No.9 'All the Time in the World'

All the Time in the World

Sandwood Bay,

Sutherland, Scotland

Acrylic on canvas board

33.1" x 23.4"

June 2024

Why I chose this subject/scene:

I did Cape Wrath Ultra 2023 and went back to be artist in residence 2024. Sandwood Bay was on the last day after having been in the mountainous areas. You know you are following the coast towards Cape Wrath but this is the first proper beach that you hit. On the final day, there are 6-7 miles on the road and then you take a little track off that goes around a few lochs, then turning a bend, you go through an opening, you can hear the sea from a good few miles away but here you turn and suddenly see the waves crashing and it's just beautiful.

I remember on the final day when I was racing it, I really loved that view and was disappointed to leave the beach. It's remote, a 5 miles walk/run/cycle just to get to the beach from the nearest road and of course, super remote anyway, at the top of Scotland. There were two places, two major views that I wanted - Sandwood Bay and Cape Wrath Lighthouse. I ran up to the lighthouse - I'm not as inspired by man-made buildings but that's the finish so I felt that I needed to capture this but then I ran back to Sandwood Bay. There was a rock where I could set up and I must have sat there for 3-4 hours just looking out to the bay and painting and it was just awesome. It's just a place that I could just stay, sit and watch the waves, the changing colours and landscape. A captivating and mindful spot.

Why I gave it this title:

I could spend all of the time in the world on that beach. When you're in the middle of the race and hit the beach, you have the sense that you've nearly finished the race. Everyone got to that beach and it was a more significant spot than the lighthouse itself.

On that final day there was even more camaraderie, enjoying each other's company for the final stretch and each helping getting everyone to the finish line safely.

Why it makes my Top 10:

I loved the Cape Wrath Trail, it's a remarkable journey through a quite astonishing landscape. A remote and beautiful journey through Scotland. Sandwood Bay is an amazing beach. I grew up near the beach and have always enjoyed sitting watching the waves and the changes in the sea and sky.

This piece was painted back at the studio using a smaller plein air version that I had painted whilst on the beach. The process of painting it felt quite instinctive and as with other favourites, it was a feeling of flow, ease and enjoyment as I saw the scene emerge from my brushstrokes.

I know that you do not have all the time in the world to read these blogs, so thank you for joining me.

Next one, and the last one in this Top 10, is one of the unexpectedly popular pieces - No.10 'And Still I See Them'. Get ready for moody!

BW

Elaine.