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 collaborates with his partner @Annett_Banx, who works in a bold, expressive, semi-abstract style. She focuses mostly on their beautiful wildlife garden and koi fish pond. Between the two of them they offer various day courses and 1-to-1 tuition.
It is now 12 years since Ric moved into the cottage built by the eccentric painter Dan Sherrin – a small summer residency on the seafront in a secluded garden on The Saxon Shore Way, 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.
An elderly neighbour who lived nearby, 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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“Since moving into Dan Sherrin’s 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 wealth of natural beauty in front of me and I am less dependent on notes and colour sketches.”
“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.
I can now work directly on canvas while engaging with my subject and depict various sea states and light events that may have otherwise evaded me. It has become possible to study storms in greater detail and track showers and their influence on the sea in some degree of comfort. These paintings are therefore composed in my imagination based on observed realities. They are true to my inner eye. Unfortunately, despite the house’s prominence and history, time and gravity have taken their toll, leaving every floor uneven, so when I first moved in, the horizon appeared to lean when looking out from the window!”
Ric opens his studio to the public on most days throughout the year. You can now visit him and buy his original paintings, prints and greeting cards directly from him.
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.
Ric lived at 1-18 Reeves Yard Whitstable from 2002-13 and revamped this old industrial studio in 2012 in order to re-opened it to the public with a rolling exhibition of finished pieces..
Press Release for his latest Open Day on Saturday, 4th May 2013 …..“With the spring weather still evasive, Kent’s finest artist brings sunshine to your home all year round. Ric W. Horner is opening his gallery doors on Saturday, 4th May to present his own, personal colours of the rainbow. He captures moments and places like no camera can. The vividness and energy of his seascapes instantly transport the viewer to the coast on a glorious Summer day complete with breathtaking sunsets – with his passion and love evident in every single piece. “
Ric was one of the first artists to be represented at this gallery in 1999.
