This month I have selected to paint in watercolour and acrylic. My chosen subject is the iconic vista of Dover sea front. I spent many years in this part of England when teaching at South Kent College, and have fond memories of the people I met there during that time.
The eastern half of Dover sea front is dominated by the ‘Gateway’, a post-war development incorporating a new, exciting and controversial style of architecture for the town, the council describing it as a ‘New York-style’ apartment block. The design had been controversial and only received planning consent in 1956 after 13 years of political wrangling. Despite its modernity this is a very elegant building and I am sure that the view on the sixth floor must be quite stunning.
The western half of the sea front still retains the 19th-century Waterloo Crescent and the two make an interesting building comparison. Add to this the skyline silhouette of Dover Castle and the artist is presented with over 800 years of architectural styles to capture.