Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

An exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Ceredigion artist John Elwyn opens today, Monday 28 November 2016, at Aberystwyth University’s School of Art Museum and Galleries. Born in Adpar in south Ceredigion, where his father ran a woollen mill on the banks of the river Teifi, John Elwyn trained at Carmarthen, Bristol and the Royal College of Art in London. He subsequently lived and worked in Hampshire until his death in 1997. The exhibition John Elwyn: ‘A Quiet Sincerity’ has been curated by the artist’s friend and biographer, Professor Robert Meyrick, who is Head of the School of Art at Aberystwyth University. “John Elwyn is of one of Wales’ most distinguished artists whose paintings have contributed significantly to the British landscape tradition,” said Professor Meyrick. “He painted subjects that reflect his Welsh heritage and empathy with the Welsh people, their language and social traditions. “Like John Constable in Suffolk, Samuel Palmer in Kent and Graham Sut...

Kim Whitby, who graduated with an MA in Fine Art from the Aberystwyth School of Art in 2014, has reached the final of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2016. Kim, who was brought up in Aberaeron, was one of 300 ‘wildcard’ artists who pitted her skills against professional artists in the competition. The semi-final which was screened on Tuesday 22 November, was held in Margate, Kent, and saw artists using Margate’s Harbour as their inspiration. Kim completed a Bachelor of Education Art degree at King Alfred's College, Winchester, before teaching full time for many years as an infant teacher, initially in Devon and then in Ceredigion. In December 2014 she completed a Fine Art Masters degree at Aberystwyth University, and has since focused on developing her artwork. “My time on my Fine Art MA in Aberystwyth was a Ronseal experience. It did everything it said in the tin!” Kim commented. “I certainly finished my course in a place professionally that I could never have imagined get...

Steffan Jones-Hughes has joined the team at Aberystwyth Arts Centre as Visual Arts Manager. An experienced curator, arts administrator and artist has been appointed as Visual Arts Manager at Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Steffan Jones-Hughes will be taking on the role after working for twelve and half years developing Wrexham’s arts and cultural ecology, first in the Regional Print Centre and more recently at Oriel Wrecsam. During his time with Wrexham County Borough Council, he worked alongside Oriel Wrecsam as they successfully ensured a £2.3m investment from the Arts Council Wales to transform and revitalise the town. Director of the Arts Centre Gareth Lloyd Roberts said: “The Visual Arts have always been a hugely important aspect of the work we do at Aberystwyth Arts Centre and we’re delighted that Steffan, who has years of experience and considerable Visual Arts knowledge, will be joining us in November. We’re all very much looking forward to welcoming him to the Arts Centre team; ...

Popular Carmarthen artist Mark Cox will be exhibiting his latest works (including this view of Tenby, above) at Aberglasney's Mansion House between July 3 and 16. Mark is a frequent visitor to Aberglasney House and Gardens in the picturesque Tywi Valley and holds regular exhibitions at the Mansion House. Mark is a traditional painter who values the skills and techniques that can only come with years of study and experience. Mark draws his inspiration from the landscape of south and west Wales and enjoys working in both oil and watercolours, producing landscapes, seascapes and coastal scenes. Mark is passionate about painting and is fortunate to live in an area of natural outstanding beauty where there is a new subject waiting to be captured on canvas around every corner. Mark's own website describes him as 'an eclectic artist who enjoys working on a variety of subjects, producing landscapes, marine and coastal paintings'. He works in both oils and watercolours...

A new season of art exhibitions in the Mansion at Aberglasney House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley is just around the corner with the wonderful David Cowdry opening the 2015 season on Friday March 27. About David Cowdry The 44-year-old Llandelo-based has been steadily building up a ‘fan club’ of followers at Aberglasney with exhibitions at the mansion house over each of the last eight years. “It’s become a bit of a base camp and it’s a place I really enjoy visiting to show off my latest works,” said David. Aberglasney is a long way from David’s native Kent, but it’s very much a home from home for the artist. “I first moved down to Wales from Kent more than 20 years ago to study wildlife illustration at the old Carmarthen College of Art. “Believe it or not, but I was a failure,” chuckled David. “I did some, but not all of the course as there was too much attention paid to bookwork and classroom activity. “I couldn’t believe that we could be stuck indoors in an area which bo...

Ainsley Hillard will be exhibiting at Aberglasney Mansion House and Gardens in the Tywi Valley, Carmarthenshire, from October 10, 2014, and is interested in bringing together the past and the present. Her arts practice is site-referential, being informed by specific places and the memories they hold. Over the past year, Ainsley has been collaborating with acoustic engineer Rhys James to create a site-specific audio-textile exhibition, that will be installed in the interiors of Aberglasney House as well as the Cloister Gardens. Born and living in Carmarthenshire she is interested in the social-history of Aberglasney which has acted as a catalyst, inspiring her to develop and create a new body of work informed by the original archival materials and records both past and present. Ainsley has also been inspired by the poetry of John Dyer, ‘Grongar Hill’ and ‘A Country Walk’ to develop audio-textile installations. Ainsley’s aims: • To reveal stories both individual and collective tha...

The Oriel Myrddin Gallery featured maker for November and December is blacksmith and sculptor, Mike Davies. Mike is a third generation blacksmith working in Pembrokeshire and has more recently studied Fine Art Sculpture (BA Hons) at West Wales School of the Arts in Carmarthen. He still has an incessant passion for working with wrought iron and steel. He says: “These materials are strong and heavy with uses extensively in Industry, essentially cold and lifeless. However, light delicate flowing forms can be achieved with the forging technique. This breathes life and energy into the material, transforming it into inherently tactile objects.” It is this transformation that interests and inspires Mike to experiment using an amalgamation of traditional and contemporary techniques, “Handling the ironwork, feeling the different textures, enables you to experience the power and vitality within the work.” Mike has created a contemporary fire basket and a set of exquisitely designed fi...

A Pembrey 'war zone' has inspired an artist to create his latest works. Osi Rhys Osmond paints the wonders of life redeeming "man's madness" in the practice war zone on the end of Cefn Sidan Beach. His artistic interpretation contrasting military might versus nature’s beauty is captured in the latest ‘Back Wall’ series of Welsh artists at Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen, a show running until August 17. Carmarthenshire coastal landscape artist Mr Osmond watches the skilled aerobatics of Top Gun pilots practising their warfare alongside the fastest feathered winged predator in the bird world – the peregrine falcon, seeking out its next meal. He has captured the scenes on location overlooking RAF Pembrey’s bombing ranges and the proofing and testing Ministry of Defence establishment at Pendine. His sets up his easel on the Llansteffan coastal peninsular looking seaward east towards Cefn Sidan, Pembrey, and across to Gower; then south over Pendine to Lundy and Caldy ...

'Coast and Countryside' is the title for a new collection of work by Lampeter-based artist Elaine Graham. The collection goes on show at Aberglasney House and Gardens between May 10 and 23. Elaine is an emerging West Wales artist popular for her distinctive colourist and painterly landscapes. She specialises in the wild, windy and always dramatic Welsh coast countryside and fuses the traditional and modern. Her style is described as 'painterly, colourist and expressive'. The new show will be open from 10-6pm daily at Aberglasney Gardens, Llangathen, Carmarthenshire, SA32 8QH. Elaine said: “The more I explore Wales the more I feel I am tapping into a timeless and untamed energy. "By connecting to and expressing this essence, I hope to inspire others with a passion for this living land.” Elaine works from her studio near Lampeter, Ceredigion, and currently exhibits in Milford Haven, Cardigan, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Cardiff. Her work has been included in...

Carmarthen artist Mark Cox is opening a new exhibition of his paintings tomorrow evening. The exhibition of paintings in the downstairs gallery of Carmarthen Library will help raise funds for the Carmarthen and District Hospice Appeal. The exhibition will show 60 original paintings, plus prints and cards, and will be open during normal library hours on 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th December, with 'take down' on 12th. Admission is free. A private view will take place on the evening of 5th December 5pm-8.30pm, with admission £5, pay on the door. The admission price gives a 10% discount on all original paintings on Wednesday night only. Light refreshments are included. All ticket monies will go to the hospice fund as well as 25% of all sales from the exhibition. For further information call 07792 037966  or email markcoxba@gmail.com Mark's own website describes him as 'an eclectic artist who enjoys working on a variety of subjects, producing landscapes, marine and...

Llanelli artist and photographer Russ Myners has sent through another update on his work this morning. Russ Myners is a local part-time artist and photographer, outside his 'day job' as a busy Practice Manager. He is also a weekend volunteer working in the grounds at the National Wetland Centre Wales, Penclacwydd, Llanelli. Russ started painting in watercolours around 2005 and has exhibited work at wetland centres both in Llanelli and at Slimbridge. His art and photographic work has attracted interest from the USA, Sweden and India. Aside from painting, Russ also carries out some Life drawing in charcoal and pencil. When time permits, Russ loves to be outdoors with his camera capturing nature as it is. His photography has been appreciated by many people across the UK, and has been commissioned for work on websites, canvass wraps and even digital wallpaper! You can find out more at Russ's website - http://www.russartworx.net Here's his latest news - Just a very quick ...

Good to see Carmarthen artist Mark Cox in the Waverley in Carmarthen today. Check out his art at - http://markcoxpaintings.co.uk/