Blog – 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

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

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

Brick Lane Gallery

I am taking part in the landscape exhibition 19th November – 2nd December at The Brick Lane Gallery, 216 Brick Lane, London | E1 6SA do come and see my latest paintings

I am taking part in the landscape exhibition 19th November – 2nd December at The Brick Lane Gallery, 216 Brick Lane, London | E1 6SA do come and see my latest paintings. This is a lovely little gallery in the heart of Brick Lane, My new mixed media paintings will be on display; not to be missed. Click here to view the paintings

Rochester Art Fair

During this year Ann has been exploring the use of Mixed Media and Abstract painting. The initial results of this work are on display in this exhibition which shows the influence of her visit to the Loire Valley in the springtime. Ann’s process includes going out sketching in the landscape, bringing back her work to collage into her sketchbook. This forms a source of inspiration for larger paintings.

October 4th to 6th at the Corn Exchange, Rochester

Opening Times:

Friday 4th 5pm-9pm, Saturday 5th 10am-6pm, Sunday 6th 10am-5pm

Adult £7, Concessions £3.50 are available for over 60s, students with valid ID and people with disabilities. Entry is FREE for carers accompanying people with disabilities and children under the age of 16.

Contact Ann

For more information go to the Web Site for Rochester Art Fair

A Vineyard Inspired Exhibition

This exhibition by Ann Palmer showcases two large mixed media abstract paintings, some smaller mixed media pieces together with her latest charcoal and acrylic sketches inspired by her visit to the Touraine Vineyards in the Loire Valley in France, in the spring. The exhibition includes some early pieces of plein air oil painting also from the Touraine Vineyards

Halpern Pop Gallery, (through Cafe Nucleus), High Street, Rochester 4th – 17th September – the gallery is open Monday to Sunday 10am to 4pm

For more information please contact 01634 812108 or e mail Ann

The Magic of the Sea

Ann is returning to Gallery 2 at The Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable with a solo exhibition celebrating the Magic of the Sea. Wednesday 10th April 2024 to Monday 22nd April 2024

Ann paints the land, sea and sky and is returning to Gallery 2 at The Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable with a solo exhibition celebrating the magic of the ocean. Wednesday 10th April 2024 to Monday 22nd April 2024. 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm Sunday and closed Tuesdays.

There is something magical about the ocean. The constant movement and change, with rolling waves and rise and fall of the daily tides, the sound of the ocean, the smell of the water. Ann paints the land, sea and sky in oils on both large and small canvases, 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. Ann draws her inspiration from the coasts of Kent and Cornwall; many paintings are inspired by the beaches in Whitstable.

The Horsebridge provides a vibrant arts centre at the heart of our community, a public space that aims to enrich the lives of local people by encouraging them to access, enjoy and be challenged by arts activities both as participants and audience. By providing creative and cultural activities we aim to combat isolation and promote well-being.

Open 6 days a week and welcome over 90,000 local people and visitors to the area through our doors each year. Every week there are over 40 different classes, every month there are films, artist talks and clubs, and in one year we can feature over 100 artists in 35+ exhibitions.

The Horsebridge Centre, 11 Horsebridge Road Whitstable, Kent. UK. CT5 1AF 01227 281174

Ann will be at Bath Art Fair

Ann will be exhibiting her Seascape Oil Paintings at the Bath Art Fair 23-25 February in Bath Pavilion. Tickets are available on line; looking forward to seeing you.

Just like last year I shall be in this beautiful city, near my home town where I grew up, exhibiting February 23-25 tickets are available now here.

Find us at Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath. BA2 4EU

Friday 23rd February is the Private View 6pm – 8.30pm – you can get tickets Saturday 24th the Fair is open all day 10am to 6pm and Sunday 25th 10am to 5pm.

Find me at Stand 72 – that is on the right hand lane from the entrance