Whatever the time of year, Malta and Gozo’s beaches are a great spot for people-watching, and artist Gulja Holland has taken advantage of that in her most recent set of works, which depict candid scenes from beaches around our island, through the medium of ink and paper. 

“My fondest memories, old and recent, often revolve around the sea,” she says. “I try and get myself down to the beach every other day in summer... I was actually living in London when I began this set, producing these sketches at a time when my nostalgia for the Maltese summer was most poignant.”

Indeed, Malta’s beaches definitely offer characters, views and compositions which would be difficult to come across in London's streets, so Gulja had no choice but to start her sketch collection by using photographs of the beach back home. This works for when the beach is just too far away!

The process of the sketches may begin in pencil, but she often begins with ink straight away and “hopes for the best.”

“I’ve always been more concerned with capturing the emotion rather than the accuracy of details,” she says. 

The ‘from where I was seated’ compositions make you feel like you're sitting in that exact location, and the simple yet effective sketches spare no details from what you would come across on a typical day at the beach; speedos, tattoos, cranes and all. 

Altogether, the sketches have now resulted in a large collection which she continues to work on when she has a moment to spare, either at the beach or in between paintings and other works.

Exiles, Riviera and Ramla Bay are the three beaches which feature the most in her work - locations which she feels she can always turn to as a source of inspiration. “Ramla is my default choice in Gozo for the convenience, the lovely childhood memories, red sand, and guaranteed choice of subjects,” she says.

Alongside her deep appreciation for the beaches around us however, comes a note of caution: “There is a lot to love about the natural beauty of our coasts. The waters are usually pristine, and there really is no better way to spend the day. That being said, the casual littering, pollution level and building of high-rises so close to our coasts decreases the allure. I would like to see less boats coming in so close to the shores too.”

Visit www.guljaholland.com to see more of the artist's beachside sketches.