“Rain At Sea”

Bolberry Down is on the coast of South Devon, also called The South Hams, UK. It's an area of heathland owned, I believe, by the National Trust.

I had the good fortune to spend a week in the South Hams on a sketching trip. It was an exploring, getting‑to‑know exercise, with a view to creating a collection of paintings and prints.

I was intrigued to see a place called Bolberry Down, and decided to visit. Unfortunately, it was the one day during the week when the weather decided to turn 'a bit funny'.

I ended‑up sitting in my car on arrival, hoping and waiting for the sudden cloud burst to stop. It took ten to fifteen minutes for the remnants of the downpour to abate enough to get out of the car.

While I waited, I was privileged to watch a wonderful show unfolding across the scene in front of me. The light out at sea was gripping, as a storm moved across the horizon.

Grabbing my little sketchbook, I made quick, rough sketches of the rapidly changing scene, and this painting is the result of one.

An artist loves all light effects. Whether dark and forboding, or bright and airy. The potential for dramatic landscape art is always huge.

Bolberry Down is an unassuming place, covered with Gorse, at first glance. It's a landscape that reveals it's beauty once explored. When I was there, what I believe to be a visitor centre was under construction.

A short walk to the West reveals a wonderful view of Burgh Island in the distance. That's another painting I hope to create one day.

Then there's the distinctive trees, all windswept, that are dotted over the Down, and then there's… so much inspiration in one place, it's almost overwhelming!