I was born in Bangor Gwynedd, in 1945, attended Friars school, Bangor and
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle ,Penygroes until leaving to study Architecture at
Bath University from 1964 to 1969. After initially working in Aberystwyth
and then Hull, I moved with my wife Mary and young family to Pembrokeshire
where I worked as an architect until retirement in 2000. I then took up
painting fulltime and after a brief period living in the North East of England
I am now back home living in North Wales .
The Sioe Gelf television programme documented my move to full-time
painting in 2003 ,since when I have exhibited in various galleries
throughout Wales. I have had shared and mixed exhibitions at the Albany
Gallery Cardiff since 2004 and more recently at the Attic Gallery
(2009).I exhibited at the Welsh Artist of the year at the St.David`s Hall
Cardiff (2005and2006) and at the Royal Cambrian Acadamy,Conwy.Recent
solo exhibitions include the Galeri Betws y Coed (2006 and 2009) ,Plas
Glyn y Weddw ,Llanbedrog (2007) , Tegfryn Gallery Menai Bridge (2006 and
2008),Oriel Ynys Mon(2009), Albany Gallery Cardiff, (2010) and the Attic Gallery Swansea (April 2011).My paintings can also be seen at Christmas and Summer shows at the above galleries and at the Fountain Fine Art Llandeilo, Oriel Pen fan Brecon, Lion Street Gallery Hay on Wye,Oriel y Bont.
I love painting the landscapes of Wales whether they be town or country,
mountains or sea. Coming from North Wales, I have always been
attracted to the majesty of the mountains which I have walked and
climbed since childhood. The light, atmosphere and sense of place always
inspires me to sketch and paint .My solo exhibitions include paintings of
the Snowdonia peaks, and coastline, wooded valleys and mountain lakes
which are so familiar to me.
I paint in pastel mostly and like their immediacy which help me to paint
quickly .I try to convey the magic, mystery and beauty of the landscapes
when I paint and am fascinated by the effect of light on water. The
glare, movement and reflections are a constant theme that I come back to
again and again. Soft pastel retain their brilliance, do not fade and
require no maintenance; they are everlasting and I am obviously hooked
by the freedom and spontaneity they bring to the painting process. I work
on strongly textured sandpaper because it grips the pastel so well. It
allows me to layer the pastel without the colours getting muddy. There
are a huge number of pastel papers available but I usually stick to sandpaper because I personally find it easier to use.
I am always delighted to have the opportunity of exhibiting my work and hope that my passion for Welsh landscapes gives enjoyment to others.