The new year provided a perfect opportunity to sit down and focus on creating some new work. The latter part of 2023 was so busy with the run up to Christmas and all the market events and excitement that I simply could not catch my breath long enough to relax and get drawing again.

In September we had enjoyed a lovely family day at Bellever Forest - such a popular location with kids playing in the river, dogs enjoying themselves and families picnicking. It’s so popular that it’s a good idea to walk away from the madding crowds either up or down the river to find the secluded spots, different viewpoints, and you’ll often spot the Dartmoor ponies grazing too.

In the depths of January it’s hard to remember the golden sunlight and warmth that made us paddle in the river, but it did happen! It was glorious. I spent some time that day walking along the river from the clapper bridge (ancient granite stone bridges found in many parts on Dartmoor) and the medieval road bridge alongside it, downriver to quiet spots where the ponies were grazing with several pregnant mares ready to pop.

I took a load of photos of angles and views that I wanted to capture, and I’m finally doing it now. I’ve created four illustrations of Bellever so far, all available as art prints in my shop now, perfectly accompanying my existing Dartmooor artworks. I’ve focused on the angles that I find create such interesting views, the rocks, stones and bridges, and the juxtaposition of the enormous conifer woods that tower over the carpet of grass and the river, creating such interesting reflections.

I have another illustration featuring the Dartmoor ponies I observed on my route in progress at the moment, and I’ll be sure to continue developing my Dartmoor series as 2024 progresses. See the new Bellever art prints here in the shop.

PS: never feed Dartmoor ponies! The food may well be dangerous for them, they don’t need it, and feeding them encourages them to stray on to roads and car parks, causing accidents and deaths of ponies, including foals. Just enjoy them from a distance and keep dogs on leads. Thank you!

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