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Title: After the Stormlight
Artist: Laura Bernardeschi Nelson
Medium: Acrylic on Paper
Materials: Professional acrylic paints on heavyweight, acid-free paper
Dimensions:
- Artwork Size: 36 x 38 cm
- Framed Size: 46 x 36 cm
Framed: Yes – sold framed as shown
Finish: Sealed with archival matte varnish for protection
Signed: Signed on front and back
Certificate of Authenticity: Included
Description
After the Stormlight captures the raw beauty of the Northumberland coast in a moment of contrast—when a storm begins to retreat and the golden hues of sunset reclaim the sky. Windswept grasses frame the view, rising through an old wooden fence that seems to lean, weathered by years of salt and wind. The sea, still restless, rolls in layered waves of foam and blue, lit by a sun that is both tender and triumphant.
This painting is not a calm seascape—it is a meeting place of elemental emotion: storm and stillness, turbulence and awe. The pink and lavender skies bleed into golden orange as the last light spills across the sea like forgiveness. It’s a memory of being held by nature in its wildest form—and feeling, strangely, at peace.
Inspired by a real moment witnessed by the artist on the Northumberland coast, where she now lives, the piece is a visual meditation on power, solitude, and the quiet resilience of land meeting water.
Artist’s Statement
This painting began with movement. I could still hear the waves when I picked up the brush. The grasses came last—they’re always there in Northumberland, stoic and windblown, like guardians of the coast. This work is about the light that returns after noise and chaos, about the subtle colours that appear when the world exhales.
I wanted to keep it loose and intuitive. The strokes in the sea are layered but fast, like memory in motion. The fence is skewed and worn, like time. It felt right not to correct it.
Emotional Tone
There is a quiet resilience in After the Stormlight—a feeling of standing in the aftermath of something fierce, and choosing to stay. The colors are warm but not soft, and the scene is open, expansive, as if inviting reflection. It evokes strength, gratitude, and a reverent kind of calm.
Technique & Materials
Crafted using artist-grade acrylics, the piece features textured brushwork and layers of cool and warm tones to evoke the changing light on water. The grasses were painted with expressive drybrush strokes, adding movement and immediacy to the foreground. Finished with a matte archival varnish to preserve its clarity and subtlety.
Styling Suggestions
Perfect for serene, contemplative spaces—especially rooms with natural textures, coastal influences, or earth-toned palettes. Works beautifully alongside driftwood, linen, sea glass, and handmade ceramics. Pairs well with other atmospheric or nature-inspired works that reflect light, mood, and memory.
Laura Bernardeschi Nelson artworld and travels 