Champery was the first Swiss mountain resorts I ever visited. Back when I was racing mountain bikes at about 19 years of age I had stopped by on a road trip with some friends. After visiting for a week or so I knew I wanted to come back again. Skip 3 years and I was working as a ski instructor for the Freeride ski school in Champery.
For Centuries artist have been fascinated in painting people, the face, the self portrait and figures. Life is constant inspiration and portrait painting is something I do firstly for myself. I try to paint exactly what I want, whatever inspires me at the time.
You might not think that a bespoke bicycle and painting have much to do with each other, but this bike changes everything. I have been painting ‘en plein air‘ for a few years with an idea in the back of my mind. Often painting in the mountains I would would arrive at the top, tired and wishing I could stay and start another canvas without having to walk back down, then up again.
To begin painting in the Swiss Alps I first need to get there with all my stuff. This time I take the train, with a pair of skis , 3 canvasses, my backpack and a large roller bag. Then finally from Sierre I hop on the funicular, then finally a bus to my destination.
Painting Pembrokeshire is on my radar but I need to wait for the weather to agree with my plans. I can’t believe it’s taken me two years to put all these paintings together. With my largest welsh exhibition on the horizon things are getting exciting now.
A Welsh Prince built Powis Castle in the thirteenth century. Following the end of the Welsh Wars (1282) and for his loyalty to Edward I, the King permitted Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn to begin building Powis Castle circa 1283.
This whole idea was spurred on by an old refurbished victorian frame I recently bought that had some lovely detailing with an oval window in the centre. It had been lying around, waiting for me to paint a portrait that would fit.
Over the course of painting this new exhibition I have decided to change the name, so what started as ‘Painting the Welsh coast’ will now become ‘ North – South, A very Welsh Exhibition’. This is Mostly due to the fact that whilst at the coast I began venturing in land. I couldn’t resist. There are so many fantastic places to visit throughout Wales.
Behind the scenes, painting along the Welsh coast for my upcoming solo exhibition.
Ever since painting Barmouth Bridge a year or so ago I have been inspired to paint a collection of works along the Welsh coast. Working my way from North to South, following the coastline heading inland, here and there as and as I fancy. (This was the rough idea at least)
