New Year 2026

Christmas and New Year are behind us, and it’s time to move forward with new paintings and fresh inspiration.

The closing months of last year were focused on still life work in the studio, alongside finishing pieces that began during the summer’s outdoor painting sessions. While I truly enjoy the quiet focus of studio painting, there’s always something special about working outside, directly from life — it never loses its appeal.

It was also a real pleasure to be invited to exhibit a couple of pieces at the Appledore Book Festival as part of the New Atlantic Wave Art Exhibition — a fitting and enjoyable way to round off the year.

In more recent work, I’ve found myself drawn to the remarkable skies of this winter. We’ve been treated to some extraordinary sunsets, along with rare and beautiful displays of the Aurora. These moments have stayed with me, and I have a feeling that expansive skies will play a significant role in my work throughout 2026.

The New Year itself began with a welcome break in the weather, allowing us to celebrate my wife’s birthday in a bright, crisp Appledore.

There’s something about clear, cold days by the coast that I’ll take over mild and grey every time.

We enjoyed a memorable family lunch at The Royal George, with beautiful views across the water towards Instow — a perfect setting to pause and appreciate the start of a new year.

Since then, the rain has certainly made its presence known — it feels as though it’s barely stopped. But the grey days haven’t dulled the momentum. Several paintings from last year have already found new homes, and there’s a growing sense of direction for the work ahead.

For now, it’s back to the studio — with plenty to look forward to.

Speak soon,

Chris.