The stunning Dorset coastline has provided much of the inspiration for contemporary landscape artist, Paul Liggins’ individual compositions and collections and for anyone who has ever ventured to that part of the UK. Then you’d certainly see the visual justification. Bodaciously bright, triumphantly cheery and infinitely charming, Liggins’ pieces follow a winning formula that’s seen him capture an almost picture postcard-esque style of coastal town and village painting that fits just about everything and anything on the canvas. Yet it vever compromising its balance and please-ability factor in any way, shape or form. Positively ecstatic fishermen and trawlerfolk are habitually observed amid a backdrop of wide eyed, smiley faced harbours and bays, as Liggins affords his every subject matter something, no everything, to be happy about.
Liggins has an undiluted passion for natural history and combines this to perfection with his knowing sense of humour and love of coastal environs that he gets to witness daily. Add in a pinch of local knowledge scenery and the odd landmark, crank up the imagination to overload status and this ensures that each of Liggins’ paintings has a story to tell. Just like a painting should do. The artist stays true to a mantra that is often lost on a modern, cut and thrust society, whereby Liggins stresses the lost importance of taking the time to observe life; to slow down for a few minutes, take stock of your surroundings and remind yourself of just how good life really is. Liggins explains how his compositions come about after being privy to the humour of life, the same humour that most people are too busy to note.
Weymouth is the part of Dorset that’s home to Liggins, literally a hop, skip and a jump from an old harbour according to the artist, which of course gives him the keys to some of the best – and ever changing – views money can’t necessarily buy. To add to his file marked ‘inspiration’, Liggins’ accounts of most weekends include journeying further along this stretch of beautiful, Jurassic coast, specifically between Swanage and Lyme Regis, inhaling the sights, sounds and smells of West Bay, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. He has also been known to dip his toe in still more creative waters that roll in off the Cornwall coast during (working) holidays with his family.
Paul’s work can be bought from Martin Leighton’s Gallery, near Brewers Quay in Weymouth or you can contact him through Paul Liggins Art page on facebook.
