Mother’s Day comes early this year and I wanted to share my love, not only for those celebrating it but also for those of us who may have lost a mother or maternal figure in our lives.
Our region is famed for the warmth of its people, and I see this evidenced all the time around Mother’s Day – from elderly mothers being tenderly guided along the promenade by their children to new mothers letting their young babies have their first feel of sand. There are little snapshots of love occurring all of the time, just along the street from my Cullercoats studio.
Your mother figure is someone entirely unique from the rest of the world. So why is it that so many Mother’s Day gifts and experiences come down to a simple set of chocolates, flowers or slippers? This year, I want to share some ideas for non-traditional Mother’s Day gifts and some great things to do with that special lady in your life along our local coastline…
There are few gifts as well received as jewellery, especially if you go the extra mile and choose something personal to your mother. If your mum has an appreciation for art, wildlife or our region’s beautiful landscapes, I have the perfect option: my unique collection of jewellery depicting some of our region’s iconic sights. Click here to explore the designs available on earrings, necklaces and brooches.
Mother’s Day often sees the coast’s best restaurants and bars booked solid but there’s no need to worry, there are plenty of great things you can do with your mother down by the seaside, all without the hassle of finding a table or spending a fortune.
One of my favourite things to do involves getting wrapped up warm and taking in all of the coastline’s best sights. Here’s how to do it with your mother:
As a piece of homeware, a cushion can help add interest to a room, and my designs are no exception – they’re all printed with scenes from right here in the North East. If your mother has a certain affinity for beloved places, like Bamburgh Castle, Alnmouth, Cullercoats and more, my cushions are a comfy way to show her you care.
I’ve also created a series of hanging ceramic tree decorations that feature some of the region’s most beautiful sights, including St Mary’s Lighthouse in the evening light. A perfect gift for any mum with ties to Whitley Bay.
Enjoying a cup of tea with your mum is something to treasure. Whether it was her making them for you as a child or you putting the kettle on now when you visit, there’s something quiet and magical about the ritual of making tea.
If you want to show your mum how much you love her, what better way than to gift her a unique mug that she’ll love? Rather than opting for the ‘best mum ever’ supermarket choice, choose one of my original fine bone china mugs to bring some regional art to your mum’s daily cuppa.
So, whatever your plans this Mother’s Day, remember it’s the thought that counts. A small gesture can say a thousand words, especially if you’ve taken the time to pick something that you know your mum or mother figure will truly appreciate. Embarking on the coastal walk? Don’t forget to pop into the Cullercoats gallery to say hello. You’ll find us on St. George’s Road, and we’re open Wed-Sun, 10 am - 5 pm.
]]>So, with that in mind, I think a lot of people will be turning their attention to the spring and summer holidays. Planning a holiday is one of the best ways to get out of a January slump and give yourself something to look forward to.
Even after the pandemic restrictions were lifted, many people chose to stay in the UK for their holidays. The time at home gave many of us a renewed appreciation for what’s on our doorstep or even a short drive away. Northumberland has held onto its popularity in recent years, with a recent poll putting it in the top five of all UK holiday destinations.
So, whether you’re looking for a winter weekend away, planning for the half-term break or considering staying local this summer, here are some of my top places to visit on a holiday in the North East.
You’re not short of places to go walking in the North East. However, you might find that if you are planning a visit during the school holidays, then some of the more popular spots will be very busy, especially if the weather is nice.
Fortunately, there are still plenty of hidden gems that don’t attract the crowds. The Cheviot Hills are a great example of this. Straddling Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, this area is a vast range of hills for all walking abilities.
Experienced hill walkers might choose to ascend The Cheviot, the park’s highest peak at 815 metres. On a clear day, you can see across the Pennine Way as far as the Lake District. If you’re travelling with kids, or simply want an easier hike, then Linhope Spout offers an easy 3.2-mile walk, including a stunning 60-foot waterfall. Not far from here, you’ll also find Ingram Valley, a lovely spot perfect for picnics and even a dip in the stream on a hot day.
If you fancy a holiday in the Cheviots this year, there are plenty of places to stay on both sides of the border, including guesthouses in Alwinton, Otterburn and Jedburgh, as well as the popular River Breamish Club Campsite in Powburn.
Hills and Fields of Northumberland Limited Edition Art Print
There’s really no denying the impact being by the sea can have on our mental health. I live and work near the coast, and I still find myself venturing up to the Northumberland coastline regularly for both a break and to get inspiration for my artwork.
Popular areas like Seahouses, Bamburgh and Craster are all gorgeous places to stay for a long weekend or even a week by the sea. In fact, you’ll even find artwork and greeting cards in Drift, a lovely gift shop located on Main Street in Seahouses.
If you are looking to get away from it all, then there are a few quieter spots to stay in, from which you can explore all of the more popular spots. Alnmouth, Beadnell, Boulmer and Newton By The Sea are some of the lovely, quieter places to stay when exploring the award-winning Northumberland coastline.
Newton By The Sea Northumberland Limited Edition Art Print
I’d be amiss not to mention my gallery’s home, Cullercoats. The North Tyneside coastline has undergone significant regeneration in recent years, and there’s so much to see and do within just a few miles. Explore Tynemouth’s bustling nightlife, venture to the station for the weekly market, and even enjoy some shopping on Park View in Whitley Bay - named one of the top 10 coolest shopping districts in the Guardian!
Again, there are plenty of places to stay for all budgets, including Whitley Bay’s popular caravan park and the newly renovated Tynemouth Castle Inn, which overlooks the beach and is just a ten-minute walk from us in Cullercoats! We’re on St Georges Road; we’re open Wed-Sun, 10 am to 5 pm.
Cullercoats Harbour Day Limited Edition Art Print
Beamish Museum is one of my absolute favourite places to visit, any time of the year. The world-famous open-air museum covers a wide period of history, with so much to see and do for all the family. The museum recently opened a new 1950s exhibition with homes, a Coronation park and a community centre. This is such a lovely spot to take older parents and grandparents, as many of these homes mirror the places they grew up across the region.
If you recently went to Beamish at Christmas, for example, your ticket will last for the full year. So, this is a great day out - whether you’re local or visiting the region for a holiday.
It’s safe to say the region isn’t short of historic places to stay! Popular holiday spots in County Durham include Beamish Hall Hotel, Lumley Castle and South Causey Inn. There are also plenty of holiday homes and guest houses in the surrounding villages and towns.
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Are you planning a holiday in the North East this year? Let me know your favourite places to stay over on Instagram @Joanne.Wishart.Art.
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As anyone who visits my website or my Cullercoats gallery itself no doubt knows, I am in love with the great outdoors. My artwork is all about celebrating the beauty of the natural world, whether that’s the golden stretch of sand at Tynemouth Longsands or the wildflower fields of Northumberland.
In many of these locations, I have also had the pleasure of witnessing another amazing part of nature—the many varieties of wildlife native to the British Isles. To celebrate the diversity and beauty of these animals, I have created a new series of original paintings and an exciting new range of greeting cards, which will shortly be available to trade buyers and customers alike.
If you’re an animal lover, you’ll love these new releases. Let’s take a look through them so I can tell you how they came about and what they represent to me.
Whilst I’m very proud of my prints and cards, there’s nothing quite like the authenticity of an original painting. Each of my originals is a one-off piece, a unique representation of my style that captures a specific moment in my art journey.
Stag in the Glen Original Painting
This one, for example, depicts a face-to-face encounter with a majestic stag in the Scottish Highlands. Whilst wandering amidst a valley of heather and gorse, I was ecstatic to meet this wonderful creature and recreate the moment in this painting. As the owner of an original, you can share a true sense of the feelings I tried to capture in this scene with each brush stroke.
Many of my paintings depict seascapes and other bodies of water, so it may come as no surprise that I also love to paint the creatures that call these locations their home. From peculiar puffins hopping around the rocks of the Farne Islands to playful sea otters cavorting in a Scottish river, I seek to showcase the lives and personalities of these coastal critters. Do you think the cheekiness of the sea otters comes across in the painting?
I also wanted to touch on animals of the feathered variety, as they’re such an iconic part of coastal wildlife. On any given day, a short walk from my Cullercoats gallery will let me spot some of the region’s finest seabirds – including one of my favourites, the Oystercatcher.
Oystercatcher and Chick Original Painting
You can spot Oystercatchers wandering the North East’s shoreline as they search for cockles. In this painting, I’ve depicted one of these regal-lookingtheseregal-lookingg birds alongside its cute little chick whose distinctive colours have yet to develop. I’m really proud of this painting and love the familial atmosphere it manages to evoke.
If you’d like to see more of my original artwork and perhaps own one for yourself, come to the gallery to view them first-hand. You can also visit my original artwork page to see which are still available.
Greeting cards created by artists make for beautiful gifts, offering something thoughtful and unique you can give to your loved ones. I’m excited to launch a new collection containing many of the animal paintings we’ve just discussed, with a particular focus on coastal wildlife such as seals, sea birds and fish.
The new collection is named Furs, Feathers and Fins and will soon be exhibited to trade buyers at the upcoming Springfair NEC Birmingham from 4-7th February 2024.
If you’re in the retail business and would like to stock the new cards, you can find me on Stand 3P52 in the Greetings Card Hall, so stop by and say hello. I love discussing my artwork in person and welcome the chance for you to see the range in person rather than through a catalogue.
Catalogues are still important. However – events can be busy, and you might not get much time to come and see the range. If you’d like to take a look ahead of time, you can contact me and request a trade catalogue.
After this trade show, I’ll also be releasing the Furs, Feathers and Fins collection to the public and can’t wait for people all across the North East to see these cards up close!
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As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect back on the past year as we continue to live our best life running an art gallery by the sea! Thank you for joining us on this journey. We have so many loyal customers who support my artwork and our art gallery in Cullercoats that we couldn't do it without you.
Over the last year, I’ve painted 39 new original paintings, with an extra 4 almost finished on the easel! Look out for them in the gallery in January.
Back in the summer, Ross and I enjoyed exploring the Northumberland Coastal Path and completed the sections from Alnmouth to Craster, then from Craster to Beadnell, with a bit of sea swimming on route! These walking trips inspire many of my paintings as I take my sketchbook and camera with me to capture the scenery along the way.
Beyond the Northeast I painted a collection of North Yorkshire coastal scenes to exhibit at the Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage. We were delighted that the festival made a comeback this year, and it was a real treat to exhibit and stay in such a wonderful location.
To find out more, watch my YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/CWN5z9--CLk?si=5CNjedWdHiaf7caF
In an endeavour to broaden my creative horizons and offer something different in the gallery, I embarked on a fresh collection of animal paintings, aptly named "Furs, Feathers, and Fins." Thinking ahead to 2024, these images will be available as greetings cards for the animal lovers among us.
Sadly, in 2023, we saw the tragedy of losing one of our most beloved Northumberland landmarks, the Sycamore Gap tree. This tragedy was extremely bittersweet for us. As you all flocked to remember the tree by buying my artwork, it didn't sit right with us to profit so well from such a tragedy that we have made a donation to the National Trust Tree Planting Scheme.
I’m extremely grateful that I was able to visit and paint the tree from my own personal experience of this magnificent place before it was no more.
It has been a busy year for community and charity projects.
Firstly, it was a pleasure to take part in the ‘Shaun on the Tyne’ charity sculpture trail in aid of St. Oswalds Hospice. I was delighted to have my design sponsored and displayed in the iconic Newcastle Cathedral for 10 weeks before ‘Sheep Ahoy’ sold at auction for £4,000. I still don’t know who the new lucky owner is, but I’d love to know where he’s living now?
Secondly, we were delighted to become the sole sponsor of the Cullercoats Community Advent Trail and invite the trail hosts to the gallery for a private gathering to celebrate the beginning of Advent. For my window display this year, I created a winter village scene with a miniature art gallery, church, and sweet shop! Thank you for all of the lovely comments. It delights me to see so many happy faces looking into our gallery window.
Last but not least, I donated an image of the Cullercoats Christmas Carol service to the local RNLI for their annual charity Christmas Card. I’m delighted to say all 12,000 cards sold out this year, so thank you to everyone who snapped up the cards!
"Big thanks to our amazing extended team – Laura, Millie, Jason, Ruth, Stacey, Uncle George, Jon, and Ellen – for their invaluable contributions in keeping our gallery thriving. Gratitude to Clare for her fabulous photography skills, and to our extended team of printers and framers – Paul, Jonathan, Huw, John, Peter, and Ian – for their dedication to maintaining our fresh gallery walls. Finally, heartfelt thanks to our supporters – every sale, social media engagement, and kind comment keeps us going. We couldn't do it without you!"
What's in store for 2024 I hear you ask?
Well, we are kicking off the year with a stand at ‘Spring Fair’ Brimingham NEC with our new 'Locations' greeting card collection. It will be fabulous to return to such a big event, regain contact with our stockists, and hopefully pick up some new retailers!
Beyond that, my aim is really just to get back into the studio and paint. I’ve got a sketchbook full of ideas that I want to get out onto canvas. So watch this space!
If you’d like to stay in touch and be the first to hear about new painting releases, please sign up for my ‘Collectors Club’ newsletter on the home page of my website. I usually send out a newsletter at the end of every month, so keep an eye out for it in your inbox.
Or you can follow me on social media.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JoanneWishartArtist
Instagram @joanne.wishart.art
Best wishes for 2024 Joanne & Ross
When Ross and I first opened our Cullercoats gallery in 2019, we came with over ten years’ of experience in self-publishing art and greetings cards of my paintings and mixed media artwork. During that time, I didn’t just develop my skills as an artist, but also my knowledge of printing and production.
For me, being a professional artist isn’t just about selling the final original piece, it’s also something I want to make accessible to people. That’s why, over the last few years, I have spent time exploring different ways of printing my artwork so it can be available for a wide range of budgets and tastes.
One medium I have yet to explore (until now!) is canvas prints. This gives you the look of an original painting, but closer to the price of a print. You can now choose any of my limited edition prints as a canvas print. Plus, a hand-picked selection of images are available as open-edition canvas prints at an even more affordable price.
Each canvas print is signed and numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity. They are crafted on premium canvas with lightfast digital inks and safeguarded with UV varnish, ensuring the design stays bright and crisp for years to come.
The canvas prints are made to order, taking around 2-3 weeks from order to production and quality control. We will contact you when your print is ready for you to collect in person from our art gallery in Cullercoats. So, if you are looking for an extra special gift for a loved one this Christmas, then now is the perfect time to get your order in.
Trying to decide between a canvas print and a limited edition print? Or want to learn more about framing these new pieces? Keep reading and all of your questions will be answered.
Printing a piece of original artwork like mine isn’t the same as a photograph, or even another style of painting. Whether you invest in a canvas print, a limited edition print, or simply purchase a greetings card, I always want to make sure nothing is lost from the original piece.
The difference between a standard print and a canvas print is in the material it’s printed on. A canvas is printed on Innova Exhibition Matte Poly Cotton Canvas 360gsm, and then stretched around a mounted wooden frame, whereas my existing collection of limited edition prints are printed on high-quality Giclee 230gsm paper, and typically posted or collected in a rolled tube to protect the piece.
My canvas prints are archival and protected with two coats of Giclee varnish. The canvas stretcher bars are made from EU-sourced pine, which is FSC-certified and kiln-dried with less than 8% moisture content.
They are printed using Epson K3 Ultrachrome HD Pigment Inks, ensuring they always retain the intensity and detail of the original piece.
In terms of cost, my limited edition paper prints start from £130 and the canvas prints start from £200 unframed and £280 framed.
The nature of a canvas art print means you don't necessarily need a frame to mount it on the wall.
It’s totally up to you if you want to frame a canvas print or not, but if you do want to opt for the frame, then I recommend including that in your order. Our team will produce a white box frame to perfectly fit your piece.
Canvas prints are very versatile. The 3D nature of the wraparound print means that a canvas print can work in many different places in your home or office. A canvas print will, of course, look great above a mantelpiece or a headboard as the focal point of the room, but it’ll also work on a staircase wall or in an entranceway.
When you choose the print, consider the colours in your space. By their very nature, my prints are bright and colourful, with a lot of texture and motion, so these pieces work really well against plain walls - light or dark! Got a print in mind or want advice for what works best in your space? Pop by the Cullercoats gallery on St George’s Road, we’re here Wed - Sun, 10 am to 5 pm.
Browse the full range of canvas prints and place your order here.
If you still have question, then you should find your answers below in these quickfire FAQs.
The canvas print prices depend on the size and frame, prints can be increased in size by two inch increments, here is a guideline:
Square Open Edition prices start at:
Rectangle limited edition prints prices start at:
Panoramic limited edition prints prices start at:
You can clean your canvas print by dusting it regularly with a soft brush, like a makeup brush. For deeper cleaning, please consult a professional.
All of our canvas prints come with a picture hanging cord on the back, ready for you to hang in your home interior.
Attention to detail is key for canvas prints, as you often see images skewed or distorted on the canvas when they are printed without the right materials or expertise.
Many printers offer canvas prints, but often the quality of ink isn’t quite up to the original artwork. This is because printing on canvas takes special high quality materials to produce. For those reasons, I don’t distribute digital versions of my artwork for printing at home.
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This weekend, we embarked on a trip to one of my favourite places outside the North East. Staithes is a beautiful seaside village just a stone’s throw away from Whitby in North Yorkshire.
I was delighted to return to the Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage in York House, which has made a very welcome return to my calendar after a COVID hiatus since 2019. I’ve actually exhibited at this wonderful festival every year since it began in 2012.
Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage welcomes over 100 artists across 60 different beautiful venues. We exhibited at York House for the last five festivals, and we’ve become friends with the owners of the lovely property, which boasts stunning harbour views.
I can’t think of a better place to host a festival of this fantastic gathering of creative people. We’ve holidayed in Staithes as a family several times, and it has even inspired some of my artwork.
Wondering what it’s like to exhibit at this awesome festival? Watch my vlog below from the 2023 Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage. Hopefully, I’ll see you there next year!
For such a small place, Staithes has a lot to boast about. The seaside village sits at the meeting point of Easington and Roxby Becks, which flow into the Staithes Beck. It’s not just geography that makes this palace fascinating, but it also has a geological significance. In fact, the area is well-trodden by those interested in the Jurassic era. In the 1990s, a rare dinosaur was unearthed following a rockfall between Port Mulgrave and Staithes.
In the modern age, Staithes remains a place of cultural significance. The village was once home to Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970), a revered multidiscipline artist, who initially visited - and fell in love with - the area in 1894. With limited resources to her name at the time, Knight quickly became known in the local community as she took inspiration for her art from the local fishermen and their families. While this period in Knight’s vast history produced few oil paintings, it stands out as a clear turning point for her.
Knight even discussed Staithes and how it challenged her to become a better artist. She said of her time in Staithes, “Staithes was too big a subject for an immature student, but working there, I developed a visual memory which has stood me in good stead ever since.”
So, the village’s history in art runs deep. Coming to the present day, I am so pleased to see this festival return after a few years of absence. The residents and businesses of Staithes open their doors to artists like myself. This is such a unique event because it’s not held at just one location, but spread out across the whole village; bringing together both residents and visitors in a way that I’ve never experienced before.
If you have young children, then you might also recognise Staithes as the shooting location for Cbeebies show Old Jack’s Boat starring Bernard Cribbins.
Alongside our visits to the annual festival, we have visited Staithes several times as a family. Only a 90-minute drive from my native Tyneside, this is a lovely place to get some fresh sea air and even find inspiration for my art.
If you aren’t able to make the festival, which typically takes place in September, there is still plenty for art lovers to do in Staithes. Art in Staithes Staithes Gallery and the Mitchell & Mitchell Staithes Studio Gallery are two fantastic galleries I highly recommend visiting if you fancy a memento from your trip. Both venues showcase a diverse range of artistic styles, from abstract landscapes to traditional oil paintings and even lino woodcuts.
Alternatively, you can browse my selection of Staithes limited edition art prints on my website www.joannewishart.co.uk.
Staithes Village Limited Edition Art Print
Staithes is a great location for historians, art lovers and even ramblers, with plenty of walking routes offering spectacular views across the harbour. We particularly enjoy the North Yorkshire coastal path from Staithes to Runswick Bay, a three-mile trail starting from either Staithes Heritage Centre, or going the other way from Runswick Bay. The walk is quite steep in parts, but your efforts will be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views.
Get the route map and GPS details.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite on the walk, I highly recommend grabbing a bite to eat at the Cod & Lobster Pub, which has been serving up fresh seafood to residents and visitors for decades. It’s even inspired my own artwork!
Cod & Lobster Pub Limited Edition Art Print
Browse my full collection of Staithes artwork here, or visit me in the Cullercoats gallery. We’re open Wed-Sun, 10 am - 5 pm. Find out more about Staithes Festival on the official website.
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If you’ve been out and about in Newcastle this summer, then you will likely have encountered at least one of the Shaun the Sheep sculptures dotted around the city. These four-legged fellows are part of a Wild in Art sculpture trail, encouraging people to explore the region and find all the installations, all while raising money for St Oswald’s Hospice.
The trail runs until 27th September and includes 45 big Shauns and 70 little Shauns. Among the flock is my very own Sheep Ahoy! - a nautical-themed big Shaun who sits proudly inside Newcastle Cathedral.
Eagle-eyed explorers will note that this isn’t the first sculpture trail to arrive in Tyneside. In fact, this is the third time I have been selected as a trail artist for a Wild in Art sculpture trail.
In 2016, I painted two sculptures for the Great North Snow Dogs trail: Skipper for DFDS and Tails of the Sea for Primary Times. Then, in 2019, I contributed another two pieces for Elmer’s Great North Parade: Elephish for First Class Supply and Eleonora the Explorer for Tyne Tunnel 2. One sculpture was enough for me this time around!
These events are such a fantastic addition to the city in the summer. Not only is it a great excuse to get the kids outdoors and follow the trail, but the project itself raises vital funds for St Oswald’s Hospice. This charity has supported individuals and their families in Newcastle and the surrounding areas since first opening its doors in 1986.
Personally, I love participating in these events as they are such a fun and different way to support a wonderful cause. I’m also a massive Shaun the Sheep fan, as my two boys loved to watch the show when they were younger. So much so that Fraser has been inspired to make his own animations and has joined the Animation Club at school! Another artist in the family, perhaps?
The art trail is free and accessible to everyone. So, if you haven’t already, then I highly recommend grabbing a trail map and/or downloading the app and following the trail - you can find all the information you need at the Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne website.
Of course, any Joanne Wishart artwork wouldn’t be complete without a sprinkle of seaside inspiration. Sheep Ahoy is painted in the hues of Phthalo Blue, which you’ll know well if you’re familiar with my paintings. Finished off with swirling waves (mimicking his curly wool), white-sailed boats, pesky seagulls and even eyes inspired by lifebuoys, this Shaun is truly a nautical piece.
Sheep Ahoy! is both sponsored by and located in Newcastle Cathedral. You might be wondering what the location has to do with the seaside themes, but did you know that the cathedral used to be a lantern tower guiding safe passage to seafarers along the River Tyne? So, this seafaring Shaun is a great addition to such a historic spot in the toon
Want to see behind the scenes of painting Sheep Ahoy? Watch the video below.
Shaun on the Tyne | Painting process | Joanne Wishart
At the end of the trail, there’s a farewell event and auction to help boost funds raised for St Oswald’s. I’m really looking forward to this! Last time, Elephish sold for £10,000, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that we have some generous bidders for Sheep Ahoy!
So, if you haven’t seen Sheep Ahoy! and his flock yet, then head into town in the next few weeks. If you do visit my seafaring sheep, then snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @joanne.wishart.art with the hashtag #ShaunOnTheTyne.
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If you are familiar with my work, then you’ll know how passionate I am about the North East coastline. The beautiful beaches of Northumberland and Tyneside have inspired much of my work. But the old adage is true: there’s no place like home. And home for my gallery is the small harbour town Cullercoats.
Since 2019, 6 St George’s Road in Cullercoats has been home to my gallery, run by myself and my husband, Ross. The gallery is both a place to share my artwork with the community and also an art studio for my works in progress. As a result, this little gem on the Tyneside coast holds a special place in my heart.
Cullercoats is known for its beautiful sandy bay, a favourite among families and sea swimmers all throughout the year. The bay also has its very own RNLI lifeboat station, which I have supported for several years through my annual Christmas card campaign.
So, when the opportunity arose to donate a canvas print to raise money for the RNLI this Cullercoats Harbour Day (Saturday, 12th August), I jumped at the chance to create something that truly encapsulates what the charity means to me and the rest of the local community.
Since 1848, the Cullercoats RNLI has watched over the Tyneside shores. The current boathouse was built in 1886 and is a Grade-II listed building. It’s not only a beautiful structure, but it’s also the base for a team of incredible volunteers who work tirelessly to keep people safe all year round.
For this year’s Cullercoats Harbour Day, I have donated a canvas print of this brand new painting depicting the bustling bay on a summer’s day.
Cullercoats has been painted many times throughout history by the likes of Winslow Homer and John Falconer Slater, portraying the working lives of the fishermen and families at that time.
So, in contrast, I wanted to paint Cullercoats in all its current glory and how it’s celebrated and used today – as both a working lifeboat station and a favourite day out for families travelling from near and far.
The piece depicts the gorgeous harbour on a busy summer’s day, with dog walkers, paddleboarders, families and brave sea swimmers all coming together to make the most out of the sun. The focal point of the painting is an RNLI lifeboat venturing into the sea.
The canvas print is 1m wide by 50cm deep. To be in with a chance of winning this print, you can pop into the gallery and for £2 choose a square on a map of Cullercoats Bay. Once all squares are sold each the winning square will be revealed.
The original painting is also looking for a home, and you can view it in-person at our Cullercoats gallery. Limited edition prints and canvas prints are both available to purchase online and in my gallery, and we’ll be donating 10% of profits of this print to the Cullercoats RNLI. Edit * The original is now sold.
Watch the video below to see a timelapse of the painting process. The bright colours and busy promenade made this a super fun piece to paint; there’s just so much going on!
Come and visit the gallery on St George’s Road. We’re open Wed-Sun 10 am to 5 pm, or shop all of our limited edition prints in our online store.
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On the blog, I talk a lot about my Limited Edition Prints and Original Paintings inspired by some of the most beautiful locations across the region. Seeing people give my artwork as a gift is one of my favourite things, as many people choose pieces that remind them of their favourite days out or even holidays along the Northumberland coast.
So, this really inspired me to create a new collection of greeting cards focusing on landmarks and beautiful spots across Northumberland, North Tyneside and the Scottish Borders. Now you can give the gift of art, and also send a special someone a personal message in a card that means something to them. All of the cards are blank inside, ready for you to add your own personal message.
This new range is called the Locations Collection, and there are 27 new cards in total, with another 21 coming in 2024. The cards are 15 x 15 cm and are printed in the UK on a quality textured board, sourced from sustainable forests and come with a laid paper envelope.
When deciding the places to showcase on the new greetings cards, I wanted to choose locations that hold a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of my customers. Some places are more popular than others, and I was keen to depict both the nationally recognised spots like Sycamore Gap alongside some lesser-known hidden gems, such as Simonside and Alnmouth.
So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at some of our new greeting cards and the locations they were inspired by.
If you’re familiar with my work, you will know I love to paint the seaside, and this card collection includes plenty of beach fun. But I also wanted to make sure there were cards depicting different locations across the region and not just the usual familiar sights.
The Cheviot Hills are a favourite among walkers of all abilities. From gentle strolls through to hillside scrambles, the Cheviots have something for everyone. Sitting at the north of the Pennines, the Cheviots offer beautiful views. However, these uplands are more than just a place for a weekend walk, they are actually a location of significant geological importance.
In fact, this area is thought to be where the continents of Avalonia and Laurentia came together over 400 million years ago! That gives amazing historical significance to a site often overshadowed by its neighbours in the south and west. On this card, swathes of heather blow in a gentle breeze, overlooking the patchwork of farmers’ fields below.
To the east, you’ll find Simonside Hills. Offering a full panoramic view of the surrounding area, Simonside Ridge promises a big return for its effortful ascent. This area is also known for its history, as it marks the location of a Bronze Age cemetery.
Either of these cards would be a great choice for a walking enthusiast or even a budding geologist!
Moving east, the next card I wanted to showcase in this new collection features Dunstanburgh Castle, a fortification nestled between the seaside villages of Craster and Embleton. The ruins date back to the 14th century, with the castle originally built by Earl Thomas of Lancaster.
The crumbling walls may not seem like much at first glance, but this is a structure of huge historical notoriety. These ruins have witnessed battles and even invasions! This card shows the cliffside path to Dunstanburgh, surrounded by blooming wildflowers overlooking a peaceful pebbled beach.
I am really pleased to see this piece become a greeting card, as it is a great example of the different textures I aim for in my mixed media pieces. The rough texture of the sky counterbalances the softness of the pink blooms, which you can almost see blowing in a gentle sea breeze.
Just a stone’s throw away from Dunstanburgh, you’ll find the working harbour town of Craster. Known for its famous kippers, Craster is a gorgeous spot to grab a bite to eat while exploring the award-winning Northumberland coastline.
While I love to paint the flora and fauna of the coast, I have also been challenging myself to capture more buildings and even boats in my recent artwork. So, where else to demonstrate this newfound passion for the structural world than at this hidden gem?
When curating this collection, it was important to me to include artwork in the full colour spectrum. While sometimes, you might choose a card based on its subject, it might also be more of a gut instinct drawing you towards a certain hue or texture.
The Tyneside prints, including these two of the Angel of the North and The Tyne Bridge, are super eye-catching as streaks of pink, yellow and blue depict the feeling of sunrise or sunset at these iconic locations.
Either of these cards would be a lovely choice if your recipient lives away from the region and is missing home, as both spots are truly synonymous with returning home to The Toon!
Finally, I wanted to include some of the locations that you likely associate most with my artwork. My gallery is just walking distance from Cullercoats Bay, and every year I create a new original piece for the local RNLI Christmas card. So, it wouldn’t be a Joanne Wishart greetings card collection without an appearance from my local beach.
Likewise, St Mary’s Lighthouse is a place I love to visit (and paint!) at any time of the year. As the shoreline changes with the tides, it brings a whole host of visitors from all over the North Sea, including hundreds of seals who pay a leisurely visit to St Mary’s Island every year.
Just like the other cards in this collection, these would work for any occasion.
Here is the full list of locations featured in the new greetings card collection:
The Locations Collection is available at our Cullercoats gallery. We’re on St George's Road, and you can visit us Wed-Sun 10 am to 5 pm. Alternatively, you can browse the full collection on my website or shop at my Etsy store.
Which iconic North East locations would you like to see on my new batch of cards? I’d love to hear your suggestions and why these places mean so much to you. Let me know over on Instagram @joanne.wishart.art.
If you’ve ever seen any of my original North East artwork, then you’ll know that I love a good beach. My art studio is just a stone’s throw away from one of my favourites, Cullercoats Bay, and walking distance from several other fantastic spots along the Tyneside coastline.
The North East has always had amazing beaches, and they are only getting better. Earlier this month, the prestigious Blue Flag award was given to 78 beaches across England - with an amazing five of these in the North East!
So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the Blue Flag award, what it means and which beaches nearby have been named the UK’s best.
Blue Flag is an internationally recognised scheme operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education. The award is given to the beaches, marinas and tourism boats that meet certain standards across a wide range of criteria, including cleanliness, sustainability, environmental impact, biodiversity and more.
To put it simply, the Blue Flag is given to the very best beach beaches in the whole world. There are 5,036 Blue Flag sites across the world, with 78 in England and five in the North East!
Achieving a Blue Flag is no mean feat, as beaches must prove everything from water quality to accessibility, environmental management and health & safety. It’s so exciting to have five amazing Blue Flag beaches on our doorstep, ready to explore (and paint!).
As of May 2023, the following five beaches have the Blue Flag award:
With three out of these five beaches within walking distance of my gallery, and the other two just a short drive, I can confidently say that I have visited them all dozens (if not hundreds!) of times.
In fact, the first three beaches on this list (and the ones closest to me) have all achieved Blue Flag status every year since 1994!
Here are some of my favourite things about these very special places, and some artwork inspired by the region’s award-winning golden sands.
This 500m stretch of golden sand is one of the most popular spots for families, dog walkers and surfers alike. Home to a number of fantastic eateries, including the Tynemouth Surf Cafe, The View and Crusoes, this beach really does have it all.
The sheer scale of the Longsands makes it a great spot for a summer picnic, as there’s plenty of space for everyone. So, whether you are looking for a stroll with the pooch or a place to sit and watch the surfers ride the waves, the Longsands is a perfect choice.
And, of course, you can bring a slice of this Blue Flag beach home with one of my limited-edition art prints.
Summer at Longsands | Limited Edition Art Print
The next beach along from the Longsands is King Edwards Bay, which sits right at the end of Tynemouth Front Street. Overlooked by the ruins of Tynemouth Priory which dates back to the 13th century, this beach is a truly beautiful spot. In the below art print inspired by the beautiful bay, you’ll even see the Blue Flag blowing in the sea breeze.
King Edwards Bay | Limited Edition Art Print
Perhaps the beach that has seen the biggest regeneration in recent years is Whitley Bay.
This area has come full circle as the go-to summer destination for locals and tourists alike. In the early 20th century, visitors would come from miles around to see the Spanish City dome. Whitley Bay has always been a traditional British seaside town, but in the 90s and early 2000s, the seaside was desperate for some TLC. After a much-needed renovation project, the famous dome reopened in 2018, and we’ve never looked back.
On the other end of Whitley Bay beach, you’ll find St Mary’s Lighthouse – a fantastic place to spot seals and other marine wildlife. Rockpooling by the lighthouse is a must every summer for our family.
From party town to family favourite, Whitley Bay has seen it all. Here’s one of my favourite pieces inspired by this beloved location depicting the iconic dome at sunset.
Whitley Bay Spanish City Evening | Limited Edition Art Print
Now it’s time to venture a few miles south for the last two beaches on this year’s Blue Flag list. Roker Beach is another lovely sandy spot, ideal for a sunny day out. The coastline is also home to a Grade II listed pier and lighthouse, which have helped guide boats into Sunderland Harbour safely since 1903.
Seaburn Beach sits just north of Roker, and is home to Whitburn Bay. This popular spot offers plenty in terms of eateries and cafes, with benches along the sand to rest and enjoy your fish and chips. If you’re feeling brave, then Seaburn and Roker are popular swimming spots, with lifeguards and safety flags a key part of the Blue Flag scheme’s requirements.
Here’s a piece inspired by Whitburn Bents, the small grassy area (known as the “Bents”) nestled below a row of idyllic white fisherman’s cottages.
Whitburn Bents | Limited Edition Art Print
Which is your favourite of this year’s Blue Flag beaches? Let me know over on Instagram @Joanne.Wishart.art or come and visit me in the gallery to browse the full collection of limited edition art prints.
After a long winter, I’m looking forward to the warmer weather and longer days of spring and summer. Over the last few months, I’ve been busy working away from my Cullercoats studio on a few original paintings depicting my favourite locations across Northumberland.
I talk extensively on the blog about my Limited Edition Art Prints and even North East-inspired gift ideas. As a small business owner, I love writing these articles as it gives me a chance to promote my favourite places to visit across the region, including highlighting some fantastic local businesses.
But behind my business is my artistry. I feel so grateful to have made a living doing what I love – painting. So, I thought it would be a lovely idea to dedicate this month’s article to what got me here in the first place: art!
I was born and raised in Berwick-upon-Tweed and later moved up north to Dundee to study Print Textile Design. You might be surprised to hear that, although I am now a passionate painter and mixed media artist, I actually started my career as a freelance designer before transitioning to my current medium in 2006, and opening my gallery with my husband, Ross, in 2019.
You can learn more about my journey on the About page. But enough about me, let’s get into the art.
Dunstanburgh Castle | Original Northumberland Painting
The first of my recent pieces I’d like to share with you is this painting depicting grazing sheep on a cloudy day overlooked by the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle. The fortification is the perfect representation of the coastline’s deep history, with foundations dating back to the 14th century.
The composition of this painting is one of my favourites as the sheep symbolise new life and change of season, while the ruins act as a constant reminder of the region’s rich heritage.
Alnmouth Reflections | Original Northumberland Painting
This painting shows the beautiful multi-coloured homes of Lovaine Terrace in Alnmouth, softly reflected by the river Aln. What’s really special about this piece is that the colours of the sunset sky match the colourful houses, creating a mix of beautiful blue, green and pink hues in the reflection of the gentle river.
Lindisfarne Boat Sheds | Original Northumberland Painting
If colour is your thing, then this piece showing two charming fisherman’s sheds in front of the iconic Lindisfarne Castle might catch your eye. The sheds are constructed from upturned herring boats and are used by fishermen for storage. The wonderful thing about these coastal locations is that they aren’t just beauty spots but also working towns, home to a hive of hardworking locals that give each place such character.
Cottages in Craster - Original Painting
This next piece would be the perfect addition to a coastal holiday home or as a souvenir for a trip up north. Three coble boats rest on the pebbles at Craster harbour, overlooked by a street of colourful terraced homes. I’m really proud of this piece as I have challenged myself this year to paint more buildings, and I really love how this one turned out.
Northumberland View - Original Painting
Don’t worry, nature lovers. The great outdoors will always take centre stage in my paintings. This piece shows the rolling farmers' fields of Northumberland with swathes of bright pink heather growing along Simonside – a favourite family walk of ours and many others, I’m sure!
That’s just some of my recent original paintings. You can browse the full collection of available pieces on my website or visit me in the gallery on St George's Road, Cullercoats. We’re open 10 am - 5 pm, Wed to Sun.
Regular readers of the blog will know I adore Northumberland, especially the coastline, which inspires a lot of my artwork. However, I haven’t written as much on the blog about north Northumberland and the Cheviot Hills area. As a family, we spend a lot of time in Wooler, as my parents live there, and it’s a beautiful spot with so many places to walk and things to see.
With spring days and the Easter holidays on the horizon, I thought this month I would write about some of my days out in and around Northumberland, including a brand new attraction set to reprise a centuries-old tradition.
Grab your walking boots and keep reading to learn more about some of my favourite Northumberland days out.
One of the most recent additions to the Wooler area is Ad Gefrin, an Anglo-Saxon museum and distillery set to open this spring. Inspired by the area’s rich heritage, Ad Gefrin is set to “reawaken the Northumbrian tradition for Whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years.”
Ad Gefrin is a really exciting attraction, as it’s not just a whisky distillery but also a fully-immersive museum experience, including a great hall, gardens and bistro. Named after the Anglo-Saxon Royal Court of Ad Gefrin, this experience will explore the region’s bountiful history and tell the real stories of people who lived on our soil under King Edwin in the 7th century.
To pre-book tickets and learn more about Ad Gefrin, including the attraction’s historical inspiration and accessibility information, visit the website here.
History buffs will also love the next stop on our Northumberland journey. Just a fifteen-minute drive from Wooler, with a tagline like “Northumberland’s most haunted historic castle”, you know you’re in for an exciting day out when you visit Chillingham.
While the castle is a wonderful place to visit during the day, complete with tearooms and beautiful gardens, the real excitement is found under the darkness of night. The castle hosts regular Ghost Hunts exploring the darkest dungeons, including torture chambers, dating back to the 12th and 13 centuries.
The area is also home to the world’s only wild cattle! These beasts were once symbolic of pre-Christian Britain, revered by Pagans and sacrificed to their gods. You can visit the creatures, but they are potentially dangerous, so you have to book with the ranger, who will take you as close as is safe on the day.
You can get joint tickets for the castle and cattle at the Chillingham Wild Cattle website.
As if we weren’t already spoiled with the wide variety of days out Northumberland has to offer, Etal is another gem to add to the region’s burgeoning crown. In the idyllic town of Etal by the river Till, you’ll find the ruins of Etal Castle. History buffs will love this one, as the castle was the site of an attack by Scots raiders in the 14th century.
At the time of writing this, the shop and exhibition at Etal Castle are currently closed, but the grounds are free to enter. Be sure to check the English Heritage website before visiting for the most up-to-date information.
The Heatherslaw Light Railway is nearby and a fantastic day out for kids and grown-ups alike. As the most northerly steam railway in England, the train takes you on an exciting six km-long journey through the gorgeous countryside. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including herons, ducks and even the odd otter!
Hay Farm is a not-for-profit venture where you’ll come face-to-face with a wide range of animals, including rare breed Clydesdale horses, as well as pigs, ducks and geese.
If you or your little ones are animal lovers, then Hay Farm is a great day out. It’s also very accessible (speak to them directly about your accessibility needs). Hay Farm is just a short distance from Etal Castle and the Heathershaw Railway.
Longer, brighter days mean more opportunities to stretch your legs. Here are some of my favourite Northumberland hikes. Remember, this is just a guide, so double-check for parking, accessibility and other limitations before you venture out on your walk.
This is a perfect dog walk for the warmer months, as the River Breamish offers a welcome relief from the summer sun. An amble along the valley to Linhope Spout waterfall is a popular route for a reason, with plenty of places to stop for a family picnic and a paddle.
There are a couple of different routes you can take, including a shorter path (around 3.5 miles), so it’s ideal for the full family, and there is a lot to keep little ones entertained along the route.
For the full route and more information about accessibility and parking, visit the Northumberland National Park website.
If you’re looking for artistic inspiration in north Northumberland, then the panoramic view from Duddo Standing Stones is hard to beat. The five stones sit just a few miles south of the Scottish border and are formed from soft sandstone. They were erected during an excavation in the late 19th century, and the site itself dates back to the Bronze Age.
This is a great one for dog walkers looking for somewhere to explore from a Berwick base. Here’s the full route and a little more about the history of this incredible and mystical site.
Not too far from Chillingham Castle, you’ll find the spooky Cateran Hole. Fans of fantasy fiction will notice a likeness to Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
The 35m cave is set in the gritstone of Cateran Hill and is thought to have been a smugglers’ hiding place. Nearby, you’ll find Ros Castle - which is not actually a castle at all, but the highest of the Chillingham Hills. Cateran Hole and Ros Castle make for a great day out, a perfect combination of history and nature.
If you’re looking for more inspiration for Northumberland days out, check out this past blog article sharing some of the national park’s hidden gems. Let me know your favourite Spring days out over on Twitter @Joanne Wishart or Instagram.
For me, there’s no greater inspiration than the great outdoors. If you are familiar with my artwork, then you will know I paint all sorts of local-inspired pieces, from coastal scenes framed by wildflowers to local landmarks at sunrise.
I love to see my nature-inspired artwork in people’s homes. It’s an honour to have my customers choose something I have envisioned and then created to adorn the walls of their home or holiday home. Or even when people choose a piece to give as a gift - it’s all about what that piece of art means to them.
So, how do you know what kind of artwork will suit your home? And how do you choose where to position it? Even selecting a frame can be tricky. In this month’s blog post, let’s explore how you can choose the perfect artwork for any space, and I’ll even share some examples of my art in situ at my wonderful customers’ homes.
I understand that interior design goes through trend cycles. And, as a result, certain types of artwork can be in fashion at different times. However, when it comes to choosing artwork for your home, I do think it’s important to pick pieces that you truly love - not just because they are a certain style or aesthetic.
The North East and its beautiful coastlines, rolling hills and eclectic flora and fauna are all things that bring me joy. I spend weekends and holidays with my family exploring local favourites and even searching for inspiration for my paintings. So, bringing artwork inspired by places that hold fond memories for me makes perfect sense.
Perhaps there’s a location that holds particular meaning to you, or simply a spot that reminds you of a loved one who’s no longer with us. Maybe you got engaged on the Longsands or married at the Spanish City! Artwork depicting these locations will make the perfect meaningful addition to your home.
Longsands Winter Morning | Original Painting
It might be that you want a focal point for a room, maybe a large painting about a bed or fireplace. Or, alternatively, you are looking for smaller pieces to nestle on shelves or to fill a gap on a wall. Whatever your dilemma, now is a good time to think about colours.
If your room is a neutral space, you can go big with colour. My artwork may be inspired by coastal and countryside scenes, but you’ll notice that colour is really something I love to play with.
A perfect example is this bird’s eye view of the Tyne River. Pinks, yellows and blues make up this flowing image of the city’s iconic bridges. You could see this sitting proudly above a fireplace or bed.
Here’s another example of how the colour of a painting can transform a space. Sycamore Gap has been photographed and painted thousands of times. In fact, while researching my recent blog post about the location, I discovered that it was actually named Tree of The Year by the Woodland Trust in 2016.
The area surrounding Sycamore Gap is lush greenery, and, as a result, you’ll often see pieces with these hues. But, in the painting below entitled Rooted on Hadrian's Wall, I opted for blue and warm red and brown tones, showing the tree’s intrinsic link to the area’s Roman history. The rubble surrounding the tree dates back millennia and the tree is really just a single piece of a truly historical puzzle.
This piece would look perfect in a bright, neutral room or a warm-toned space with terracotta tiles.
Rooted on Hadrian’s Wall Sycamore Gap Original Painting
It’s amazing how the same subject can inspire a completely different piece and colour scheme. Here’s another Sycamore Gap painting, this time with the blues and greens of springtime. I love how this goes so perfectly with the pastel teal shade on the chimney breast.
Sycamore Gap Original Northumberland Painting
So, you’ve chosen the subject of your desired artwork for your home - but how do you know where to put it? Or how to frame it? Well, there are a few things to consider here. Firstly, consider the space as a whole - is there already artwork on the walls, or is this to be the centrepiece?
In a big, open room, you can opt for a single piece to act as a focal point. A perfect example would be this original painting of Bamburgh above a customer’s bed.
When it comes to framing, choose a tone that both matches the artwork (without distracting from it) and also the space. If you have light wood pieces in your home, this is a good tone to go for in a frame.
At our Cullercoats gallery, we offer a bespoke framing service with a wide variety of frame styles and materials. The right frame can make all the difference to your piece, and even the room as a whole; it’s important to think carefully about it.
Customer Ruth Martin shared the above piece in a lovely grey frame to match the sofa. I love how the yellow cushions complement the daffodils in this print, too!
To learn more about framing, picture mounts, and even different types of glass, read my blog article about choosing the perfect frame for your artwork.
Here are some more photos shared by our lovely customers of Joanne Wishart artwork in situ!
Via Sandra McGonigle on Facebook
Via Charlotte Kewell on Twitter
Via @CreativeCallig on Twitter
Got Joanne Wishart artwork in your home? I’d love to see it! Share photos with me on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #wishartwall
The Northumberland coastal landscape is a great inspiration for my paintings. I love to immerse myself in the scenery and the best way to do this is on foot, with a picnic, sketchbook and a camera in my backpack. Follow my journey on foot as I take in the sights of the Northumberland coastal path from Alnmouth to Craster.
There are few places in the country, let alone Northumberland, that can be directly compared to the famous Scottish town of Balamory but Alnmouth is one of them. Its brightly coloured houses lined against the estuary make this village a must see attraction when visiting Northumberland.
Founded in 1150, Alnmouth was built on the export of grain and timber until the village was transformed by a storm in 1806, which reshaped the physical landscape around the port town. Trade as a result declined throughout the 19th century, but the village remodelled itself and became a tourist destination. This was aided by the development of the expanding rail network, which brought the fortunes of developing industrial cities along with it.
Perhaps the most notable tourist transformation is the Alnmouth golf course, founded in 1869, the fourth oldest in the country. While the idea of playing golf may be appealing to some, Ross and I had the coastal path in our sights.
We walked through the picturesque village, calling in at our favourite stockist The Aln Gift Shop (who stock a fabulous selection of my coastal paintings), then headed towards the estuary where we were greeted by fantastic views of an open seascape. The beach stretched gently around the coast line with Coquet Island in the distance. Heading North with a low tide we walked over Marden rocks to Foxton beach. Trekking parallel to the coastal path, we could take in the sea views and feel the sand beneath our feet.
Looking back towards Alnmouth, a lone windswept tree perched on the dunes was the perfect subject to capture in my sketchbook, encapsulating the open wilderness feeling of the Northumberland coast. Once the sketch was finished we trekked over the rocks at Seaton point and headed over the grassland towards Boulmer, which was our next port of call.
Boulmer is one of Northumberland’s last genuine fishing villages and has changed little in the past 100 years. Boulmer has a more murky history compared to Alnmouth. It was known as a smuggler haven during the 18th and 19th centuries with the local pub, the Fishing Boat Inn, acting as the headquarters for this illicit activity. The pub is still there, but the days of pirating are long gone. It offers a great range of local beers and an excellent seafood restaurant. We didn't have time for fine dining but did take advantage of a cool drink!
*A side note to dog owners. Dogs are not allowed inside the pub, but they do have a few outdoor picnic tables.
Moving North from Boulmer, we headed across farmland towards Longhoughton beach and onwards to the hidden gem of Sugar Sands. Longhoughton Beach was a fantastic place for a spot of birdwatching.
We were blessed to catch a glimpse of oystercatchers, sanderlings and a lone Heron on the shoreline. The Bathing House at Howick was a spot in the distance and our next stop on the coastal path as we hugged the coastline intertwined with coves and rocky bays.
The iconic Bathing House at Howick was built on a rocky headland in the early 19th century by the second Earl Grey. Famous for his association with Earl Grey Tea, the former Prime Minister created a coastal retreat for his 15 children to enjoy outdoor learning and bathing in the North Sea.
If you venture out onto the rocks at low tide you can see two carved rock pools he created for his family to bathe. The house, steps, and rock pools are all grade two listed and a much visited part of the coastline. You can even rent the building out today as a holiday let!
There are some great vantage points to paint on this section of the coastal path with views to take in the Bathing House with Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance. This was our last stop for a spot of sketching before we headed north on the last stretch towards the harbour village of Craster.
The end of the day was in sight as we arrived at our final destination, Craster. Named after the Craster family, who have owned the estate since records began in 1272, this small village has lots to offer visitors and we couldn’t visit Craster without a look around local artist Mick Oxley's Gallery.
In recent years Craster has become a hotspot for foodies, with a great range of café’s and restaurants serving up fresh local produce. This recent development follows a strong culinary tradition as Craster is most famous for its smoked kippers. The smokehouse has come to symbolise the village, with L. Robson and Sons producing the delicious fish for over 100 years, serving both locals and the royal family. While the herring used to make the smoked kippers are not locally sourced anymore, Craster still has a fishing community.
The harbour protecting the boats was built in 1906 to honour Captain John Craster who died while on mission in Tibet for the British army. The boats moored on the shore with the fishermen's houses behind them provide another great opportunity for a quick sketch before we head home for the day.
Thanks for following my creative journey. You can see more of my artwork at our Art Gallery in Cullercoats, North Tyneside, online at www.joannewishart.co.uk or follow me on social media. Facebook Instagram Twitter
*Tips for walkers
There is no mobile phone signal in Craster.
The bus back to Alnmouth takes a long time, you change buses at Alnwick! We left our car at Alnmouth for the day and got the bus back.
Pubs and restaurants get very busy in the summer months, so booking a table in advance is advisable. The cafe in Craster was closing when we arrived later in the day so it would be advisable to book the pub at Craster if you need a hearty meal after a long walk!
Public toilets are available at Alnmouth, Boulmer and Craster on this walking route.
There’s no better way to walk off that festive indulgence than on a brisk winter walk with the family. This is the time of year when we all come together, and even though the weather can be chilly, you’ll likely find some of your favourite spots to be quite busy.
Places like Whitley Bay, Alnwick and Bamburgh are all lovely places for a winter stroll, but they may be busy- especially after Christmas and New Year as people look for low-cost ways to spend their weekends.
There are very few places in this beautiful region I haven’t ventured to over the last year looking for inspiration for my original North East artwork. From the regenerated North Shields Fish Quay to the quiet fishing harbour of Boulmer, I’ve been to them all! So, here are some of my favourite and lesser-trodden spots for a family walk this winter.
If a beach walk is your thing, then the coastal path to Budle Bay is a quiet route nestled between tourist favourites Bamburgh and Lindisfarne. You can walk from Budle Way to Bamburgh or even all the way to Seahouses if you’ve got it in you! The whole route is dog friendly all year round, so even if you’re reading this during winter climes, then you don’t need to leave your four-legged friends at home.
Budle Bay itself is actually a bird sanctuary. The one-mile expanse of mud flats is home to myriad bird species, including purple sandpipers, grey plovers and rough-legged buzzards! Sometimes the tide at Budle Bay can be so low that you’ll see the mudflats, however, you should never be tempted to cross the bay on foot as the terrain is dangerous, and the tide can be very unpredictable.
Coastal Path to Budle Bay Art Print
This stretch of award-winning Northumberland coastline has inspired several of my art pieces of the years, including the above painting of the pristine bay on a cloudy day.
I write a lot about my love of the various Northumberland coastal paths in this blog, but I often forget about Blyth and the surrounding sandy beaches. If you live in North Tyneside like me, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a brisk seaside walk.
Starting or finishing at Blyth’s colourful beach huts, you can choose to head north to the bandstand and harbour; or, alternatively, stroll south to Seaton Sluice beach - a favour among dog owners as it is typically much quieter than neighbouring beaches Whitley Bay and Tynemouth.
This part of the coastline is ideal for those who don’t drive, too. You can easily access all the beaches between Whitley Bay and Blyth, including Sluice and the cobbly Collywell Bay, on the 308 bus route.
Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean wildlife spotting is off the cards. Grey seals often head to St Mary’s Island between October and December too birth their pups, with many remaining for the early months of the year.
You can also visit the Farne Islands to see even more seals, as well as the famous puffins. The islands are home to around 43,000 pairs of puffins - did you know they mate for life? Hop on a boat trip from Seahouses and visit the islands or stay on the water and enjoy the sights.
For the final walk on my list, we’re visiting this famous golden beach. Popular among surfers, dog walkers (in the winter) and families alike, Tynemouth Longsands is one of the most iconic and beautiful beaches in the region - and, in my opinion, in the country!
Just a short walk from the bustling Front Street and even home to coffee shops on the sand, you can keep your hands warm with a hot drink as you stroll this lovely stretch of sand. If you fancy an even longer walk, keep going north until you reach Cullercoats, where you’ll find my gallery on St George’s Road, open Wed-Sun 10am ‘til 5pm. Find us on Google Maps here.
Longsands Winter Morning Original Painting | Limited Edition Print
A wintery golden hour on Tynemouth Longsands inspired the above painting, which is currently available as a limited edition print both online and in my gallery.
Hopefully, this blog post has given you some inspiration for ways to spend those cold but fresh January and February days. The best way to beat any new year blues is definitely to dust off those boots, blow away the cobwebs and explore. Let me know your favourite winter walks or if you plan on visiting any of those mentioned above over on Instagram @joanne.wishart.art.Even though our gallery is located near the coast and I'm well-known for my coastal paintings, last year I thoroughly enjoyed taking a different approach by researching and creating some fresh Northumberland landscape paintings. Walks up to the Simonside Hills and along Hadrian's Wall to Sycamore Gap have given me an abundance of new inspiration to celebrate all that is great in the North East.
One of the best parts of my job is putting on my walking boots, grabbing my sketchbook, and gathering inspiration from our glorious region. I’m passionate about experiencing a place for myself—to see it, feel it, love it, and capture it in my sketchbook.
Last year I painted 56 new original pieces of art, with many selling within a couple of weeks to my growing family of collectors. We created a ‘Collectors Club’ for friends of the gallery who are super keen to hear about my latest paintings and want to be in with a chance of snapping up my newest paintings first.
We decided to move in this direction after the covid pandemic paused our ability to host in person preview evenings, and with my audience growing across the country, it makes my work accessible to those near and far! BUT we do miss our little gatherings, so we are not totally ruling them out for 2023.
Staying coastal Ross and I walked half of the Northumberland Coastal Path and are looking forward to completing it in 2023. So far we have walked from Cresswell to Craster, completing it in stages passing by Amble, Warkworth and Alnmouth sketching along the way.
I’ve expanded my Northumberland Blue skies panoramic series with new paintings of Coquet Island and added to my harbour range with a vibrant painting of Amble harbour.
We were honoured to be chosen as a Small Business Sunday winner this year by former Dragon Theo Paphitis. This recognition of our art gallery and our dedication to running a successful family business in the North East gave us a lot of encouragement. The first few years at the gallery have been a rollercoaster with the pandemic and the current energy crisis, but we appreciate the support of our devoted customers and are eager to continue to create and interact with you through my art. In 2023, Ross and I plan to attend the #SBS conference in order to meet the man himself and all of the other incredible small businesses that are preserving the high street.
Read more on my Small Business Sunday BLOG post
Cullercoats Community & Local Lifeboat
Cullercoats is our business home and holds a very special place in our hearts. We were delighted to support two local ventures once again. Firstly, I was delighted to donate my image of ‘Safely Home’ to be reproduced on the local Cullercoats RNLI charity Christmas cards, raising much needed funds for the local lifeboat. Secondly, we had a great time supporting and participating in the wonderful Cullercoats Community Advent Trail. We love the community spirit and creativity that this event brings to the area, engaging us all in one glorious art trail!
The beginning of a new year is a time for us to reflect, assess, plan and dream up some new ideas for the year ahead. Ross looks at the statistics, spreadsheets, and numbers while I look at what has made my heart sing creatively and the connections I have made with the region and with you, my customers through my painting. Together we somehow make this work as a business!
To keep up to date with my creative journey you can follow me on social media. Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and you can also join my family of collectors and subscribe to my newsletter. Sign up on the homepage of my website.
There are so many amazing things about living in the North East. Where else can you visit an award-winning golden sand beach, UNSECO countryside and a bustling metropolitan city… all within an hour’s drive?
In this blog, I write a lot about the beautiful Northumberland countryside and award-winning Tyneside beaches. However, I don’t often venture in land to our wonderful city, Newcastle Upon Tyne. In fact, this year I challenged myself to explore painting cityscapes, starting with my home city.
So, in this post, I want to share some of my recent original artwork inspired by this glorious place. Let’s take a closer look at the places that have inspired my recent artwork, and I’ll chat through some of the creative decisions that led to the final pieces.
There are seven bridges crossing the Tyne at the Quayside, although many others cross the river at various points in its journey. Of course, the Tyne Bridge is probably the most iconic. This Grade-II listed structure was designed by Sir Ralph Freeman in the 1920s - yes, that’s the same guy who designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The similarity is certainly no coincidence!
The Tyne Bridge is special for so many different reasons, not least because it acts as one of the main crossing points of the annual Great North Run: the world’s largest half marathon!
We ventured to this structure’s youngest sibling, The Millennium Bridge, to sketch a cross-section of all the bridges. If you’ve seen my artwork before, then you’ll know I usually paint rolling sand dunes, flourishing wildflowers and picturesque seaside towns… so all of these manmade structures and straight lines were definitely a change to what I’m used to.
Back in my studio, I took my reference sketches and started to build out the original piece on canvas. Often I’ll take drawings from different angles before I decide how the final painting will turn out - this is especially important when painting an architectural structure that requires accuracy. There’s less creative freedom than when I paint wildflowers and rolling sand dunes, but I still find ways to express my creativity through different shapes, textures and hues.
Cityscapes are a new venture for me and, as a result, I’ve been working with lots of texture and collaged fabric to balance the rigidity of architecture with the flowing nature of sky and water.
Tyne River Flows - Limited Edition Print | Original Painting
Here’s a sneak peek of one of the final pieces. The winding Tyne acts as a centrepiece for the intricate old buildings overlooking the river. Painting Newcastle landmarks has been so much fun. The original Newcastle paintings as well as some limited edition prints are all available from my online shop and at my Cullercoats art gallery.
Pink Tyne - Original Painting
The same venture inspired another two pieces, this time with a textured skyline overlooking the city’s famous bridges reflected in the river in motion. The skewed perspective allowed for an interesting square composition - one you don’t often see in horizons or cityscapes.
Another unmistakable slice of the Geordie landscape, this statue has overlooked the bustling A1 for 24 years. Designed and built by sculptor Antony Gormley, The Angel of the North sits on a former colliery and represents the region’s industrial past.
There are so many different artistic interpretations of the angel, I wanted my piece to be an original take while still representing the iconic landmark in all its glory. The angel is obviously a piece of art in itself, so putting this onto canvas required a bit of lateral thinking. I opted for a sweeping sunset sky with pinks, blues and yellows. The contrast between the big, bold brushstrokes of the sky and the finer details of the statue help to bring the eye to a focal point.
This original painting or limited edition print would be an ideal centrepiece for any neutral-coloured room. A perfect gift for a lover of local sights or even an adopted Geordie!
So, now I’ve painted a few of the city’s most iconic spots, and I’m already brimming with ideas of where to paint next. Even within Newcastle, there are some exciting locations I hope to visit and sketch in the spring and summer of next year. Where would you like to see my paint? Let me know over on Instagram @JoanneWishart.
Whether you hand them out to your friends or post them far and wide, Christmas cards are such a lovely way to send well wishes to loved ones during the festive season. The right card can say a thousand words, and that’s before you put pen to paper.
In this month’s blog, I want to share some of my new cards, as well as the old favourites returning to my shelves for another year. We’ll also discuss the environmental impact of Christmas cards and how to be sure you’re shopping ethically this year.
When choosing your Christmas cards, consider the environmental impact of buying and sending cards. You might already be aware of the damage wrapping paper has on the environment - but what about cards?
A recent study found that producing a single Christmas card emits 140g of CO2. And that’s before you consider how the recipient then disposes of the card after Christmas is over. The shops are full of glittery, plasticky cards that cannot be recycled and, as a result, they end up in landfills every year.
These issues were are the forefront of my mind when designing the 2022 range of Christmas cards. All of my cards come with a recycled white paper envelope. They are printed right here in the United Kingdom on sustainably board. I even post all of my cards naked, without a cello sleeve, so there’s minimum waste.
If you are keen to support a local business this year, then why not pick up some North East Christmas cards from my online shop or pop by the Cullercoats gallery to browse in person?
This year, I’ve got some old favourites and some brand new designs - as well as my annual charity card to support RNLI Cullercoats, which I’ve been painting for three years!
Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at some of this year’s cards.
Your favourite football lover will appreciate this adorable design. Two frosty friends celebrate a woolly hat trick in the snow. Most of my art is inspired by the beautiful coastline and countryside of my home region, so it was really fun to design and paint this cute twosome for a new card added to the range this year.
Buy the Geordie Snowmen Christmas Card
It wouldn’t be a Joanne Wishart Christmas without a visit from these Northumberland natives. Did you know puffins mate for life? This card is the perfect way to show a loved one that you’re thinking about them this December.
Buy the Puffins and Mistletoe Christmas Card
Every year, hundreds of brave bodies flock to the beach to take part in the Boxing Day dip. This card is inspired by those crazy sea lovers who embark on this freezing-cold swim!
Buy the Festive Dip Christmas Card
Dog lovers are always happy to be allowed to return to our beaches as the weather gets cooler. This card depicts a lovely couple all wrapped up warm for their early morning, joined by their happy pooch on the golden sands of one of our beloved Northumberland beaches.
Buy A Wintery Dog Walk Christmas Card
Another gorgeous card for couples, this one is inspired by the Eskimo Kiss - two cold noses rubbing together against a snowy backdrop.
Buy the Eskimo Kiss Christmas Card
Every year, I design a brand new Christmas card to support the local branch of RNLI. As a coastal business, I see the hard-working volunteers embark on lifesaving missions on the shores of my local beach. This is my way of supporting the fantastic charity. This year’s painting is entitled “Safely Home” and depicts the lifeboat returning to Cullercoats on a cold winter night.
For every box of cards, £5 goes directly to this wonderful cause. This card proves very popular each year, so I highly recommend getting your order in early.
Buy this year’s RNLI Christmas card, Safely Home.
Learn more about the Cullercoats RNLI in this blog post from last year.
These are just some of my Christmas cards available for the 2022 festive season. You can browse the full selection of cards, and other North East-inspired gifts, in my online shop or pop by the gallery on St George's Road, Cullercoats. We’re open Wednesday - Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
The North East is steeped with history, but nothing is quite as old or iconic as Hadrian’s Wall. This year, English Heritage is celebrating 1900 years of the historic structure.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is older than many modern nations, so it’s no wonder that people travel from all over the world to hike the length of the wall.
The route stretches 84 miles from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway and is littered with beautiful sights - both natural and man-made. Roman Forts along the route include Chesters and Housesteads, the ruins of which made for a fascinating day out. However, in this blog, I want to talk about perhaps one of the most amazing natural phenomena along the route - Sycamore Gap.
As the name suggests, this wonder is a Sycamore tree perfectly nestled in the gap between two hills. The photogenic location is only a couple of miles from Housesteads and is a must-see, whether you’re walking the full walk or simply looking for a day out in Northumberland.
There’s something so fascinating about this tree, as it sits alone in the dramatic verge. It’s even won awards - including the Tree of The Year competition in 2016! Other facts about Sycamore Gap include:
As you may know, I specialise in painting beautiful landscapes where nature meets historic buildings, such as Bamburgh Castle overlooking its eponymous beach, or St Mary’s Lighthouse looking out over Whitley Bay sands.
So, it seemed only right to mark this special anniversary of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall with a few original paintings of Sycamore Gap - my favourite spot along the wall.
While Sycamore Gap may be the most photographed place in the entire Northumberland National Park, I decided in order to paint it in all its glory, we needed to venture along there in person. My husband Ross and I visited the three-hundred-year-old tree on a mission to see the space from a different perspective.
Typically, you see Sycamore Gap from the angle, creating an almost symmetrical horizon, with the tree nestled in the middle. However, I wanted to paint the site from a different angle. This original mixed media piece shows the path along Sycamore Gap as you approach the tree on a sunny day.
Another original piece inspired by this trip to Sycamore Gap depicts the idyllic location from a more traditional perspective. The symmetry of the gorge surrounding the sycamore tree is what makes this natural phenomenon so interesting.
Blue Sky Over Sycamore Gap - Original Painting // Limited Edition Print
And last but not least, I took a more stylistic approach to painting Sycamore Gap in this square piece. The sweeping brushstrokes draw the eyes to the ancient bough, sitting proudly under sparse clouds on a sunny day.
Sycamore Gap - Original Painting // Limited Edition Print
Any of these original pieces would make a stunning memento of this unique place. What better way to celebrate Hadrian’s Wall’s big birthday than with brand new artwork for your wall?
All three of the above prints are also available as limited edition prints. Browse artwork on my website or pop by my gallery on St George's Road in Cullercoats to browse prints and choose a frame to match your interior.
You've come to the gallery and selected the perfect print; now all you need to do is choose the perfect frame to complete the piece.
Getting picture framing right can enhance your artwork and add the finishing touch to complete your piece of art.
Joanne has a depth of experience in picture framing, having worked in a picture framing gallery in her early career, she can advise her customers in choosing the perfect frame to suit her limited edition prints.
Bespoke Picture Framing Service
The Joanne Wishart Gallery provides a custom picture framing service. We have a variety of corner samples available for you to choose from. They can be taken off the board and positioned around the print. This will give you a visual representation of how the finished piece will look.
When selecting a frame, keep in mind that the frame is an extension of the artwork itself. A picture's frame can make or break the final look. It is important to consider the overall colours of the piece and select a frame that reflects and enhances the nature of the image. The frame should never take precedence over or compete with the artwork. The purpose of the frame is to protect the artwork while improving it's aesthetic appearance.
Joanne’s limited edition prints already come presented with a neutral card mount / matt surround, which exposes the white border of the print. This white border contains the print number, title, and artist's signature. All you have to do is choose the frame.
Why do I need a mount?
A mount prevents your print from pressing against the glass and helps to maintain its quality over time. It creates an air gap to allow the paper to breathe, preventing moisture buildup, rippling, and mould growth.
Glazing
All of Joannes' picture frames come with regular picture framing glass as standard. But should you require an alternative we can source the following types of glazing.
*Our bespoke ordered frames can take up to two weeks to complete.
Our House Frames
In a hurry? We offer two different 'house' frames. White-washed composite and grey painted wood, which Joanne has carefully chosen to suit her collections. Joanne’s prints can be framed in these styles more quickly, sometimes even the same day.
Does this frame enhance the picture?
Is the frame distracting your eye when you look at the picture, or does it sit comfortably with the picture? Is the weight of the frame too heavy or too light in relation to the size of the image?
Where will you hang your picture?
Consider your interior design style. Is it coastal charm, rustic country, sleek and modern, or a modern office environment? Then select frames that complement your personal interior style.
Should all frames match in the same room?
This is a personal preference. If you hang them on the same wall using the same frame, it will give your interior a slick uniformed look, especially if you buy more than one print, it will help them look like a cohesive collection. Choosing similar coloured frames within a room can usually be enough to tie a scheme together, while some people prefer an eclectic look with a mix of art and framing styles hung together on a wall.
Should I choose a frame to match my sofa?
The artist's response would be to first choose a frame that complements the picture, and if it also complements your sofa, that would be a bonus!
If you need more advice on choosing the right frame for your print, please call into the gallery to speak to us in person, and we can guide you through the process to find the perfect frame.
If you are ordering your print online then you can take it to your local picture framer for their advice and picture framing service.
]]>I can’t believe it’s already September! This summer has been a busy one as I continue to run our Cullercoats gallery and paint original artwork (I even made a start on this year’s RNLI Christmas card!), all while balancing family time.
The season isn’t over yet and, in fact, this month will be a great one to explore areas of local beauty as the weather cools off. It may come as no surprise that one of my favourite ways to spend a family day out is exploring the North East coastline. Dotted with majestic castles and home to incredible wildlife, our coastline never disappoints.
Some of the most iconic places along the coastline are marked by their historic lighthouses, many of which are still in operation today. So, while I missed National Lighthouse Day on 7th August, I still think it’s worth sharing my favourite ones to visit all year round.
Many of the following lighthouses have inspired my original artwork and are available as limited edition prints.
Built on the site of an 11th-century monastic castle, St Mary’s Lighthouse sits at the north of Whitley Bay beach. Although it is no longer in operation, you can still visit the gift shop on the island and even climb the 137 steps to the top for a stunning panoramic view of the North Sea and the wider Tyneside coastline.
St Mary’s Lighthouse Evening Art Print
Depending on the tides, you can visit St Mary’s Lighthouse via the rocky causeway. The island is also regularly visited by a wide range of wildlife, including seals that sunbathe on the rocks behind the lighthouse.
Located a short distance from the popular seaside town South Shields, Souter Lighthouse is well-known for its red and white stripes. You’d be forgiven for thinking this is just like any other lighthouse, however, Souter has one very special story behind it. Souter Lighthouse was the first lighthouse in the world to be designed and built specifically to use alternating electric currents.
Sunny Souter Lighthouse Art Print
Standing tall on Lizard Point, Souter is no longer in operation but you can still visit the site, which is now operated by the National Trust.
A visit to the Farne Islands is a must for any local or holidaymaker venturing to Seahouses. Home to thousands of wild puffins and grey seals, a boat trip around these islands is a fantastic day out for kids and grown-ups alike.
Located on the southern tip of Inner Farne, you’ll see Farne Lighthouse (previously known as Farne High Lighthouse), which was built in the early 19th century. The revolving beam helps ships navigate the rocky shores at night. There was also a second lighthouse, known as Farne Low Lighthouse, which boasted a fixed beam. Following the automation of the Farne High Lighthouse, the low beam was discontinued, but you can still see the building where it once stood on the island.
Longstone Lighthouse is another active lighthouse on the Farne Islands. Like Souter, this site has the picturesque red and white stripes. This particular lighthouse is famous for being the location of the Forfarshire shipwreck in 1838, the survivors of which were rescued by the lighthouse keeper’s daughter, Grace Darling.
Longstone is often a stopping point for boat trips touring the Farne Islands, so if you get a chance to visit the island, then a tour of the lighthouse is a must.
The bustling North Shields fish quay is home to the Low Lights, a leading light marking the entrance to the River Tyne. While this building is no longer in operation, it stands proudly at the harbour as a memory of the location’s colourful history.
The fish quay inspired this piece depicting the busy harbour at sunset.
North Shields Fish Quay Art Print
The star of Roker’s famous pier, this lighthouse stands tall at the entrance of Sunderland harbour and has done so for over a hundred years. Following a period of restoration, Roker pier and lighthouse are open for guided tours where you can learn about the history of this fantastic spot.
These are just a few of the lighthouses in the region. Which is your favourite lighthouse in the North East? Let me know over on Instagram and shop lighthouse artwork on my website or at my Cullercoats gallery.
]]>I often share my favourite local spots in this blog, but I realised I had not spoken much about this wonderful walkers paradise.
Northumberland’s Simonside Hills are a treasure worth exploring. Lying on the edge of Harwood Forest, the area offers some of the best views in the entirety of Northumberland National Park.
When painting, inspiration can strike from anywhere. I have traditionally concentrated on seascapes and coastal scenes, but visiting Simonside Hills has changed my approach and brought a new sense of wonder to my artistic journey. After walking the hills and seeing the heather rolling across the landscape, I was smitten and knew I needed to paint them.
In August, Simonside blooms its best with wild heather growing in abundance across the landscape. This soft blanket of purple brings wonderful colour to the area that is truly a sight to behold. If you’re going to visit, I recommend heading there during the summer months to see it at its most serene – though winter brings its austere charms to the picturesque fields of Northumberland.
Simonside boasts several different walking routes, but the best are those that encourage hikers to summit the hills to take in the panoramic vistas of Northumberland. One of the more challenging routes is a 7.1-mile walk through the area that allows you to take in all of the sights available, from lush forestry to the area’s famous fell sandstone outcrops. For intrepid explorers, try to seek out Little Church Rock, a fell sandstone outcrop named for its usage as a meeting place by non-conforming religions of the era.
It’s during these long walks that Northumberland often offers up its most sporadic inspiration – moments where you’ve forgotten yourself and are concentrating on the route, when suddenly you look up and find yourself enthralled by the beauty you’re surrounded by.
The painting below aims to capture the same sense of wonder and delight I felt when I first looked across these rolling fields, which I first sketched out as a means of describing the scene before committing to canvas.
If you love Northumberland, why not take a piece of it home with you? Available as limited edition prints, you’ll be able to reminisce on your visit to the region or just celebrate your love for it at all times.
To understand the process I use to create my artworks, take a look at this video which sees me visiting Simonside Hills before I start my next landscape. You can also visit my Limited Edition Northumberland art print page to take your pick of a scene that most calls to you.
]]>Seascape and landscape painting inspiration is in abundance in North Wales. We choose to spend the half term week in Porthmadog nestled between the Snowdonia National Park and the glorious coastline of the LLyn Peninsula.
Secret Garden Cottages was our base in Tremadog.
A charming slate built cottage overlooking a luscious green walled garden with the Welsh coastline in the distance. A peaceful and relaxing setting to unwind and relax.
Behind our cottage we climbed up to a viewpoint looking out over the coastal landscape of Porthmadog. A vast coastal estuary filled with bird life nestled between the mountainous valleys. It was a steep 25 minute climb to the top but the view was with it.
Abersoch was our destination for our day at the beach. This charming village with two lovely beaches walled with rows of colourful beach huts made a perfect family day out. The waters were warm, clear and safe for our children to swim.
This coastal town with medieval castle perches above two splendid pebbled beaches. Exploring rock pools and making pebble art sculptures kept the children busy for hours. Views of mountainous landscapes in the distance makes Wales a special place to capture in a painting.
We couldn't visit North Wales without a day trip to the colourful village of Portmeirion. The architectural village was designed in 1925 by Clough Williams-Ellis with clusters of colourful properties cascading down the cliffside amongst the trees and overlooking the sandy estuary. It certainly was a splendour of colour on the eyes. I couldn't resist doing a painting of the scene!
Mountain landscape painting inspiration - Watkin Path Waterfall and Plunge Pool
On my bucket list was to swim in a plunge pool and visiting Snowdonia National Park seemed the perfect opportunity. We walked up the bottom section of the Watkin path which takes you up to the top of Snowdon. The mountain scenery was amazing and the path was lined with swathes of bluebells adding a splash of colour to the landscape.
We broke off the path to visit the plunge pools. It was about 8.30pm in the evening after a very hot bank holiday Monday. Our luck was in and we got the place to ourselves for a while. It was a truly exhilarating experience swimming in the plunge pools surrounded by such a dramatic landscape. One I will never forget.
Ffestiniog Welsh Highland Railway
Celebrating the heritage of the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway with almost 200 years of history took a 13½-mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. We comfortably travelled through the Snowdonia National Park in a first class compartment looking out over the tree tops at the mountainous Welsh landscape.
Zip World
This one's for the kids! Just a stone's throw for Betsy-y-Coed this trip was for the kids. Trampolines and rope bridges suspended high in the treetops followed by the forest rollercoaster. Lots of fun in the amazing Welsh forest landscape.
I can thoroughly recommend a family holiday in North Wales. There is so much to do for young and old family members while experiencing a great combination of coastline and mountain scenery. It certainly won't be our last trip to Wales!
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One of my favourite things about living just a stone’s throw away from Northumberland is how just a short car drive (or train journey!) can take us to a whole new world of inspiration for my art. Whether you’re an artist, writer, photographer or even just a nature enthusiast, the region has so much to offer.
Even if you’ve lived there all your life, or nearby like me, then you’ll still find there are places you might not have explored. To mark the launch of two new additions to my Blue Skies Over Northumberland collection, I wanted to share some of my favourite lesser trodden days out in Northumberland for both locals and tourists to explore this summer.
The first hidden gem is nestled just south of popular tourist spots Bamburgh and Seahouses. If you’re looking to dodge the crowds on a summer’s day or simply want to explore something new, then Low Newton is a lovely seaside destination.
Home to the National Trust-owned Embleton and Newton Links, the grassy dunes reveal a stretch of golden coastline loved by both humans and dogs! Low Newton is a very small village but it does have one fantastic pub, The Ship Inn, which has overlooked the beautiful shoreline since the 18th century!
Tuck into a hearty meal after a stroll along Low Newton’s sheltered cove or bring your own picnic. The village is much more remote than its neighbours so be sure to pack accordingly and don’t forget your sun cream in the summer.
I’ve talked extensively about Holy Island, home to Lindisfarne and steeped in history dating back thousands of years. But that’s not the only island in Northumberland. In fact, the region is home to over 30 islands, the majority of which are in the cluster known as the Farne Islands.
Coquet Island is another of Northumberland’s geological wonders. Owned by the Duke of Northumberland, the island is home to an RSPB-managed bird reserve with over 18,000 pairs of nesting puffins and many other species of seabird including kittiwakes, terns and gulls.
The island, which is less than a mile long, holds the remains of a medieval monastery that makes up the foundations of the lighthouse that still functions today. The most common way to get to Coquet Island is by boat from Amble. A number of local providers offer boat tours throughout the summer months that include bird and seal watching and a stop-off at Coquet Island. You can usually book tickets upon arriving in Amble or a quick search online will bring up plenty of information about when and where to book.
If you’ve read my blog before, then you’ll know how much I love Boulmer. This tiny fishing village sits just north of Alnwick, making it the perfect spot to escape the summer crowds after a day in the town.
A working fishing village to this day, Boulmer is not somewhere to go if you’re looking for entertainment or shopping. Instead, it’s a peaceful retreat, remaining mostly untouched for over a hundred years. One of the most interesting things about Boulmer is that, unlike many of its neighbours, it doesn’t have a harbour. Instead, the fishing boats are pulled up onto the beach filled to the brim with the daily catch of salmon, crabs and even lobsters.
You can still grab a meal and a drink in Boulmer’s only pub aptly named The Fishing Boat Inn. Or you can bring a packed lunch and find a bench overlooking the rocky shoreline.
A little livelier than the last spot, Beadnell is a popular destination for lovers of water sports, particularly in the summer months when you’ll see people surfing, kiteboarding and even scuba diving!
Blue Sky Over Beadnell Limited Edition Print
The horse-shaped bay is famously well-kept and offers just about every type of terrain you can expect from a Northumberland beach. Four-legged friends will love the golden stretch of sand, and if the tide is out, then don’t forget to explore the rock pools for local wildlife.
The village itself is very quiet, mostly populated by locals with a small number of holiday homes. One of the most popular spots in Beadnell is the Craster Arms, which is particularly popular during the August bank holiday as it hosts its annual “Crastonbury.” So, if you’re after a sit-down meal then this pub is a good option. You’ll also find a fish and chip shop on the harbour for take-aways, the ideal way to replenish after a busy day of watersports.
So, that’s four of my absolute favourite places to escape in Northumberland. Each of these locations brings with it something unique, but they all share one thing in common: tranquillity. Are there any other places in the region that you’d include in this list? Let me know over on Instagram @joanne.wishart.art, and don’t forget to check out my full Blue Skies Over Northumberland Collection here.
]]>At the start of May, we were selected as one of the businesses showcased by Theo Paphitis in his weekly Twitter campaign Small Business Sunday. As the name suggests, every Sunday, the Dragon’s Den star and serial entrepreneur chooses six businesses each week to shout out on his Twitter feed using the hashtag #SBS.
Theo asks small businesses to explain in just one tweet why they deserve to win, and I sent in a tweet without thinking he’d actually see - never mind pick Joanne Wishart Gallery as his #SBS choice for 9th May!
Since then, we’ve seen an influx of new followers across Twitter and Instagram, and I’m so excited to reach new people across the country (and even worldwide) from my little gallery in Cullercoats.
It’s been an exciting few months with regards to drawing new eyes to our business and the art I am so passionate about making! Earlier in the year, we were also mentioned in the Newcastle Chronicle in a piece about capturing the beauty of our region; you can read the full piece here.
So, with lots of new followers on social media, I thought now would be a great time to introduce myself again and answer some common questions about running a creative business in the North East.
“The #SBS campaign has been on my radar for a while now after first seeing Theo on Dragons Den.
“Recently, I read about him adding the London Graphics Centre to his retail acquisitions, and the connection was made!
“For anyone who knows, the LGC for artists is like a sweet shop for kids. This reminded me what a great opportunity it would be to become a SBS winner and join such a wonderful community of like-minded small businesses.
“Theo is the ultimate retailer, and it would be great to learn a thing or two from being part of his community. On top of this, he offers the amazing opportunity for 12 winners the chance to win a free stand at SpringAutumn Fair at the NEC.
“A prize worth thousands of pounds and an amazing platform to launch a business internationally on a much bigger scale. “
“I sat down and wrote five different versions of my tweet and tried to write something catchy.
“I thought it might take a few weeks of trying before I would catch his attention, but… Boom! on the first week. What a surprise!”
Bringing colour to people's homes in the form of joyful paintings, prints, gifts and greetings cards.
— Joanne Wishart | Artist & Gallery 💙 (@Joanne_Wishart) May 8, 2022
All created with ❤️ by me & displayed beautifully at our Art Gallery in the North East of England. @TheoPaphitis #SBShttps://t.co/oPkfX3I4Hx pic.twitter.com/9l0I3EpGpx
“I was totally thrilled to have been chosen, especially on my first attempt. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support from fellow winners, and it's been great to participate in their #SBSwinnershour on Twitter.”
Please give a warm welcome to my fantastic #SBS Twitter winners for this week...🔥@suziebooks @Joanne_Wishart @GolazoGame
— Theo Paphitis 🇺🇦 (@TheoPaphitis) May 9, 2022
💪Welcome with a retweet 💪
Check out my Instagram to see my other winners:@
riderguider
j700grouphttps://t.co/zXdmbXe4yT. uk
“I first started selling my paintings mainly to my friends and their parents. At first, I thought they were just being supportive, but my husband pointed out that they might actually be buying them because my paintings were good!
“The more I painted, the more I learned how to paint works connected with people, giving them a reason to buy my art. It certainly didn't happen overnight. It took many years of working hard, painting all week and exhibiting at art fairs every weekend.
“Born in Berwick upon Tweed, I was blessed to grow up surrounded by the beautiful Northumbrian countryside. Spending childhood summers playing on Cocklawburn beach and visiting my grandparents in the village of Alnmouth.”
Alnmouth Limited Edition Art Print
“In 2000, I gained a BDes Hons in Printed Textile Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee. I started my career as a freelance designer creating surface pattern designs for gift wrap, greetings cards, furnishing fabrics and Hawaiian shirt print designs for the USA market.
And then, in 2006, I decided to make a change and develop my own painting and mixed media artwork. Together with my husband Ross, we set up our own self-publishing art, print and greetings card business and, in 2009, I won a female entrepreneur award for the North East of England's, Best Creative Business. Since then, we have never looked back.
“In 2019, we fulfilled my lifelong dream of running my own gallery. We bought a property in the seaside village of Cullercoats on the North Tyneside Coast, and the Joanne Wishart Gallery was born.”
“Balancing the admin side of the business with the creative side of the business has got to be the hardest thing of all.
“I set aside three days a week purely for painting. On those days, I try not to turn on my computer or even my mobile phone, because they are such a distraction to the creative process. I like to just shut myself away in my studio and let the creative juices flow.”
“My husband deals with the accounts and the day-to-day management of the gallery but there is always admin and social media to do.
“There are some jobs I really enjoy, like building my website and making videos for social media, but I’m starting to collaborate more with other professionals to pull in their expertise on things like copywriting, product photography and photoshop/graphic design.
“Ultimately, in the future, I would love to be in a position to be painting all week and have someone else take control of the business stuff!
“I really do enjoy all the paintings I do but we have a mortgage to pay so pretty much all of them get sold.
“I think when I set out to paint for fun with a subject that may be new or something a bit different, it usually turns out to be my best work.
“If I ever stop enjoying painting it may be time to give up. I really enjoy what I do for a living so it makes my job so much easier!”
Isle of Skye Limited Edition Art Print
“I really am a home bird and love staying in the UK. I would like to explore more of the west coast of Scotland and the Welsh coastline.
“We’ve had some amazing family holidays in these places with the kids so I would enjoy capturing more of their amazing scenery on canvas.
“If you were to twist my arm and put me on a plane then Iceland would certainly be on my list.”
“My plans for 2022 are to really focus on my original paintings. They have been selling brilliantly through my ‘Collectors Club’ mailing list. Sign up on the homepage of my website.
“Many of my new paintings don’t even make it onto the gallery walls. I’m currently working on a new collection of Sycamore Gap to expand my Northumberland Landscapes after the success of my new Simonside series.”
“And, of course, if I’m lucky enough to win a stand at the Spring Fair, I'll be adding 20 new designs to my greetings card collections and preparing for a trade show.
“We’d love to double the number of shops we supply in the UK, so that's a target to aim for!”
Check out Joanne’s profile on the Small Business Sunday website here. Also, stay up-to-date with Joanne’s artwork over on Instagram @joanne.wishart.art.
]]>There’s nowhere quite like Tyneside. You can visit the bustling city, idyllic beach or peaceful countryside all within half an hour’s drive of each other. It’s probably no surprise that the coastline is one of my favourite places to visit with my family - and the local beaches have inspired much of my original North East artwork.
I’ve written previously about some of my favourite Northumberland beach walks, including lesser-visited spots like Boulmer, Budle Bay and Newton By The Sea. This month, I wanted to showcase some of my favourite beach walks in Tyneside, including some handy tips for parking and grabbing a bite to eat.
So, whether you live in the area like me or you’re visiting from further afield, keep reading to discover some of the best places to don your walking boots and explore the Tyneside coastline.
Starting from the border of Northumberland and Tyneside, you’ll find the rolling dunes of Seaton Sluice. This is a very popular beach among dog walkers, as this area allows your four-legged friends to explore off-lead all year round. It’s also a lot quieter than neighbouring beaches like Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, but it does lack the facilities that those other places have to offer.
Even though it’s only a short drive from some of the most populated areas in Tyneside, there is a real sense of serenity and peace. The small harbour is still actively used by local fishermen, and there’s an opportunity for both accessible walking (along a designated footpath) or a more adventurous hike through the dunes or sandy beach.
With several free car parks at either end of the long beach (Fountain Head and Old Hartley), you can stay for as long as you want. There’s also a great play park for children and public toilets in the Fountain Head car park. If you’re hungry, then it’s just a short walk over the main road to the popular local pub, The Astley Arms.
Just a couple of miles south of Seaton Sluice, you’ll find the ever-popular Whitley Bay beach. A particularly lovely walk starts from St Mary’s Lighthouse and heads along the sand (or the cliff edge and then the promenade if the tide’s in!). The sand ends before the peninsular at the bottom of South Parade, but you can easily follow the roadside path all the way along to Cullercoats and even Tynemouth if you fancy a longer hike.
Whitley itself has undergone significant changes in recent years, with a recently updated promenade and pedestrianised walkway by the Spanish City. On the topic of the Spanish City, this iconic domed building is a must-visit for anyone popping by Whitley.
Built in 1910 and inspired by the architecture of Blackpool’s famous pleasure beach, the Spanish City actually stood derelict for many of my early years, so it always brings me joy to see the building return to its original glory. It’s now home to a whole host of wonderful local businesses, including Valerie’s Tearoom and Trenches Fish and Chips.
If you have little ones (or even just curious grown-ups) then I highly recommend checking the tide times before visiting St Mary’s Lighthouse and Whitley Bay beach as the tide will reveal hundreds of rockpools bustling with life.
You can park for free at the car park near the Briardene, or opt for paid parking (including disabled spaces) at the Rendezvous. If you’re bringing the pooch, remember that dogs are only allowed on the beach past the Panama Swimming Club towards the lighthouse between 1st May and 30th September, so you’ll have to walk them on the lead on the prom if you intend to visit the Spanish City side.
Just over the other side of the peninsular, you’ll find our local beach - Cullercoats Bay. You can walk here from Whitley Bay, or make it a stop-off on your way to Tynemouth with plenty of places to stop for a coffee and cake at Cullercoats Coffee or The Boatyard.
Avid walkers will love this glorious stretch of golden sand. Accessible by both ramp and steps, Tynemouth Longsands is ideal for a beach walk with family and friends. You can even pick up coffee or a snack on either side of the beach, with cafes accessible from the sand.
Limited edition print of surfers on Tynemouth Longsands
So, whether your idea of a beach walk is a coffee and slow stroll or a proper hike, then Tynemouth has something to suit you.
Our final stop on the tour of Tyneside beaches is King Edward’s Bay. Sitting at the end of Tynemouth’s iconic front street and overlooked by Tynemouth Priory this bay is another very popular spot among walkers and sunbathers alike.
]]>Our North East Art Gallery is 3 years old today! A massive heartfelt thank you to all of you who have supported us. It feels like we’ve always been here in Cullercoats and I couldn't imagine it any differently. What a journey it’s been so far. The moment you open a lovely art gallery space everyone starts shopping online! Well the pandemic has certainly kept us on our toes and we feel somewhat that there may still be challenging times ahead. But keeping things positive we are learning every day and are building a community of customers who it’s great to see coming back to our lovely art gallery time and time again.
Cullercoats is certainly on the up with coffee shops bustling and house prices booming. We’ve seen an influx of people relocating to the coast, which is great for business as we have welcomed lots of new visitors to the gallery!
My North East paintings have been selling better than ever and some sell even before they make it onto the gallery walls! I’m no longer taking commission to free up my time to develop my own painting practice, but I am building a mailing list called the “Collectors Club”. I’ll be releasing any new paintings here first, so make sure you have got your name down if you are in the market for an original painting from the North East region.
Due to the pandemic we haven't had any socials or gallery preview evenings. It hasn't felt appropriate yet to have a gathering in such a small space. But we are delighted that you have been coming into the art gallery to browse my paintings at your own leisure.
Painting wise I’m working on larger canvases more and more. I’m enjoying the freedom to work big and use bolder mark making. I’m still painting North East views of the Tyneside and the Northumberland Coast but I’m enjoying exploring more landscape paintings at the moment. Currently I’m working on a series from Simonside and the hills of Northumberland. Here’s a sneak preview of my latest northumberland paintings.
Looking back at the past year I’m proud of my Tyneside mug collection. There is always a huge demand for local North East and Tyneside gifts and my Dunoon ceramic mugs really hit the sweet spot. They are excellent quality and made in Britain using traditional slip cast techniques.
Thanks again for following and for all or your support during the last three years and remember if you would like to join the collectors club sign up on the homepage of my website :-)
]]>Spring has sprung in Northumberland and the surrounding areas. You may have already spotted the flora and fauna that come along with this season. From bunnies hopping along the Waggonways to proud parents paddling their ducklings across the park ponds, there’s much to see even just a short walk or drive from our homes.
One of my favourite things about this time of year is the bursts of colours brought by the region’s beautiful wildflowers. Even a simple daffodil or snowdrop signifies that longer days and brighter nights are just around the corner. So, I thought now would be the perfect time to write a blog post about my favourite flowers native to the region and where you can go and see them for yourself.
Let’s get started…
The purple flower has become synonymous with Wallington’s lovingly maintained gardens over the years. The National Trust property is the proud owner of a literal crocus lawn. Thousands of these perfect purple buds start to appear in late January, and you can visit them throughout the springtime.
The Walled Garden is carefully looked after by a team of professional gardeners and volunteers. The crocuses aren’t the only flower you will find here at this time of year; the area is also home to an abundance of floral life - which the birds, bees and butterflies absolutely adore.
It’s not just the bright purple hues that make the crocus special. Part of the iris family, this perennial bloom is one of the very first to appear each spring. The crocus is a very hardy flower and can even be seen popping up when there is still snow on the ground.
I highly recommend a visit to Wallington’s Walled Garden to see the crocus lawn before it’s too late - a lovely stroll around the grounds always gets me in the mood for spring after a long winter!
Of course, you don’t have to venture anywhere special to see daffodils in bloom at this time of year. Even most commercial office parks and local woodland trails have the yellow and white flowers in abundance. However, I do love a visit to Howick Gardens, which is only a ten-minute drive from Alnwick town centre.
The hall is the ancestral home of Earl Grey and dates back as early as the 14th century. In recent years, Howick has become a favourite among budding horticulturists as its gardens are filled with a wide variety of seasonal flowers, from rhododendrons to daffodils and more.
The surrounding area is home to 65-acres of woodland, wherein you’ll not just find ancient trees but also an abundance of birds and wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for squirrels, roe deer, herons and butterflies.
Like Wallington, Cragside is a historic building owned and managed by the National Trust. Sitting on over 1,000 acres, Cragside is the sort of place you can visit time and time again and still make new discoveries.
The house itself was developed in the 1800s by Lord Armstrong and his wife. Home to the world’s first hydroelectric power station, Cragside has always been a site of creativity and ingenuity, but did you know that the grounds are filled with fantastic horticulture just waiting to be found.
Perhaps the most well-known of Cragside’s flora are the rhododendrons. Blooming in late May-early June, the pinkish-purple azaleas lace the grounds of the rock garden, making for a fragrant early summer’s day stroll.
If you do plan to visit Cragside over the next few months, be sure to check the National Trust website for updates as the area is still recovering from Storm Arwen, so not every part of the grounds is open to the public.
When it comes to finding wildflowers in the North East, the beach might not be the first place that comes to mind. However, the sand dunes overlooking Embleton and Newton beaches are home to various dainty flora, including bluebells, cowslips and even wild burnet roses.
From around May, you will see the smaller petals start to bloom. Followed by the roses and cranesbill - Northumberland’s county plant - in the late summer. This area brings together both nature-lovers and budding historians, as a stroll along the beach will reveal not only these wonderful wildflowers, but also Dunstanburgh Castle upon the horizon.
Original painting ‘The Beach Towards Dunstanburgh’ available in my online shop and Cullercoats gallery.
Another coastal favourite that you may not consider a wildflower haven is Souter lighthouse. Nestled on Marsden Quarry, just outside of South Shields, this unmistakable red and white tower overlooks the rocky shoreline. Mineral-rich soil in the surrounding green areas has allowed for the growth of interesting wildflowers, including the pyramidal orchid. As the name suggests, this pink-purple flower is made up of several tiny buds that come to a point at the top.
And that’s not all. You may also spot bee orchids - unsurprisingly named such due to their appeal to the bees. In fact, back in 2014, the assistant ranger spotted a ‘corncockle’ that was previously thought to be extinct! So, Souter is more than just your standard seaside walk.
Limited edition print ‘Sunny Souter Lighthouse Art Print’ available in my online shop and Cullercoats gallery.
The North East is unlike any other region. From the award-winning coastline to glorious countryside and bustling city life, you can access it all within a short journey. We’re particularly lucky to have such a fantastic railway network connecting the region’s vibrant cities with the wonderful countryside and beaches.
I was inspired by BBC’s long-running series Great British Railway Journeys hosted by Michael Portillo to write this blog post all about my favourite spots in the region that you can visit by rail. Hopefully, this will give you some inspiration for the upcoming Easter holidays and summer months. Let’s get started…
Like many great journeys in the North East, let’s start in Newcastle. If you’ve ever spent any time away from the area, then you’ll know that feeling of returning home over the River Tyne watching the bridges pass by as you enter the city’s Central Station. You can explore the whole of Newcastle from this central point, including the Quayside - a favourite of mine to paint due to its beautiful horizon and contrast of modern and industrial architecture.
I highly recommend visiting the Quayside on a weekend for a stroll along the market. The street comes alive with market stalls offering a wide range of handmade gifts and useful bargains. If you get peckish, the market boasts dozens of street food stalls and vans so you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Limited edition print of Newcastle Quayside on market day
Even if it’s not a market day, there’s still plenty to see and do down the Quayside. Cross the Millennium Bridge and pop into the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art to browse the gallery’s latest exhibitions and don’t forget to visit the viewing platform for an amazing view of the river and beyond.
Limited edition print depicting a view across the River Tyne
Parking in and around the Quayside isn’t always easy and there are a few bus lanes to be aware of, so travelling by train makes this a very accessible and affordable day out.
Time to hike back up the Quayside steps to the station for the next stop on our railway journey…
Newcastle is well-connected to the rest of the UK, including the East Coast mainline that runs north to Edinburgh. Some routes stop in Morpeth, Alnmouth and Berwick so this is the perfect way to explore the award-winning Northumberland coastline without getting behind the wheel. Remember, not every train stops in these locations - some go straight through to Edinburgh, so I recommend planning your trip carefully using the National Rail website.
First stop out of Newcastle is Morpeth. This market town is perfect for a spot of retail therapy as it boasts a great mix of big brands and small boutiques. If shopping isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty to do in Morpeth including a visit to the Chantry Bagpipe Museum and a walk along the riverside.
A little further north on the route, you’ll find Alnmouth. From the train station, you can walk into the fishing village of the same name in just 20 minutes. Alnmouth is known for its colourful houses (which inspired the below painting), vibrant fishing community and peaceful beach.
Alnmouth is a particularly special place for me as my grandfather lived here and worked on the railway for all his life. Even though it’s only a short journey from the hustle and bustle of Newcastle city centre, Almouth is a tranquil escape and one I love to visit regularly with my family.
Limited edition print of Lovaine Terrace, Alnmouth
You can also hop on a bus from Alnmouth to the nearby town of Alnwick. If you live in the region or visit regularly, then you’ll know all about what Alnwick has to offer. From the castle that took the global stage in the Harry Potter movies through to the beloved secondhand bookshop and cafe, Barter Books, Alnwick is packed with things to do that the whole family will love.
Next we’re making our way up to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the scottish border. From here you can visit Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island. This is one of my favourite places to paint as it’s a truly unique spot. Don’t forget to check the tide times if you intend to visit Lindisfarne as you don’t want to risk getting stuck on the island.
Limited edition Lindisfarne print
And finally, it wouldn’t be an article about the Northumberland railway journey if we didn’t mention Berwick. Nestled on the River Tweed, Berwick is a market town that dates back to the 16th century. The town’s past is ever present as you explore the cobbled streets, narrow alleys and historic architecture. History lovers will be interested in Berwick’s ancient walls built during the Elizabethan era, and if the beach is more your thing then Spittal Beach is only half an hour’s walk over the Grade I listed Royal Tweed Bridge.
Limited edition print of the River Tweed
And that’s the end of our Northumberland railway journey. What’s your favourite part of the route? Let me know over on Facebook or Instagram, I’d love to hear more about your railway adventures.
]]>Spending Valentine’s Day in the North East this year? It doesn’t have to be any less special if you stay local. In fact, with days getting longer and the warmth of the winter sun, this could be the perfect time to wrap up warm and venture out into the region and explore with your other half.
Whether you’re looking for locally inspired gift ideas or planning a big day out, then keep reading to discover some of my favourite romantic spots in the North East.
Honestly, I visit all of these places at any time of the year. Each of these places presents its own beauty in different weathers, from wild North Sea winters to the peak summer dip followed by ice cream on the beach. February can be an unpredictable time when it comes to weather, so don’t hold out for a sunny day. Prepare for all climates and enjoy whatever the region throws your way at one of these stunning locations.
A walk along Bamburgh Beach is the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day or the weekend before if you intend to celebrate early. Even when it’s busy, the sheer scale of the white sand dunes puts plenty of space between you and any other beachgoer.
Avid walkers may want to take on the hike from Bamburgh’s iconic castle to Seahouses and refuel with a portion of piping hot fish and chips. If history is more your thing, then explore the halls of the castle. Don’t forget to check the website for opening times, as Bamburgh Castle is currently only open on the weekends. So, if you are celebrating Valentine’s Day on Monday, then be sure to plan ahead to identify what’s open ahead of time.
If you are planning a romantic Valentine’s evening, then there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from along North Shield’s bustling Fish Quay. This area has seen significant investment regeneration over recent years. Still home to the iconic Low Lights, the Fish Quay remains a functioning fishing harbour today - making it a wonderful people-watching place. Popular restaurants along the riverside include Lobo Robo, a Mexican spot; Allard’s on the Quay, the lovely sister bistro of the Tynemouth favourite; and The Quay Taphouse, a tapas restaurant ideal for sharing a meal with your loved one.
If you fancy a drink after your meal, you are spoilt for choice on the Fish Quay.
Popular pubs include The Ship’s Cat, The Low Lights Tavern and Salty Sea Dog. Whatever your budget, there’s something that’s bound to take your fancy on the Fish Quay.
A local favourite, St Mary’s Lighthouse is more of a pilgrimage than just a stroll at this point. If you are lucky enough to live nearby, you can visit on foot, or you can park at the Briardene, or even further away, depending on your walking ability.
At this time of year, St Mary’s is visited by hundreds of seals, many of whom congregate on the rocks behind the lighthouse and can be seen with the naked eye or using the telescopes on site. This really is a special place and the ideal location to spend Valentine’s Day watching the seals sunbathe on the rocks.
Before you embark on a trip to St Mary’s, I highly recommend checking the tide times to ensure you’re not disappointed and unable to access the island for seal spotting.
Of course, I have to give a special mention to my Valentine’s Cards, which are available to buy in my Cullercoats gallery or online via my shop. Inspired by the region’s adorable wildlife, this year’s cards are a perfect way to show how you feel. All of my cards are blank inside, leaving you plenty of space to tell that special someone in your life what they mean to you.
Above coaster is only available individually in store at the Joanne Wishart Gallery. Sorry it is not available online.
Fans of Northumberland’s award-winning coastline will appreciate the kissing puffins - the iconic bird that resides on the Farne Islands and can be visited by boat from Seahouses. And, of course, there’s a design specifically for dog lovers. Remember, dogs are welcome in our Cullercoats gallery, so pop in after your dog walk to pick up a card and maybe even a gift for your partner.
On the topic of gifts, we have plenty of North East inspired limited edition prints, including pieces depicting my favourite days out mentioned above: Bamburgh, St Mary’s Lighthouse and North Shield’s Fish Quay.
Smaller gift ideas include tea towels and mugs all depicting my original artwork. If you’re not sure what to get your other half this Valentine’s Day, feel free to visit us in the Cullercoats gallery on St George’s Road - we’re open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am-5 pm.
How are you spending Valentine’s Day this year? Let me know over on Instagram or Facebook.
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