Just dropped off my work for Friday’s Exhibition at the White Moose gallery in Barnstaple, North Devon. Tomorrow’s task to hang all the work from the artists of the Black Arts and get them in line! Al
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Tag Bideford Black
Dark Side Of The White Moose & The Black Arts.
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.
The North Devon Black Arts practising in Pilton.
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
A walk to the Point.
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
To The Blue Ball Inn.
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!
Hatherleigh Festival 2019.
I have just completed four highly enjoyable days at this year’s Hatherleigh Festival and parted with a few paintings. More importantly I’ve met new people, artists and musicians. I’m hoping that the contacts I’ve made here will help further my artistic endeavours in the future. There are so many creative and enthusiastic people here you can see why the town is known as a hub of creativity. I’ve received such positive feedback about my work my confidence can only grow, so if you’ve never visited this wonderful town then do so you’re in for a great surprise. I’d just like to say thanks to Josie, Mick and Alan for your generosity. Al
Braunton Burrows.
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
The Haunted House.
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 road to Cobbaton.
A painting of the road to Cobbaton in North Devon. A dreary wet afternoon and saw this driving towards Cobbaton Combat, a military exhibition/collection which is well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Painted using Bideford Black on handmade paper 400mm x 500mm. I quite liked the wet reflections on the road leading into darkness and a blind corner. I must say I do so prefer the summer. Al
Tarka Trail near Chivenor.
A quick study of the Tarka Trail near Chivenor in North Devon England. Painted using my own sourced and prepared Bideford Black pigment. Loved the dark shadow and highlighted cow parsley on the left of the trail. Still trying to free up my paintwork. Al
Al Brown Multimedia Artist. 