Sarah Adams: The Camel Estuary

Over the course of one winter, a decade ago, I was fortunate to be granted vehicle access to the track from Lelizzick to Stepper Point, and this enabled me to make a series of oil studies of the Camel Estuary in its many moods and, indeed, some pretty wild weather, all from the comfort of my van.

There were so many memorable times. In mid-December a 'weather bomb' stormed through, and the van rocked violently as sea foam from Butter Hole blew up and over us. I painted Brea Hill and Daymer Bay shrouded in mist and rain, but then just before the year's end a hard frost on the moors reflected light up into a cloudless sky. With a flask of coffee and my elderly lurcher Fluke curled up in her bed beside me, I spent the days documenting the changing light and tides.

Many visitors have commented on these paintings over the years, arrayed along the beams in my studio. They have been a precious resource, and a wonderful reminder of my years with Fluke. Finally, with exciting future plans afoot, it feels like the right time to let some of them go.

Fifteen pieces from the collection are now on show at The Padstow Studio.

I would also like to thank Charlie and Jane Watson-Smythe again for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.