A straight forward landscape of what I think is an idyllic place – Three Cliffs Bay – Mind you I have only been there when it’s sunny.
The castle overlooks a bay that I think has been voted “Top Beach in Britain”. A fairly precious bit of an accolade, I think. There are many places that would beg to differ. At least two other beaches on the same Gower peninsular give Three Cliffs Bay a run for its money and just wait till you get to the Pembroke coast!
I have spent many wonderful holidays on the Gower and Three Cliffs Bay has never been a disappointment. Why? Well, it is difficult to reach. You can only walk to the beach and it’s about half a mile from a car park. This deters many, making crowds rare especially as the beach is not sign-posted and the walk is a bit of a trek. The beach creates a pleasant sense of solitude and a feeling of exclusivity. The place has everything sand, rock pools, cliffs and even a little river. There is also an exciting sense of danger. The incoming tide can and sometimes does catch you out. Often I and the family bickering furiously have had to wade waist deep through the sea to get back to the car park. It doesn’t spoil the magic of the place though and there’s even a little shop at the head of the valley. Ah bless.
Anyway that is enough of me writing dreadfully bad copy for the Welsh Tourist Board. Why did I paint this watercolour? I can’t use nostalgic reasons as the painting was finished before I came fully to know the place. The main motivation was practice. I have tried to capture in the painting the texture and colours of the vegetation. I like also the sense of isolation the view gives. There is also a pun in that the “castle” is not even that, it never was. It’s just a section of glorified wall and the image in the painting is a trick of perspective.
All that justification aside the main reason for the painting is well, it’s Wales and it’s not raining.
If you wish to purchase more than 10 copies of this print, please contact me via the contact page to request a quote.