A painting in Bideford Black of Roborough Hill in North Devon. During this lockdown time I’ve been trying to find a quiet cycle route for my daily exercise. I’ve found this place at the top of a very steep Roborough Hill. From here the view is amazing with a panorama out over Barnstaple. I’m also quite pleased that I can cycle this hill in my main cog at the grand old age of 62 lol. This is painted on Bockingford paper and the image size in 640 x 410 mm.
Another Bideford Black painting this time of Roborough Hill ten minutes from where I live. I cycle all the way up to the top where you get some sensational panoramic views out over Barnstaple and the River Taw! Early stages at the moment. Al
Bideford Black pigment on 250lb Bockingford Paper. After a warm cycle ride around the Marsh in Braunton I’ve decided to paint this Linhay yet again. Stormy sky and an even more stormy time for everyone regarding the present Covid conditions. I thought the dark foreboding nature of this paint and subject to be quite apt! Al
An acrylic on 1000 x 700mm canvas. Inspired by an isolated walk over Dartmoor during the early part of the Corona Virus Pandemic. My son and I visited the moor with hand sanitiser and kept well away from the few people that where there. This is of Littaford Tors near Wistman’s Woods. I have added the devil blowing an ill wind from the inspiration of that day! Al
The finished large acrylic painting on 1000 x 700 mm canvas of those wonderfully ‘War of the Worlds’ cranes on the dockside in Bristol. The base colours are down just to get rid of the white canvas. I grid out with a white pastel pencil to roughly scale and draw out the main images. I now use photo-shop Adobe to mix my own images alter colours and compositions. It’s a little like preliminary sketches for the main event, it’s quite good for changing overall ideas though! This has taken longer than anticipated and perhaps has lost a little spontaneity! Al
The completion of a large 48 x 20″ panorama on gesso primed panel. An acrylic of Castle Rock at The Valley of Rocks near Lynton in North Devon. Love the rugged coastline and rocks here. Climbed here too! The Devil’s Cheesewring is a rock outcrop which stands on a slope leading to the famous Castle Rock. Al
I’m still in the painting and creativity doldrums so today I forced myself to sit down and take two hours to paint a picture. Not necessarily for sale but just to start the juices flowing again. Well I’m not there yet but at least it’s a start in 2020.
Last week I decided to cross over from Devon into Somerset and first visit Porlock (by the way Mrs Jackson’s Victorian Tearooms homemade crumpets are to die for) and then to complete a circular walk around Bossington Hill. This is a wonderful winter’s scene I saw in full sunlight. Al
https://www.albrownartist.com/post/the-view-from-bossington-hill
Another trip out to the old Dairy Crest building in Taddiport, nr Torrington, North Devon! My son Archie required more pictures for his end of term exams and here we were. I managed to chat to one of the grafitti artists at work here as he prepared another wall for a composition! There is some fantastic work here so if you’re near pop in and have a look at North Devon’s most original Contemporary Art Installation! Al
Well it’s the end of a rather busy year with many new friends and contacts made. I’ve broadened horizons and am very appreciative to the people who’ve visited my exhibitions and purchase some of my artistic anxieties!
I’d like to thank Josie Lloyd for inviting me to the wonderful Hatherleigh Festival and to Alan Beaman for allowing me to exhibit at Commerce House, see you next year as a visitor. Love staying in Hatherleigh, a special place!
Than you to Peter Stiles and the Plough Arts Centre for allowing me to exhibit on your artist’s wall. Perhaps one day upstairs?
Thanks to Stella Levy for the encouragement, to North Devon Art Trek and allowing me to be part of the final night at the White Moose Gallery, a sad loss to North Devon!
A special thank you to Adrian Beasley for arranging and providing some forward drive with regard photography and art exhibitions.
To the Pilton Arts Group for allowing me to exhibit during the North Devon Art Trek!
To the Burton Gallery in Bideford for choosing me to be a small part of their Christmas Exhibition.
Finally, a great thank you for the encouragement, purchases and positivity from everyone who knows me and my work. Not too sure what 2020 will bring but hopefully more of what happened in 2019! Al
An acrylic sketch on gesso panel 400 x 300mm of a warm Autumn evening on the River Taw in North Devon. After an enjoyable cycle around the area I spotted a kingfisher off the slipway on Barnstaple Quay. On returning home I came across this view! The original image is more subtle in colour and tone. This is probably my last image of 2019! Al
Al Brown Artist. 