“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul”
Robert Wyland
I paint the sea and happy memories of summer holidays or distant horizons yet to explore.
Hi, I’m Cinnamon
When I go diving there is that moment of bliss when I sink below the surface and all I can hear are my bubbles and fish chomping on corals.
The bustle and hum of the outside world is switched off.
I see flashes of vivid colours. The sunlight flickers different hues of blue down into the depths.
The underwater creatures provide me with hours of wonder and amusement. Who needs Netflix?
Equally magical is the moment the engine is turned off and all you hear is the wind in the sails, water rushing past the hull, a remote island my destination.
Sky meets sea. Sea meets sky. Blues and greens intermingle.
The ocean sparkles. Clouds are reflected on the glassy surface. My soul sings.
Even if the weather picks up the connection with nature is exhilarating.
This is what I want to convey in my paintings: Joy, Peace, Calm. A myriad of blues with the odd splash of colour. Nature at it’s best.
My working life has revolved around the ocean
Years in the male-dominated world offshore as a Life Support Technician for Saturation Divers
Exchanging that for the equally unglamorous life as a Chef in the Med on a yacht.
I then learnt to dive in Asia, got involved in marine conservation and became a Dive Instructor in Spain
Finally ending up managing a marine conservation programme in Mexico.
All of the above combined with a lifelong love of photography, especially underwater, has played a large influence on my art.
Then I found love on the ocean wave - falling for the Captain as I fulfilled my dream of sailing across the Atlantic
Which is how I ended up living on the beautiful island of Mallorca, Spain, painting Mediterranean and Caribbean blues
Our home is our sanctuary from the mad, busy world. They should be filled with things that make us happy, remind us of relaxation and the beauty of nature
I’m in my happy place when I paint, even if I’m not in the water my vibrant blues takes me back there.
Blue is a colour known to be spiritual and calming, symbolising wisdom and health, open spaces and freedom. No wonder we want it in our lives!
“I can’t walk past your paintings without pausing to be drawn into them! ”
— Collector M.C.
Ingredients: Beeswax and Pigments
Want to see my Studio?
I’m incredibly lucky to have this space. Originally my husband had planned for it to be his “office” (siesta spot) but I gradually expanded over the years and the poor man is in the basement now making my frames.
So what is my process? Why do I use Bees’ Wax?
Most of my large pieces are made with oil paints mixed with cold wax medium to give body, transparency and depth. I can produce great textures using this method.
My older, smaller pieces are encaustic, a method of heating up the wax medium and painting in layers.
I make Cold Wax Medium out of bees’ wax, odourless mineral spirit and dammar resin.
I add this to my oil paints along with marble dust and sand for further body and texture. I then paint layers and layers, scraping away to reveal the colours beneath.
My encaustic is also home-made. Dammar resin is mixed with bees’ wax and melted into cakes.
I colour the cakes with dry pigment or oil paint. These cakes are melted and thin layers brushed onto the surface then fused with a blow torch. The many layers make the artwork luminous.
All my boards and frames are custom made. The boards are top quality marine ply sealed and reinforced to avoid warping.
I use natural materials, recycling when I can, yet I don’t scrimp on quality because I want my work to be archival.
Let me take you to your happy place
Let me bring the ocean into your home
