The power of the sea – storm Ophelia hitting Porthleven

With reports of Hurricane Ophelia causing chaos in America, there was a high chance it’d still be a significant storm by the time it reached us here in the UK. I followed progress reports during the week and thought this could be perfect for photos at Porthleven with waves crashing over the church (something I’d been after for a while).

When I arrived at Porthleven I couldn’t believe the size of the waves.

I’d seen photos of Porthleven during storms before, but assumed some had been ‘photoshopped’ for effect. They hadn’t, the waves really did get that big – immense in fact . . .

I got into position on a ‘safe’ cliff edge overlooking the harbour. Whilst looking for the next big wave to hit the Church Tower or the cliffs, I spotted a monstrous wave heading in. And it just got bigger and bigger . . .

I took hundreds of shots of exactly what I was after – waves over the church etc., but this is the only painting I ever did of that day and nothing to do with the church at all.

This wave scared me. As it hit land, an almighty boom resounded and seconds later, I, along with every other person alongside me got absolutely soaked from the spray of this huge wave exploding against the rocks below us.

It’s difficult to convey the true scale of something that is so three dimensional on canvas and this painting doesn’t do its size any justice, but I think captures the power . . . The power of the sea . . .

A limited edition Giclée print from an original oil painting.