A mysterious place is The High Moor. These images have been photoshopped after a visit to the Chapman Longstone above Challacombe Exmoor, Somerset.
The Chapman Longstone is the tallest prehistoric standing stone on Exmoor. The landscape around the Longstone contains extensive archaeological remains dating from the Neolithic (5000 years ago) until recent times. Aside from the Longstone, the Chapman Barrows, a linear barrow cemetery, demonstrates the significance this landscape had for Exmoor’s Bronze Age people. A group of standing stones known as the quincunx, due to its arrangement of five stones, is also found within this area. Nearby a long enclosure, possibly dating to the Neolithic period, suggests the importance of this area even before the first Bronze Age barrow builders. Occupation of a farmstead at Radworthy, on the Challacombe side of the Chapman Barrows may have begun before the Norman Conquest and continued into the post-medieval period.
Paracombe Village Longstone Landscape website.
On the left the famous West Anstey Longstone and right the Chapman Longstone with the Longstone Barrow on the horizon. This longstone or menhir marks the source of the River Bray.
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. 
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
An acrylic on gesso panel of the River Torridge looking toward Appledore. A couple of years ago we had a wonderful summer and the waters around our coast became crystal clear. This was painted from an iPhone picture whilst taking the Instow Ferry to a beer festival across the water. As we left Instow Quay we immediately saw throught the clear water to the bottom with fish swimming by. A great memory and a great night at the Appledore Hall 400 x 400mm.
An experiment in acrylic painting techniques that I’ve discovered on Youtube. The use of paper dabbing, ragging, sgraffito and sandpaper, I’ve even used a surgical scalpel. The aim is to created many transparent layers to great depth and texture. This image is a view from the top of Saunton Hill looking out over Saunton Sands and on to the distant Westward Ho. You get that wonderful glow of cadmium yellow Gorse flowers during the year which is always a striking scene. This painting is a mixed media using acrylic, wax and watercolour pencils. The surface is an MDF panel measuring 400 x 400mm covered in a coarse gesso brushwork. It’s been a fun day. Al
A pen and ink sketch/drawing of the lovely village Bradiford in Barnstaple, North Devon. We lived there for twenty three years and our cottage was the third one down on the left hand side. I used to walk with my twins out towards Manning’s Pit a wonderful stretch of countryside with idyllic stream called Bradiford Water. Sadly this is now in danger of crude development for housing. A very sad loss to the community if planning goes ahead. Al
Another painting in Bideford Black paint with some added sgraffito, picture size 610 x 440mm on Bockingford paper. This was painted after a visit to Crow Point in North Devon. After driving along a toll road you park and walk along this boardwalk to the point where you usually get the beach to yourself. This beach gives you wonderful views of Instow, Appledore and Westward Ho due to its position at the entrance to both Torridge and Taw Estuaries. Spend many happy times here building driftwood fires and watching the sunsets. Al
I’m very pleased to have a mention in The Gazette this week with regard to the North Devon Art Trek 2019. Please check out their site and see what North Devon has to offer. I was so pleased with last year’s open studio weeks that I shall be doing the same this year. Al
Al Brown Artist. 