Painted during the Covid-19 time of curfews and quarantine, I painted it as a reminder of what awaited us soon ahead, on the other side of the pandemic restrictions and the long colder months. I wanted to represent the nostalgia of summer and to portray a metaphor for summer inviting us in. Inspired by Joaquín Sorolla and his use of light and depiction of shadow and reflections, using subtle lilacs and deeper mauves.
I wanted the composition to be simple and uncomplicated, and I wanted it to be something quintessential of the Mediterranean during summer. Somewhere warm and familiar.
The staircase serves as the invitation to enter into the scene, into summer. And the colour palette I chose was to I chose the colour palette to help spark these memories – to be reminiscent of that familiar afternoon summer light on the Mediterranean coast, that embracing warmth of the sun, and those relaxing azures of the water.
With this painting, I wanted to trigger a warm and contented memory for the viewer but also more than that, I wanted to trigger a feeling – a longing.

Back to Begur

Original oil on canvas painting, depicting swimmers in the hot midday sun down at a typical boathouse cove of the Mediterranean coast.

Midday Heat

Original oil on canvas painting, channelling those long summer days in the mediterranean sun and swimming in the transparent waters of the many hidden coves.

By the Boathouses

Oil on canvas painting depicting that evening light and silhouetted palm trees down by the beach in Barceloneta, Barcelona.

Palmeras en la Barceloneta

Island life, coast, sea, activity, but calming at the same time. Memories with family and friends. Special moments. Colour palette. The jagged rocks and the typical jetties, old and rotting wood. The white of the boats contrasting against the turquoise and ultramarines of the sea, and the orange and pinks of the land and stone. I wanted to depict all of these things with this painting, so as to create a feeling of warmth for the viewer - a nostalgia for summer in the Mediterranean.

Moored in Mallorca


Spanish for 'in the afternoon’, ‘Por la Tarde’ is an original oil on canvas painting, highlighting that quintessential mediterranean afternoon light and stillness of the water after a full day.

Por la Tarde

Original oil on canvas painting, inspired a photograph taken of boats in 'El Port de Sanitja’, in Menorca, one of the Balearic Islands. Capturing that quintessential mediterranean light and shallow, shimmering waters.

Balearic Light

Original oil on canvas painting, depicting the rugged and rocky coastline and shabby boathouses of Ibiza. Inspired by summers spent on this sun-kissed Balearic Island.

Aguas Ibicencas

Oil on canvas painting depicting the calmness underneath the ocean's surface, contrasted with a moving sky above.

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Emily Deacock