The “where” in who, what, where, why.

Some places are just places, but the Island is different, the long, twisty cliffside roads, the smell of sea salt in the air, the beaches, the family-run cafés, and the endless beach-themed shops.

No matter where I’ve lived, Cardiff, Bristol, London, the Island always feels like home. Every time I step onto that stingy, smelly old ferry, I feel like myself again. Sounds weird, I know, but that’s just how we are here.

Maybe it’s because the Island is small, or maybe it’s just the way life moves here, but there’s a sense of familiarity that never really fades. You see the same faces, hear the same names, and no matter how long you’ve been away, nothing feels too far removed. Even the places that have changed still hold something of what they used to be. A café with a new name, a shop that’s swapped owners, somehow they still feel like they belong.

I think that’s why the Island sticks with me. It’s not just the place itself, but the feeling of it, the way it settles into who you are. You can leave, try something new, build a life somewhere else, but the Island never really lets you go.

Welcome to freshwater beach.

Artist research, Andrew Saunders:

Andrew has been involved in creative expression for much of their life, but their dedication to pursuing art seriously began in 2022, following the end of a career in insurance.

They primarily work with acrylic paints, although they occasionally experiment with watercolours and oils. Their artwork is often inspired by the natural beauty of the Isle of Wight, particularly the coastline and surrounding landscapes, where they have lived since 2001. Known for a bright and bold colour scheme, the artist avoids blending colours, which gives their pieces a striking, almost mosaic-like quality that occasionally ventures into abstract territory. This technique also means they go through a lot of masking tape!

While the majority of their pieces are painted in the studio, the artist began embracing outdoor painting in 2023 and quickly gained an appreciation for the directness, though they acknowledge there is still much to explore in this style.

As a member of the Isle of Wight Art Club, the artist has shown their work at venues such as Quarr Abbey and Montage Place and is eager to take part in more exhibitions in the near future.

0223 - Cow on Culver

Acrylic on a 36.5 x 25.4 cm (14 x 10 inches) canvas board.