Looking again at significant marks in the area of Plymouth Sound,
I recollected the first time that I sailed close to and between the breakwater
and the fort. It seemed an ominous and powerful experience, the bulky, dark
strength of the stone fort structure closely pinned in by the long. linear
stretch of the encroaching low breakwater wall. I went back recently to observe
the features in more detail in the hope that I might convey my initial
sensations in painterly form.
A couple of years ago I focused in on
the Mallard Shoal Beacon, not far from the Hoe foreshore, as a visual subject
for painting. There was something aesthetically poignant in its form which led
me to consider producing a series of images based on the other white beacons
which surround the waters of the Sound. Withyhedge, near Jennycliff and Tinside
below the old aquarium on the water-front offered the readiest access and after
taking photographs, exploring sketch-book experiments I opted to begin my
efforts with a depiction of the Tinside beacon, a cables length distance from
the Mallard Beacon.
One year ago I produced a mixed media image, combining painting
and lino-print, to portray Lizard Point, employing a scaled up study of an
admiralty chart to define the coastal outline, sea contour depth markings and hazard
warnings. This formed a backdrop for over-painting with imagery to suggest the
wild and perilous waters that break on its submerged rocks while rolling
towards the craggy shore. Recently I decided to revisit the topic but on a
slightly larger scale and using my re-cycled Kevlar sail cloth.
