estate. In the 17th century legend has it, the Moor was used by the infamous Jack Rattenbury’s smugglers gang. Surrounding the moorland are a series of winding paths through Sidmouth woods, a wonderful place to be explored throughout the seasons.
As you continue further along the coast path with its varied terrain you will reach Ladram Bay where the distinctive sea stacks rise from the cove. These once formed caves and arches but have been subject to erosion over the years. Continue on to the coastal town of Budleigh Salterton which marks the beginning of the Jurassic Coast.
All of this rich topography, history and stories surrounding the area creates a feeling of connection to the past and the land. These things are key to inspiring my abstract landscapes, in which I aim not to represent in a realistic manner, but to capture for you the feeling of being in the landscape, the turning seasons and the connections with the past, as well as my own connections and observations as I interact with this place and time. I walk daily as part of my practice sketching, taking photographs and often stopping to observe whatever catches my attention. This then feeds into my work back in the studio where my paintings unfold intuitively becoming a melting pot of ideas and memories. I am also driven by the materiality of the paint and other materials I use. By this I refer to the ways I can experiment with the materials to achieve different effects and feelings.
You will notice that the colours I use are very much linked to the surroundings here, with earthy hues being central to my work, burnt sienna, raw umber, venetian red, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson are always on my palette, as well as a variety of blues and greens to mix the colours of water sea, sky, rivers and ponds. I usually begin by staining my canvas to produce a vibrant glow. I work in many thin layers creating depth. I also like to have some of the early layers showing through the work both to preserve luminosity and to show you the viewer the history of the painting unfolding. I like working in both acrylics and oils, but I always use acrylics in the first layers so that I can create in a flow state and respond quickly at this stage to the marks I put down. The work becomes slower and more considered (i.e. more looking required) as it progresses. I use a variety of tools and methods such as scrapers, palette knives, brushes, stencils and also some mixed media e.g. charcoal, graphite, collage etc., as the variety of marks produced in this way can help to bring abstract work to life. I use professional pigments and mediums from trusted brands to ensure the longevity of my work.
Nature related art is a great choice for your home. The earthy colours of many of my pieces can help to bring a sense of warmth to any space. Modern landscape, coastal seascape or wild life art is very grounding, giving you a sense of calm and linking you to nature even when you cannot be outside in that moment. Owning a contemporary or abstract art work for your home or office means that you are free to place your own interpretation on the painting, a little piece of Sidmouth and the South West, that captures your own special memory in way which feels modern and thought provoking.
There are endless inspirations in this area of East Devon I call home. My daily walks bring to my attention a myriad of fleeting moments which I sketch, photograph and store in my memory so that I feel I can never tire of expressing what I see and sense through painting.
You can explore original works and prints currently available on my website, where there is a faq and/or contact page if you would like more information. You can also follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/j.ensorpaint/ and DM for enquiries. If you would like to stay in touch please register for email updates on my website.