Not so far from home, I spent a spring day painting at Mothecombe Beach in the South Hams and got so much more than I bargained for. Loaded up with canvases, paints, my trusty studio easel and a camping stove (tea is always very important) I explored from Lambles Beach on the Erme Estuary around the clifftop South West Coast Path to Mothecombe Beach.
The thing is, whenI’m painting I never get that far before seeing something that I absolutely have to stop and capture. The first peek of the estuary through the blossoming hedgerow – the morning light hitting the headland across the water – the tall trees framing the sea view – the dappled woodland path leading to the beach. It’s all so, so gorgeous here that I could spend forever trying to get it all down on canvas.
A day would never be enough, but I was lucky to be heading back to Mothecombe that weekend for the Rootle Supper Club, the most gorgeous evening hosted by my friends Olivia and Will. All of the food for the dinner is sourced from the local area too, which made it even more special. Highly recommend!
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You’re also more than welcome to make an appointment to come and view the works in my Dartmoor studio.
Tall Trees And Pink Pinks
This is my favourite work from the collection. The first thing you notice when you visit Mothecombe is the tall trees signalling that you’re nearly at the beach. They’re just iconic.
As I walked closer to the shore, I noticed how thick the hedgerows were with different plants, all with their own unique textures and colour palettes.
Painting in spring is such a joy, with so much promise of what’s to come.
100x100cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
SOLD
South Hams Skies Hit Different
I used a lot of oil paint on this canvas to capture the drama of the sky at Mothecombe. The skies here are unlike anywhere else I’ve painted, and I was desperate to get them down in tones of blues and whites.
These skies seem to put your whole life into perspective, reaching out forever.
100x100cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
Sunshine On Lambles Beach
Early morning on Lambles Beach on the Erme Estuary was a dream. At 8am there were only the local dog walkers on their daily loops up and down the sandy shores, rocks jutting out at all angles near the cliffs on either side.
The view across to Red Cove was glorious and I tried my best to get it all down as the sun peeked up over the top of the headland and bathed the whole beach in the most welcome bright spring sunshine.
100x100cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
SOLD
Buttercup Yellow Mothercombe
Painting from Lambles Beach, on the Erme Estuary, I was transfixed by all the different textures. The outgoing tide had left ripples in the sand near where the egrets were feeding at the river’s edge, and the rocky cliffs were blackened with seaweed clinging on through each and every tidal change.
I painted early in the day where freshwater met saltwater, and the rugged cliffs met the calm horizon.
100x100cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
Clifftop Hedgerows Unfurling
After painting at Lambles Beach on the estuary, I hiked the South West Coast Path around the headland to Mothecombe Beach. It was a bit more physical than I’d anticipated with all my paints, canvases and easel in tow, but so worth it.
Beyond the hedgerows on the clifftops I could peek out to the sea, with views across to Red Cove and the horizon beyond.
While some of the trees and shrubs appeared bare at first, as I looked closer I could see them all starting to come back to life after a long winter, unfurling leaves and budding in the warming morning sun.
100x100cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
Remember That Day
After hiking down the steep woodland steps on the coast path I reached Mothecombe Beach, setting up my easel on the sand dunes at the back to capture the full panorama of this glorious place.
From the golden sand to the rockpools, the little stone-built beach house to the tall trees on the headland, it was a scene that’ll stick in my memory for those days when I need to call upon some sunshine.
98x40cm
Mixed media on board
Unframed
Erme Estuary Glimpses
I had arrived early at Mothecombe to paint at sunrise, itching to get at my paints as I walked down the high-banked lane and started to get my first glimpses of the Erme Estuary.
There’s something about the anticipation of going somewhere as beautiful as this, never quite knowing what you might find – even if it’s a place you’ve visited a hundred times.
I just couldn’t wait until I got to the beach to capture it.
50x40cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
SOLD
Spring Path Down To The Estuary
The path down to Lambles Beach on the Erme Estuary is narrow and rather steep, but gives you a teasing glimpse of what’s to come. Early blossom clung to the hedgerow, still allowing a peek out across the sand at low tide.
At the bottom of the path, the rocks strayed from the cliffs, while a grand house or row of houses, no doubt part of the local Flete Estate, stood proud on the hillside ahead, with tall trees standing guard beside it.
46x35cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
Memory Lane
This little painting of Mothecombe Beach reminds me of a postcard sent from a holiday, looking out across the sand to the headland past the beach house.
There was a real warmth to that day painting here, and I so wanted to capture it in all the pinks and peaches and yellows of the sand.
30x21cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
SOLD
Tall Trees Frame The Sea At Mothecombe
The trees are the first thing that felt different, so tall and only leaves right at the top. I could feel the muscles in my hands bring the brush up the canvas in a tall sweeping motion as soon as I saw them.
Muscle memory and painting is a strong thing. I do it so much, like a drummer finding the beat. I’ll paint with my hand in the air or on a surface next to me when I’m thinking through ideas.
30x25cm
Mixed media on canvas
Framed
SOLD
Woodland Canopy On The South West Coast Path
Between the Erme Estuary and Mothecombe Beach there’s a shortish stretch of the South West Coast Path that’s just idyllic. You walk between the twisted old trees on a narrow path that’s anything but flat, often criss-crossed by roots and bordered by bluebells just waiting to burst.
I’d come to Mothecombe to paint seascapes, but I couldn’t help myself but stop here to paint this wonderful tree-lined path, looking through the branches to the sea beyond.
90x70cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
Reserved
Bright Mothecombe
The week after my trip to Mothecombe, when I was back in my studio, I still had all the shapes and colours in my head. I couldn’t shake it until I’d worked up something bigger, so I reached for this huge canvas and unleashed my favourite view from the South West Coast Path onto it.
180x180cm
Mixed media on canvas
Unframed
