Hannah Woodman - Painting Cornwall

Published 14 November 2018

Hannah Woodman's most recent exhibition In all Weathers: Cornish Landscapes 2018 explores and celebrates the beauty of Cornwall's scenery.

Cornwall is renowned for its quaint villages, wild moorlands and dramatic coastline, but we wanted to speak to Hannah to find out exactly what it is that draws her to the county...

Hannah Woodman Painting in her Studio

Hannah Woodman on why she paints Cornwall

"As a landscape painter I have found endless inspiration from the county I live in. Cornwall is a place of extremes, from the crashing waves of the dramatic far west coastline to the quiet creeks of the south the role of the sea is obviously inescapable."

Sennen Cove, a Favourite Spot

"But inland there are as many surprises and variations to discover. Small, meandering country lanes lined with crooked fences are interspersed amongst vast rolling swathes of fields and moorland and the mood can change from charming to desolate in a heartbeat."

Cottage and pathway near Lelant, west Cornwall.

"I am particularly drawn to the challenges of capturing these hidden facets of a region known primarily for its beaches and ice creams. There is so much more to explore across the peninsula. Cottages perched on remote horizons that beckon you up a winding lane only to warn you not to pass further, turquoise waters that disguise a dangerous riptide beneath and paths through fields knee-deep in wheat that lead to frustrating dead ends."

Cottages in west Cornwall

"All these beautiful contradictions encourage me to explore beyond the picturesque edges of the landscape and into something altogether more foreboding. It’s the line between idyllic beauty and eerie isolation that probably fascinates me the most."

Gwithian, Godrevy Beach end

"I live in Falmouth, a bustling university town with working docks on the Fal Estuary, the third largest natural harbour in the world. With a history of artistic practice and teaching, Falmouth is a vibrant and creative centre."

Fields near Mawnan Smith, a village just outside Falmouth

"Last year I opened an artists’ studio complex with events and exhibition spaces in an old waterside warehouse so I’m surrounded by creativity every day. From here I can venture out across the county and bring back all those glimpses of the landscape to the studio to pick apart and reassemble on canvas. Hopefully the mystery of such an intriguing place isn’t lost in the process and the paintings still reflect what a captivating corner of the world this is."

Early evening light in my studio, taken just after I moved into it in January and before I messed it up!

To find out more about the artworks featured in this article and to view the full collection of works in Hannah's latest exhibition, please click here.

In all Weathers: Cornish Landscapes 2018 opens on November 16th and runs until November 30th.