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 residency, pick up some lovely greeting cards and view his original paintings while passing by on a scenic (circular) beach walk only 20min from town centre.
You can combine your walk with stops at some of our most well-known pubs in Whitstable: 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 equally famous for it’s Michelin Stars and having been awarded winner of Gastro pub 2024.
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All of Ric’s work on display is for sale.
The studio is open most days from 10:30am – 5pm.
To arrange a visit, book a 1-to-1 tuition, or a painting retreat for small groupsup to 4 people call 07835294317, or email
enquiries@richorner.com
He has a wonderful range of prints, as well as a designated SALES CORNER for the serious bargain hunter, with many small originals going for under £ 100. (see samples above)
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Ric shares this space with his partner, the expressionist painter @annett_banx, who works in a distinct, semi-abstract, contemporary 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 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.
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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.
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 exhibited at the Fishslab Gallery in August 2024. If you have missed this show you can visit Ric in his studio were he has now set up the front of his house as permanent exhibition space. New Exhibition Space 2025!
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.
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 has exhibited his extraordinarily atmospheric British land & seascapes last August in Harbour Street, Whitstable. For interest in any of the remaining pieces visit the page Available Paintings, or contact him at tel. 07835294317/ enquiries@richorner.com.
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.”
Ric created a solo exhibition at the award winning ‘The Sportsman’ in Seasalter back in 2015 featuring the inspiring scenery of the Thames estuary. This famous Michelin star pub is located 2 miles out of Whitstable, on the North Kent coast and is popular with weekend visitors and many Londoners. It is nicely furbished with rolling exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists.
