Ann Palmer Artist

Anatomy of a Wave – The Horsebridge Arts Centre 2026

A new exhibition at The Horsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable May 6th to 18th 2026. In October 2025 I was lucky enough to rent an apartment right on the edge of Porthmeor Beach in St Ives. This gave me full view of the sea and the waves crashing in on the seashore. It was very windy; to start with the wind came from the north straight into the bay, then as days passed it moved west and around to the south. I watched how the waves formed, some of them way out to sea, growing bigger and bigger, tipping over as they moved toward the shore. My exhibition includes a number of wave paintings inspired by my stay in Cornwall.

A new exhibition at The Horsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable Wednesday May 6th to Monday May 18th 2026. View paintings from the exhibition.

I have spent at least 10 years standing on the beach, painting, sketching, taking photos and generally absorbing the atmosphere, energy of the sea, the sounds of the water and the birds not to mention the excitement of those around me enjoying themselves at the seaside. I have visited St Ives many times; most of my paintings from there are fairly peaceful and sunny with calm open beaches.

In October 2025 I was lucky enough to rent an apartment right on the edge of Porthmeor Beach in St Ives. This gave me full view of the sea and the waves crashing in on the seashore. It was very windy; to start with the wind came from the north straight into the bay, then as days passed it moved west and around to the south. I watched how the waves formed, some of them way out to sea, growing bigger and bigger, tipping over as they moved toward the shore. Some were so large that the brave surfers were totally dwarfed, but somehow managed to keep their balance and ride the wave. Being at Porthmeor Beach this time inspired me to paint a number of wave paintings in particular ‘Rocks and Surf on a Windy Day at St Ives’. These are included in this exhibition.

A visit to Godrevy Lighthouse on Tuesday when it was not too stormy inspired my painting ‘Seals on the Beach in the Cove; Godrevy towards the East’. I have since learned from an art lover at Bath Art Fair where I exhibited this painting in February, that the next cove is known locally as ‘Hell’s Mouth’! Sorry this painting is now in Turin awaiting my exhibition in Venice June-August. Prints are available.

On the Thursday we travelled across Cornwall (just 8 miles from St Ives to Penzance). The wind howled into Mounts Bay! We drove to the Lizard Point, it was so windy we couldn’t go much further than the car park; the sea was exciting as the waves crashed in to the most southerly point of England. Round to the west is Cadgwith Cove, normally quite sheltered but today the waves were so huge they had hauled the 5 fishing boats out of the water and up the beach onto the edge of the road.

After a wonderful fish lunch in the Cadgwith Inn we drove back towards Helston then cut down to the coast to Porthleven, well known for catching the storms as they thunder in from the west across the Bay. Today the sea was splashing into the harbour and when we arrived at the extreme point of the harbour, looking toward the Lizard we could see foam and huge breakers flooding the coastline. This is what inspired my painting ‘Windy Day High Surf towards Lizard Point’.

My exhibition includes a number of wave paintings inspired by my stay in Cornwall. I hope you enjoy this exhibition which has been inspired by my week in Cornwall last autumn. See some of my paintings

contact Ann

A Week in Paris March 2026

Four of my paintings have been exhibited by Accorsi Arte at Galleria Bartone in Paris this last week 16-22 March.

I have been extremely lucky to have four of my paintings exhibited in a group exhibition by Accorsi Arte at Galleria Bartone in Paris this last week 16-22 March. Below you can see some images from the Opening night on Thursday March 19th.

Rochester Art Fair March 2026

Ann returned to Rochester Art Fair in March 2026 with some exciting new work and a few old favourites. March 6-8 at Rochester Corn Exchange. Rochester Art Fair is the perfect opportunity to meet artists in person and purchase incredible original artwork across three inspiring days.

I returned to Rochester Art Fair with some exciting new work and a few old favourites! Situated in the lavish Corn Exchange, the Rochester Art Fair is the perfect opportunity to meet artists in person and purchase incredible original artwork across three inspiring days. All this in the heart of historic Rochester — a town known for its cultural heritage, independent shops, and vibrant café scene.

Rochester Art Fair is an exciting event providing art lovers, art collectors and the local community based in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, London and the surrounding areas, with the opportunity to browse and buy beautiful, original artwork and interact directly with artists from across the UK and Europe. Set against the lavish backdrop of the 18th Century Rochester Corn Exchange in the historic town of Rochester, Kent. The Fair showcases a wide variety of visual art including 2D and 3D works, created by both established and emerging artists.

Location: The Rochester Corn Exchange, Northgate, Rochester, ME1 1LS

Find me at Stand Q3

Contact Ann

2026 Art Fair Season is approaching

Ann will be exhibiting at two Art Fairs in the coming weeks, firstly Bath February 27th to March 1st and the following weekend Rochester March 6th to 8th. Learn all about the Fairs.

Ann will be exhibiting at the Bath Art Fair this coming weekend February 27th to March 1st; this is quickly followed by the Rochester Art Fair March 6th to 8th. More information follow the link to the Fair.

I shall be exhibiting mostly new paintings inspired by my travels in Cornwall and a recent visit to Cornwall when it was windy and the seas were high, lots of waves and surf, Ann has been working on a number of studies in wave form which has provided energy for this series of paintings from the Atlantic Coast. See some of these paintings by following the link.

Bath Art Fair is located centrally within the beautiful city of Bath, the Bath Pavilion is 10 minutes’ walk from Bath Spa Station, the famous Bath Abbey and Roman Baths, and the incredible Pulteney Weir. Bath Art Fair was first held in a field just outside Bath in 2017, and now in its 9th year is excited to be returning to the Bath Pavilion; this will be my 5th Fair in Bath and I am really looking forward to being there again. Find me at Stand 72!

Rochester Art Fair is a new and exciting event providing art lovers, art collectors and the local community based in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, London and the surrounding areas, with the opportunity to browse and buy beautiful, original artwork and interact directly with artists from across the UK and Europe. Set against the lavish backdrop of the 18th Century Rochester Corn Exchange in the historic town of Rochester, Kent. The Fair showcases a wide variety of visual art including 2D and 3D works, created by both established and emerging artists. Easy to access by car, rail and foot, Rochester Art Fair is located in the centre of the historic and culturally significant town of Rochester, packed with quaint, independent shops, restaurants and a vibrant café culture. This will be my 3rd Rochester Art Fair, find me at Stand Q3.

Heart of Rochester Artists Open Studio Trail

I am delighted to invite you to come and take part in our first Winter Open Studio Trail on 28th, 29th and 30th November 2025 in the Heart of Rochester, just three locations with 15 artists in our enclave starting with my own House at 1 King Edward Road, ME1 1UA then on to 4 Roebuck Road, ME1 1UD and the third location up to 1 Ridley Road, ME1 1UL past Watts Avenue next left on the square.

I do hope you will be able to come and see my latest paintings inspired by the coasts of Kent and Cornwall. some smaller framed more affordable oil paintings, some mini oils as well as some of my Prints which will make good Christmas Presents. This time my work is displayed in the house. If the weather is suitable a studio visit will be interesting as I have lots going on!

COASTLINES November 2025

Ann will be exhibiting at the Halpern Gallery Pop in Rochester from November 12th to 23rd, entrance through the Nucleus Cafe.

A new exhibition featuring some of Ann’s latest paintings inspired by the coasts of Kent and Cornwall, this is a Solo Exhibition at the Halpern Gallery Pop in Rochester

The exhibition was open from Wednesday 12th November until Tuesday 23rd November 2025.

Thids painting is one of my new paintings to be exhibitied at the Halpern Pop Solo Exhibition in Rochester November 12-23 2025 — Tide beneath a Dreaming Sky

I do hope you will be able to come and see my latest exhibition where I shall be showing my new collection of Seascape paintings ‘Coastlines’ as well as some of my smaller more affordable paintings and Prints which will make good Christmas Presents.

The Gallery is through the Nucleus Cafe, please don’t be put off you are perfectly able to visit the exhibition without a seat at a table!

Contact Ann

Impressions of Whitstable and other Seascapes

Impressions of Whitstable and other Seascapes. An exhibition of Oil Paintings including works from both Whitstable and the Cornish coast

I shall be exhibiting in Gallery Two at The Horsebridge in Whitstable (the small gallery with the front window) from Wednesday October 8^th until Monday October 20^th 2025 inclusive and am aiming to be in the Gallery personally most days to meet everyone. Weekends co-incide with East Kent Open Houses so you have the option of visiting all the Whitstable artists on those days – visit https://ekoh.org.uk/whitstable/ for more information.

My exhibition is called Impressions of Whitstable and other Seascapes. The exhibition will include works from both Whitstable and the Cornish coast. I shall be showing a number of large oil paintings and you will have the opportunity to see some new pieces from this year as well as some old favourites, also a number of smaller affordable pieces.

Horsebridge Arts Centre 01227 281174

11 Horsebridge Road
Whitstable, Kent. UK. CT5 1AF

9am – 5pm Mon-Sat
(Closed on Tuesdays) 10am – 4pm Sundays

For more information please contact Ann

Medway Open Studios July 5th to 20th

Medway Open Studios July 5th to 20th. My studio will be open all three weekends, and Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th. This is a great opportunity to see me working on a new series of paintings for an exhibition next year. In addition there will be the usual selection of finished drawings and paintings of all sizes, prints and cards.

This is a great opportunity to see me working on a new series of paintings for an exhibition next year. In addition there will be the usual selection of finished drawings and paintings of all sizes, prints and cards.
Do contact me if you wish to come any other time, the studio will be open the advertised dates and times.
We shall be having a special open evening Thursday 10th 5pm to 8pm, each artist in my part of Rochester will be welcoming visitors and a good time to ‘do the round’ also stop for a glass of something!

My studio will be open all three weekends, and Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th.
This is a cross Medway event and you can find us all in the booklet or on line
https://medwayopenstudios.org/

Come and see me at work, see my studio, paintings, cards and prints.
Garden Studio, 1 King Edward Road, Rochester ME1 1UA
Weekends 5th and 6th, 12th and 13th, 19th and 20th 10am-1pm and 2pm to 6pm
Wednesday 9th 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm
Thursday 10th 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm – open evening with drinks and nibbles

Mixed Media paintings

These are Ann’s latest paintings inspired by studying under Lewis Noble.

Spring Flowers in the Vineyard 28″ x 28″

If you are interested in any of these paintings please contact Ann

About Ann

Ann has lived in Rochester for nearly 40 years and has been painting for 20 years. She developed her reputation as a plein air painter who now works primarily from her Garden Studio.
Ann paints the land, sea and sky in oils on both large and small canvases. Her latest paintings are exciting and looser, focussing on the state of the tide and weathers at various times of day and year, inspired by painting on the beach, sketches, photos and just being there. When Ann is in the studio her memories play an important part in working up a painting; the palette knife takes over, carefully placing the colours juxtaposed with each other resulting in a more abstract form of the subject. Ann uses line, brush and palette knife often producing highly textural work. She is best known for her seascapes, but is now gaining recognition for her modern landscapes.
Ann has been painting on the Kent Coast for some years, standing on the pebbly beach watching the tide ebb and flow, the morning mist across the Swale, the light on the horizon, the clouds coming in from the west over London, and the light out to sea to the north and east. The low tide exposes sandbanks, pebbles, seafood for the gulls to seek. Her work is inspired by her experience standing in the seashore and the fields immersing herself in the environment, getting to know the landscape, the colours. Sketching and plein air painting are an essential part of her process.
Each year Ann visits St Ives, a seaside town her parents took her to in the 1950s and 60s when it was a thriving Artists Community which included among others Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Peter Lanyon and Wilhelmina Barns Graham. These artists have left their legacy today and the St Ives Painting School and Penwith Art Society are at the heart of what leads Ann to keep returning and to strive for a more abstract approach to painting. The surrounding countryside and the north Cornwall landscape are central to Ann’s inspiration