If you are an artist, even a budding one, there is no doubt the harbour is a great place to set up your easel and paint, draw, crayon, whatever works for you or take some incredible photographs. With changing seasons, the harbour is always inspiring.
Seascapes, harbour views, fishing boats, people watching, the market, so much to capture, and if it’s more collecting art then this is also the place for you
Whitstable has a great reputation already for its galleries and the wide range of artists in the town but you may not be aware of the incredible range of Art in the Harbour Market and South Quay Shed.
So here is a little guide to encourage you to come and gaze at the work of brilliant artists with an eclectic range of styles. You'll find it hard to leave without choosing at least one piece to transform a room, and also encourage the artist in you.
Find out more about Whitstable Harbour
Sarah Louis Dunn Artist
Sarah specialises in pencil drawings of Whitstable landmarks such as Wheelers Oyster Bar, The Neptune, the beachfronts of Whitstable & Tankerton and also many famous musicians and actors. Selling both original pencil and paint originals and Giclee prints, the prints are in a range of sizes and a wonderful way to remember your visit.
Sarah has been at the Harbour Market for 7 years this year, rain or shine, her art is always full of sunshine and definitely brightens up a grey day, you can find her in Hut no. 22
Echoes of the Sea
Echoes of the Sea features two artists www.charlesborrell.com & www.kerrykristi.com
In Hut no 11, Charles specialises in Abstract & contemporary seascapes, having the Whitstable coast & its famous sunsets to hand means they feature highly in his work, whilst Kerri’s focus is on Beachscapes & boats on the shoreline.
They have recently produced a great collaboration piece featuring both of their art, and it is rather beautiful.
Kitchen sponges and palette knives are Charles' preferred tools, and the used sponges are turned into their own piece of art. They bring the work of an artist to life, showing the range of colours used over a period of time and still reflecting the sea, sunsets and weather. They are all currently sold so chat to Charles about when the next will be ready.
Fore Shore Arts
Jon works in a variety of mediums, painting, lino prints and photographs all inspired by the coast.
His linocuts of the harbour buildings, oysters and the oystermen are evocative of both the past and present. His paintings cover seascapes and the people whose lives revolve around the coast. Prints of Jon’s work can also be bought as postcard-sized prints from which you could make your own collage of the coast, or just send one to someone to raise a smile.
His photographic work is about restoring memories and restoration and I highly recommend talking to Jon about it when you see him in Hut no 12.
La Mer
La Mer features is the work of www.Stevemelrosephotography.co.uk
Steve’s photographs, capturing mostly coastal work, are so beautiful that you really want to just stand looking whilst trying not to touch them as they invite you in. Cut off Piers, Groynes, Just the sea, Islands, Beach huts, Fisherman’s cottages, Sailboats, Sunsets and Crashing waves and that’s only a very small selection of Steve’s work.
In addition to local photography, his gallery features Venice, Japan and Iceland, among other countries. You can find the very lovely Steve in Hut no 29
Galax Eye
An interactive experience to capture your eyes as art, in this amazing studio in Hut no 13. Totally focused on photographs of the client’s Iris and then printed in a variety of forms and as a single eye, a couple or a whole family.
When you talk about eye colours you don’t always appreciate the different colours that form the colour we denote, blue, green, brown etc. Each iris is unique and so beautiful and this is where you can really see your Iris in full colour!
Art Shed Whitstable
This gallery is in the South Quay shed, on the right as you come through the doors. The beautiful photography displayed is by Sue Carfrae and the Abstract art by Chris Hunter.
Sue has captured wonderful Whitstable landmarks combined with stunning Sunsets. The Forts standing stark against the horizon are such a part of the Whitstable Seascape and if you have never seen them close up then these will bring them to life. The harbour shots are so colourful and bright reminding us that this is a working harbour.
I hope this has inspired you to visit the Harbour for your next piece of artwork, whether a postcard, sculpture, painting or print, there will be something here for you.
p.s.You can visit the forts, read our blog on Vintage Boats of Whitstable for more information
Sharron Gurney Art
Sharron Gurney has a pop-up shed in the market, so you can find her here all Summer. As well as offering commissions for your own pet & house, you can buy wonderful local landscapes as well as animals and the natural world. Her paintings of the beaches, countryside, children & pets evoke memories of childhood holidays and would also make lovely first pieces of art for children.
Her work is bright and colourful, and some has a wonderful, humorous quality to bring a smile to your day. Her work sells internationally so we are very lucky to have her work displayed and for sale in the market.
