This is my version inspired by Buckham’s work of Spitfires over the US Assault Training Centre concrete landing craft on Braunton Burrows. These concrete structures, were laid during the World War 2 by the Americans when practising for the D Day Landings on Omaha and Utah by 146th Eng, Co C, 1st Platoon. Al
I’ve been looking recently at the old 1920s aerial photographs by Alfred G. Buckham. I loved looking at his pictures in old faded books when I was a child and marvelled at their imagination and camera angles, I later understood that they were actually skilful photo-montages.
Alfred was born in London on 6 November 1879. He began his career in photography in 1905 and joined the RAF as a reconnaissance photographer in 1917. He became the first head of aerial reconnaissance for the Royal Navy, in the First World War and later a captain in the Royal Naval Air Service.
Buckham was involved in 9 crashes, 8 of which saw him relatively unscathed. After the ninth, however, he had to have a tracheotomy and breathed through a small pipe in his neck for the rest of his life. Despite this, he carried on his aerial photography career, often in very perilous conditions. He felt the best shots were made standing up, writing “If one’s right leg is tied to the seat with a scarf or a piece of rope, it is possible to work in perfect security”.
Hawker Hurricane over the Linhay on the Marsh!
Many thanks to Adrian Beasley Imaging for these initial prints of one my paintings Hercules over Saunton, painted earlier in the year. Hercules practicing landing and take offs on Saunton Beach in North Devon.
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. 
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
On a cold wet Sunday it’s time to say in and paint something from the summer to warm me up. This is an acrylic on canvas painting 500mm x 600mm of the trail that leads from the wonderful Croyde Beach, in North Devon. The walk eventually leads to the famous local Thatch, a popular pub in the village of Croyde. Al
Back to a little Pen & ink just to change the tempo for awhile. Midday at Bucks Mills a picturesque village on the North Devon coast in England. This leads down to a stoney beach where in bygone time there used to be a small harbour and limekilns. With a little licence i’ve added a few cow parsley plants to liven things up. The cabin in the middle of the picture is owned by the National Trust and used to be an artist’s retreat. Still used today although not as a residence.
Al Brown Artist. 