A SEASCAPE artist from Newquay has raised £1,800 for charity transforming a retired surfboard into a unique artwork during Boardmasters.

Gemma Lessinger auctioned off the one-of-a-kind collector’s piece via Crowdfunder, with all proceeds supporting Oceana UK, an ocean advocacy charity dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems through science-based policy reform.

She painted the ocean-infused piece of art live over four days during the Rising Tide Festival using textured materials including fibreglass offcuts from a local shaper, ghost fishing nets, rope from Fistral beach, cork scraps, surfboard wax clippings and upcycled fabrics.

The artwork will be featured in a forthcoming episode of the BBC’s Escape to the Country.

Gemma said: “I would like to thank everyone for supporting my project, 'Rising Tide for Oceana' Repurposed Surfboard.

“This board was infused with every element that Fistral threw at me over the four days at Rising Tide Festival, as part of Boardmasters. Rain mottled the ocean blue layers, sun dried off my textured wave foundations and the sea breeze over the clifftop dried the the shimmering turquoise tones added as the final touch.

“I loved sharing its progress with everyone who came by the festival. I am even more grateful for people’s bids into the draw. I am thrilled to have raised £1,800, which is 20 per cent over what I had hoped to raise. I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

“I will be donating the majority of this amount to Oceana UK, as the board was donated to me for free, meaning my costs have been kept to a minimum. I am so pleased to be able to support Oceana UK in their groundbreaking work to help protect our oceans and marine life for generations to come.”