Old Oak Carmarthen

The watercolour above is of the Old Oak in Carmarthen which used to be at the end of Priory Street.
The remnants are now in the Museum. The picture is made up from several sources including what is present today although several of the buildings on the right have gone. It is a departure form my normal style but I  enjoyed doing it and finished it this morning.
Yesterday evening  Maria our daughter in law came around as I was examining Mare Crisium (the Sea of Crises) through my telescope. She breezed over, looked up at the large shiny object in the night sky, peered through the telescope and declared " Oh, is that the moon then?". You have to wonder at the marvel that is the Irish Education System.
The trouble is you don't actually know when she is pulling your leg or serious. A real mischievous and lovely girl just like her daughters.

Porth Madoc

The watercolour above is of Snowdon from Porth Madoc. This is or was a popular view in the 19th century and was the subject of many well known artists at the time. In consideration of their work I hope I have done it some justice. Anyway the painting was done a few years back on one of our annual holidays up North.

Today I waked the dog went to the gym did the drawing for a painting of Carmarthen Oak and started the work. I also went shopping for my mother with Alex.

Have you noticed how many men wander around supermarkets without a basket or trolley looking aimlessly around? They are having that draining experience of shopping with wives or partners. Alex for example will spend an inordinate amount of time looking, checking, considering  which is the newest, which is the best and then when she has chosen we will move away from the trolleys into the Supermarket. Nothing is done without complete consideration. I of course will go in and grab the first item I need and be queuing to pay having spent the minimum amount of time and money. Of course I invariably get something out of date or from the wrong region and have to suffer that withering look and slow shaking of the head.
No shopping is a serious business and one that men should not be allowed to partake in. ( Is that sexist or just plain fact?). Probably both!

Anyway rugby on tonight and off to watch the Scarlets tomorrow after finishing the painting.

Ferryside

The oil painting above is one I did today of Ferryside from Llansteffan beach. There is a rock that sits in the middle of the main channel between Ferryside and Llansteffan. This is marked by the barrel post a navigation mark. It is just a pole these days but one would assume that it originally was a pole with an inverted barrel on top. The two village's were connected by a ferry boat until just after the second world war. This was a run from  Ferry Point up river from Llansteffan Village Green. Of course it was nothing sophisticated a good rowing boat.
Talking of rowing boats " Big Bill" the well known restaurateur (Yr Hen Dafarn Llansteffan) and fisherman used to keep his rowing boat moored off Llansteffan Beach. It was not unknown for him to moor it in the river and swim to the beach. He is quite a character and an excellent chef but you had better like eating a good meal,  great fresh food and lots of it. I print a sample review below.

“Amazing 5 Star food and service! A little gem!”

Reviewed 13 June 2011

Yr Hen Dafarn, or Big Bills as its called in the village, really is a find! A fantastic restaurant with amazing food. Fresh seafood, amazing game and beautiful home cooking. Its such a treat. Every time we go down to wales, its on our must go list. We always book a table and have never been disappointed. 

St David's Abergwili

The watercolour above is of St Davids Church in Abergwili. I know the church quite well. One of our grandsons was christened there. It is actually quite hard to get a good view of the church. This often the case with churches. They tend to be surrounded by trees which may or may not be in need of some good pruning.
This is where a painting has the advantage over a photograph as the artist can easily remove the odd tree.

Llanfihangel Abercywyn

I did the watercolour of St. Michaels Church at Llanfihangel Abercywyn this morning. It is a pretty little church 2 miles Carmarthen side of St Clears. It is not particularly old being built in 1847 but very striking nevertheless.
I have passed the church numerous times whilst going along the main dual carriageway and have thought it would be a worthy subject. So I finally got around to doing it, one less off my paintings to do list.  The trouble with that list is that it keeps getting longer.
Time to walk the dog now.

Blackpool Mill

Alex and I managed to get away for a couple of days. We didn't go far only as far as Canaston Oaks in Pembrokeshire. On Sunday we had a good walk through the woods and past Blackpool Mill sketched above. This is next to Blackpool Bridge built in 1830. This is the tidal limit of the Eastern Cleddau. Boats used to moor off the mill and transport flour down the CLeddau to Milford Port. The mill is in disrepair although it has all the original machinery as far as I am aware. Jac wasn't that interested and had more fun running through the bracken on the Slebech Estate.
We are currently working on getting the upstairs gallery of Origin open in time for St Davids Day.

River Bridge Nantgaredig

The watercolour I did above is quite strong for me. It is of the River Bridge Nantgaredig. When I went there the overriding impression was of the contrast between the light behind the bridge and the structure itself. Hence I have used high and low values to emphasise this.
Alex has been to Bridgend to collect prints.We are pretty low on stocks of prints and cards. Hopefully we will get a few days free now to get on. Our first exhibition this year is in Aberglasney and then there may be one in Laugharne.