Wednesday 20 April 2011

Wild Cornish Coast


A Vivien Blackburn original arrived here last week, to my great relief after Charlene's postcard to me didn't make it through the rigours of our postal system last month. I'm still hoping it will turn up so won't post the tantalising virtual version of it until all hope has gone...

So I was overjoyed to find this beautiful, atmospheric Cornwall coastal scene featuring Pendeen lighthouse, inside a cunningly disguised plain brown envelope. I love the storm-laden sky, the wildflower scattered coast and the expressive sea that I so much associate with Vivien, and have enjoyed discovering the many little marks that enrich the surface of this lovely painting. Its a wide 300x105mm landscape so don't know if the details will all show up here, but makes the real thing such a pleasure to have

On the other side Vivien stuck a map to show exactly where she was painting the several studies she made for this card, and not to be outdone by the Bear, the Tiger got his own hand-drawn stamp to add a finishing touch.

P.S. Vivien has done a post on her blog featuring some of the details of the postcard.

13 comments:

Claire said...

just lovely - very atmospheric... lovely colours :)

Scotty Lover said...

I gasped aloud when I saw this postcard. I know this light house.
We spent a few hours here, buffeted against the wind, sitting in the sun reading.
We were on our trip of a lifetime and this spot is one of our highlights.

Thankyou for painting it. Thank you for posting it.

I can't draw, I can't paint, but I can enjoy and remember.

I love this blog!

Alison Staite said...

Fantastic Vivien - I always love your seascapes! You catch the colours and atmosphere so well. Your love of the coastline is so very apparent. Great format - lucky Cathy!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Beautiful painting, Vivien. You always recreate the jewel-like colours in the sea. I love this landscape format. Blissful postcard.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

Beautiful Vivien! It reminds me a little of the scene you did in my sketchbook, way back with FPP, which I loved then, as I love this card for lucky Cathy!
Ronelle

Desiree's Designs said...

The Cornish coast is just beautiful with its raged coastline and gloomy skies. I love how you can get so much atmosphere onto such a small card! I love your colors and the details you share on your blog! Congratulations Cathy, a Vivien original!

vivien said...

thank you everyone :>) and Scotty Dog - what a great reaction!

Anonymous said...

Just stumbled on this site and started to follow. I'm glad that Vivien's card got there safely. I just came from her site and was wondering. I'll be back to visit more.

Albrecht Rissler said...

This beautiful postcard reminds me of many trips I made ​​across Cornwall. Great watercolor!

Making A Mark said...

How amazing is Scotty Lover's comment!

That's a great format for you Vivien - it really helps captures the look and feel of the Cornish coast - wild open spaces.

Bridget Hunter said...

What a great viewpoint of this landmark - and think you've caught the atmosphere perfectly.

Pat said...

Beautiful Vivian, I can smell the coast, the ocean and hear the waves and sea birds.

Felicity Grace said...

Beautifully captured, it reminds me of my holidays to West Cork too and the anticipation of driving to the coast and the excitment of the first glimpse of the sea.