High Tide at Polly Joke is an original acrylic painting by acclaimed Cornish artist John Dyer, inspired by one of Cornwall’s most beautiful and unspoilt beaches on the north coast.
The painting was created en plein air whilst John was camping at Polly Joke in his Land Rover Defender camper, allowing him to spend several days immersed in the landscape. Swimming, sketching and painting from dawn until dusk, he captured not only the appearance of the cove but also its relaxed atmosphere and the simple pleasures of a Cornish camping adventure.
Looking across the golden sands towards the turquoise waters at high tide, the composition celebrates the timeless appeal of Polly Joke. Families paddle in the shallows, swimmers enjoy the clear sea, sailing boats drift beyond the headlands and playful gulls glide overhead. The foreground is filled with the wild coastal flowers that bloom around the beach during the summer months, creating a natural frame for this much-loved Cornish landscape.
Above: Cornish artist John Dyer working en plein air at Polly Joke Beach, capturing the brilliant summer light, colour and essence of the bay in ‘High Tide at Polly Joke Beach’, a 12 × 10 inch original acrylic painting on canvas.
Rather than producing a literal record of the view, John Dyer has distilled the feeling of spending a perfect summer’s day at Polly Joke. The painting evokes warm sunshine, crystal-clear water, wildflowers, sea air and the happiness of time spent outdoors, reflecting the artist’s enduring belief that a painting should capture the essence and memory of a place.
Measuring 12 x 10 inches, this original acrylic on canvas is a highly collectable work by one of Cornwall’s best-loved contemporary artists. It is both a celebration of Polly Joke and a visual diary of a memorable camping expedition along the Cornish coast.
Item Information
| Description |
Framed Original Painting |
| Artist |
Cornish Artist John Dyer (born 1968) |
| Signed by the Artist |
Signed by John Dyer |
| Painting size |
12 x 10 inches |
| Medium |
Acrylic on canvas |
| Framed size |
17.5 x 15.5 inches |
| Frame type |
The St Ives style picture frame is a Renaissance-inspired cassetta frame, Italian for 'little box', featuring a white stain finish that highlights the wood grain. With a 73mm wide profile and 39mm depth, it creates a recessed central panel, perfect for a timeless, contemporary and elegant display of the painting. |
| Ready to hang |
Strung with picture cord and ready to hang |