Painting “The Way to Prawle Point”
Studio Painting – Oil on Canvas
It was my first day in Devon. I rounded a corner on the way to Prawle Point, and could not believe my eyes: I was looking at this oil painting
How this painting brings back so many happy memories. I spent a glorious week on a busman's painting trip in the South Hams, in Devon, UK
I'd never been to Devon before, and on my first day-out I struck gold. Travelling down a narrow lane, I saw a landscape in front of me that was complete. It had the two trees as painted and a distant pleasure boat exactly where I've painted it. An idyllic blue-blue sea glinted in the distance! Perfection.
It was April and to my delight, there were Bluebells everywhere. I have a dear friend who's Devon born, and she swears this painting could be of nowhere else. I'm inclined to agree after the week I spent there – it's a place like no other.
The distinctive narrow sunken lanes were a revelation to this Yorkshire lass, and a little unnerving at first. We do sunken lanes here is Yorkshire quite well, though they're sunken because of the dry stone walls. In Devon, the lanes are sunk into the earth.
Visiting Prawle Point, the most southerly part of the county, is quite an experience altogether. A long twisting and narrow lane leads to a car park that feels like it's in the middle of nowhere and is never ever crowded.
Popping out of the wood where the car park is, is a delight of discovery with views up the coast. The coast guard station sitting high on Prawle Point itself is revealed, and that's a painting for another day.
Walking up and down the coast presents a feast of spectacular scenery around every corner. As a result – you've possibly guessed – I've several paintings inspired by the wonderful day I spent at prawle Point. They're waiting patiently, though quietly nagging me to paint them.
Ah, Devon, I long to come back.