Artist captures the sunny side of life in Cromer in series of humorous paintings
Cromer artist Paul Robinson, whose paintings capture the sunny side of life in the town.Photo: PAUL ROBINSON - Credit: Archant
A north Norfolk artist has brought to life some of Cromer's best-loved landmarks and characters, in a series of quirky paintings focusing on the sunniest aspects of the town.
North Lodge Park, by Cromer artist Paul Robinson.Photo: PAUL ROBINSON - Credit: Archant
Paul Robinson, who moved to north Norfolk to escape the 'claustrophobia' of London nearly 20 years ago, began painting the streets and seafront of Cromer after settling in the town in 2007.
'I had mainly been painting landscapes before then, but, going for walks every day, the 'Cromer effect' kicked in, my imagination got to work and I began including figures with dogs,' he explained.
View Down Jetty Street, by Cromer artist Paul Robinson.Photo: PAUL ROBINSON - Credit: Archant
Subjects have ranged from the clifftops, fishermen and the boating lake at North Lodge Park, to the pier, the promenade and the seafront Hotel de Paris.
'When we came here, I was amazed at the size of the beaches and Cromer has such a nice pace; it's got balance to it and, having lived in London, you feel uplifted every day,' he said.
Cromer pier, by Paul Robinson.Photo: PAUL ROBINSON - Credit: Archant
Dad-of-two Mr Robinson, who hails from Lazonby, in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, trained as an artist in Carlisle, before carving a successful career as an illustrator which saw him produce work for publications including the Sunday Times, the Radio Times and Time Out magazine.
Eventually finding time to concentrate on his own projects, he began focusing on the city of London and its workers, producing paintings featuring scenes ranging from the Houses of Parliament, to Trafalgar Square.
Bathers at Cromer, by Paul Robison.Photo: PAUL ROBINSON - Credit: Archant
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His work quickly attracted the interest of a number of London galleries, with Mr Robinson also taking part in group and one-man shows at venues in Chichester, Birmingham, Surrey and the Cotswolds.
His Cromer-inspired paintings feature imagined characters, with comic captions dreamed up with the help of his wife Lisa conjuring up situations they find themselves in, from meeting a lover, to thinking about tucking in to fish and chips.
Rainy Day in Jetty Street, by Cromer artist Paul Robinson.Photo: PAUL ROBINSON - Credit: Archant
Mr Robinson, 59, says that, living in Cromer, he is never short of inspiration.
'I don't have a set way of approaching my work, but there's always something churning away at the back of my mind and I never go out without a sketch book tucked in my pocket,' he explained.
Cromer beach huts, by Paul Robinson.Photo: PAUL ROBINSON - Credit: Archant
To see more of Paul Robinson's work, visit www.paulrobinsonpaintings.com
