Painting en plein air at my favourite surf spots around the North Cornwall coast has always drawn curiosity from passers-by. Tourists, walkers and locals alike see me painting and like to come and stand behind the easel to watch me paint, asking questions about everything from what inspires me to what the day job is. I’m lucky enough to be
able to tell them that this IS my day job! And because of this, for the last two years I have hung up my trailer and found a more permanent base to paint and sell my artwork; the Art Shack at Treyarnon Bay. Still very much ‘en plein air’, The Art Shack is in the grounds of the Treyarnon Bay Youth Hostel overlooking the bay. A stunning spot which never fails to inspire me and my brush. As long as it’s dry (the wind and cold doesn’t deter me!), I’m there painting from Easter all the way through until September.
When is the Treyarnon Art Shack Open?
This winter the Youth Hostel has been closed whilst undergoing a huge refurbishment redecorating the bedrooms, adding en suites and extending the car park. On 8thApril the YHA opens its doors again to welcome both staying guests and customers to the café and bar. The Art Shack will open on Sunday 9th April when I will be there painting and selling my prints, originals, cards and more. I've done lots of preparation this winter and can't wait to show off the fruits of my labour all summer long. Although the hostel will be closed for the first week, during the second week of the Easter holidays I plan to be at the Art Shack every day except Wednesday from 10am-5pm. I hope to see lots of you there!
Artwork Helps Support Breaks for Kids
For each and every piece of artwork sold from Treyarnon Bay’s Art Shack, I give a percentage to the charity Breaks for Kids. Breaks for Kids is a charitable fund that YHA operates to help children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to take part in a school or community group break away. Breaks for Kids giving children life-enhancing experiences through adventurous educational stays that they would otherwise be excluded from without the support provided. The charity does great work and helps disadvantaged children to have the kind of childhood experiences that I was lucky enough to have whilst growing up in Wembury.
Buy Artwork from Toby Ray Online
I have had a very busy winter photographing all the lovely new artwork I have been busy creating for my new website (www.tobyray.co.uk) so that people can now buy artwork online as well as in person from me at The Art Shack. Even though I take card payments at the Art Shack (the wonders of technology!) I find that people often get in touch with me after their holiday as they long to take a little piece of their trip home with them to serve as a reminder. Now they can browse my seascapes and North Cornwall paintings online to their heart’s content, remembering their perfect holiday in North Cornwall and ordering one of their very own! If you like what I do, please sign up to my newsletter below: