A day on the beach

We went to the beach yesterday and had a great walk. Jac can normally find a dead seagull or jelly fish to roll in but he outdid himself yesterday. He found a rotting seal carcase and before we could stop him was rolling around all over it.

Despite several dips in the sea and numerous wipe he stank appallingly. We had to virtually hold our breath until we got home. Then it was a full wash and shower! For him and us.

The painting above is of Cefn Sidan ( meaning literally silver or satin back) the long beautiful beach of sand running form the Three Rivers estuary to Pembrey and is sold.

Druidstone

We have had 2 grandchildren for the last five days so I am a bit shell shocked. To be truthful they were really good but I feel knackered!

I think we are taking the camper out tomorrow for the day, not sure where maybe Druidstone as in the painting above. I may take my easel or I may just sleep.

I did get to the rugby last night to watch the Scarlets and Blues, a good game.

You lose some you win some

Not every painting is a success and the one above was consigned to the waste pile. It was an attempt to paint the City of St. Truro as it passed by. I had been on the engine as a boy so it held some interest for me. I think it went wrong from the beginning the composition is to my mind way out. The loco is too big and the front of the loco is too far to the right .   The canvas is also too square for the picture. Apart from that it was perfect!! Well actually the smoke box door is to detailed and well you get the picture ( pun intended). I did it a good few years ago but that is not an excuse. The main point is to be  objective about your own work and analyise it. If it is all wrong work out why and learn from it.

In the interests of balance here is a reasonable painting of a locomotive going under the rail bridge next to my old house. This is not for sale.

Its still life

 I pretty much like to paint most things in many styles. The above was obviously a still life I did  in the style of victorian artists.

Brecon Painting

The above painting is a view of Brecon. A painting that sold a few years ago when I use to exhibit in Brecon.

Brecon is a lovely little town in the National Park. It has changed a good deal since we used to live there but I think it still retains its charm.

I posted the other day about my old coat well I have now lost my favourite flat cap which was a dozen or more years old. Appropriately I think it was lost in a pub! Alex has bought me another so I will have to wear it in.

Rail Bridge Carmarthen

A favourite painting of mine that is now sold of a Black Five crossing the Bascule Bridge at Carmarthen.

Jac and I were out earlier enough to catch Venus in the morning sky before dawn. Alex has been away at a wedding and is due back today so Jac and I will be on domestic chores this morning. I had two of the grandchildren yesterday and we were cooking for a few hours. I got them making their own pizzas albeit the yeast seemed a bit reluctant to activate all went well. Then it was fruit pie and carrot cake. A pleasant few hours with me relegated to skivvy and chief washer upper!

Riders on the Storm

Okay I have had what I believe are now called a couple of "clothing fails"!

Last night I went to the rugby. I got out of the car and put my coat on to find my son, son-in-law and grandson all looking at me.

"What?" I said.
"What is that you're wearing?"
"My coat. Why?"
"Whats that all over it?"
"Paint, its my coat I use when painting outside."

 Now I confess it is probably 20 years passed its sell by date and is splattered in oil paint but its warm, comfortable and I can't bring myself to throw it out.
They just looked at me laughing and we hurried to the game in abject conditions. As for the game itself the best thing to do is to just draw a line under it and forget it.

This morning I got up and dressed to take Jac out  into Storm Brian. I had my old coat on hood, cap, scarf, over trousers and wellingtons (which actually leak and do need replacing). I must have looked like an outsize Paddington Bear.

I walked out of the front door and was greeted by a calm, no wind or rain. I then met my elderly neighbour (okay I am no spring chicken myself). He had been to get his newspaper from the garage.

He looked at me and grinned,"Good morning Mark."

He was wearing a cap, cardigan and what looked like slippers although I think they must have been old Hush Puppies (who remembers them?).

I was almost grateful when ten minutes later the heavens opened.

Ah the painting above is I think appropriate for today and is sold.

Link to one of my favourite Bands the Doors that I did see.

Painting of the Preseli's in Winter

I read today that we are going to have a nightmare frozen winter ... but when don't we get these dire warnings? 
Anyway it reminded me of the above painting which is sold. It is a view of the Preseli's with snow showers. In the foreground are a field of sheep. 

I have painted this view using an easel at the beginning 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. 

Landscape painting of Cefn Sidan

The above painting of Cefn Sidan sold last week. Although it was a very small painting it was quite cute and I was partial to it, after all size isn't everything!

We have been away in the Cotswolds for 10 days and had a pleasant time meeting up with old friends and relatives too.

I walked to town this morning to do the shopping, twice. I got half way and realised I had left my wallet at home! I suppose it is some sort of Yin and Yan thing. I forget something but it is balanced by me having to do more excercise to improve my well being!!

Barge on the Brecon and Monmouth Canal

I have given the above painting to Nicky Piper for his exhibition to raise funds for Cardiff City Hospice. It is a very worthy cause and we are always happy to help with their annual exhibition.

David Cowdry Exhibition - Aberglasney

On Saturday I popped into Aberglasney to see our friend David Cowdry with his exhibition. He has as usual a superb range of paintings. It is only on for a week but if you get the chance get along and have a look.

Painting of boats in Angle

We used to have a mooring in Angle and this was a painting I did back then. It sold a long time ago. The execution was quite loose and suited the subject. The only bits of detail are in the boats.

We were on the moorings in Angle when I got a fish bone stuck in my throat. This was a quite unpleasant experience and I failed to move it with bread or water. In the end Alex took great delight in getting a pair of tapernosed pliers out of the toolbox and stick them down my throat to remove it. I didn't think it was possible to get a set of pliers in my mouth but it is.
Yes it was bloody uncomfortable and I wouldn't recommend it but it felt better when it was gone and of course I drank some alcohol to sterilise the area! Alex thought it was hilarious. After that I made sure we had forceps in our first aid kit.

Cleddau Bridge

The above painting is of the Cleddau Bridgea at Neyland. We used to moor our boat in the marina in Neyland when Alex was working as an engineer in Dale Sailing. (I can also add proudly she won marine engineer student of the year when in college).  The place we moored was in the upper basin, which although being cheaper was restricted because you could only get in or out an hour or so either side of high water.

It did have the advantage of a lovely walk along the old Railway built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Neyland became the terminus for the Great Western Railway in 1856. The railway fell into disuse after Beeching I believe. Anyway there is now a lovely long walk through nature reserves although you have to dodge cyclists.

“Jac” our cocker spaniel loves nature although he has a real thing about black birds. So we often took him long walks from the time he was a puppy. 

One day we took him along this trail and met a young couple pushing a pram. The pram contained a baby and unbeknown to us a picnic wrapped up under the pram. We stopped briefly to chat to the couple, and then I suddenly noticed “Jac” disappearing with a package in his mouth. I called him but being a young pup he took no notice and proceeded to unwrap and eat sandwiches at a distance. I finally caught him and handed the whole sorry mess back to the couple who were none to pleased. We then disappeared with as much grace and speed as we could, muttering apologies for our wayward dog.

Autumn Rain

I finished this painting "Autumn Rain" yesterday. I rarely use burnt sienna but I thought, well it is an autumnal colour so... Anyway a glimpse of Worms Head through the incoming rain. Its influenced by Edward Seago to some extent and is quite fluid with the exception of the relief of Worms Head.

Painting of Kidwelly Castle in the snow.

I was interviewed about an old friend of mine the other night. A book is being written about John Brown who I did my degree course with. John wrote a book himself before he died but now there is one being written about him mainly I believe for the American market.

John was a very interesting character who was  famous for his furniture making and in particular chair making. He was a craftsman who had lived life to the full. There is much I can say about him but sufficient to say he was a friend of mine.

The painting above is of Kidwelly Castle and is sold.

David Cowdry has an exhibition in Aberglasney for one week starting Saturday. Must be worth a visit.

Winters morning

There was a definite chill in the air this morning when I took Jac out. I suppose th eclocks will be going back soon and then we know dark days are coming. The watercolour above is one I did for a radio program a while back which I guess is novel. I had to use my best descriptive powers, but it all worked out okay.

I had previously undertaken an exhibition involving the visually impaired. This required doing maquettes for the paintings. These were 3D representations of the paintings that the audience could hold and trace with their fingers whilst I described the scene to them. All this was a lot of work.

 I asked the Arts Council for Wales if they were interested in helping to publicise the event. I didn't want any money. (I have never asked for any grant or monetary assistance). They were totally uninterested and were also unable to tell me what they had done to assist the visually impaired in the arts. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised given their poor reputation but this was the only dealings I had with them.  I had quite a lot of interest from England and was contacted by several people and groups wishing to know how I had arranged the event which was covered by the BBC.

Thomas Toft

Yesterday I went pottery painting with Alex! Although I did ceramics as part of my degree course and enjoyed it I was never very good at it. I always wanted to do practical things like the biscuit barrel above or a nuthatch...

Anyway Alex has been taking the grandchildren to Gwili Pottery to spend a couple of hours painting pottery. Yesterday she was going by herself to finish off a couple of items. I went along with her and spent a couple of hours decorating a plate to be fired. I can't show it as it is a present but hopefully it will turn out okay. It was influenced by the style of Thomas Toft a 17th century potter who I don't remember but Alex may well do.

I would recommend a visit to the pottery if you have a couple of hours to send with or without children. It was relaxing and I will have made a personalised present for the small sum of £16.

Gwili Pottery. Pontarsais, Carmarthen SA32 7DU.  01267 253449.

Ferryside Beach

I spent the day yesterday preparing and priming boards. Today I am moving my work about in the Origin gallery.
The painting above is of Llansteffan Castle from Ferryside Beach and is sold.