A painting of the road leading from Heanton to Ashford in North Devon. Through the summer I’ve cycled this route many times and loved how the tree’s shadows dance on the tarmac. Sadly this painting is very difficult to photograph to show the depth of layers and softness! Acrylic on 800 x 600mm canvas. Al
whilst cleaning my studio work station, it was once used as an anaesthetic trolley, I came across this old sketchbook which was used whilst I was a registered nurse. It shows theatre life a few years back at The North Devon District Hospital. I am now retired.
A very personal picture of which I’ve been thinking of for a while. It is of my late wife Donna’s hand as I held it during our last few days at The North Devon Hospice earlier this year. The kindness and love given to us there I will never forget.
A series of pen and ink drawings made during the pandemic in 2020. These are nurses and ODPs (operating department practitioners) who worked with me at The North Devon District Hospital.
I’m returning to paint and narrative with this composition of the late Syd Barrett one of the founding members of the band Pink Floyd. I’ve wanted to paint him for sometime when this image appeared on the net it was just the thing I was looking for. I think this is an image from his later life when poor mental health had taken its toll. It must have been a terrible ordeal of regret to see his original band grow and become successful!
I am now going to leave this composition to let it settle in my mind before finishing it. I’ve added some text via photoshop to play with an idea but just to add, this is not a complete painting by no means! Al
Now there’s a look in your eyes
Like black holes in the sky,
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom
Blown on the steel breeze,
Come on you target for faraway laughter
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr and shine.
A few old sketchs from my past. Above is a pencil sketch of a Tibetan prayer wheel drawn whilst living in Kathmandu Nepal, this I obtained and now resides in a cabinet in my studio.
Below, the first is a pen and ink drawing of where we lived in Bradiford North Devon and on the distant hill you can see the Upcott Folly. The next pen and ink is of Barnstaple Parish Church where my wife and I were married over 37 years ago. The third is of Tarr Steps a medievel clapper bridge in the Exmoor National Park a particular favourite walk of ours. The walk from Withypool to the pub at Tarr Steps is wonderful during the summer and offers opportunities for wild swimming.
The start of a sunflower composition! I’ve recyled this 36 x 36″ canvas from a previous composition; I’ve merely turned the canvas around, restretched and primed it for this painting! I think every painter should attempt sunflowers at least once! Al
A few more pen & ink drawings from the past including various North Devon scenes. All drawn on Fisk draughting film and using Staedler mapping pens although now I prefer to use traditional nib or Unibal pens. Please click on an image to see it in full resolution! Al
It’s been a while since I’ve put brush to canvas, the last time being January, so I’ve been taking iPhone pictures wherever I go to try and gain some inspiration. Today I cycled down the Tarka Trail from Barnstaple to Instow and was immediately taken with the seasonal poppies.
Along the trail lie various beach side huts, most of them were surrounded with blood red flowers. I remember them flowering here when I was a boy and wherever I see them they always remind me of Instow. With the sun high in the blue sky I was taken with this blue beach house and the contrasting poppies, I’m sure at some point this image will inevitably be used for a painted composition. I’m presently still not painting but instead playing the guitar so at least some creativity is being done! Al
Whilst cleaning my Mother’s kitchen I came across this old business card of mine from the 80s. This was way back when we had five figure telephone numbers.
Al Brown Artist. 