My brief for this painting was, 'A view of Trebarwith from down on the beach but it has to have Horse Pool in it' (Horse Pool is a dip in the sand behind a large craggy rock which retains a big pool of water at low tide, perfect for kids to play in without getting swept out to sea! Apparantly named from the days when working quarry horses were stood in the water to keep their hooves cool in summer)
The painting was commissioned by a regular cafe customer, Pete, whose children have grown up playing in Horse pool. He himself loves the sea and I have a lovely memory of watching him jumping over massive waves with enthusiastic abandon like a child! I definitely wanted to put that image into the painting. (He's the chap with dark hair jumping in the waves!) There was a lot of beach to fill so I had fun painting in all the characters, When the painting was nearly complete I sent off a photo of it, asking Pete whether it was what he'd had in mind. I was really sad when he responded saying that it was, but his brother had recently died. He asked if I would I be able to put his brother in the painting too, as they so often went to the beach together with their children. After sending me photos of his brother and his children I was able to add them all to the painting; their children all playing together in Horse Pool and the two brothers jumping waves together. The painting had suddenly become a very personal memorial, both happy and sad at the same time....Pete wanted the painting as a present for his Mum. I hope it inspires happy memories x
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