Rye Harbour Nature Reserve artist-in-residence Cy Baker spent last week at the Discovery Centre running adult and children’s workshops and working on his drawings at the centre and around the reserve, giving visitors the opportunity to see him at work.
The residency came about when Cy visited the nature reserve as part of a project with the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts in 2024. After meeting the director of communications and fundraising for the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Caroline Pearce, the idea of the residency to help fundraise took shape. Work produced over the year will be on sale as part of the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s fundraising.
Cy works using a ballpoint pen on canvas. “The thing I love the most about the ballpoint pen is that it’s so consistent. I’m an artist that is happiest when I’m in contact with the canvas creating art, so the fact that I don’t have to do anything with it, like sharpen it, or mix colours, means I can spend all my time in touch with the canvas. They’re wonderful!”
There are views of the reserve capturing the atmosphere of the views across the pools, drawings of sea kale, a picture of a group of coots surrounding a little grebe in Go Your Own Way. “To prepare the surface I lighten the canvas with a white oil paint wash. Once this is dry, I draw with the biro, as I would with pencil on paper. After the drawing is complete, it’s varnished (to fix the ink in place) and more white oil paint is used to add light and finalise the composition. The ink is actually surprisingly versatile, in terms of its colour. If I want a blue tinge to the work I can layer white oil paint over it, or leave the canvas showing through to leave a sepia tone.”
Over the week, Cy has enjoyed the workshops for adults and children, Inspired by Nature. “They’ve been fantastic, it’s been such a joy working with other artists and seeing how everyone interprets the place differently,” he says. “Everyone focused on different elements of the landscape and wildlife. That’s what makes art so fantastic.”
Spending time over the year at Rye Harbour has given Cy the chance to see the reserve at different times of the day and in different seasons. “Getting to stay close to the reserve means that we get to visit very early in the morning and late in the day, so seeing the reserve when it’s quiet and when the light is so beautiful has been a bit mind blowing to be honest. I’m so lucky that I also get to create my art in such a special place. I think it’s the people and community that has impressed us the most. All the people who work, volunteer and spend time at the reserve are incredible. You really couldn’t wish for anywhere better as inspiration for artwork.”
The work that Cy has created over the year will be on sale, available as originals or prints on his website cybaker.com and there will then be a private view and auction later in the year, on the 3 December.
More information about Cy Baker at the reserve can be found here.
Image Credits: Carol Baker , Cy Baker .