Lost in the Wood

Gwen Owen painting in the Creu suntrap It's all change at Parc Glynllifon at the moment. Our shared Creu studio has seen been transformed by Gwen Owen's efforts to ready the workshop for the current exhibition (hopefully the start of an occasional series), 'Tranquility'. Now, 'Tranquility' is a concept I've rarely experienced and don't particularly expect or strive for. However, I'm glad it evidently exists and it certainly sounds like a desirable state. Chiefly, this bijou exhibition showcases the paintings of Gwen Owen and Barbara Larkin (most of the rest of the Creu collective are on the poster because Gwen is inclusive and kindhearted). I particularly like Gwen Owen's large square canvases with vibrant, almost abstracted, floral landscapes bursting with colour and texture. Based in her coastal studio, Barbara paints mostly in oils but also employs water colours and encaustics (hot wax) and she's a very warmly welcomed guest artis...

Evie looking regal (back view) Weekends in North Wales are stuffed full of interesting arty things to see/ visit at the moment as the annual Helfa Gelf (art trail) is in full swing across 5 counties. So far, me & Evie (see pic) have enjoyed our first time involvement in it. We've been very lucky to be sharing a lovely light & airy studio with two other colourful artists in Y iard (the yard), an idyllic old courtyard of restored workshops at Parc Glynllifon (near Caernarfon). Many artists are opening up their actual studios/barns/workshops/ spare rooms for the public to potter in but others, like us in Unit 9, are renting space for the month. There's definitely some advantage to this, a cluster of artists are presumably more likely to be visited especially when there's a cafe selling huge slices of tasty cakes in the grounds, the Black Cat Cafe . I recommend the ridiculously gooey beetroot & chocolate brownie (just not for a first date, bit too messy/...

Amelia Puddle Hello folks, this week has been full of big announcements and much artiness! Peter Capaldi as the next Doctor has been met with cheerful warmth in our little cottage and sighs of relief that it wasn't someone alarming like the smug student from the BT ads or Shane Ritchie (as my friend upsettingly threw into the rumour mix). Our personal hopefuls were Ben Wishaw, 'Johnson' from Peep Show & Zawe Ashton (the fabulous 'Vod' from Fresh Meat) but Peter C is certainly ok by us. Even more excitingly, The Doctor's new companion was unveiled today, rather unbelievably, at the national Eisteddfod in Denbigh. As pictured, the producers requested a cut-price Amy Pond type so hurrah, it is I! I'm planning a bilingual effort after doing surprisingly well in my recent Welsh exam (most surprising perhaps to the people who have tried to chat with me 'ym Cymraeg'). Sadly, my make-me-look-cooler oversized sunglasses have broken so I'm looking ...

Portmeirion Bit erratic on the blog front recently but with good reason, last weekend my little brother made his inaugural trip to Wales. After 5 years of excuses (including living in New Zealand for the 1st 2 years, I gracefully accepted this one), he arrived at last! Was most exciting to be able to show him lots of lovely things with the sunshine gods beaming down benevolently on us for once. Accompanying him in the trip was our best friend, a good natured soul who will happily potter round Caernarfon Castle, Portmeirion etc etc once again (not really a hardship and there were plenty of ice creams to help fuel these escapades). I've been to a number of lovely places around the world (such as waterfalls in Brazil, arriving by camel to the Pyramids at Giza, hilltop temples in Japan) but few places can top the loveliness of Portmeirion on a sunny summer day. I've visited quite a few times now (including in winter) and it never fails to delight and inspire (and use up a lot o...

Red Riding Hood brooch by Miss Marple Makes I'm always thrilled when I sell my work and rest assured lovely buyers, the money goes towards new materials, occasionally to the dentist (ie for the small but expensive filling last week) and to another great by-product of buying from a local artist/shop, to other artists! While pretty things spied on the internet & in magazines etc are continually tempting, I feel that my purchases help, in a very modest way, to contribute to the local economy and supporting other makers & artists (it's a good justification I employ!). Apparently a fairly high percentage of handmade items are bought by other designer/makers, which does make some sense. I'd like to share with you three lovely jewellery items I've bought recently, all by local makers in North Wales (their products are available on-line too though for you more urban/ Non-Wales types). I've been fans of all of them for some time and much coveting of their produ...