Maxi

I did the painting above of Laugharne Boathouse today. I have omitted the pile of rubble that is next to it. Originally there used to be Ferry House next to it but that was bought and demolished. It is all a bit of a mess now and a real shame. Lets hope it is all sorted out tastefully soon. It does however remind me of an embarrassing moment.



I mentioned one of our embarrassing moments in a previous post. Thinking about it there are actually quite a few. Now the first decent car Alex and I owned was an Austin Maxi. We bought it second hand from a dealer called Huw Talerddig. He had resprayed it and it looked superb. I drove it home and parked it in the garage. Unfortunately I also left half of the rear wheel arch on the garage wall! Not a good start within 1 hour of owning it.

Anyway it was a real tank. Shortly after buying it Alex decided to broadside and write off a mini, which had the temerity to drive down Newtown High Street when Alex was coming out of a side road. The only damage to the Maxi was a bent bumper, which we took off and hammered back in to shape with a lump hammer.

One day after taking the children to school Alex came home and parked the Maxi on our drive, which sloped up from the road. Later that day I came home for lunch and was having a sandwich when a neighbour knocked on the door and asked if it was our car parked in her house.

It had rolled down our drive across the road and then down her drive reversing into her porch and house. Now the Maxi did sustain some scratches and a broken lens. The house faired pretty badly and to be fair the neighbour took it pretty well. That Maxi did us proud for a quite a few years and would go anywhere in any conditions.

It eventually found a less exciting pair of owners.

Lane near Midland Uchaf Letterston

The painting above is of the lane near where we stayed in Letterston last week. To be truthful there weren’t that many subjects to paint within walking distance other than trees. There was the source of the Western Cleddau but it was in a wet dank area with little light. I didn’t fancy carrying my materials too far in the cold weather.




One of my watercolour favourite artists is John Sell Cotman. He painted very simply but rarely on sight. He would sketch and then undertake the painting at home or wherever he was staying. He was a very accurate draughtsman something which is easy to evaluate when comparing his paintings with subjects still in existence. His technique changes after an initially dirty/muddy style to one of transparent flat washes with crisp edges. These are the paintings I admire. He rarely if ever uses wet into wet technique.



For my own part I tend to start with a wet into wet technique and gradually use more washes onto dry paper. Today we had a good walk around the Llansteffan and Wharley Point. I did a quick watercolour of Lord Park Farm with the Castle in the background when I got home.

Early Morning ~ Heneglwys Farm

We have been away for a few of days in Pembrokeshire. The first day was pouring with rain the other days were cold but sunny. I read a couple of books, managed a couple of watercolours and some sketches and enjoyed a few long walks.



The Christians have a song called Perfect moment and it has a really great sentiment to the lyrics. Basically it is saying that every day has every so often a perfect moment. For me this could be the sight of the dawn breaking as I walk the dog, silence in the valley, sharing the sunset with Alex my good lady or a perfect brush stroke.


A watercolour is always an adventure. This is because in many ways it is a random process that can somehow surprise or disappoint you. Whilst it is nearly always possible to alter a watercolour for me it is not perfect if it isn’t right first time. The viewer may not know but the artist will. Another artist will generally also be able to see it as well. For me there is great satisfaction in a wash going well, for a tree materialising from a series of marks on the paper. These are perfect moments. On the rare occasions everything about a watercolour goes perfectly that is something to savour.


The painting above is of Heneglwys Farm near Letterston, Pembrokeshire. Heneglwys means old church. I assume at one time there was a church nearby. Anyway I did a quick sketch in the literally freezing cold and then painted the picture in the camper van. It was pretty well a perfect moment. The painting was simple and went as I planned it. It is not the greatest subject in the world and the composition could probably be improved. It is unlikely I will frame it for sale but I had great pleasure in painting it and seeing it turn into the perfect moment.

Wildlife Art

Today I have posted a sample of the work of Jason Morgan from Ebbw Vale. I have been looking at his work and am mightily impressed.


I don’t do wildlife as a rule as I don’t know the subject. Here is a good reason example of why it is a good reason. Jason is an artist who is an expert in his field. He paints up to 20 paintings a year. He takes his time and paints from observation and experience.

I am not sure I would particularly want to go to Africa but Jason’s paintings are a fairly persuasive arguement for going. The scenery is stunning as are his works.

Anyway have a good look at his website. http://www.onlineartdemos.co.uk/

Today I have been getting cold and doing a bit of sketching.

Portrait of the Artist as a dog

The painting above is of “The Boathouse Laugharne” and I sold it this week. I have a great affection for Laugharne. We have often sailed there and moored opposite the Boathouse or further up river under the trees. Obviously Laugharne is famous for Dylan Thomas commonly referred to a Wales Greatest Poet. I confess I am not really a man of letters and don’t claim to understand anything more complicated than Wordsworth as far as poetry goes.


Dylan I am afraid leaves me confused. I am sure his work must be excellent and I admit when hearing Richard Burton reading Thomas it does sound very wonderful. (But there again Richard Burton reading the telephone directory would probably have my full attention).

I suppose that in many respects my tastes are too conservative in both art and literature to find real pleasure in any form of post-modernism.

I recall when I took my degree in art I did a print of Dylan Thomas together with one of his newly discovered poems. My tutor was in raptures with the poem. I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was merely a random selection of words and no great literary discovery. I suppose it was quite unkind of me but it would probably have been worse to tell him.

Art and Sexism

Here is a little watercolour I did in conjunction with Carmarthen Radio. The painting sold shortly after.


I have quite often found myself at the wrong end of a camera or microphone by some act of fate. Even this weekend as we went to London on the train a television crew asked for a piece about the electrification of the line. I am not particularly nervous about facing a camera or making a speech in public. On the other hand it is not something I seek out. I am distinctly aware of the microphone or camera. Only yesterday 2 television commentators were disciplined for comments they made that were distinctly sexist.

I don’t think I am sexist on the other hand I am not averse to making banter about it. Alex (a former beauty queen) my good lady is a shining example of how a women (or man) can succeed in any role they wish. As an office manager she was efficient and capable. When all the children had left home she decided to become a marine engineer. She went to college and was the marine engineer student of the year. She worked in a boatyard, working on engines, climbing masts, and removing fittings with a grinder etc. She had nothing but praise for the men she worked with. She was the only female and was always treated very well by all the rough and ready men. When she finally left the boatyard did everything they could to retain her. Now she is a professional framer and runs our business.

Is there sexism in art? Who knows probably, but it is such a disparate profession it is difficult to know. Basically artists stand or fall on their own merits and luck. (Unless they happen to be connected or are a celebrity in their own right. e.g. Timmy Mallet, Sting…)

Today I am off to do some watercolours outside weather permitting.

Squiffy

The painting above is a quick oil sketch of one of the characters we met on the Orient Express. He was one of a number of actors on the train adding to atmosphere by telling tales about the train and its history. His name was squiffy an affectionate name for someone who is slightly inebriated.


I actually had a suit like that which I reluctantly threw out about a year ago. To be fair it had served me a lot of years and would probably have come back into fashion eventually. I never had a hat like that though.

We are starting to catch up with our backlog of work now caused by Christmas and a lot of family commitments.