I cycle the North Devon coast regularly and passing this wind blown tree at the top of Down Lane near Woolacombe recalled an old pen and ink drawing I did years ago. Not much has changed except the gate the overgrowth and instead of grazing sheep corn is now grown; I always liked the sheep’s wool hanging off the barbed wire in the ink drawing. The trees are still almost identical this is perhaps due to the strong coastal winds keeping their growth in check.
A painting of Combesgate Beach in North Devon. Acrylic on canvas 810 x 390mm, that’s 32 x 15 1/4″ in old money. Combesgate Beach is special stretch of sand just around the rocks from Barricane Beach near Woolacombe. When the tide is in not much of the beach can be seen, but at low tide, the golden sand, rock formations and views out to sea and Morte Point are breath taking. In the middle of this picture is The Watersmeet Hotel and dotted along the ridge are houses overlooking the view, I also like to surf the wave here on my longboard and it is known a little as ‘an old man’s break’.
A quiet day at Combesgate Beach near Woolacombe in North Devon. With most of the summer visitors gone the beaches have now finally been reclaimed by the locals. We spent the day sitting in the sunshine on Barricane Beach drinking mugs of tea from the beach hut owned by the now locally famous Sri Lankan chef who supplies curries on summer evenings. In a week this curry house will be craned off the beach and stored marking the start of the approaching winter season.
Of course sea glass was found at Barricane but not so much at Combesgate around the corner although the rock formations there were outstanding. It’s on days like these, when you have the beach to yourself, you appreciate living in such a part of world.
In these dismal and often depressing times of dark nights, cold weather and Covid a thought of warm summer beaches wouldn’t go amiss in anyone’s dreams. This is an old acrylic from the past of my twins Archie & Amelia building sandcastles on Woolacombe Beach on a hot summer’s day. A treasured composition in my personal collection.
A large digital painting I’ve been dabbling with on and off for a few years now! Using the app Procreate on my iPad image size 3,915 x 1,690 dpi. This image was captured on a GoPro camera between sets whilst surfing off Combesgate Beach in North Devon. In the distance you can see the back of the break with a few surfers making the most of a kind summer swell.
Below are the three layers I’ve used to create this large image. Once connected the final image is complete.
Above the completed image on the left and on the right just playing with photoshop to exchange the painted sky with a photographic one! Time to now move on as this composition is finally over and dusted. Al
Barricane is a picturesque cove tucked in between the rocks, famous for cowries and other exotic shells sought out by children and adults alike. For many years this secluded beach was a locals secret hidaway but recently the word has got out. In the summer there is a food hut that sells curries and tea in china mugs. Sadly a few visitors and locals alike bestow the beach in rubbish, bottles and discarded BBQs. It was our Secret Heaven!
https://www.albrownartist.com/post/barricane-beach
KOH SAMET
Deep green and distant islands
I have been off Ban Pae Pier.
Where the salt white sands are bleached,
And the water’s crystal clear.
Sweeping shadows of the palm trees,
Open fingers brush the shore.
Band of grey approaching thunder,
Monsoon rain a little more.
Without care for tortured world
We bronzed our thoughts away.
Cosmopolitan games of volleyball,
Oriental Eden made for play.
Beachside huts now mute and toppled,
No more bucks from Uncle Sam.
My friends have now gone elsewhere,
Have they gone to Vietnam?
Korean families with their beach craft,
Who’ve discovered Diamond Sands.
While away their humid moments,
Where a noisy jet ski lands.
My uncovered secret heaven
Was impossible to hide.
Speeding years and aging faces,
From those memories we cried.
Why couldn’t it last forever?
Tearful dreams of carefree days.
Fleeting moments of impermanence,
They’re our lives the Buddha says.
So now it’s time to move along,
Relieved so one pretends.
Now I’ll sit alone and drink awhile,
To the ghosts of dancing friends.
A wonderful walk with friends and another’s Birthday. A walk along the North Devon coastal path from Morthoe to Bully Point and back into the village for some beer n food. Finally on the way home a stop at the top of Woolacombe Hill to watch the hang gliders. The view breath taking as usual. Al
Al Brown Artist. 