Chasing the Light: The Making of an Abstract Seascape

A Shift in the Sky

There is a deliberate tension in the way the paint settles across this piece. Broad, sweeps of ochre, burnt orange, and terracotta dominate the upper register. The brushwork here feels immediate, capturing the heavy, shifting weight of an overcast evening where the light seems to caught in the clouds rather than falling from them. It is an exploration of how a sky can feel both expansive and claustrophobic at the same time.

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The Horizon Line

In contrast to the warmth above, the lower half of the work introduces a cooler, more fractured landscape.

• The Midground: A sharp, dark line of dry-brushed charcoal tones cuts horizontally across the paper, acting as a barrier between the sky and the foreground. It mimics the silhouette of distant headlands or low-lying coastal structures, grounded in a stark, unblended black.

• The Foreground: Below this line, the palette shifts into fluid pools of turquoise, sea green, and muted blue. The strokes curve inward, suggesting the natural sweep of a bay or the recession of a tide.

By allowing areas of the white paper to show through between these distinct zones, the composition retains a sense of air and breathing room. The challenge lay in balancing the weight of the fiery upper section with the cooler, more fluid movements below, ensuring neither side overwhelmed the other.

Bringing the Energy Indoors

Abstract expressionism carries an inherent adaptability. Because it emphasises feeling over formal detail, this painting functions beautifully as a statement piece in a variety of environments. Whether anchoring a minimalist modern living space or adding a wave of vibrant colour to a coastal cottage, it brings the untamed, untamable energy of nature indoors.

You can explore and purchase available pieces directly through the Gordon Powles eBay Studio Shop.