Out of the mouths of Babes

Alex framed this painting for the exhibition this week. Walking on a sunny day at Cefn Sidan.

Yesterday Alex went on a crochet course in the morning and I stand corrected a Peg Looming course in the afternoon. NOT a peg making course! She obviously had her creative head on yesterday. I had two of the grandchildren in the afternoon. They were fine  reading and I showed the granddaughter how to make lemon pesto. So no major dramas.

Alex does nothing by halves. When she came home she had a peg loom, the wool off a thousand sheep and sacks of other things! She proudly showed her "swatches"( I think that is the correct term) of crochet. To be fair they were very nicely done. Then my granddaughter God Bless her asked the question I dare not ask.

"Nanny they are very nice but what do you do with them?"

Yes this girl will go far.

Laugharne

Another painting for the exhibition. One of my favourite views, possibly because we used to often sail around to Laugharne and drop anchor off the Boathouse staying overnight. Then leaving with the early morning tide.

I have mentioned before that it seems I may be descended from Romany Gypsies in North Africa. I think Alex is trying to get in on the act now as she starting a peg making course! I guess she wants to go door to door selling pegs and heather?

 I have a couple of the grandchildren this afternoon so not much painting today.

Carmarthen on the Towy

The above painting is one of my larger ones and shows the river Towy at Carmarthen on a winters day. It had a sister version done in summer which was sold and now hangs in Glangwili Hospital.

I am going to finish off the bluebell painting today. Perhaps finish off is not the right choice of words? Complete maybe better, hopefully.

Blaenau Ffestinog railway - David Lloyd George

This is going into the exhibition. It is not new, it is a painting of the David Lloyd George on the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway. Although I have exhibited for a few years running I cannot bring myself to scrap it. I suppose the subject appeals to me more than the painting. Trains are a bit of a niche market that I only occasionally hop into. I don't target them to the appropriate buyers it is just a chance sale.

Anyway a lovely day in prospect I am off to make the most of it.

Winter scene

Here is another painting for the exhibition. It is now dry but awaiting framing in Alex's production line.

I put a buzzard in the picture for a change because the red kite tends to have a bit of monopoly these days. I sat watching a buzzard yesterday having a hard time from a crow. The technical term I think is  being mobbed. It is a day of domestic chores today decorating and such.

Bluebell woods

I mentioned the other week that I went to Dinefwr to get material for a bluebell painting in the woods. I ended up doing a painting of the castle initially but I have finally gotten around to the painting  of bluebells. The painting is not quite finished I need to let it dry a tad more but you get the general picture. It was painted without any drawing just built up with layers of paint.

 I saw a painting posted by David Cowdrey yesterday which was of the same subject pretty well and was exceptional.

Was the blackbird there ? Well no he wasn't. Well he was singing but not visible and to be honest that tree wasn't there either. Well it was but not in that position. I moved it to accommodate the blackbird.

I have to be organised to do things. I like my studio if not completely tidy then organised with everything in its place. The same in the kitchen when I am cooking. I can't play the piano with dirty hands, well I can't play the piano with clean hands but I give it a go anyway. Its the same with painting itself. I have to organise my mind to ensure I have a clear idea of what the finished work will look like and how to get there.

Burry Port Lighthouse

Alex and I were away yesterday so I omitted to do  a blog. At 6am this morning Jac and I had a good walk through Pembrey Country Park. It was a bright sunny start to the day with the accompaniment of blackbirds singing and an occasional bray from a donkey!

The painting above is of Burry Port Lighthouse and is one now ready for the exhibition.