English Cliffs and Inspiration from the Seascape
Updated: Sep 23
After several hectic months in London, I spent some time in the English countryside, in Folkestone, a charming seaside town near the iconic Dover Cliffs. This period brought a completely different rhythm of life — more quiet, more space to create, and a new perspective on the natural surroundings.
Endless Horizons and Changing Landscapes
The white cliffs of Dover became one of the strongest sources of inspiration for my work. The views were fascinating — endless skies, changing light, and the sharp, dramatic line of the cliffs meeting the sea. Observing the horizon, the movement of the clouds, and the subtle transitions between sky and sea helped me discover new ways of capturing atmosphere, space, and light on canvas.
I was equally inspired by Durdle Door, the iconic natural arch on the Dorset coast. Its monumental rock formations, sea, and open horizon create a landscape where the power of nature meets the delicacy of light. What interested me most was not simply the place itself, but its atmosphere, changing colours, and the way nature creates its own composition.
Folkestone – Where Art Lives Outdoors
Folkestone captivated me not only through its landscape, but also through its strong connection to contemporary art in public spaces. Through Folkestone Artworks, works by contemporary artists are placed throughout the town — along the coast, in streets, parks, and unexpected locations — creating an open-air gallery within the urban landscape. The Folkestone Triennial also brings international artists to the town to create new works that respond to its landscape, history, and contemporary identity.
This experience was important to me as an artist. Seeing contemporary art outside the traditional gallery space — in dialogue with architecture, the sea, the streets, and everyday life — made me think differently about how art can transform our perception of a place.
Creating in a Glass Conservatory
While staying in Folkestone with my cousin, I helped renovate the interior of an old English house. Every detail of the house seemed to carry its own story, and the process of restoring it reminded me of the beauty of transformation — much like layering paint onto a canvas and gradually giving an artwork new life.
The best place for me to paint was the glass conservatory, where I could work surrounded by nature. The light was constantly changing — soft and warm on sunny days, while in the rain, drops running down the glass created a misty atmosphere that seemed to blur reality. This space became my personal studio, where I captured the changing atmosphere of Folkestone and its surroundings.
The Countryside That Shaped My Art
My time in England showed me a completely different way of seeing space and colour. The meeting point between sea and sky, the contrast between sharp cliffs and soft light, the natural forms of Durdle Door, and my encounter with contemporary art in the public spaces of Folkestone all became part of the way I see and approach my work.
These experiences taught me to see the landscape not simply as scenery, but as a space that can become a source of contemporary artistic dialogue. This way of seeing gradually finds its way into my paintings — through colour, layering, movement, and abstract form.
