Surf’s Up by Rebecca Lardner

In this animated harbour scene, Rebecca has captured a moment in the life of a busy fishing village with an upbeat, quirky charm that perfectly conveys the mood of the coastline.

Rebecca’s distinctive oils on canvas are beautifully depicted portrayals of life on the land and the sea. The large ensemble cast of figures, boats and sea birds creates an impression of ceaseless activity, and this is heightened by the natural curves of the classic English harbour which provide movement and energy. Her palette is based strongly on the colours of the sea, with blues, greens and greys dominating the entire canvas. Favourite subjects include the natural wildlife of these areas including gulls and geese.

Rebecca was born in Purbeck, Dorset in 1971. After completing an Art Foundation Course she graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BA Honours degree in Illustration. She went on to build a highly successful career as an artist and illustrator, fulfilling commissions for a number of high-profile clients including Paul McCartney’s Music Academy, as well as a range of magazines and record sleeves.

Rebecca’s quintessentially British style originates in her Dorset upbringing; although much of her early work is figurative, her love of the distinctive coastline has been the mainstay of her success. Her upbeat scenes portray the lively world of the traditional English fishing village from a contemporary standpoint, with an irresistible combination of quirky humour and technical panache. The timeless subject matter gives these pieces a singular charm and the marine element is accentuated by the distinctive palette that never strays far from the blues, greys and greens of the ocean. While her enchanting harbour scenes retain the style and colours that have made them so well-loved, there are always new elements in each collection; beach huts, farm animals, art galleries and hotels perfectly situated overlooking the bay…. Her departure into the world of sculpture has also contributed to her ongoing success and status in the art world.

Rebecca is now able to devote more time to her painting and has travelled the world from Ireland to India undertaking prestigious corporate commissions. She has exhibited in a range of high calibre galleries in the UK, Europe and the USA and her evocative oils sell to collectors from all over the world.

Trained in art to degree level, Rebecca forged an early career in illustration, but her future as a fine artist was always inevitable. While she downplays the mention of celebrity buyers and a one-off commission for the Paul McCartney Music Academy, she is no longer able to downplay her extraordinary success which has taken her work as far afield as Australia and New Zealand