Sussex Downlands: a Source of Inspiration for Chris Forsey

Downland and coastal scenes are what inspire Chris Forsey. This self-taught watercolour painter's constant re-appraisal of his style and technique has led him to a mixed-media approach, combining watercolour with acrylic, pastel and gouache.
"I am exhilarated by colour and surface," he explains. "I enjoy creating textured layers of dry-brushed colour that allow hints of complementary hue to glow through..creating an exciting surface of scattered, broken colour."

"Reflecting April"


In his landscapes, Chris often explores the themes of man-made alongside the organic: buildings by water or structure emerging from a rocky cliff. Sometimes figures inhabit the middle ground between buildings and the wildness of nature.
"I try to capture the sense of a place at a specific moment, season or time of day, always endeavouring to bring passion and immediacy to my work."

"Teasels in Spring"


Chris is a tutor of painting and runs watercolour classes in Sussex, as well as in Surrey and the Greek Islands.

"Spring Mist, the Arun"



"The Arun & Downs Scarp, Amberley"


Our exhibition "Sussex, beloved Sussex" features the work of Chris Forsey and six other painters and runs for one more week until Saturday 26th April.

Helen Brown's landscapes: imbued with the emotion of place

Helen Brown is a woodcut printmaker who exhibits regularly at the Green Tree Gallery. She is a Sussex resident and most of her work depicts the South Downs.

"Over the Downs to Kingston"


"I draw directly from the landscape onto wooden blocks," says Helen. "I then carve into the blocks and print from them. Each one of my pieces is given individual life through chine colle (paper overlay) and hand tinting, just as the mood of a scene shifts with light, time and experience."

"Chanctonbury Ring"


Helen spends time in the places her works depict and returns to those places time and time again.
"Working outdoors enables me to connect with the spirit of the place, capturing the line and fluidity of scenes and localities," she explains.

"Stanmer Ridge Down"


"Poppy Hill"


Our exhibition "Sussex, beloved Sussex" features a selection of Helen's work, both framed and unframed.

A Painting A Day

Eastbourne-based artist Julian Sutherland-Beatson has been creating daily paintings since 2008, many of which have been inspired by the Sussex landscape.

"East Dean Village"


His "Sussex 365" project in 2009 was shown at Glyndebourne Opera House and led to him becoming Artist in Residence. He produced daily paintings during the Glyndebourne Festival season (mid-May to mid-August) which in 2011 were inspired by the flora, fauna and architecture of Glyndebourne as well as its visitors.

The following year his paintings depicted life 'behind the scenes' and featured the performers, costume-makers and stage personnel, as well as the actual performances.

As well as loving "the enforced discipline and focus" of producing a daily painting, Julian also cites Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outliers" which suggests that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve a specific level of expertise and excellence.

"The Beatles did it, Muhammad Ali did it. Picasso did it," he says.
"This is my way of 'doing the hours'."

"Near Cuckmere Haven"


"Farm Track near Beachy Head"


For 2014's daily paintings, Julian's theme is "At Home and Abroad".

Spring Sunshine welcomes "Sussex, beloved Sussex"

What a lovely day we all had at the opening of our first exhibition of the year "Sussex, beloved Sussex".

We were blessed with Spring sunshine and a steady stream of visitors taking in the stunning artwork and enjoying a drink and a chat.

Alongside the familiar faces of the regular customers and friends of the Gallery were new customers visiting us for the first time and clearly surprised to be offered drinks and nibbles!

Artist Julian Sutherland-Beatson popped in to see his work and was snapping away on his camera.

Then later in the afternoon Grant De Jong paid us a visit, accompanied by family and friends. Here is Grant's vivid and highly textured "Red Downs".

"Sussex, beloved Sussex" exhibition springs up at The Green Tree Gallery!

Spring has sprung! Here at the Green Tree Gallery we are celebrating its long-awaited arrival with our first exhibition of the year : "Sussex, beloved Sussex".
Paintings and photographs from our seven featured artists Helen Brown, Grant De Jonge, Jaime Etherington, Chris Forsey, Claire Grose, Julian Sutherland-Beatson and James Warwick ensure a huge variety of style and medium.

Come and have a look: we are now open on Sundays from 12.00pm until 4.00pm and from 10.30am until 5.00pm Tuesday to Saturday.
And now that Borde Hill Garden has re-opened to the public after its winter closure, why not make a day of it? After a wander round the gardens and a visit to the Green Tree Gallery to see the exhibition, pop into Cafe Elvira or Jeremy's restaurant.

"Sussex, beloved Sussex" Exhibition opens Saturday 22nd March

Next week will be busy at the Green Tree Gallery as we gear up for our first exhibition of the year "Sussex, beloved Sussex".
The Gallery will be a flurry of activity as the seven local artists deliver their work during the course of the week.
Then the 'hanging committee' will work their magic and by the end of the week, the Gallery will be transformed - just in time for our exhibition launch on Saturday 22nd March.
We will be open next Saturday from 10.30am until 5.00pm and will be serving drinks and nibbles from about midday, so please pop in and join us.
If you can't make it on Saturday, the exhibition will run until Saturday 26th April, we'd love to see you!
And here's a sneaky peek at the line-up of artists whose work we will be featuring.....


More next week...

Jan Phethean, landscape painter

This week we are showcasing the work of Jan Phethean, a contemporary landscape painter based in Cornwall but with Sussex connections.


"Deer Valley"

Jan works from a studio surrounded by fields on the cliffs of Rinsey Head, near Helston and has always been inspired by the sea and the land.


"Blue Moon"

"I absorb each place I paint on a sub-conscious level and this inner landscape re-emerges in my abstract painting," says Jan. "I strive to reflect the sense of peace and timelessness that certain places radiate."


"Cumin Valley"

Jan describes her paintings as "the narrative of a life lived within two very different landscapes, the chalk of Sussex and the granite coast of Cornwall".

Different again are those paintings that have been inspired by birdlife

"Birdsong II"



"Misty Pigeon"

Jan has also published a children's book "A Year on Harebell Hill" which shows the changing of the Cornish landscape and its wildlife through the seasons