Pembrey Primary School

I got on okay today and did the above painting. I had been contacted by Pauline Thomas an artist from Ferryside. She contacted me on  behalf of the Pembrey Primary School PTA asking if I could donate a painting to a special auction to raise funds for the school. I was happy to oblige and wanted something relevant so Cefn Sidan seemed the answer. I have painted Seabirds rising off the beach before. That view was from the other direction without the Gower in the background and I didn't want to repeat this as I know the image was very poignant for the lovely lady who bought it. So there it is maybe you will go along and buy it.

Anyway I will try and post something about the evening when it gets closer in the meantime here is the website link for Pauline Thomas. http://www.wallscapes.biz/

Our raspberries have been disappearing mysteriously from the canes over the last couple of weeks we speculated on the culprits and blamed the birds. The other day a black snout was seen with its head in the raspberry canes, yes it was our "Jac" the cocker spaniel who was stripping them off!!

Whales

I had intended to do an oil painting today. I have the image in my head and I prepared a board to size. Then I chickened out. I could probably have done it but could also have made a pigs ear of it.
I decided to leave it until tomorrow.
Anyway on a cheerful note when we went to Iceland (not the frozen food store) and Norway I was made up as they say or they used to say 20 odd years ago? Alex and I saw Minke Whales off Iceland and halfway across to Norway we saw 3 pods of Orca (killer whales). Now I got pictures of the Minke whales but my camera battery went flat and of course I didn't take the charger Duh!! Anyway I did a sketch or two and it will be one of those memories that remain with me for the rest of my life or as long as I can remember things. Such a shame they are hunted.

Aberglasney flower Garden

I have been feeling a bit under the weather the last couple of days. Lethargic to be honest. I meant to start the watercolour of Aberglasney yesterday but slept for the most part of the day. I am better but still a bit lethargic today. I did manage to do the watercolour above this morning. Strangely my great grandfather died of narcolepsy I suppose dying in your sleep is the second best way to depart this world. I will leave you to decide the best way.( Maybe watching Wales win another Grand Slam?)

The petunias which is what I think they are weren't actually in the picture but the reds and green worked out okay for the composition.

PS I have been told that the flowers are hollyhocks. I would never make a good gardener.

Dublin Bay

We anchored in Dublin Bay this year and I took the opportunity to sketch the Power Station with its two landmark towers. I had been commissioned to do a series of paintings with them in the background  about 12 years ago. So it was a kind of coming home moment, reminding me of the paintings which had to be done very quickly.

Today I am probably going to start a watercolour. Alex has about 500 cards to make so she is
pretty busy too.

Llansteffan Painting

Here is the painting of Llansteffan I finished this week. I have done several versions of this. Is that a problem? Well not for me. They are all different and it means that several people can have the original of the view of their choice. There are many examples of artists doing the same view.
Cezanne did numerous views of  Montagne Sainte Victoire in fact he painted the same view daily for many years. Leonardo did a number of versions of the same view of Madonna and child. Munch did up to 90 versions of his Scream. 

The other day the fabulous singer Mark Evans had a concert compered by Rob Brydon. I was pleased to be asked for my work to be used as a backdrop for the opening numbers. The show was a huge success.

Today I am in the gallery and Alex is framing all day.

Olden waterfall

The above sketch is of a waterfall in the fjord near Olden. It was undertaken rapidly standing up. Not only did I have little time but I was on a ship sailing passed it so the angle was changing along with the light. The Outline ink was done first and then I used watercolour to build up the foliage and rocks.

Yesterday I finished my oil painting of Llansteffan and sorted out the scratch on another painting.

I have recently been clearing my mother's house out. While we were away my sister came over to house and dog sit which was very kind of her. When I got back she informed me she had finished clearing my mother's garage for me. I was impressed and pleased.
"There was a lot of rubbish bric a brac and everywhere." She said.
"Great thanks," I said and as an after thought, "Where did you take it?" (expecting maybe the recycling centre or the local dump).
"Oh I put it all in your garage." She replied

Link, its kind of connected,  its about the past about getting old a really sad song thought provoking,  wonderfully written pathos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgihbuhkG30

Godfoss

When we were in Iceland recently we saw some wonderful scenery. I could have happily sketched or painted for days. Inevitably taking it as much as possible in in a limited time meant I only had minutes to get anything done. The pen ink and watercolour sketch above was done at Godfoss when we had a 15 minute coach stop. It is a spectacular waterfall on a glacier fed river. The story goes that when Iceland decided to adopt Christianity in 900 something the statues of the old pagan gods were thrown in the falls hence the name "Godfoss".

Yesterday I noticed one of my completed paintings awaiting framing had a scratch mark across it where I had caught it with something, another task to be done today!

Now its off to take Jac for his first walk of the day.