Above: Cornish artists painting the beach at Gwithian looking towards Godrevy Lighthouse in Cornwall
Joanne Short is a Cornish artist who has found success with her prints, posters and beach scenes of the British coastline. With an eye for detail and a passion for capturing the beauty of nature, Joanne’s work has become popular among art lovers worldwide.
In this blog we will explore what makes her pictures and paintings so special and why it continues to be loved by many. From vibrant colours to intricate details, each piece will take your breath away as you get lost in its stunning beauty. So let’s dive in and discover Joanne’s work and story as described by the artist herself.
Painting: The early years
"In 1989 I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to study fine art in Italy.
I attended L'Academia di Belli Arti in Frosinone, Lazio. Here I was introduced to many disciplines, including painting, printmaking and design. We also studied photography and restoration. I feel that this gave me a rounded experience and an opportunity to explore various media and methods of working.
Above: photograph of Accademia di Belli Arti di Frosinone
After my degree, I moved back to Cornwall, where there has been a strong artist community since the early 20th century. Since then, I have developed my work, starting with flat lino prints, moving on to simple oil paintings with a limited palette, to my oil paintings which I do today. My palette is still limited because I get a lot of joy and satisfaction from mixing a range of colours myself rather than squeezing them straight from the tube.
I love painting Cornwall and, over the years, have painted in many locations around the county. My husband, John Dyer, and I can often be found sitting on a beach or headland, working on our latest paintings. Look out for us - you never know, you may find us!
Beach Landscapes: paintings by Joanne Short
There is nothing like an image of a beach landscape on your wall to take you back to your holidays in Cornwall, whether as a child playing on the beach and swimming in the sea or as a parent enjoying a fun and relaxing time by the ocean or just a simple memory of a winter walk across the sand or on the cliffs. It is so easy to find a beautiful beach landscape to paint here in Cornwall, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to live here.
My five favourite Beach Landscape Paintings
Over the years, I have painted many paintings of beaches here in Cornwall. What better place than Cornwall to paint the sun, sand and sea? Here are some of my favourite images.
Porthgwidden Beach, St Ives
St. Ives is such a beautiful place to paint. There is such a special quality to the light which appears to make the town and harbour glow. Arriving at St Ives there is a spectacular view across the harbour, but one of my favourite beaches has to be Porthgwidden, tucked away on the east side of the town.
Kynance Cove, The Lizard
Kynance Cove is a stunning spot for a coastal walk. In the spring the cliffs are a carpet of wildflowers. This beach is a lovely place for a swim and the pretty cafe the perfect spot for an ice cream or a cup of tea.
Porth Beach, Newquay
Porth Beach near Newquay is a fabulous spot for a surf. It is a great place to take a family day out in the summer.
In this painting I have captured an early morning at Porth beach with Newquay headland in the background. The foreground is dotted with vibrant foxgloves, while the background showcases a tranquil ocean and majestic landscape. All this comes to life through the use of colour and line work that creates a sense of depth and perspective for the viewer as if they were standing right there on the beach taking in this gorgeous view.
Perranporth Beach
Perranporth has to be one of the most spectacular beaches in North Cornwall. It is a busy beach which can become quite crowded in the peak of summer. However, this painting illustrates how quiet and calm it can be if you venture out early, before the crowds!
Bedruthan Steps
The North coast of Cornwall is famous for its stunning sunsets. There is nothing better than taking a picnic to the beach on a summer's evening and watching the sun dip behind the horizon over the ocean. Bedruthen Steps is a beautiful stretch of beach between Morgan Porth and Treyarnon Bay. The beach is only visible when the tide is low. There were steps down to the beach, hence the name Bedruthen Steps, but sadly these were washed away during a storm, making the beach virtually unreachable. Only intrepid surfers somehow manage to make their way down to their own private beach now."
Five of the most popular Prints and posters of beaches by Joanne Short on the John Dyer Gallery
We hope you have enjoyed this blog and Joanne's story and paintings of beaches. We have all of Joanne Short's available paintings available to view and buy on our gallery and in addition an exclusive range of beach inspired art prints.
Currently available Paintings of Beaches in the Gallery
If you are looking for paintings of beaches for your home, then you can enjoy browsing our currently available collection of original seascape beach paintings in our current collection below.
