My collection of self-made books consisting of drawings, written notes, photographs and various paraphernalia accumulated over the years, naturally develops into a visual record of personal events. This ‘diary’, together with what I see and feel, usually represents the start of the thing I call art. Through a process of imaginative reconstruction I can attempt to make sense of some of the stuff that’s happening around me.

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So what is all this activity about? The quick and easy answer is that I don’t know, but it certainly reminds me that I’m alive and well. I can’t stop myself from doing it and the other option strikes me as a bleak and barren place and a rather frustrating end to the life I’ve always known.

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The relationship between me and my wife is a recurring and unavoidable theme, albeit only implied on occasions. Much of my work is a creation of some sort of paradise or at least a place where two people are happy with each other. This ‘paradise’ can be based on my immediate surroundings or on places visited.

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Although I have a background in sculpture, it is a sheet of paper that more often than not provides me with the freedom and space I need. Disparate sources can be collaged together, perspectives altered and any scale suggested without too much of a problem on a paper support. My world of anxieties and pleasures, for what it’s worth, can be hung out to dry on a scrap of paper.

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For the most part, my work is a visual diary. The relationship between me and my wife is a recurring and unavoidable theme. Often disparate sources will be collaged on scraps of paper so that some order can be created from an idea that’s floating in my head. This process may make clearer the anxieties and pleasures of my world.

CHRONOLOGY and C.V.

1952, born Aberystwyth.

1970 – 1974, attended Newport College of Art.

1974, married to Margaret.

1974 – 1975, attended Cardiff College of Art.

1975 – 1976, taught at Bishop Hannon Catholic School, Cardiff.

1977, first of three children born.

1977 – 2006, taught at Lliswerry Comprehensive School, Newport.

2006, retired from teaching.

 

EXHIBITIONS.

1991.

Moving Pictures, South East Wales Arts Association, Malpas Library, Newport.

2002 onwards.

Various group shows at Washington Gallery, Penarth.

2004.

The Gallery Upstairs, The Fabric Shop, Abergavenny.

2007.

Washington Gallery, Penarth.

2009.

Summer Show, Washington Gallery, Penarth.

2010.

Summer Show, Washington Gallery, Penarth.

2011.

Watercolour Society of Wales, The Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy.

Watercolour Society of Wales, Swansea Grand Theatre, Swansea.

March 2012.

Watercolour Society of Wales, Attic Gallery, Swansea.

Watercolour Society of Wales, Oriel Mwldan Gallery, Cardigan.

2013.

Watercolour Society of Wales, MOMA, Machynlleth.

2014.

Royal Watercolour Society of Wales, Oriel Cric Gallery, Crickhowell.

Double Portrait, Victoria Gallery, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran.

2015.

Royal Watercolour Society of Wales, Oriel Ceri Richards Gallery, Swansea. Royal Watercolour Society of Wales, Tenby Museum and Art Gallery.

Open Art Exhibition, Oriel CRIC Gallery, Crickhowell.

2016.

Royal Watercolour Society of Wales, Kooywood Gallery, Cardiff.

Royal Watercolour Society of Wales, Mid Wales Arts, Caersws.