John Birch St Ives Paintings

01/03/2021John 5 min read2409 Views

John

John Birch Art

Cornwall St Ives — The Pier and the Beach

St Ives paintings by John Birch, I always take a lot of photographs for my art while out walking, I also sketch different landscapes, flowers and birds. These, together with everyday objects, give me the inspiration and the ideas I use in the different pieces of work. I aim to create pieces of work that are bright, colourful and vibrant.

Here is a Small Town harbour painting, one that I have previously photographed and then, while on lockdown, decided to paint an abstract view of the Harbour. Many people will know this straight away from the icon 3 arches, and the two lighthouses. The pier in the painting is called Smeaton’s Pier. Fishermen use the Pier as a workspace to store fishing tackle. It’s a view from the top of St Ives. Imagine you are standing at the top near the bus station. The garden with the view is called The Malakoff Park and Garden. A Peaceful location high on the hillside giving great views over the Bay, the beach, and the railway terminus.

Pedn Olva, St Ives, Warren, Saint Ives, UK

Porthminister Beach St Ives — Pedn Olva, Porthminister Beach

The Pedn Olva Hotel is on the edge of St Ives and overlooks Porthminster Beach as well as the Harbour. This is another small painting that I painted during the lockdown at the Hotel and the beach. The view inspired me endlessly, with golden sands, turquoise waters, and the gentle hum of the seaside below.

The perfect beach for your getaway. In the summer, enjoy the sheltered aspect of the beach away from the prevailing winds; in the winter, enjoy the drama as you watch the Atlantic swells crash over Godrevy Lighthouse on the other side of the bay. Enjoy a coffee or a beer at the Porthminster Beach Café or the outdoor takeaway café next door, and simply soak in the beauty that makes St Ives unforgettable.

A View from Above

A bird’s eye view of St Ives. The idea was to paint St Ives from memory and capture as many of the buildings as I could remember. When I think back now, I know I missed a few, but I got the ones that I wanted. The flat overlooking Porthmeor Beach that we have stayed at for many years, the pasty shop, and the little burger café. St Nicholas Chapel on top of the hill. Pedn-Olva Hotel with its glass overhanging conservatory.

The RNLI on West Pier. So many lovely places to visit and enjoy. Smeaton’s Pier with its three arches and two lighthouses. Porthminster Beach, with its Porthminster Beach Café, is a wonderful place to eat. This was painted before they built The Tate St Ives, of which we now go for coffee quite often, as the café on the roof has spectacular views. The painting brings back happy memories of golden sands, sparkling blue seas, and that distinct Cornish light that makes every corner of St Ives glow with warmth and nostalgia. Each brushstroke reminds me of peaceful walks, sea breezes, and sunsets that never fail to enchant.

May 2018 Cornwall The Tate

These are the paintings that I had on display in Tate Cornwall on the For Me St Ives Is wall. Painted on round cards while on the sea wall at the Town in Cornwall. The view is of the harbour with the famous three arches in the sea wall.