Janie Robinson, the creative and managing director of Osea Leisure Park – and an artist – shares how living by the sea has shaped her life
Edited by Amy McPherson | Photography Ella Violet Photography
I often feel as though I was born in the sea. I was raised on a farm beside the coast and am the fourth generation of my family to be entrusted with the stewardship of the coastline that forms part of Osea Leisure Park in Essex. My childhood was spent exploring these landscapes, learning the rhythms of the tides and developing a deep appreciation for the wildlife and habitats that make this stretch of coast so special.
I have always considered myself an artist at heart. My creative practice has evolved from fine art into photography and professional printmaking. The sea is at the centre of everything I create. Whether through the places I help shape or the artwork I create, my aim is always to celebrate and honour that relationship.
I’ve always been brought up to swim in the sea throughout the year. Being in the water, whatever the season, has been a constant throughout my life and has shaped the way I view both the sea and my place within the natural world.
What I love most about the sea is the sense of escapism it offers. It has an extraordinary ability to put life into perspective and remind us we are only a small part of something much bigger.
My relationship with the sea was never something I consciously developed. It was simply there from the beginning, shaping my understanding of home, family and belonging. The coast has always been my constant, and I cannot imagine my life without it.
To find out more about Osea Leisure Park, go to osealeisure.com.
