Jethro Jackson Watergate Bay Series

Jethro Jackson

Watergate Bay Series

Four days in September

My Watergate Bay series is a response to the space and what the beach means to people. All those memories and sensations of the Cornish landscape and our interaction with it – whether that’s surfing, dog walking, or a pint on the deck...

1/5 Selected Sketchbook drawings

When the team from the Watergate Bay Hotel approached me to be one of their ‘artists in residence’, my immediate reaction was trepidation. Not at the idea of staying in one of the most beautiful beach hotels in the country - that bit excited me! It was the pressure that I knew I’d feel after a period away from painting seascapes.

2/5 Selected Sketchbook drawings

Over the last three years my work has left the beach and the representations of the coastline I became known for, evolving into abstracted interpretations. However, these newer paintings are very much influenced by landscape and narratives linked to Cornish history. This change was born out of a deep desire to explore my artistic mind and capabilities. I’ll always love landscape painting, but to be honest I felt like I was treading water. I needed something new to regenerate ideas and re-spark a sense of energy.

Arrival

It was a beautiful afternoon when we arrived at Watergate. There was a good swell running, and the sun was out through changeable September skies. The wonderfully friendly team soon set about setting me at ease, moving me into my new temporary studio. As I unpacked my paraphernalia and favourite books and gazed out the full height window, taking in the unbroken panoramic view of Watergate Bay, those early sensations of apprehension started to creep back!

The hotel generously reserved our family one of the seven apartments that sit adjacent to the hotel. This building was once the restaurant Fifteen, opened by Jamie Oliver. Now it’s been beautifully converted into the Beach Lofts. Once inside, the view is truly special. It feels like the beach runs up and into the building. As we settled in, the sound, smells and atmosphere surged through the open window and brought with it a sense of energy and excitement. I began to relax!

The Residency

The next four days were a blur of drawing and capturing the beach. I was up at first light and walked late at night with the dogs. I spent time exploring the caves and the views that are so emblematic of the place. After chatting to guests and staff, it soon became clear that there’s a real connection people have, once they’ve stayed or visited. The place doesn’t leave you.

I was introduced to Carl Coombes, a bit of a Watergate legend who’s spent many years teaching kite surfing at the Extreme Academy. Carl has recently retired, leaving him free to surf and kite whenever he chooses! I spent time on the beach with Carl, and heard his stories and history over coffee. These conversations were the start of the first gleaming thread of thought that lead to the paintings. I became focused on an idea to capture the energy and essence of Watergate.

Back in the studio

I’m not going to lie, the first week of autonomous painting back in the studio was torturous! This was entirely of my own making, of course. I was painting a logical solution to what we see. After all, it’s human nature to look for things we understand. In terms of abstraction, this is even more apparent. It’s essential we’re reorganising a set of feelings.

At first, I painted some quite recognisable shapes into the work which all felt too blatant: like I was leaning on a crutch to help people into the painting. I wanted viewers to have to work a bit harder. So I started looking for the less obvious elements. Each morning I would destroy the previous days work, and this ebb and flow continued for days. Kristie would drift into the studio and comment she liked a painting, which immediately resulted in me scraping and blurring the paint. I was in a state of flux between the old and new. It was unsettling. I did actually contemplate giving in and admitting defeat - but that’s not in my nature.

Then something changed. These layers of worked paint, like echoes, began to make me think. So many kites have been flown on the beach, so many footsteps and paw prints left in the sand. So many waves surfed. All washed away by the tide. Each time the sea rushes in, it’s like a clean slate. But the memories live on. They leave an impression that we can no longer see.

From that point, the paintings began to evolve. The clarity increased each day, like a shining fish being pulled ever closer to the surface. Through layers of colour, texture, lines and marks, the resulting paintings evoke the layers of memory and lived experience that Watergate Bay holds.

3/5 Selected Sketchbook drawings

3/5 Selected Sketchbook drawings

Inspiration beyond the landscape

The series title ‘Four Days in September’ is a nod to the 1979 BBC Arena documentary ‘Six Days in September’ about the abstract painter John Hoyland.

This is the first time I’ve put myself into a public arena and experienced that scrutiny, as John does in the film. The work is not directly influenced by John’s, but I feel a real connection to his honesty and commitment to painting abstraction. At that time the American expressionists were dominating. John cut his way through the wilderness, which is inspiring.

Reflections

I haven’t produced paintings at this speed for a long time. Normally, I have works in my studio for at least six months, so this project has pushed me to work in a different way. This has probably been the most challenging series I’ve ever created, because I’ve had to work through my own feelings about my work. Finding that balance between the seascape and the abstract. It’s been so rewarding, because I’ve taken myself out of my comfort zone. I’m very pleased with this small but important series of paintings.

With thanks

I’d like to thank the team and owners of Watergate Bay Hotel who made this happen and put up with my crazy artistic elusiveness!

It’s been a great privilege. I hope many more artists visit for residencies, each bringing their own interpretation of this wonderful place.