Llansteffan in Moonlight from the sea

Okay so here is the finished painting of Llansteffan in moonlight from the sea.  The profile of the castle and headland is very different from the seaward side. I have seen it from this position on many occasions but haven't sketched it surprisingly, well I suppose I was sailing at the time.
Anyway I have now done a painting from this viewpoint. Ferryside is in the distance on the right.
To the left of the Castle is Scotts Bay.
Happy New Year to all!

Crossing Carmarthen Bar

I have had an image of a painting in my mind for a long time and I have finally got around to doing it.

I remember crossing the Carmarthen Bar in the darkness coming into Llansteffan many years ago. It was a little bit fraught. There were three of us, Terry who sadly is no longer with us, Tony and myself. We were on a Terry's yacht. Tony and I were helping him bring it back to Llansteffan for craning out over winter. It had been a good days sail but the winter nights were drawing in and the situation wasn't helped because there was live practice firing off the ranges.  Not normally a problem if this is published but we hadn't seen any notification of the event. Possibly no-one expected a yacht to be crossing Carmarthen Bay at this time of night or at this time of year.

Anyway this had caused us to go further out to sea than we had anticipated putting us behind our expected arrival time. We were then informed that we couldn't enter the estuary as live firing was continuing. The law on this is disputable in any case Terry decided we had little choice at this point but to continue and he informed the range authorities by VHF radio accordingly. They didn't dispute our right of passage or the lack of publication. It was however slightly unerving to see tracer and hear gunfire going out to sea although it was probably a good mile off and not going in our direction.
Crossing the Bar itself in darkness is not a great idea, the channel changes frequently and many ships have come to grief on it.

Anyway there was a good moon and this kept popping in and out of clouds giving us a helpoing hand. I was relieved to see the profile of Llansteffan Castle rise before us with Ferryside on the starboard bow in the distance.

Anyway I made a mental note of the scene and that is what I have attempted from memory.

The picture above is the opening stage of the painting, half a dozen lines drawn with a brush.

I then block in the darkest tones of the paitning. Yes, I know it doesn't look much at the moment but trust me it will be fine. I have mentally painted the picture and know what I am doing, touch wood!

M4

Alex and I were up early this morning as we had to take a relative to the airport. Although the forecast hadn't been too bad the M4 was pretty dire with downpours and plenty of standing water.
Fortunately the temperature was just above freezing. I took it easy a stance that was well justified as we passed several cars that had gone into the armco barriers and also one that had turned over.
(I hope no-one was seriously injured).
Anyway on my return I did the above painting giving an idea of the conditions.
Most of our visitors have gone now and it seems very quiet. We had a good Christmas and now have to start thinking about what to cook and how to lose some of those extra pounds!

Alvis

The above painting of an Alvis was sold before Christmas. I saw the car at the Pontargothis Vintage Show and was much taken by it. I believe it is an Alvis Speed 20? Anyway a real classic car and I enjoyed painting it.
I suppose you could now say Alvis has left the building! Sorry!
Yesterday I went to the rugby with our son and two granddaughters. A good game in many respects the Scarlets forwards and tackling were positive points but the decision making and tactic of kicking the ball to the Ospreys back three whenever we had the ball left me somewhere between confused and spitting feathers. Oh well another game lost. At least it was four hours that got me away from  eating mince pies!

Boxing Day

A full Christmas Day yesterday with family and lots of food and festive joy. The scene above is of the Ebeneezer Chapel in Abergwili. We actually did have snow yesterday but it was only a small amount and it didn't stick.

Off to the Rugby today to watch Scarlets and Ospreys.

Happy Christmas from the Towy Valley

Happy Christmas from the Towy Valley

A Childs Christmas in Wales

The above painting shows a Black Five (Stannier) locomotive crossing the Bascule Bridge at Carmarthen in winter. I did the painting at the end of last year and for the most part it has hung on my own wall.

I have heard the BBC are doing a full reading of a Childs Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas. To be honest I am hot and cold with Dylan Thomas. Some work I really like. Other  works pass me by. A Childs Christmas in Wales is one of his works that takes me straight in with its nostalgic descriptive prose. It started life as a piece for the radio and he developed it so it has a different origin to many of his works.

Anyway reading it makes me think of my own childhood of the excitement of the first snowfall and dragging our sledge to the big hill with my brother and sister. Invariably we would have to come back almost straight away as my sister got very cold and we would end up pulling the sled home with her on it. Snowball fights, ice slides, and large snowballs set loose down the hill are all distant but real memories. I still remember opening my present on Christmas morning,  a green train made by my father from a piece of telegraph pole, and some of the fence from the back garden. I am not sure how he explained the hole in the fence to the landlord? That train lasted years and my son played with it when he was young.

I guess that is the real appeal of Thomas's Childs Christmas in Wales in that it prompts the readers or listeners own memories.

Anyway have a Happy Christmas.

Enviromentally friendly Santa

This morning I fancied doing something quickly (yes I mean a painting). I had to get the pork pies done for Christmas day and we had to go to Tesco's. I decided to do a portrait of Alex. Due to lack of time I had no time to do any sketches or tonal drawing beforehand so I just went for it with brush and paint. It could put up with refining but it'll do.

Yesterday we went to our son's house for dinner. The food was excellent and the little persons were well behaved and very entertaining. Our daughter in law told me they don't wrap presents now as they have told the children Santa has gone green and doesn't want trees cut down just to wrap presents. Fair comment I suppose but I suspect the real reason lies elsewhere!

Tesco's done and the pork pies.

As you make your bed so must you lie on it

The weather is a bit hit and miss at the moment and it seems to insist on drenching me every time I step out of the door with Jac. I suppose Zeus (greek god of rain and the sky) is having a bit of a laugh at our expense. The watercolour above is one I did sometime ago and is of Paxton's Tower in the Towy Valley.

My daughter went to Ikea the other day to buy a new bed for their son. This involved a trip up the M5 to Bristol and was a bit of a pain. Now I know probably everyone had been to Ikea but to tell the truth I haven't (and have no wish to) so I have to rely on what I am told. Anyway my daughter negotiated her way around the maze of the shop/warehouse? and eventually found the bed she was looking for. She had two infants with her and was understanderbly under a bit of pressure. She found an assistant told them what she wanted.

She then asked,"Is everything I need for the bed included?"
"Yes" she was reassured.

She took the flat pack item to the cash out and then loaded the car and went home.
When she finally got home she took the packaging apart but couldn't find the slats for the bed. She rang Ikea and was informed that the slats were not part of the bed and she had to purchase them seperately. She was to put it mildly, none too pleased or even a little annoyed. Packing children in the car she ventured up the M5 again. The cost of the slats was minimal but not including them in the bed components had involved extra mileage, and hastle.

Arriving at Ikea she found the items she wanted and went to the cash desk thoroughly annoyed that she hadn't been told the slats weren't included and very agitated. As luck would have it, one of the children was also agitated and decided to projectile vomit all over the tills and chequeout. My daughter thought this was poetic justice and summed up her feelings eloquently. She smartly collected her receipt and left them to it.

Sunrise along the path

It was a glorious sunrise the day before yesterdya and it inspired me to do the above painting today.
Just that time in the morning before the landscape gets its local or natural colours.

I also managed to ice the cake today so not a bad day.

Fred Dibnah and traction engines

I did the above painting of a traction engine today. I painted it on a carmine ground and painted it directly with no underlying drawing or laying out. Sometimes this approach can pay dividends if you are after a painterly finish (see link forexplanation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painterliness ).

It may be my last painting before Christmas. Alex has started to move crates and other things into the studio in preperation for the invading hordes so I guess thats a hint. (On the other hand I may be able to sneak a bit of painting in if I am subtle).

I like steam engines and as a boy I often went to the Science Museum in Birmingham where they have terrific working steam and beam engines. When I was older I also went around some of the old factories such as Guest Keen and Nettlefold and was shown many of the engineering processes. Even when I was a policeman in Birmingham there were still many small work shops left over from the Victorian era and I was shown the hand presses and tool making that they were involved in. I had many parts made for my old WD Ariel mainly by the apprentices as part of their training. It has all gone now as have many of the skills they had. I knew men who could throw a thread on brass by hand on a lathe using only a hand tool and their eye for measurement. I eventually I taught myself basic engineering skills and made working model steam engines and boilers as well as making parts for our boats. (Although I sold my lathe and tools about a year ago).

I loved watching the Fred Dibnah series on television a real enthusiast who made history come to life.

Oystercatchers

I love the busy, noisy little oystercatchers that stalk our shoreline and estuaries. They are cheerful little souls and are a joy to watch flying together.
I finished the above painting today and although it is quite a small painting I think it captures the subjects quite well without getting bogged down in too much detail.

Nott Square Carmarthen

It doesn't look like we are going to have a white Christmas this year but who knows. Anyway here is a seasonal snow scene from the begining of the last century I did a while back.

The setting is Nott Square Carmarthen as it was (or at least my take on it). The imposing figure of Sir William Nott is central to the square. He was in command of a Brigade of troops during the First Afghan War in 1838 ( things have a habit of repeating themselves) and the statue was erected in about 1850.

Reflections of Cefn Sidan

I finished the above painting today. It is a large version of a study I did previously. The framed painting will be approximately 3ft x 2ft. It shows The Gower with Worms Head from Cefn Sidan in Pembrey Country Park. Alex and I often go there as it is always quiet and Jac loves running on the beach and in the dunes.

The School Nativity Play

Alex and I have been away for a couple of days visiting our eldest daughter and family.
They have two young children and we were treated to a visit to the school nativity play.
Although I got a good education I didn't particularly like school and left at 16. So my views on school are probably a bit biased. Anyway this private school is most definitely posh and has plenty of opportunities for young children including fencing, ballet and every other conceivable pastime. This is just as well as the young lad is pretty well a genius (no I don't know where he gets it from).

Anyway Alex and I turned up in the rain and wandered about trying to find the theatre amongst the various buildings.  I eventually found a teacher who appeared to me to be about 12 and asked him directions. He was somewhat condescending and looked down his nose at me, (okay well actually he had to look up at me), probably because I don't have a plum in my mouth. Well suffice to say that situation didn't last long and he ended up escorting us to the right premises with an apology.

The nativity play was actually great and we had a good time. The one thing that stuck in my mind though was that the school uniform was from another century and possibly a parallel dimension. It was very Tom Browns School Days. Where was Flashman?

The uniform consisted of loud striped jacket and cap with green jumper and enormous grey shorts. To be honest I think that this is cruelty of the highest order and I was tempted to ring childline to report it.

Gosditch Street Cirencester

Here is a sketch of Gosditch Street in Cirencester. I tackled it slightly differently than usual.
Before I went out a laid the pale grey and sienna across the paper. I had no idea what I was going to sketch when I did this. I was later waiting to meet Alex and I thought, this will do fine but have I got enough time? I had 7 minutes and to be honest you don't want to be late meeting her although the reciprical is not a problem apparently.

Anyway I got out a 6b and drew it very quickly and then blocked in the rooves (and yes you can spell it this way. It is I admit an older version). A hurry up and I was outside the church as Alex arrived ( by the look of the bags she was carrying the shops had been emptied by this point!).

Lakeside Cirencester

I did this sketch form the lakeside in the park in Cirencester. I decided Jac would be okay let off his lead as he wouldn't go far. I did try and keep an eye on him as there were a lot of water birds around.

I did the sketch and looked around for Jac. Yes, he was there alright. He was rolling in a midden for ducks. He was covered in mud and duck muck. Thanks, Jac. He was also wearing a new collar Alex had bought him. He looked distinctly worse for wear but he seemed very pleased with himself, he didn't have to explain to Alex  how it had happened.

Not a bad week so far with a couple of paintings gone and work coming in.

Winters Morning Towy Valley

It was misty this morning as Jac and I went out for our morning constitutional. Jupiter was the only thing visible in the sky a faint blurred but determined image poking throught the mist. On our way back the sun was coming up in the east and the valley skyline was spectacular against the sky with red and orange blending into the cool blues and greys..What a start to the day.

West Market Place Cirencester

Here is the same street as yesterday drawn form a seat across the road under an old tree. It was pretty cold on this day and to be honest I was severly tempted to cross the road and go into the pub rather than draw it. I weakened at the last and carried on with the sketch. I think Jac would have grassed me out to Alex anyway!

As a composition it works nicely as it has movement and takes the eye into the picture. The previous sketch of the Crown is just an informative picture.

If I had somewhere to sell my work in Cirencester I could turn this into a reasonable painting. I have considered going to the galleries there but to be honest in my experience it could end up being needless hastle trying to control it over that distance. We have and problems dealing with some galleries in the past (not I hasten to add in Cirencester). Selling not being an issue, being informed of the sales and getting paid were the problem.

The Crown Cirencester

Alex and I recently spent a few days in Cirencester. For the most part I walked around the town doing the odd sketch with Jac and Alex enjoyed the hospitality of the shops! It was all very pleasant and relaxing.

The sketch above was done on good cartridge paper using a 6b pencil and an aqua pen dipped in a small watercolour box. This system works well as I can quite comfortably stand and paint/sketch for 20 minutes even with Jac on a lead.  The picture shows Jac and I outside a wonderful premises.
The Crown in Wet Market Place is an excellent hostelry. Friendly with a real fire excellent Bath ale and the best pub food we have had in many years.

Laugharne Castle

This painting of Laugharne Castle went last week. It is a bit too red in the image on my pc.
I was in the gallery today and we had a few people through the door so worth doing. one of the customers recalled Dylan Thomas on the bus to both Llansteffan and Laugharne. He was apparently quite inebriated on most occasions.

I also  had a good discussion with a sculptor today about the merits of basic skills in arts and crafts.
We both agreed that there is more than an element of snobbery with many artists unjustifiably looking down on craftmakers. Quality work is equally valid in both 2D and 3D formats.

I have to pick up Alex now then get on with the dinner!

Black Sheep

I have been watching David Dimbleby sailing around the coast and it has made me feel a bit nostalgic for our sailing days. Pictured above is one of our boats a little yacht called "Black Sheep".
This was a lovely boat with lots of teak and varnish but a bit of a pig to sail. The sail set up was never quite right as it really needed a short bowsprit to balance the sails.

Anyway we had great fun in her and sailed alll around th the coast of South and West Wales in this and other yachts.

A Perfect Day

I finished the above painting this week. It's a smaller version of a painting I did of Llansteffan with the sunset going down a fortnight ago.

Had a perfect day today sketching and reading. We are not having a Christmas Exhibition this year for the first time in half a dozen years. Alex and I have had a lot on so its had to be put on the back burner.
Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2JXy1Z9ovs

Crow

You don't just get seabirds on the beach and the dark colours of crows and rooks make a good contrast to a very light beach particulary if you include a reflection.
The picture is a simple one that will probably never see a frame but satisfying to paint nevertheless.

Link is kind of appropriate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecW0nSrMEY4

John Brown artist chairmaker

The other day I was contacted by Rosey More the grandaughter of John Brown.
John was a very skilled woodworker and artist. He had a good full life and had worked as a boat builder highly skilled chair maker and also as an artist. I knew John as was saddened by his passing.
He was a font of knowledge and good company.

Anyway I did a post on my blog about John http://carmarthenartist.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/john-brown-artist-woodworker-chair.html in August 2011. Rosey recently saw the post and got in touch.

It brought back memories of John and prompted me to do a sketch of him working in wood planing at the workbench. As time passes your memory loses detail but it is certainly recognisable as him.
Rosey is doing a course in jewellry and ceramics so obviously creativity runs in the genes.

I do get

 "Eugene Boudin"( French Impressionist Painter, 1824-1898) I do get. He could paint ships effortlessly. Being the son of a ships carpenter he knew what he was painting and did a damn fine job of it. 

 Boudin did tend to use a lot of black and greys which was unusual for an impressionist. The impressionists were all about light and painting outdoors. Fine unless you live in the UK!

Talking of light Alex, my good lady has gone very "Christmas Lights", Every where you look there seems to be a set of twinkling fairy lights. There are so many it takes five minutes to go around the house turning them off. We haven't yet got to the stage of icicles on the roof and Santa on the chimney or reindeer grazing on the lawn but I do return home wondering what new fairy enhancement is going to greet me.

Talking of Fairies one of my favourite paintings is the "Fairy Fellers Master Stroke" by Richard Dadd.

Dadd was quite mad and ended up in Bedlam having killed his father who he believed was the devil. On the up side he was one hell of a painter, hell being the operative word.

I don't get it

Now this is obviously a good artist. No its not me! He is successful and has his work included on internatioinal  galleries etc. But let me give you my own personal take on this type of work.

According to the accompanying statement to his work,

Senada's "Theory of Obscurity" states that an artist can only produce art when the expectations and influences of the outside world are not taken into consideration.

Well forgive me but that is either a wholly naive idea or he expects people to accept this concept and swallow this.
In order not to be influenced by the world you would either not have to be from the planet or dead, which may actually explain a lot.

I have no personal axe to grind with the artist good luck to him if he can get people to pay for his work and appreciate it, but for me, I JUST DON'T GET IT.

There again I dont get:

People who wear their trousers around their backside without a belt
Making cars that do 120mph when the speed limit is 70 mph
Having 24 opening for licensed premises when we have problems with alcohol related events
Ballet
Strictly Come Dancing

Its probably an age thing. What don't you get?

Cute

The other day Alex wanted to go to the factory in shop in St Clears to get something. As we pulled up I saw this puppy in the back of  a pick up outside. Now I don't usually draw many animals other than our own pets unless they are part of a scene but even I was taken by this puppy and had to let Alex go inside by herself. The sketch is done with a ballpoint pen on the back of some typed paper.

I had to readjust the head as you can see but you get the picture the scene was, to coin a well worn phrase,"very cute". Maybe I will do a painting of the scene one day, but I doubt it.

Link - sorry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P434_zT4b7Y

Gower from Cefn Sidan

We have been away for a couple of days this week relaxing reading walking etc. All good to charge up the batteries again. I finished this painting today of the Gower from Cefn Sidan. You can see Worms Head in the distance. To be honest the painting looks better than the image for me (that isn't always the way). I was trying to capture the strong sunlight on the sea and reflecting off the beach with a limited palette of colours. Quite happy with it anyway.

Sir Billy Butlin

The watercolour above is of, "Sir Billy Butlin". Originally this was a range boat off Aberporth. It is now in private ownership adni painted it when it was on moorings near Llansteffan. This was a summers day with strong shadows and contrast. I like painting or drawing boats the shapes and contours are interesting giving plenty of opportunity to go astray if you have any preconceived ideas. Observation is key to everything in drawing.

Sailboat in the Towy estuary

Here I have a watercolour of a sailboat going seaward in the Towy Estuary. We often sailed small boats in the estuary and out over the Carmarthen Bar. It can be quite tricky with short steep seas particularly when there is a Southerly / Easterly wind. The seas break on the shallow sandbanks that claimed many large ships over the centuries.

The earthy colours of the palette give the picture a warm feeling. The reality would be that it would be cold and damp in those conditions but quite exhilarating.

Paxton's Tower - watercolour

Here is a very loose interpretation of Paxtons tower which overlooks the Towy Valley.
Not everyone's cup of tea but I like the little watercolour. Sometimes these little sketches have more charm and substance than a "finished" work.

Pecking order

Today I am in the gallery and so no time for painting. I did however manage to sketch our resident collared doves while having my breakfast. These two are adults as can be seen by the black collar which the juveniles lack.

The bird table is about 4 feet from the kitchen window so we can enjoy watching them feed. Both the collared doves and the wood pigeons will surprisingly stand up to magpies and crows and are pretty much top of the pecking order on our garden table although you notice they cock their heads to one side to allow a skyward glance every so often. I have previously witnessed one wood pigeon taken from the table by a sparrow hawk so I guess it always pays to keep your wits about you.

Link not doves but another constant visitor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAgceen153I

Winter near Brechfa

These winter mornings have inspired me to capture the spirit of the season. I know we don't have major snow yet.

Anyway the painting above was finished yesterday. "Winter near Brechfa". A loose impressionistic style suited the subject and hopefully captured the moment.

I don't dislike the cold and have been used to working or being outside most of my life. The other day we pulled up in front of the house and Alex asked me what it meant when there was condensation on the window. I said that it meant that one side of the glass was warmer than the other and that the water condensed on the glass of the warmer side.

She said, "Is that why there's condensation on the outside of the house?"  and pointed to our windows.
I said, "No that's on the inside," and then went and ran my finger over the glass to prove the point. As I did so the water gathered and I realised she was right it was colder in the house.

I have now relented and we have the heating on first thing in the morning, but not for long!

Link a bit cheesey but  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL6jptOQ84A

Snow showers in the Preseli's

I thought I would do an appropriate seasonal painting yesterday. It is a view of the Preseli's with snow showers. In the foreground are a field of sheep. I had thought about putting a shepherd and dog in it but decided it didn't need it.

I have painted this view using an easel at the begining of winter. It was a good walk carrying the easel and paints. When I got there I was ..cold.. Nevertheless I did the painting despite having to hold the easel with one hand to stop it blowing over and keep wiping a cold red nose. Still it is character forming as they say. Yesterday I did it in the relative warmth of my studio (no the heating is not on yet.).

Angle dried out

I was sorting through some old folders yesterday and came across some forgotten watercolours. The little scene above is of East Angle dried out. We had a mooring there and would often sit waiting for the tide to come in to return to the boat from the pub, The Point House. The bottom is quite muddy and walking out in to the bay can be a bit tricky if you don't know where you are going and it is generally better to wait for water to row out to your boat.

I have been trying to resolve the isssue of the thumbnails being posted on facebook. The wrong thumbnail is going over to facebook which is no real help. I have added some HTML code to my blog and maybe this will work? Well this one has lets hope its not a fluke.

Junior Banksy

I posted the other day about Sir General Thomas Picton. Well the sketch above shows his monument in Carmarthen. I suppose you should judge a man in his time if you are going to judge him. He was Governor of Trinidad where his rule was considered brutal and as I mentioned before he died at Waterloo (the battle not the station).

Today I have spent most of the day updating my website (well at least starting to). It was woefully neglected and only had about 3 paintings left on it that weren't sold.

I have also been trying to sort out the issue with facebook not publishing the correct image from my blog. Apparently it is not uncommon and next to impossible to fix? Maybe it will work on this blog?

I was asked last week in a talk (incidently my last talk) whether any of our numerous grandchildren had the "Art gene". Well I can confirm that at the weekend we had 8 of them visiting. On departure we discovered that at least one of them was following the path trodden by "Banksy".

We discovered we had a lovely mural on the wall paper upstairs! Still nothing that blocker and a can of paint couldn't sort out!

Remembrance Day

I am not one to do direct copies of photographs as a rule. There are man y good reasons why you shouldn't do it. However last weekend one image caught my imagination that of Her Majesty The Queen at the Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Today we have visitors coming and I am doing lunch then there is the rugby so no real time to paint. I thought well okay I have 40 minutes to do something. I got out the paints and started on the painting. I painted the canvas black all over then blocked in the image as below.

To be honest it could be quite enough to stand by itself as a finished item but  I carried on to a more detailed finish above and amended the shape of the mouth and chin. Okay it took me an hour but not bad in the time. I captured what I wanted of the image. I doubt it will ever see a frame but I enjoyed doing it.

Ministry of Food Christmas Pudding

I made our Christmas pudding a few weeks back and it is sitting eagerly waiting for 25th December.

Today I have put the Christmas Pudding on to steam that is going to take about 8 hours so I haven't been painting as the inevitable consequence would be that I would forget about the pudding not top up the water and the pan would run dry!

I have my grandmother's "Mrs Beeton Book of Household Management" which is 98yrs old and has been well used. It is stuffed with recipes and miscellaneous odds and ends. The recipe above for Christmas Pudding is from the Ministry of Food when rationing was still in force. I confess I didn't use this recipe nor actually my grandmother's I went for Delia.

I was sorry to hear that Jonathan Davies is leaving the Scarlets for Clermont. I can understand why and don't blame him for taking the opportunity. He will at least have a painting to take with him to remind him of home.

Now I better go and check on pudding!

Christmas is coming

Well I decided to do a watercolour of Ty Cymorth as well. Not really a lot more you can do with a building to make it anymore interesting. I have added a few people.

Its getting nearer to Christmas and Alex always goes way over the top. Not that I am complaining her Christmas's are perfect if a little too much food. (If she reads this having too much food won't be a problem). Anyway a delivery came today. A large box containing wait for it.....Christmas toilet rolls complete with decorations! Err okay...

Last night I gave a talk that had been arranged about 12 months ago. (It was my last talk as I have decide not to do any more). It was in a church hall just outside Carmarthen. It was a horrible wet night which really helped when loading the car with examples of my work etc. I wasnt one hundred percent certain where the church hall was although I knew the church itself as I have painted it for several people and painted from there as there is a good view of the valley.

We arrived in good time climbing the hill in the car. The lane is single track and I had been told to turn off  before the church. It was near the farm and there was plenty of parking. We drove into the farmyard. It was dark and we couldn't see any sign of a church hall and there was hardly any room for parking. At the rear of the farmyard was a single track road. I thought it must be down here. It was totally dark and the single track road was in good condition so we started off. Gradually we started going down hill and the track got narrower and narrower. Weeds began to appear in the middle. At this point there was no going back. I was afraid it was going to end up in a muddy field. The lane got rougher but we had to go on and eventually the lane came out onto a B road. So much for my navigation skills and Alex wont let me forget it.

Anyway the talk was a success. The audience were very nice and we were made to feel at home well and at least no one fell asleep. (They also insisted on giving me expenses which I have never accepted for my talks. I will donate them to Ty Cymorth).

Link well just because Christmas is coming http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYTnzNeTWmE

Ty Cymorth ~ Hospice Carmarthen

I have been asked to do an artists impression of Ty Cymorth the Hospice/ Day Centre in Carmarthen which is moving. I have donated to the charity from the takings of 2 exhibitions previously and was quite happy to do this work for them.

The building currently exists but is being extended and refitted. Anyway I had to get there this morning before 8am as it is impossible to see the building with all the cars parked after 9am. It was quite cold.

I did an ink drawing and from that I spent the day doing a digital drawing shown below. I don't know if this is what they want but I am hopeful it will be okay even with minor tweaking.

Josef Beuys

To continue my theme from yesterday. I once went to see an exhibition at the Tate Modern of the work of Josef Beuys. My little tribute to him is shown above. To quote the Guardian:

Twenty years after his death, Joseph Beuys is regarded by artists as a giant of modern art. As a new exhibition proves, his reputation has never been higher.

Well I am sorry but not in my opinion. The highlight of the exhibition consisted of a VW camper with a load of sleds arranged behind it. Its probably me but all I felt was, "What a waste of a VW Camper!" Incidentally he was responsible for the quote,"Everyman is an artist." A fairly absurd statement you could equally say everyman is a dentist.

My giants of modern art include the three "H"'s  David Hockney, Barbara Hepworth and Edward Hopper talented substantial artists whose work will stand the test of time.

Ferryside

The above oil painting of Ferryside sold today. Always picturesque Ferryside sits ont heTowy estuary and is overlooked by Iscoed Mansion the home of General Sir Thomas Picton who was killed at Waterloo. Not a pleasant chap by all accounts but there again he gave his life for his country.

I was chatting today to a fellow artist. We happened to be discussing modern media in the context of art. She was doing her Masters Degree a few years ago when a tutor told her films will no longer have a begining a middle and end, they will just have random imagery. (Oh yeh?) This explains why the art clique sit around watching a film of a flapping sheet for hours and later discuss how liberated it was. Personally, and call me old fashioned, I like a story or at least interesting scenery!

Stradey Park ~ Rugby Weekend

On Friday night Alex and I went with our son and grandaughter to watch the Scarlets. It was a good second half but the first half was pretty dire. Our grandaughter fell asleep and to be fair I think most of the others present did the same including the 30 players on the pitch. The second half perked up however adn we had the result. I enjoyed the game but I still look back to the old Stradey Park (shown above) which had more atmosphere and a history to go with it. I also prefer Saturday afternoon games not 7.30pm on a Friday night. Still you cant have everything.

Yesterday I watched the Wales game. It was a real pity J Davies had his shoulder injured he was looking really dangerous for us. Wales are getting close to the Southern Hemisphere Nations and maybe they can beat Australia this Autumn.

After a weekend off its back to painting next week.

Life's cycle of renewal

The old cottage and smallholding behind us has been pretty well derelict since old Mr Davies passed on. We now have to get used to machinery and building going on as the old place is being renovated. The big old apple tree has gone as have the pigsty, barn and wash house. To be honest I am happy that the work is being done and new life is being breathed in to the place. It will never be the same but that is the nature of things. Life's cycle of constant renewal.

I am not sure what Mr Davies would make of it all. I dont believe in ghosts but sometimes I have this vision of him standing watching the machinery working, an old woodbine in his mouth, cap pulled down tight on his head and his long overcoat pulled up around his shoulders.

Link I was going to use "Holy Holy" but changed my mind to this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le3DG0zgyoU  dont know why seemed to fit?