How the Devon
Beach Series was painted
It’s Thursday 12 June 2008,
midway through my vacation break in Devon, England. Early in the morning
I fill my backpack with paints and brushes and drive out to Hartland Point
on the Devon’s northwest coast. A 19th century lighthouse marks the exposed
peninsula. Rolling grassland pastures break off in jagged cliffs and tumble
down to meet the Atlantic Ocean swell. I scramble down a sheep’s path to
an isolated rock outcrop, spread out my painting materials, and spend the
day immersed in the wildness of that beautiful place where ocean meets
shore.
Devon Hartland Point coast looking
north
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Devon Hartland Point coast looking
south
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Devon ridges dance
with the sea
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Devon rocks and sea from above
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How do I start my painting?
I begin by simply being present. It’s about awareness. I feel the bracing
strong wind chilling my arms, the bright sun countering with warmth. I
savor the smell of the sea - salt water and tidal pools. The sound of the
surging surf against the rocks produces a rhythm of deep-bass thunder and
the high pitch scurrying of water and shells. As I stand on the ledge taking
this all in, prayers of gratitude for existence well up inside me, “Thank
you Jesus.” I seek to see through the eyes of the Creator God. The painting
experience is not merely a recording of a scene, it’s more like an exploration
of awareness recorded in colour and form.
Devon beach pattern
series 1
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Devon beach pattern
series 2
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Devon beach pattern
series - breaking waves
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Devon rocks - breaking waves
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I know it’s time to start painting,
when the scene comes alive with significance. Rather than just a nice coastal
scene I see the interaction of the sea, wind, and rocky shore. In the wind
whipping up the sea spray against the slate grey of the rock outcrops,
I feel the breathing rhythm of the sea between the long fingers of the
shore. The translation of experience into image begins. Quick pencil sketches
capture ideas. Time disappears. I paint six images. The acrylic sketch
“Hartland Point coast looking south” is such an example.
Back in my London studio,
the Devon series of paintings takes shape. The interplay between the heaving
sea and long slate fingers of rock feature in “Devon ridges dance with
sea” and “Triplet”. The paintings move in and out of abstraction as particular
themes are explored in the series. I let my imagination run in “Devon,
dreaming out to sea.” There are several large scale paintings now in process,
each building on the previous body of work. I don’t yet know where the
series will conclude.
Artist
website: www.jamietreadwell.com
Visit my website for updates on the new paintings, and view over 40
paintings in the October “Earth & Water” Exhibition which is being
held in London with sculptor Marianne Kantert. The exhibition runs from
17-30 October 2008 These paintings will be for sale in connection with
the exhibition. |
