The Harlyn Bay paintings

The Harlyn Bay Paintings

In August 2020, during a pause in the Covid lockdowns, Chaz Newton-Smith and his family spent a week in Harlyn Bay, Cornwall. The trip was a much-needed change of pace and a chance to recharge. At the time, Chaz was still recovering from a serious accident the year before. Though he had begun to regain strength, painting was slower than it used to be.

One stormy evening, Sarah—Chaz’s wife—suggested he head out to photograph the crashing waves. He followed her advice, capturing images filled with movement and energy. Those photos became the starting point for his first major works since the accident.

Back home in Stockport, Chaz worked from a small kitchen at the back of a carpentry studio, a space kindly lent to him. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave him room to paint again. Using his Cornwall photographs, he began creating three paintings, each exploring the wild force of the sea.

The Painting Process

These works took longer than his usual pace, as Chaz adjusted to a slower rhythm during recovery. Yet his style stayed true: bold brushstrokes, thick textures, and vivid colour. Rather than offering a literal view of Harlyn Bay, the paintings captured the storm’s energy—the deep blues, foamy whites, and dark rocky forms pulling the viewer into the drama of the waves.

The Harlyn Bay Series at The Springfield House Gallery

For Chaz, these three paintings marked a turning point, helping him return to painting more regularly. Today, they hang at The Springfield House Gallery, where visitors can see how a week in Cornwall shaped the next chapter of his artistic journey.

Want to see them up close? Book an appointment and experience the Harlyn Bay series in person.