Mawgan Porth painting by one of my students One of the great joys of teaching art is watching someone begin to trust what they see… and then seeing that understanding grow into real confidence. This beautiful painting of Mawgan Porth was created by one of my students, and I have loved watching her progress. What makes her work especially exciting is that she is not limited to one style or one subject. She is able to work across a range of different ideas with growing confidence, and that comes from understanding the core fundamentals of art. That is always at the heart of what I teach. When you understand the fundamentals, you are no longer trying to copy the teacher without really knowing why something works. You begin to understand shape, light, tone, atmosphere, perspective and how to interpret what you are seeing for yourself. That knowledge frees you. It gives you the confidence to approach different scenes, subjects and styles in your own way. Mawgan Porth is such a special place to paint. It holds so many memories for so many people… the light on the sea, the warmth in the sand, the shifting sky, the familiar curve of the bay. When students learn to interpret that for themselves, the results can be incredibly personal and full of feeling. Art at the Beach… my art lessons and gallery in Mawgan Porth… started 10 years ago. For the last 3 years, Bettys Surf Shop in Mawgan Porth has been the home of my gallery, my lessons, and artworks by both me and my students. I’m very grateful for that support, because it gives more people the chance to discover their inner artist and enjoy artworks filled with memories of this beautiful part of Cornwall. It means a lot to be able to help people grow in confidence, create work they are proud of, and sometimes even see their artwork displayed and appreciated by others. That is part of what makes this journey so rewarding… for me, for my students, and for the people who connect with the finished paintings. If you are in Mawgan Porth, do pop into Bettys Surf Shop to see the gallery. You’ll find artworks inspired by Cornwall, along with work by some of my students as well as my own.