Thank God its Friday

Getting a bit more organised now for the next exhibition in Aberglasney. Alex has been going flat out. She's pretty well made all the frames and has a only few more left to put together.

After taking the dogs out I did the lawns. That is ours and my mom's. Out of all the things I dont like gardening comes pretty near the top. I confess I didnt do our back lawn and it is more like a meadow but in my defence there are hundreds of frogs in it so!! Also it rained. I then started watching the cricket so I didn't get much done.

We had to meet Sian from the DOt foundry this afternoon. She kindly dropped off some prints for us in Carmarthen. Pictured above is one of the paintings she printed "Criccieth".
Oh and Enfys collected her watercolour commission. So not a bad day.

Llansteffan ~ watercolour

Had a good day today walked the dogs and then got down to a watercolour painting commission.
The painting is of Llansteffan Castle and the Green. The painting went smoothly which they dont always. It only takes a lack of concentration or not thinking out what you are going to do to spoil a painting.
I use Saunders Waterford paper and Windsor and Newton artists watercolours. I generally always stretch my watercolour paper.

After finishing the painting I even had an hour to watch the test match, England v Pakistan.
So all in all a good day.

Towy Valley

Autumn Abergwili Sold

Early every morning I take my dog for a walk. Today was no exception. I also had with me my son's black labrador. The walk involves a climb past the reservoir up through the woods and fields to Penlanffos. This affords a wonderful view right down the Towy Valley. I generally stop and look over the valley for 5 minutes. It is a moment for reflection and also to catch your breath after the long uphill climb.

You can see East all the way to the Black Mountains and West towards Green Castle corner.

This morning I could hear a buzzard over the woods and had the company of cattle in my viewing point. It was a bright warm morning with the sun behind Merlins Hill. It waould have made a good subject with the Hill and cattle all contre jour, ie. the light behind them. I have done several paintings looking down the valley from different points. The painting above is of Abergwili with Merlins Hill behind.

Today I did a painting of the Canal near Brecon. I will post this when I bring it home from the gallery.

No Day

Today has been a bit of a no day really hot and humid again plenty to do but pretty tied up. We had grandchildren 2 and 4 today could have gone off to the coast but I had to take mom for a hospital appointment.

Had a delivery of glass and mouldings which was a bit (ok a lot ) more than expected!! Prices are going up all the time and yet there is a recession odd really.

Forgot to say when I was in Brecon at the weekend I took our dog up the Crug a high hill topped by an iron age hill fort. The painting above is the view of Brecon from the Crug (Rock).Sold.

Great views of the Usk Valley and the Beacons.

Tomorrow I am painting in the Lounge Gallery in Carmarthen in the morning not sure what I am painting yet.

I guess I'll think about it in the morning.

Sticky Monday

Hot sticky day today good for the garden I suppose. Got a bit done anway I finished a watercolour I started in situ of the Beacons. Alex started framing some large paintings for the next exhibition.
Always a bit of a pain, large sheets of glass are awkward and dangerous to handle.It is probably better to be confident with it. I am always a bit nervous and tentative. Still all gone well today more materials are being delivered tomorrow.
The painting Saundersfoot above was sold today in Brecon I believe and one of Aberystwyth went last night.
Tomorrow two grandchildren and a large black labrador are lodging with us so not much chance of any work, or peace.
Right off shopping to Tesco now.

Lovely Weekend

Brecon Cathedral~ watercolour sold

Well we're back from Brecon. We stopped at a lovely campsite by the canal and had 2 very enjoyable days. I must add here that there were an extremely odd couple stopping in a caravan near us who spent the whole time polishing the outside of their caravan going over the same spots time after time with a little cloth each! Well it takes all sorts.
We didn't make a fortune but did ok. The Cathedral were hosting Sketty Choir so we had ample musical accompaniment. I took the opportunity to make watercolour sketches of the choirmaster and organist.
Both Alex and myself were shown up the tower to the roof. This was no mean feat for me as the passageways in the wall around the towere were 18ins wide and about 4-5ft high. I am 6ft 1ins and well proportioned. Still I didnt get stuck and the views were magnificent. I did a quick watercolour sketch which I gave to Richard Williams our guide.
It is now all hands to the pumps as we have paintings to frame for the next exhibition and I have 3 commissions to start.
We also have a new charge, my sons dog is lodging with us for 2 weeks while they are in Ireland..
So something else for me to fall over.

Weekend in Brecon

Okay so tomorrow we are off to Brecon all being well. No more posts for a couple of days. The painting above is from the little bridge in Market St. near to the Castle showing:

the old Brecon Gaol and in the Background the Cathedral. (the painting is sold)


I previously did a painting of some cottages backing onto this tributary from the same spot just before they were knocked down in 1990.





We will be in the Cathedral with our exhibition most of the time until Sunday noon. We will be taking Jac pictured above, our cocker spaniel who is welcomed in the cathedral but not during services.

As an aside Father Richard Williams who sometimes attends service in the Cathedral comes with his curate Jimmy, a large black hairy dog of unknown breed. Jimmy is quite a singer , but it can be a bit startling if you are unprepared for his input.

Well hoping to meet some new faces and i'll be back posting on Sunday..