Latest News and Progress

12 December 2016

On show: The Great Mewstone

As mentioned in a previous blog post, Maxine, who runs the Gallery Project at Noss Mayo has several of my originals on show at the moment. One of those is today’s featured painting with The Great Mewstone rising out of the sea while tide, wind, and currents scar the sea surface with competing patterns. It is hard to take in the distant shores of Cornwall.

What’s my connection with The Mewstone?

Not a pleasant one, unfortunately! On my first visit to the Yealm with two sailing chums, I was persuaded to accompany them to the Mewstone by boat. I thought we were going to moor up and explore … but no, they wanted to dive and try out their harpoons and needed me to stay on board while we were anchored for safety purposes.

As I hadn’t come along with a wetsuit and they had, I agreed. About 40 minutes later, they returned with their harpoons but no fish or lobster to be seen. However, I had changed colour! I had discovered seasickness. It took several pints for me to find my ‘land legs’!

Where can you see this painting?

The Great Mewstone is on display at The Gallery Project, in Noss Mayo. This light, contemporary space provides the perfect setting to showcase art and craft from South Devon and is open now, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 5pm, until 23 December.

Where is The Gallery Project, in Noss Mayo?

The Gallery Project is in The Revelstoke Room, next to the Village Hall.

Post code: PL8 1EN

Tel: 01752 873150

5 December 2016

On show: Low Tide at Newton Ferrers

The Beacon House Gallery is closed for refurbishment until next spring, and the Salcombe Art Club exhibition space is now being used for classes, but you can still see my original paintings on show in various galleries in the South Hams.

One such opportunity is at The Gallery Project, in Noss Mayo. This light, contemporary space provides the perfect setting to showcase art and craft from South Devon and is open now, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 5pm, until 23 December.

Maxine, who runs the Gallery Project has several of my originals on show, and one of those is Low Tide at Newton Ferrers.

I live in Salcombe. What am I doing, painting scenes of Newton Ferrers?

It was probably in the late 1960s that I was introduced to the two villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. I spent many happy holidays there and still have friends living there.

The Ship Inn (and other venues) offer excellent food with wonderful views. So, it’s a treat to venture away from Salcombe now and then and to enjoy such picturesque scenes.

Last summer, Anne and I, on two separate occasions, took house guests in that direction. Once I start taking photos, it’s not long before I’m compelled to start painting … and those two visits explain the recent crop of paintings of Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers.

Why paint the boathouse?

Low Tide at Newton Ferrers depicts a prominent luxury boathouse as viewed from Noss Mayo. Its setting is idyllic!

Beyond the boathouse, we can see the tops of masts and sails of crafts finding their moorings in the river Yealm.

Better to ask why not paint the boathouse?

Where is The Gallery Project, in Noss Mayo?

The Gallery Project is in The Revelstoke Room, next to the Village Hall

Post code: PL8 1EN

Tel: 01752 873150

28 November 2016

SNAP! Mist at Calstock Viaduct

Inevitably, in the winter time, poor weather forces me to delve into my stock of inspirational photographs and I usually restrict myself to my own snaps. Not so, in the case of Mist at Calstock Viaduct.

During one of our regular catch-ups over lunch, a dear friend (who will remain nameless!) related a story of a boat expedition on the Tamar and drew my attention to the beautiful sight which he and his wife had witnessed – and photographed: a superb misty dawn while they moored up alongside Calstock Viaduct.

I loved the image and, with my friend’s permission, I took the opportunity of interpreting the scene.

Painting a watercolour of the Mist at Calstock Viaduct – and capturing the atmosphere – was hard work. Not one to give up, and since I enjoy the challenge of putting aside say watercolour or oil and, instead, seeing how acrylics respond to an image, I produced another artwork and was much happier with the acrylic version of this wonderful structure.

For the joy of painting this image, I have both my photographer friend to thank, and Brunel the engineer, who designed the viaduct.