Established land & seascape painter Ric Horner focuses in his work on the elemental qualities of light, the energy of weather and the drama of the sea. He creates highly atmospheric oil paintings featuring classic Kent coast and harbour scenes, as well as the stunning sunsets seen on Whitstable beach. He has recently set up apermanent GALLERY SPACE at the front of his house with a rolling exhibition of finished pieces.
If you are visiting Whitstable, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artist in his studio, pick up some lovely greeting cards and view his original paintings while passing by on a scenic (circular) walk only 20min from town centre. You can combine it with stops at some of our most well-known pubs: The Old Neptune on West Beach, The Rose in Bloom in Joy Lane, (next door to Ric’s place), and The Sportsman gastro pub in Seasalter, which is famous for it’s Michelin Stars and having been awarded winner of Gastro pub 2024.
The studio is open most days from 10:30am – 5pm.
All of Ric’s paintings are for sale and can be pre-viewed at: Available paintings – Jan 2025. To arrange a visit, book a 1-to-1 tuition, or a painting retreat for small groupsup to 5 people call 07835294317, or email
enquiries@richorner.com
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Ric shares this space with his partner @Annett_Banx, who works in a distinct, semi-abstract style that focuses on their colourful wildlife garden and koi fish pond. Between the two of them they offer various day courses and 1-to-1 tuition. Get in touch if you are interested.
It’s now 12 years ago that Ric W. Horner has moved into 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.
“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!”
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.
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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.” Furthermore, the famous British 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 him, Ric continues to explore these light conditions in his own work.
Ric opens his studio to the public on most days throughout the year. You can visit him and either buy some of his original paintings, prints and greeting cards.
Blean Woods Nature Reserve is an ancient, semi-natural woodland recognised as site of international importance for wildlife, situated to the north of Canterbury in Kent. Ric has created many paintings of The Blean over the years, highlighting the stunning natural wonders on our doorstep.
He hopes to bring awareness to this area’s unique beauty and has recently created a range of greeting cards that you can pick up directly from his studio, or various regional exhibitions.
Below is a slideshow of some of Ric’s original woodland paintings created over the past 10 years.
For centuries, Margate has drawn in visitors with its golden sandy bay and shallow tidal pool. As one of England’s first grand seaside resorts, the town continues to live up to its reputation as the go-to for summer holidays.
Ric grew up in this area and has painted the stunning views over Margate Sands many times. He has also painted the utterly spectacular Ramsgate Harbour with its charming old town coastal architecture, blend of colourful history, rich cultural traditions, and breath-taking coast line.
Margate has recently grown to be quite an artistic hub for Kent. Ever since the opening of the Turner Contemporary in 2011, it has grown increasingly trendy and attracted a rise of down-from-Londoners moving to the area. The Old Town is an excellent place to start your adventure as it is often buzzing with daily activities of locals and tourists alike. There are a variety of art galleries, who are celebrating Margate’s connection with the painter J. M. W. Turner.
J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851) described the famous sunsets along the North Kent coast as some of the best sunsets in the world and just like he did, Ric now continues this line and explores the unique light and atmospheres found in this area.
The Turner Contemporary gallery has exhibited the works of countless international artists, including Turner Prize nominees and winners Antony Gormley, Jeremy Deller, Tracey Emin, Yinka Shonibare, Paula Rego and Grayson Perry.
Ric is currently looking to sell his greeting cards and prints in the wider Kentish area. If you are a retailer and interested in stocking any of these cards, get in touch via enquiries@richorner.com, or order a pack of 9 cards directly from his shop:
Ric works in a modern classical way and creates atmospheric, light-filled land and seascapes. The sublime light of his paintings is reminiscent off a style called Luminism. He takes part every year in theEast Kent Artists’ Open Houses, which was on this year from12th/13th, 19th/20th and 26th/27th October 2024.
Ric has created many atmospheric sunset paintings of Canterbury Cathedral over the years and is now offering 9 different designs as framed prints and high-quality greeting cards. At present, there are no original oil paintings of Canterbury available, but feel free to get in touch if you are interested in a commission.
Canterbury Summer Evening, framed print, 61 x 48, but also 36 x 29cm
They 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 clear, protective, bio-degradable bag.
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Canterbury is a cathedral city in the southeast of England, situated in the county of Kent. It was a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages that was founded in 597 A.D by St Augustine. Primarily a unique place of Christian community and worship, is also the headquarters of the Church of England and Anglican Communion, a major pilgrimage destination, a masterpiece of art and architecture, and one of the UK’s most-visited historic sites.
Canterbury Cathedral after Rain, framed print, 37 x 37cm
A truly romantic city, the cathedral incorporates Gothic and Romanesque elements in its stone carvings and stained-glass windows. The rest of the whole town has ancient walls, originally built by the Romans that encircle its medieval centre with cobbled streets and timber-framed houses.
Shower Clouds over Canterbury, framed print, 35 x 28cm
In just under 1 hour’s train journey from London, Canterbury is one of the most popular tourist and holiday destinations in the world. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathedral sits alongside the Giza Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, and Chichen-Itza as a must-visit location of outstanding universal value to humanity.
The square painting above is called ‘Canterbury Cathedral at Sunset‘. The cards are 15 x 15cm and the print is 37 x 37cm. All of his prints are locally manufactured by Blean Picture Framing and available on his shop page.
Home to three universities, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and The University of Kent, the city is also a melting pot for creativity with vibrant nightlife and a packed calendar of cultural events for every age and every community all year round. So when in town, you can enjoy the annual Canterbury Arts Festival, or spend a day out and breath in fresh sea air in the lovely coastal town of Whitstable.
Canterbury Cathedral August Evening, framed print, 38 x 25cm
Ric’s framed prints are all hand-signed and professionally produced on high-quality Hahnemühle Albrecht Dürer artist paper. They come in four different sizes:
Approaching Storm, Canterbury (framed print) 35 x 28cmCanterbury Cathedral (evening light), mounted print, 31 x 18cm
If you want to visit Ric in one of his Open House events you can find out more about it via the link: ekoh.org.uk/whitstable .
At the moment some of his Canterbury cards are available directly from his studio, George’s Mini Market in Whitstable High Street and The Horsebridge on Whitstable beach. A selection of his cards is also available from Canterbury Tourist Information office in The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge at 18 High St, Canterbury CT1 2RA
Cathedral, Colour Sketch, mounted print, 33 x 25cm
If you are a retailer in the Kentish region, have a look at our image range below and get in touch if you are interested in stocking any of these designs. You can also email us at: enquiries@richorner.com for an order form and a catalogue.
Ric works in a modern classical way and creates atmospheric, light-filled land and seascapes. The sublime light of his paintings is reminiscent off a style called Luminism. He takes part every year in theEast Kent Artists’ Open Houses,
Award winning artist Ric W. Horner is one of the county’s leading landscape painters whose professional career spans more than 30 years. His work focuses on the elemental qualities of open space, the energy of weather and the expressive qualities of light. https://ekoh.org.uk/whitstable
He has opened his studio to the public on various occasions over the past 11 years to connect with clients and collectors in a more personal way. For visits outside this open days contact him on Tel: 07835294317, or: enquiries@richorner.com
“…His mastery of sky, light and colour is breath taking!”
“Wow! My kind of art. Absolutely stunning. Love it!! Xx“
“After seeing his work for the first time it completely changed the way I saw colour in nature, but especially the sky and dark clouds. This incredible oil on canvas captures a moment where the beautiful light and detail pulls you in, so you too are involved and immortalised in the moment.”
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.
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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.
He is currently selling some of these cards via MAKE Southeast in Bovey Tracey and the Moretonhampstead Visitors’ Information Centre.
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.
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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.
In April 2024 Ric 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.
and in December 2024 another impression of Scorhill Stonecircle
The Lewes Bonfire Night is the biggest celebrated Fifth November Event in the world, and is held in the usually peaceful county town of Lewes, East Sussex, every year on 5th November, and the carnival or festival is known as either the Lewes Bonfire Night Celebrations, Lewes Bonfire Night or just simply the Fifth.
Lewes Bonfire, or Bonfire for short, describes a set of celebrations held in the town of Lewes, Sussex, England, that constitute the United Kingdom’s largest and most famous Bonfire Night festivities, with Lewes being called the bonfire capital of the world. The event not only marks Guy Fawkes Night – the date of the uncovering of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 – but also commemorates the memory of the seventeen Protestant martyrs from the town burned at the stake for their faith during the Marian Persecutions.
