Across the Island

A serene and atmospheric coastal landscape depicting an expansive body of water stretching towards a distant, low-lying shoreline, painted in acrylic onto canvas by contemporary British artist Nicky Knill Jones.

The composition is pared back and spacious, with the broad blue expanse occupying much of the scene beneath a softly clouded sky. In the foreground, loosely defined rocky forms create a sense of elevation and distance, as though the viewer is looking out across the water from a rugged coastal edge.

Painted in an expressive style, the work balances simplified representation with areas that verge on abstraction. The distant land is reduced to a slender horizontal silhouette, while the foreground is rendered more freely through overlapping planes of colour and gestural marks. This contrast gives the painting a wonderful sense of depth while retaining its quiet, understated character.

The palette is fresh and atmospheric, dominated by soft  blues, offset by muted blue-greys, sage and olive greens, chalky whites and touches of deep forest green. The cool, restrained tones evoke the shifting colours of a coastline beneath an overcast sky.

Brushwork is deliberately varied. The sea and sky are built from soft, broad horizontal strokes, creating a calm sense of movement and openness, while the foreground features thicker, more spontaneous marks. Sweeping strokes, visible overlaps and occasional dark linear accents give the rocks an expressive, almost abstract quality and bring energy to the otherwise tranquil composition.

This artwork on canvas is presented in a complementary white floater frame. Both the painting and frame are in excellent condition.

Size: 35 x 35 cm (including frame)

Born in 1974, Nicky Knill Jones is a passionate artist whose work celebrates the dynamic interplay of light, colour, and the natural world. Through her photography and paintings, she captures the beauty and energy of ever-changing landscapes, focusing on the dramatic coastlines of Cornwall and Devon. Fascinated by the sea, weather fronts, cloud formations, and expansive skies, Nicky’s art reflects her deep connection to nature. Her work conveys the raw power and fleeting moments of the natural world, where bold, fresh, and instinctual brushstrokes bring her vision to life. Each painting is characterful, imbued with the emotion and vitality of her surroundings. A graduate of Kingston University, where she studied Art, Nicky has been painting since her early years. Over time, she has honed her skills and developed a distinctive style, working both from her studio and en plein air, immersing herself in the landscapes she loves to portray. With a keen eye for detail and a unique ability to convey movement and atmosphere, Nicky Knill Jones creates works that resonate deeply with her audience, offering a glimpse into the untamed beauty of the British coastline.