Daphne du Maurier’s garden

The finished painting below is of Ferryside which I previously posted as a work in process.

It was the first dwelling belonging to Daphne du Maurier where she wrote her first book The Loving Spirit, published in 1931. The du Maurier’s acquired the former boat yard in 1926.

According to the BBC:

“The building was constructed of local granite in the early 1800s, serving as a shipwright’s workshop, yard and quay, and is an important survivor of Cornwall’s maritime heritage, Historic England said.

After it was bought by the du Mauriers, the original quay was turned into a domestic garden, the sail loft became bedrooms and a bathroom, and the former boat store was changed into the family sitting room.

The Grade II listed status reflects the home’s connection to du Maurier and its wider architectural and historical significance.”

Hope you enjoy my depiction.

Ferryside, Boddinick-by-Fowey by James Presley

Welcome to Plymouth!

I thought I would have a look and see how one of my pics looked in a frame. I think it looks pretty good. I might start selling the prints with frames as well.

So here you go, welcome to my town and welcome to Britain’s Ocean City. If you want a print without frame go on over to my Etsy shop or to my Facebook shop.

Flowers or ice-cream

So, I couldn’t make up my mind what to post about today, so I decided to share both with you. I made both of them anyway. The first is my latest drawing/painting, which is of an old ice-cream van which used to frequent the Barbican in Plymouth. I managed to get the pigment screaming in the colours, so that it almost feels 3D. What do you think?

Ice-cream on the Barbican, Plymouth by James Presley

And the second is some photos of a few flowers in my garden. Also very pigmented. I am so pleased with them, because I decided to start doing a bit of gardening and trying to add more colour to our garden. I was so worried about all the flowers dying off after I had re-potted them, because I have never done this before, or I have but they all just died off. Here they are looking glorious after more than a week. 🙂

AAAARrrrr! There be smugglers.

Jamaica Inn is situated on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. It is said to be renowned in the past with its affiliations with smugglers. It originally began as a coach house or a stop by for tired travellers. I tried to capture a moody sky and dramatic atmosphere as depicted in the book by Daphne du Maurier and film of the same name directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Jamaica Inn by James Presley

It makes for a great visit and a trip back in time to their smuggler’s museum.

The Bright Side

What a great day it was yesterday! We had glorious sunshine and went out for the first time in a very long time for pleasure rather than to do something necessary. You’ll be surprised how such a little trip restores the soul. So my advice is go out, even if for a short trip.

I also managed to finish my next piece which is of my city from the sea. I always think Plymouth has 2 sides. There is the dismal architecture of the city centre which was mostly rebuilt post-war due to it being flattened. At the time of being built I am sure it looked amazing, but with time it has become very grey and a little brutal looking.

The Bank pub and Derry’s Tower (civic centre and multistore in background) By James Presley

The other side is the Barbican and the Hoe, which has a lot more character, with more historic buildings and beautiful views over the inner harbour and Plymouth sound.

Plymouth Hoe seafront By James Presley