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Coastal artist hopes work will create 'connection'

Angela Messenger The artist James Brunt is sitting on his haunches in front of his artwork which is a large circle of stones beginning with very small ones and stretching out to create a large structure. He is a man in his 50s with a grey beard and wearing a blue jumper Angela Messenger
Artist James Brunt had never visited Cambois beach before

An artist who created a stone sculpture which stunned beach visitors says he is "pleased" with the response.

James Brunt, from Sheffield, spent about three hours on 13 January on Cambois beach in Northumberland building a circle, made up of different coloured stones, and a tower.

Regular dogwalkers there described it as "beautiful" and "lovely" and praised the design.

Mr Brunt said: "If one or two people make a connection with my art and perhaps create themselves, then we're going to end up with a happier society."

James Brunt A piece of art made of red leaves and golden leaves in a woodland setting James Brunt
James Brunt makes his art on beaches or in woodlands

Mr Brunt had not created art in Northumberland before, but had meetings in Ashington so decided to explore the beaches nearest to it.

"I'd done a little bit of research and I thought there might be pebbles on the beach at Cambois," he said.

"I never really have a plan, the weather or the tides might dictate what I create."

A coastal artwork made up of hundreds of coloured stones spiralling outwards is pictured on Cambois beach - you can see Lynmouth power station in the distance
The artwork has survived several high tides

Alongside the main sculpture, Mr Brunt also created a tower which he demolished before he left.

"If there's any chance that my art might hurt a dog or something, I don't leave it there," he said.

Angela Messenger A human like figure of stones with large ones at the bottom becoming smaller as the figure grows with a large stone at the topAngela Messenger
James Brunt also constructed a tower of stones on Cambois beach but dismantled it before leaving

It took about three hours to construct both pieces, with "about 30 people" watching as he worked.

"Most of them were quite curious, perhaps because it was my first time there," Mr Brunt said.

"I don't mind a bit of interaction, usually I just get lost in the moment."

James Brunt A sculpture of James Blunt's art on a beach. It is made up of grey stones and is in the shape of a flower using several hundred stones. James Brunt
James Brunt says he rarely plans his art in advance

Mr Brunt says he "eeks out a living" as an artist through workshops and festivals but the pieces he creates in nature are for everyone.

"I create art for myself but if other people like it, well that's a bonus really," he added.

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