Emyrs Williams has completed his commissioned painting for the Gwanwyn Festival.   It’s very interesting to see  how the painting has developed which you can look at by following his blog.   He has a fine show of his work from the last five years at Oriel Theatr Clwyd in Mold.  I like the surreal dream-like landscapes that Emrys paints, with his recurring motifs, so that after looking at the paintings for a while, there is a sense of narrative, of an emerging mysterious story.

The completed Gwanwyn Festival Art Commission is on display at Theatr Clwyd with examples of work from the other two shortlisted artists myself and Jan Gardner.     Jan’s painting is full of vibrant colours and I especially like the turquoise and orange colours in the painting that make it feel alive.  To get a better look at her brilliant paintings visit her website.

The piece of work I have submitted for the show is a pastel drawing  ‘Lynn with Head Scarf’ (905mm x 638 mm) pictured.

The Gwanwyn Festival Art Commission is on show at Theatr Clwyd until 3rd March 2012 then it continues it’s tour to different parts of Wales.

This is an open exhibition of work by local artists – a mix of drawings, paintings, and sculpture.  I have my painting ‘Peek-a-boo’ in this exhibition.  The opening takes place on 7pm Friday 9th December.

I will post the results when they are announced!

As part of my trip I also visited some other art exhibitions in London.  I really enjoyed the Jerwood Drawing Prize, I particularly liked Dave Farnham’s video and the work of Ruby Manson.  I also visited the Degas show at the Royal Academy, the Sunday Times Watercolour Exhibition at the Mall Galleries and the Romantics at Tate Britain.  It was a busy but fulfilling trip and I hope to go again soon!

‘Megabyte’ is a drawing of my daughter.   Constructing the composition I found myself fascinated by our capacity as human beings, to consume and the fine line, where pleasure can become discomfort.

UKCPS is the United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society.  I joined the society recently and hope to meet some of the other artists at the opening.  There will be over 200 drawings exhibited at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH.  I’ll be going to the private view on Sunday 18th September, then it’s open from 19th September – 1st October 2011.  Also looking forward to visiting some galleries in London!

I have a pastel drawing in the Tabernacle Art  Competition 2011 ‘Feeling’ at Moma wales, Machynlleth 18th July to 3rd September.  The drawing is part of a dream series and is called ‘Severance’.  It is about the feelings of loss and separation I experienced when my daughter left Wales to go Uni in London.  I would like to think that other parents looking at the image would empathise with me.  I did not mean to make myself look so sad, afterall leaving home is part of a natural order of events that must happen and in fact shows that somewhere I have fullfilled my role as a parent.  If you look in the image you will see the river, which in real life eventually leads back to the sea and the coastline of  beautiful Wales where I live.  I’m hoping that one day her roots will bring her back!

I enjoyed the creative process of painting these portraits so much.  Starting with discussing the commissions with the clients, then spending time with the children, chasing them around with my camera and sketch book and later spending hours and hours painting! They are lovely children and it was a pleasure to paint their portraits.  Finally delivering the completed paintings to their new home.  I was pleased with the paintings, but I was even happier that the parents loved them too. The family thought the portraits were wonderful and that the work  exceded their expectations!  This was fantastic feed back for me and so satifying to hear how much they treasured them.

I went to the opening of Society of Women Artists 150th Celebratory Exhibition 29th July.  The Mall Galleries was brimed full of people and there was a great atmosphere.  I felt really pleased to have my work  ‘Summer Glow’  included alongside such interesting and accomplished work.  It was also lovely to have my family with me to share the experience.  The exhibition was opened by Princess Michael of Kent who also presented awards.  Well done to fellow Welsh artist Andie Clay, who won the St Cuthbert’s Mill award.  The exhibition runs from 30th June to 9th July 2011 at the Mall galleries, London.