Bring the ocean home with our collection of Phoenix & Providence skincare… P & P began through a desire to bottle the skin brightening and mind clearing benefits of being near, or in, the sea.
Whether through the mysteries of social media algorithms, or by living somewhere that inspires so many artists, I have come across artwork that speaks to my senses and transports me to the feeling of being by the sea. An idea formed to create a P & P artist partnership, shining the light on one of these talented painters and including a little piece of artwork with every order we send out. A tangible connection to the sea and to the Isles of Scilly.
I have long admired the artwork of Ellie Verrecchia. Ellie captures the colours, tone and shape of the islands with such beauty in her own individual style. A postcard of Ellie’s painting ‘BAY’ will be included with orders we post out this year.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ellie on one of her painting workshop afternoons. It was such a special few hours understanding her painting process and giving it a go myself! Here I am going to share a conversation with Ellie so you can get to know her better…
Firstly, thank you so much for sharing your artwork with us. Your painting ‘Bay’ is stunning and encapsulates the essence of Scilly and the contrast of the bright turquoise seas with heavy sky.
What is your first memory of the sea and how it made you feel?
My first memory of the sea on Scilly was pulling up at Old Grimsby, Tresco, on the old tractor with all our luggage for a first family holiday on the islands. We were staying in one of the white traditional cottages, thick-walled to protect from sea storms. I was about 11. I remember running barefoot up the sandy path, fringed with blue echium spires and dune grass, to find the most dazzling bay I had ever seen - white sand sparkling and the sea between the islands a shade of turquoise I’d never seen except in books. Truly magical, and a feeling I still get today when I arrive on the islands.
How is the ocean part of your everyday life?
Many years later, I’m now living and working very close to the sea in South Devon, near Bantham. My work as a coastal artist takes me to wonderful, natural places where the land meets the ocean - including the Isles of Scilly. There, I collect ideas, make simple sketches and colour palettes, and beachcomb for colours, textures and surfaces. My art studio is full of jars of shells and seaglass, sand and stone.
What is your connection to Scilly?
I’ve been coming to the islands for decades as a visitor, but now I'm more deeply connected to the islands and the community in a new way, through my work as an artist with Tresco Island where my work is on display for sale through Gallery Tresco. I have been involved with Scilly Wildlife Trust Island events and Creative Scilly festivals, where I take small groups out to paint with me along the shoreline. I spent a fabulous day with Five Islands Academy who welcomed me to work with students of Art. We created seascape paintings using natural materials including seaweed, chalk, clay and charcoal to make our own natural paints.
How do you find inspiration for your paintings?
Inspiration for my paintings comes from exploring the coast on foot, watching the weather move, and walking in the footsteps of ancient people through these landscapes. Collecting finds along the shore, I’m inspired to create images celebrating the wild, natural beauty of our British coastline.
When did you become a full-time artist?
I became a full-time artist in 2021 after a long career in fashion and product design. The eye for colour and graphic that I developed during that time met my passion for landscape on the easel. I furthered my ideas, studying at Newlyn School of Art in Cornwall with my practice supported by funding from Arts Council England.
How did your painting workshops come about?
The painting workshops I offer along the coast - where we first met - came about through my own need to connect with others after the Covid pandemic. I found that these small group sessions were as nourishing for me as for my guests, who craved peaceful, mindful time outside, absorbed in a creative activity with gentle guidance, and surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature by the sea. I’ve made really wonderful friends through this work.
What would be your favourite way to spend a day off?
Although my work centres around painting and beachcombing, a day off for me involves a different kind of searching work. I’m a detectorist - and I love walking the land, quietly contemplating the people who have moved here before us and enjoying the stories that objects I find tell me about places. I’m lucky enough to be working on projects along several coastal pieces of land. The sea view combined with the search for historical objects is a real tonic. I’ve found a Bronze Age tool, Roman coins, and medieval artefacts, each sending me on a delicious path of discovery about our rich British history.
Do you have any daily self-care practices or rituals?
My art studio is my sanctuary. Although I mainly use the space to paint, I also practice yoga there, and can step outside to walk in the subtropical garden we’ve grown around the little wooden building. I love eating fresh, clean foods. When I feel like a pamper, I’m a bath addict and can happily spend hours soaking in salts and bubbles, listening to a podcast.
Where can people find your work?
For more about my painting work, go to www.ellieverrecchia.co.uk
See my work on display at Gallery Tresco and follow my coastal painting adventures on Instagram @ellieverrecchia_artist
Prints of the ‘BAY’ are also available in two sizes here.
