Pembrokeshire

Got a lot done today. I had a commission to paint Whitesands beach, so we had to visit but decided to go via Pembroke Dock as we needed more stainless fastenings for the camper. Pembrokeshire is well known to us as I have said we have sailed extensively around the area.
When we got to Hobbs Point to go to the chandlers we saw several tugs in the Dockyard. I love the working boats and have painted many tugs and tankers.
Pictured above is Anglegarth with the LNG facility in the background sold.

We then crossed the Cleddau river via the toll bridge and made our way up to St David's.
We arrived at Whitesands Bay in dull conditions and found dogs weren't allowed on the beach. A bit of bad luck for Jac but we took him over St Davids Head to another beach where he romped in the surf.

Got all the details I needed for the painting and made our way home. Then spent a couple of hours working on the camper. Then shopping for mom.

Tommorrow painting in the gallery and Friday next exhibition ~Aberglasney we have a lot of new work ready but still deciding what to take. Not sure about Thursday but have an idea for a watercolour if I have time.

London Weekend

As I mentioned I did a couple of sketches on the weekend trip to London. Above is a quick sketch of Alex reading on the train. naturally it doesnt do her justice.

We walked along the south Bank to the Tate Modern on Saturday. It was packed but I have to say we were both disappointed. The Tate is a lovely space but I find the work is:

a. Not Modern, it is mostly 40-80yrs old.
b. Anything newer is just a rehash of the same thing. Meaningless video loops and
installations.

There are many modern contemporary painters who would do the space justice.

We also went to the Bankside Gallery. We went in and said hello to the young man on the door who found it a great effort to do anything other than glance in our direction. The exhibition of prints and watercolours itself was also not of the ususal high standard.

Later in Cork street we found some nice work, modern but professionally done and presented.
I have made it sound a bit negative but the visits to the National Gallery and the Ted Seago works we found outweighed any disappointments.

Back in Carmarthen

We are back now having had a really good weekend away. Having caught the early train we had a relaxing journey with some delay around Reading as some rogue had stolen signalling cable. A good omen for the trip was that we saw a certain Mr. Rolf Harris a very talented artist and great ambassador for art.

I did have time for a couple of brief sketches with a cartridge pad and aquabrush. The painting above Tall Tale Leicester Square is one I did inspired from the previous visit. A group of Chinese gentlemen were having a rather animated and apparently funny conversation which caught my attention.

On the Friday we had a quick look into the National Gallery just long enough to acquaint myself with a couple of old friends including Whistlejacket below my all time favourite painting.

However the Highlight of the day was when we walked past a private gallery in SW1 and saw a painting by Ian Houston. His paintings are to my mind similar in very many respects to Edward Seago and generally well done. We went in to the gallery to have a look whereupon we found a room full of original Seago works.

I would still be there now if I could. His work is just effortless and made with the absolute minimum of brush strokes. This was a real treat for me.

More about the trip on the next post.

Bridge 159

Yesterday I painted Bridge 159. This is a bridge on the Brecon to Abergavenny Canal near Llanfrynach. The painting above is one I did last week of the same Bridge but from the other direction.

We stopped on a site next to the Bridge and it had a beautiful view down the valley and sight of the Beacons in the other direction. I was however taken with the bridge reflection and barge.

I have a fondness for the canals. When I was young my father bought a ships lifeboat and put an old Austin 8 engine in it. We then went around the canal system in it. At the time the canals were in disrepair and there were even a few horse drawn barges still in use. I remember one in Birmingham carrying refuse.

The lock keepers cottages were all derelict and the gardens were a great source of fruit. These days its all changed but they must still be a tranquil way of seeing the country and there are lots of great subjects for the artist.

My family are coming to stay for a couple of days so we can go off to London so I wont be posting anymore until I get back.

Newport Sands ~ early morning

Okay well I said I had been reminded of our stop in Newport Pembrokeshire so I got on today and painted an oil. It shows Newport Sands and the little town on the right . In the Distance is the harbour and yacht club. It is early morning before the heavy rain and wind comes in from the sea!

Alex had a good day today. She had previously found a minute blemish on a mount in one of the large paintings she had framed. So she set about taking it all apart and recutting a new mount. All very frustrating and time consuming. But its all done now and she framed another as well.

I am in the Lounge Gallery tomorrow and think I will paint another canal scene?

Take down

Long day today up early to take the dogs. Then off to Brecon to take down our exhibition.

The cathedral is very calming and could easily be a place of meditation or reflection. The painting above (sold) shows the chancel and east window of Brecon Cathedral. So mixed feelings about taking down the exhibition.

We are now preparing for Aberglasney which starts on 13th August. Different selection of paintings and more space so more of them.

Before that we have a couple of days to ourselves. We are off to london for a weekend a chance to visit the National Gallery. See a show etc.

Tomorrow a painting not sure what yet.

St Mary's Newport

The painting above is of St Mary's in Newport.

Alex and I spent a week in our camper there last Winter. We tend to take time off out of season due to exhibitions and other commitments. We camped on the cliffs overlooking Cardigan Bay. There were periods of sunshine but mostly steely grey skies,rain and a couple of full blown gales. We even had to get up one night to move the camper around to face the wind to stop the van rocking from side to side.

Anway it was a beautiful spot with plenty to sketch although the weather meant painting was pretty much out of it. I got through quite a few paperbacks as well.

So when Enfys asked me to paint the church for a wedding gift for friends it was no problem.

Some subjects like churches are quite awkward as they can be surrounded by large trees and or encroaching houses making a view difficult but not necessarily impossible for an artist.

St Mary's has a large northern graveyard which is overgrown but picturesque allowing for a good composition.

Newport Pembs is worth a visit if you havent been. In fact I may well paint some more subjects from there now it comes to mind.