A day at Speke’s Mill Mouth Beach. What a wave and a few surfers enjoying a useful swell. After the long walk and a scramble down a steep path with their boards the reward was an uncrowded local wave. Ideal conditions!
A WAVE AT SPEKE’S MILL.
Tag northdevon
Hercules over Saunton Sands.
Whilst walking around Croyde and Saunton searching for a little artistic inspiration I noticed fire tenders from RAF Chivenor on Saunton Beach. On enquiry I discovered that a Hercules C130J was going to practise take off and landings. After a few cups of tea and then venturing down the beach I witnessed the wonderful spectacle of a Hercules undergoing Tactical Operations. From my photographs taken that evening I’ve painted this acrylic on canvas impression. Canvas size 36 x 36″. Al
Below are a few paint palette abstracts used during the painting of this image.
Over the pebble ridge.
Over the pebble ridge. An acrylic painting of the walkway over the ridge at Westward Ho beach in North Devon. 610 x 610mm.
Every year groups of locals used to throw the pebbles back onto the ridge to maintain the water defences. This was known as Potwalloping. The term ‘potwallopers’ has been in existence since 1725 and is an alteration of the word ‘Potwaller’ (1701) which meant a man who qualified for a parliamentary vote as a householder in some boroughs in England prior to 1832. The test being his having a separate fire-place on which food was cooked for himself and his family.
In the ancient manor of Northam (which includes what was to become Westward ho!) a potwalloper had the right to graze their animals on the Burrows, but in return they had to help retain the pebble ridge by annually assisting in throwing back the pebbles that had been thrown onto the Burrows by the winter storms and high tides.
This annual ceremony disappeared after a time but is now still undertaken from time to time. From westwardhohistory.co.uk
Croyde Bay
Croyde Bay. Acrylic on panel 600 x 600mm. Caught sight of the sun breaking through the spring foliage and loved the play of light on the grass. This is a view you would see if you left Ruda Holiday Park and walked through the back way to the Thatch Pub in Croyde Village. Haven’t painted for about three weeks and found this a little warm up painting for another large Glastonbury painting! Al
Blue Pyramid.
Just another large 100 x 100cm canvas with oils. This time on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival. I don’t think that oils are quite my forte so I will probably return to acrylics. Oddly enough the previous Red Pyramid, and this Blue Pyramid are of the same band on different festivals 2011 & 2016. Al
Road to Bishops Tawton.
Another painting inspired from a trip to the back and beyond of Bishops Tawton nr Barnstaple, North Devon. Just love that stark winter light and reflections in the puddles on the roadside. Experimenting with a muted palette here consisting of Paynes Grey, Coeruleum Blue, Yellow Green, Raw Umber, Titanium White, Flesh Tint & Raw Sienna. Just can’t wait for that spring warmth and sunshine to arrive. Mixed media of acrylic and pencil on gesso board 610 x 610mm. AL
The Tunnels Beach.
A commissioned pen and ink drawing of the tunnels beach in Ilfracombe, North Devon. Now with it’s happy owner in Birmingham. More information can be found on their website http://www.tunnelsbeaches.co.uk/. It’s a wonderful suntrap of a beach with a natural rock swimming pool. If you’re ever in Ilfracombe on a sunny day then it’s certainly worth a visit. Al
Al Brown Multimedia Artist. 