An end of the year exhibition of the Black Arts who are Adrian Beasley, Stephen Raff and myself Al Brown. The exhibition will comprise of wet plate photography by Stephen, black and white landscape and architectural photographs by Adrian and Bideford Black pigment paintings by myself. This event will take place on the 1st November at the White Moose Gallery in Barnstaple 7pm.
A large scale Bideford Black on paper 1020 x 750mm. Another one of my boardwalk black and white paintings. I’ve used a different paper for this composition although due to the make up of this paper scratching and sgrafitto was quite difficult in not impossible at time. I will probable be making prints of this one. Al
Last night I spent an enjoyable evening exhibiting work with photographers Adrian Beasley & Stephen Raff. This event was a preview exhibition for this year’s North Devon Art Trek 2019. The name Black Arts originated from our collective work of black & white photography and Bideford Black paintings.
Throughout the evening Adrian showed his skills in photo editing for which he runs regular weekend courses far and wide. He also performed some electronic music, has numerous albums and performs with the group Airsculpture. Stephen took some traditional wet plate portraits which intrigued the audience greatly. I chatted about my sourcing of the Bideford Black pigment, it’s preparation and usage. For us the evening turned out much better than we had anticipated and we’d like to say a great thanks for those who attended. Al
780 x 550mm Bideford Black on Bockingford Paper. Another painting of my favourite walk down the boardwalk to Crow Point in North Devon. This has been completed just in time for this year’s Art Trek opening evening at the Pilton Arts Group in Barnstaple 12:09:2019. I am sharing this evening with the amazing landscape photographer Adrian Beasley and wet plate photographer Stephen Raff. I will post pictures of this event soon. Al
Back to using my Bideford Black pigment on Bockingford paper 700 x 340mm. This time is a picture inspired from a circular walk from Watersmeet to the Blue Ball Inn at the top of Countisbury Hill. Then onto Lynmouth and back up to where we started our walk.
The Blue Ball Inn was so called because in the late 18th century it was used as a coaching stop. A blue ball used to be raised on a pole to notify the coachmen that someone was in need of passage. It has a history of haunting and highwaymen!
A Bideford Black painting of a humpback whale. 720 x 640mm on Bockingford Paper. Whale image taken from a stock picture and the background completed with salt, sandpaper and masking fluid to create some texture.
Bideford Black painting of the Tarka Trail in North Devon. This is popular with cyclists and walkers alike. Al
Another Bideford Black painting 610 x 350mm on Bockingford paper. This was from an idea by Adrian Beasley Imaging who suggested copying one of his landscape photographs for an upcoming joint exhibition at a local venue. We are both exhibiting black & white landscapes and a comparisonal piece will be interesting. Just a few minor adjustments in the cold light of day but this is it. See you on North Devon Art Trek. Al
The original AB photographic image above and my afternoon’s work beneath. I’ve taped the outside so that when removed it gives a kind of photographic edge to my painting. Al
Last Bideford Black painting for a while. This is of the famous Seafield House at Westward Ho in North Devon. Always love looking at this building with its decay and mystery. Recently a local businessman has purchased this so it will be interesting to see what happens. http://www.westwardhohistory.co.uk/seafield-house/ If you are interested here is a video tour of the inside of this building https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/break-haunted-seafield-house-westward-331933
On the way home from a boozy weekend in Bristol when we approached junction 25. In the distance we could see storm clouds approaching as we left the sunshine of a Sunday afternoon. My wife was driving so I took some pictures on my iPhone. This result was sketched using my own prepared Bideford Black on Bockingford paper. 600 x 340mm. Al
Al Brown Artist. 