Whitstable based artist Ric Horner has recently produced a wide range of greeting cards from his extensive back catalogue of original paintings that were created over the past twenty years. They feature dramatic seascapes, ocean waves, intimidating storms, gorgeous mountain ranges, tidal estuaries, tranquil beaches, exposed clay banks and exquisite sunsets.
You can pick up his cards directly from the artist’s studio, or order packs online at: Greeting Cards | Product For one of Ric’s catalogue go here: Card Catalogue
210mm x 99mm ( 4 x 8 inches) DL
150mm x 150mm (6 x 6 inches) Square
154mm x 222mm (6 x 9 inches) A5
All his greeting cards are printed on 324gsm textured matt paper and come in three different formats: 22 x 15cm (A5), 15 x 15cm (square) and 21 x 9.90cm (DL long), each including a white envelope and protective, bio-degradable bag.
WHITSTABLE &
KENT LANDMARKS
There are currently about 50 Whitstable and North Kentcoast designs available.
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
.
.
.
BLEAN WOODS nr. Canterbury
.
.
DEVON, CORNWALL & WALES
.
.
DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK
.
Ric says about his work:
“These paintings are composed in my imagination based on observed and felt truths. They are true to my inner eye .”
His most recent exhibition was at the Fishslab Gallery Whitstable in August 2024 (see images below). If you have missed this show you can visit Ric in his studio at this year’s East Kent Open Houses, which runs from 12th/13th, 19th/20th, 26th/27th October 2024Artists’ Open Houses | (ekoh.org.uk).
On show were 25 original oil on canvas paintings, as well as a range of Gouache (Watercolour) studies and many cards of Whitstable, Canterbury and surrounding areas.
It’s now 11 years that Ric W. Horner has lived in the late Dan Sherrin’s quirky cottage on The Saxon Shore Way in Whitstable, a long-distance footpath in England, which starts at Gravesend, Kent, and traces the coast of South-East England for 163 miles in total. He is one in a long line of artists , writers and novelists that made the town their home, for reasons such as the gorgeous light and stunning sunsets.
Eccentric painter Dan Sherrin (1869 – 1940) was an artist that could not be missed about the town, as he insisted on wearing the most outrageously chequer plus-fours and his love of beer was legendary.
Dan was also a famous self-publicist of the most humorous kind, a practical joker who not only poked fun at those in authority – he even built his own airplane and created a spoof fire brigade!
One of Dan’s paintings still hangs in Buckingham Palace, as he was once commissioned by King George V. Furthermore. An elderly neighbour who lived nearby in Preston Parade Seasalter, has told Ric that he recalls seeing Winston Churchill plus entourage on the little foot bridge on Preston Parade, viewing the newly installed gun battery, which was right in front of the house in about 1943.
_________________________________________________
Now working from Dan Sherrin’s space, Ric says: “My paintings have much to do with the changing energy of weather; encompassing all sorts of environmental conditions, which can range massively from attractive, peaceful and scenic to threatening and dangerous.”
“Since moving into the late artist Dan Sherrin’s old cottage, I have set up my studio at the front of the house, which overlooks the sea. This has changed my working practice profoundly, as I now have a myriad of subject matter in front of me and I am less dependent on notes and colour sketches. I can now work directly on canvas from my subject and study in detail various sea states and “light events” which may have previously evaded me. It’s become possible to study storms in greater detail and track showers and their influence on the sea in some degree of comfort. Sadly, despite the house’s prominence and history, time and gravity has taken its toll, leaving it bereft of level floors, so when I first moved in, the horizon appeared to lean when looking out!”
The famous painter J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851) described the sunsets along the North Kent coast as some of the best in the world and just like Turner, Ric continues to explore the unique light conditions found in this area.
After graduating from Exeter College of Art in 1989, Ric Horner spent the first two years of his career living and working on Dartmoor in Devon, developing a unique and profound engagement with light, mood and distance. Consequently he produced two solo shows; one at Marloes gallery in London in 1989 and one at Exeter College in 1990.
Twenty-six years later, in 2016, Ric had the opportunity to put together yet another stunning exhibition on the subject, this time at Green Hill Arts in Moretonhampstead on Dartmoor National Park. Thanks to his longstanding friend, supporter and art collector, historian and internationally acclaimed author Dr Ian Mortimer, Ric was able to showcase a selection of over 40 original oil on canvas paintings in the town’s dedicated art space.
Dr Ian Mortimer said about this exhibition in his introduction:
“Ric Horner is one of the country’s leading landscape painters. I have no doubt that, in due course, he will be recognised as one of the most significant landscape artists of our time. Ric’s dedication is astounding; his integrity no less so. For me it has been a privilege and an honour to be so closely involved with this exhibition, and to have been able to buy a number of his paintings over the years. “
The “Dartmoor: Theatre of Light” exhibition (10th September to 29th October 2016) at Green Hill Arts in Moretonhampstead was very well received and sold well for the gallery.
This year, in spring 2024, Ric has returned to the subject and has produced 26 different greeting card designs taken from this solo exhibition, as well as from other Devonshire and Cornish coastal areas.
He is currently selling some of these cards via MAKE Southeast in Bovey Tracey and the Moretonhampstead Visitors’ Information Centre.
With over 150,000 visitors a year traveling to Dartmoor National Park, there can be no question that Dartmoor and it’s landscape has attracted artists, as well as tourists for centuries and helped fire their imagination. From the thick mists that suddenly appear and roll across the moor to the dark, bottomless mires and the craggy granite tors, each lends an air of mystery and magic, all ripe for associated legends and tales.
In this exhibition, you will find yourself on a road at night having just seen the first welcoming streetlight of the village: you will soon be home and warm. The sun has gone down behind Laughter Tor leaving a few drifting clouds and vapour trails in the deep blue sky: the seemingly eternal rocky outcrop is juxtaposed with the ephemeral vestiges of the day. But the most striking feature of these Dartmoor paintings is the light. Often the painting is not actually about the hill, rock or any other object in the distance; it is about the space between you and that object. It is a portrait of the light, a place where skies brood, threaten, delight, obscure with mist, groan with rain or brighten with a ray of optimism.”
“A stunning exhibition of the highest calibre!”
“Poetic, beautiful, bold and absolutely marvellous!”
“They are sublime. So magical and true to the atmosphere”
“Ric Horner’s work is superb – truly spectacular!”
“Breathtaking views and big skies! Fabulous.”
“Wow! “I absolutely love your work; such stunning paintings. The most amazing sky and little houses shining like jewels. What an uplifting exhibition!”
“We recently saw your Theatre of Light exhibition in Moretonhampstead and were both really moved by it. I just wanted to let you know how delighted I am to have been able to purchase one of your pictures. I bought your picture of Scorhill (image below). It’s always been a favourite place of mine on the Moor and your picture captures it so vividly.“
Ric in his studio in summer 2016 preparing for the show.
.
Below: Friends Ian Mortimer and Ric Horner on field trip to ‘The Strangles’ in September 2014, where the idea of the ‘Theatre of Light ‘ exhibition was first perceived.
Ric is available for commissions. Please contact him at: enquiries@richorner.com, if you fancy your own favourite views painted.
He has recently (April 2024) completed a large scale panorama picturing the view as you walk across the pebble bed heaths around Joney’s Cross near Sidmouth, a high point that is looking towards the coast in East Devon.
Ric was represented by the White Wood Gallery in Ashburton, Dartmoor from November 2016 until February 2018. This arrangement has now come to an end.
Lovely feedback was received from previous buyers:
Dear Mr Horner, as a 50th Wedding Anniversary present to ourselves we purchased from the White Wood Gallery in Ashburton your oil painting entitled “Approaching Rain near Princetown, Dartmoor” (see above). My wife and I have known, loved and frequently visited Dartmoor since we were both young and we felt your painting captures the atmosphere of the Moor very well. We are generally more familiar with the eastern side of the Moor – i.e. Chagford/ Haytor/Hound Tor – and not so familiar with the area around Princetown. We wondered if you were able to give some more detail of the location from which your painting was taken?
Ric has painted Salcombe several times between 2017 and 2018 and has recently produced a wide range of themed greeting cards that cover the region, as well as the South Devon coast.
Salcombe dusk
Salcombe is known for its outstanding views, rolling surrounding countryside, breath-taking natural beauty, sparkling turquoise waters and rugged cliffs. Once a major port for the fruit trade, it has now found fame as a safe haven for family holidays. The Salcombe Town Regatta takes place every year for one week in late July/early August.
The UK coastline is one of the most beautiful in Europe and has a huge number of sailing towns that range from rocky and scenic to stylish and dramatic. It’s destinations are known to, and admired by many visitors from around the world. You just can’t beat the rugged cliffs and lush green landscape of England, which is unofficially the ‘home of sailing’ and it has a long and glorious tradition of boat building and for rearing fine sailors. Salcombe on the South Devon coast is particular scenic with lovely spots for sailing traditional boats and classic yachts.
Some of the large, stormy paintings that were on show in Salcombe are still available. Please view the front page for more details. If you are a retailer and interested in stocking some of Ric’s cards, get in touch. Alternatively, you can view the link richorner.com/cards to see he whole range of cards on offer.
Salcombe Harbour, 26 x 26cm, oil on canvas – available
It is now 10 years since the Horsebridge Centre (Home :: The Horsebridge) was build on the site of Johnny’s Arthouse. The new space is unlike any other building in Kent with it’s design based on an upturned boat and is soon stocking Ric’s greetings cards of Whitstable and surrounding.
Salcombe Harbour, 26 x 26cm, oil on canvas – available
