Porthleven in Cornwall is famous for the mighty waves that roll into the south-west facing harbour entrance and sea defenses. 'Storm wave' captures the moment such a wave crashes into the old lifeboat station which clings to the steep side of the craggy coast, projecting into the deep channel leading to the port.
I spent a week in autumn painting in this amaziing building at the interface between the turbulent sea and wild weather - so inspiring!
The road to the old lifeboat station hugs the contours of the headland passing above the building providing a bird's eye view of the steepl pitched roof and steps down to the entrance. It is fringed with windswept plants and looping telephone wires adding to the feeling of exposure.
To capture the impressive energy of the storm wave I used a large brush loaded with paint to create the dynamic, energetic mark of the wave, finished with a sharp downwards movement to create the spray and froth.  Scratchy lines and marks  provide a loose representation of the vegetation on the headland and, along with the autumnal colours, contrast with the fluid, blue marks of the sea and wave.
The painting is framed in a simple, off white frame.