A day on the beach

We went to the beach yesterday and had a great walk. Jac can normally find a dead seagull or jelly fish to roll in but he outdid himself yesterday. He found a rotting seal carcase and before we could stop him was rolling around all over it.

Despite several dips in the sea and numerous wipe he stank appallingly. We had to virtually hold our breath until we got home. Then it was a full wash and shower! For him and us.

The painting above is of Cefn Sidan ( meaning literally silver or satin back) the long beautiful beach of sand running form the Three Rivers estuary to Pembrey and is sold.

Druidstone

We have had 2 grandchildren for the last five days so I am a bit shell shocked. To be truthful they were really good but I feel knackered!

I think we are taking the camper out tomorrow for the day, not sure where maybe Druidstone as in the painting above. I may take my easel or I may just sleep.

I did get to the rugby last night to watch the Scarlets and Blues, a good game.

You lose some you win some

Not every painting is a success and the one above was consigned to the waste pile. It was an attempt to paint the City of St. Truro as it passed by. I had been on the engine as a boy so it held some interest for me. I think it went wrong from the beginning the composition is to my mind way out. The loco is too big and the front of the loco is too far to the right .   The canvas is also too square for the picture. Apart from that it was perfect!! Well actually the smoke box door is to detailed and well you get the picture ( pun intended). I did it a good few years ago but that is not an excuse. The main point is to be  objective about your own work and analyise it. If it is all wrong work out why and learn from it.

In the interests of balance here is a reasonable painting of a locomotive going under the rail bridge next to my old house. This is not for sale.

Its still life

 I pretty much like to paint most things in many styles. The above was obviously a still life I did  in the style of victorian artists.

Brecon Painting

The above painting is a view of Brecon. A painting that sold a few years ago when I use to exhibit in Brecon.

Brecon is a lovely little town in the National Park. It has changed a good deal since we used to live there but I think it still retains its charm.

I posted the other day about my old coat well I have now lost my favourite flat cap which was a dozen or more years old. Appropriately I think it was lost in a pub! Alex has bought me another so I will have to wear it in.

Rail Bridge Carmarthen

A favourite painting of mine that is now sold of a Black Five crossing the Bascule Bridge at Carmarthen.

Jac and I were out earlier enough to catch Venus in the morning sky before dawn. Alex has been away at a wedding and is due back today so Jac and I will be on domestic chores this morning. I had two of the grandchildren yesterday and we were cooking for a few hours. I got them making their own pizzas albeit the yeast seemed a bit reluctant to activate all went well. Then it was fruit pie and carrot cake. A pleasant few hours with me relegated to skivvy and chief washer upper!

Riders on the Storm

Okay I have had what I believe are now called a couple of "clothing fails"!

Last night I went to the rugby. I got out of the car and put my coat on to find my son, son-in-law and grandson all looking at me.

"What?" I said.
"What is that you're wearing?"
"My coat. Why?"
"Whats that all over it?"
"Paint, its my coat I use when painting outside."

 Now I confess it is probably 20 years passed its sell by date and is splattered in oil paint but its warm, comfortable and I can't bring myself to throw it out.
They just looked at me laughing and we hurried to the game in abject conditions. As for the game itself the best thing to do is to just draw a line under it and forget it.

This morning I got up and dressed to take Jac out  into Storm Brian. I had my old coat on hood, cap, scarf, over trousers and wellingtons (which actually leak and do need replacing). I must have looked like an outsize Paddington Bear.

I walked out of the front door and was greeted by a calm, no wind or rain. I then met my elderly neighbour (okay I am no spring chicken myself). He had been to get his newspaper from the garage.

He looked at me and grinned,"Good morning Mark."

He was wearing a cap, cardigan and what looked like slippers although I think they must have been old Hush Puppies (who remembers them?).

I was almost grateful when ten minutes later the heavens opened.

Ah the painting above is I think appropriate for today and is sold.

Link to one of my favourite Bands the Doors that I did see.