En Plein Air at Mawgan Porth Beach

Today I painted at Mawgan Porth Beach… en plein air, directly from the beautiful view in front of me.

It was one of those sunny Cornwall days when the water was sparkling and tranquil, the tide was gently moving, and the soft clouds made the whole sky feel calm and open.

This is quite a large canvas, as you can probably see from the photos, and it was completed on the beach in one day, surrounded by the real light, colour, reflections, cliffs, sea air and movement of Mawgan Porth.

One of the things I love most about painting en plein air is that it becomes more than a painting day. People stop, talk, ask questions, watch the artwork grow, and share little moments of connection.

Today I spoke to people from all different places and nationalities… all drawn for a moment into the same view.

Then, towards the end of the day, two young ladies, not quite teenagers yet, decided to adopt me for a while. They helped me with my photos, sat chatting, and watched me paint.

That made the day extra special.

I love it when children or young people are curious enough to stop, watch and ask questions. They are learning without pressure… seeing how a painting is built from observation, light, shape, colour, atmosphere, perspective and understanding.

For me, this is where art, teaching and wellbeing naturally meet.

Painting outside is calming, but it is also full of knowledge. It asks you to slow down, look properly, notice what is really there, and feel connected to the place in front of you.

That is the heart of Visual Awareness… learning to see, understand and trust what you notice.

A beautiful Mawgan Porth day… captured in paint, conversation, sunshine and memory.

📍 Mawgan Porth Beach, Cornwall
Original artwork by Jeanni Grant-Nelson
Art At The Beach | Visual Awareness | Artist Mawgan Porth