SHAZIA MAHMOOD
CONTEMPORARY ARTIST - MASTER OF FINE ART
AUTUMN/WINTER
CatchingTheLightOverWestWitteringBeach
Shazia Mahmood. All rights reserved
about this series
As the summer holidays come to a close and my children are back at school, I head back to the Studio (not that I ever really left).
Endless days and evenings at my local coastline soaking up every moment — you can see, feel and smell the season change. The skies get bigger, the tides more powerful and the sunsets become more golden than you think possible.
On the face of it, this series feels very much like a “love letter” to The Witterings, of course I’m always inspired to rework older or unfinished pieces that fit the Autumnal theme, hence the inclusion of The Cuillins in this series.
shaziamahmoodartist
paintings.mahmood@icloud.com
West Sussex, England
about shazia mahmood
Internationally recognised British fine artist, Shazia Mahmood (b. 1975), is renowned for her masterful manipulation of mixed media in landscape and coastal painting. Known for her ability to capture nature's raw power, Mahmood's practice centres around her exceptional technical facility with various mediums aligned with her profound connection to landscape and weather, particularly evident in her compelling interpretations of English and Scottish coastal scenes that form an integral part of our collective experience of place and identity.
There exists a fascinating tension between the immediacy of Mahmood's mark-making and the timeless quality of her chosen subjects. Her innovative approach to mixed media application creates a dialogue between traditional landscape painting and contemporary artistic expression, challenging viewers to engage with familiar scenes in unexpected ways. This technical virtuosity, developed over three decades of professional practice, allows her to capture fleeting moments of weather and light that resonate deeply with our shared experience of the natural world.
Mahmood's work creates profound connections between the physical experience of landscape and its emotional impact, exemplified in her series 'Arisaig to Durness: A Journey of Memories' (2021), where she transforms the rugged Scottish coastline into a meditation on memory and presence. Her paintings serve as a form of environmental dialogue, involving the reframing of natural phenomena within a world of acute observation and masterful technical execution. The result is art that transcends mere representation, inviting viewers to experience landscape in a visceral, immediate way while simultaneously considering their own relationship with the natural world.
T h e D u n e s a n d t h e I s l e o f W i g h t f r o m E a s t H e a d
The Dunes and the Isle of Wight from East Head
- 77x102 cm
- Oil and mixed media on canvas
Capturing a sparkling sea is tricky, but in this painting, I wanted you to feel the water and see the Isle of Wight on the horizon.
The light was challenging to get right, but I think it's worked. Watch how the sky and clouds move across the water. I've used lovely silvers to really capture that shimmer!
Can you catch the sunbeam? Feel the warmth of the sun on the sparkling sea? This painting tells the story of a place - its light, its water, its distant views.
I hope you can sense the energy of the coast, from the swaying grasses in the foreground to the play of light on the waves. This is my ode to the beauty of our shoreline.
R e f l e c t i o n s o n t h e t i d e a t
E a s t H e a d , W e s t W i t t e r i n g
Reflections on the tide at East Head, West Wittering
- 77x102 cm
- Oil and mixed media on canvas
Nature and clouds have fascinated me all my life. East Head offers a stunning vista where you can truly appreciate how clouds form and move across the landscape.
In this painting, I've tried to capture the reflection of clouds drifting towards the South Downs over East Head in West Wittering. Look closely at the subtle colours forming on the incoming tide.
There's a beautiful energy here that I hope evokes a real sense of place. The marks might seem random at first glance, but they slot into place as you step back from the image.
I've always believed in telling a story through my art. For me, this painting tells the story of East Head well - its expansive sky, shifting clouds, and the interplay of light on water.
S u n s e t W e s t W i t t e r i n g I I
Sunset West Wittering II
- 61x81 cm
- Oil and mixed media on canvas
This time of year, West Wittering's sunsets are absolutely breathtaking. Every time I'm on the beach during a good sunset, I'm awestruck by the light and beauty.
Painting a sunset is thrilling, but it's also a huge challenge. The goal is to capture those subtle colour changes and represent that magical light on canvas.
In this piece, I've played with an unexpected mix of colours. Look at how the warm oranges and pinks burst through the cooler blues and greys. Can you feel the last warmth of the day radiating from the painting?
I loved creating this so much. It's my attempt to bottle that moment when day turns to night, and the sky puts on its most spectacular show. I hope it transports you right to the shoreline, toes in the sand, as another early Autumn day closes over West Wittering.
T h e C u i l l i n s , v i e w f r o m E l g o l
The Cuillins, view from Elgol
- 77x102 cm
- Oil and mixed media on canvas
Elgol is a place I could paint endlessly. Its dramatic landscape, with the Cuillin mountains as a backdrop, never fails to leave me in awe.
This painting was months in the making. I wanted to capture the raw energy of Elgol - its ever-changing light, the ancient rocks, and the powerful sea.
Look at how the light speeds across the land, creating a play of shadows and highlights.
I've aimed to convey the drama that makes Elgol so captivating. The interplay of light and dark invites you to discover new details each time you look.
It's my hope that this painting holds your attention for years to come, just as Elgol itself never ceases to inspire me.
G o l d e n L i g h t o n t h e b e a c h a t W e s t W i t t e r i n g
Golden Light on the beach at West Wittering
- 61x81 cm
- Oil and mixed media on canvas
Sunsets are a joy to paint, but they're also incredibly challenging. The beach at West Wittering offers a spectacular array of colours as day turns to night.
In this piece, I've tried to capture those fleeting moments when the sun kisses the horizon. Look at how the light plays across the sky, sea, and shoreline.
I'm particularly pleased with how the flickering pinks, golds, whites, and lemon yellows contrast against the darker clouds.
These colours create a real sense of drama and fading light. It's my attempt to bottle that magical moment when the day's last light transforms the familiar beach into something extraordinary.
I hope this painting transports you to West Wittering at sunset, letting you feel the day's warmth giving way to the cool of evening.
O n T h e B e a c h A t W e s t W i t t e r i n g
On The Beach At West Wittering
- 77x102 cm
- Oil and mixed media on canvas
There's something mesmerising about watching clouds drift over the sea.
It's one of my favourite moments to paint, and capturing that sense of weather and movement was a real challenge here on the beach.
West Wittering often has a calming energy that I wanted to convey.
Look at how the light dances across the sea, creating crisp sparkles in the distance.
I've tried to create a real sense of depth, drawing you into the scene.
I hope this painting holds your attention, inviting you to linger.
Maybe you'll even feel the clouds slowly shifting as you look.
L i g h t O v e r
C a t c h i n g t h e
W e s t W i t t e r i n g B e a c h
Catching the Light Over West Wittering Beach
- 122x122 cm
- Oil and mixed media on canvas
West Wittering's spectacular seascapes are addictive to capture. In this painting, I wanted to bring you right to the water's edge.
Feel the power of the sea as it crashes against the shore. Look at how the light breaks through the clouds, creating a dramatic interplay between sky and water.
As this is such a large piece, I’ve manipulated various mediums to convey the raw energy of this scene.
Can you sense the sea spray? The movement in the clouds?
My intention with this painting is to take you on a journey, letting you experience the incredible force of nature that makes West Wittering one of the UK's most breathtaking coastal spots.