The land of impossible greens. |
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June 2021
Our town where we now live, Laugharne, squats at the end of an estuary. Here the Afon Taf flows into Carmarthen Bay and eventually the Bristol Channel. On the other side of this estuary are deserted churches, small farm fields and narrow roads draped in flowers.
Cow Parsley, Red campion, butter cups, blue bells and hawthorn compete for room to flourish. Hedges are high. In the shade hearts tongue ferns glow in a green haze.
Roads are like some helter-skelter rising up to the sun and plunging down to shady bridges and crumbling cottages. Up, up again, to a field of views across a hundred fields. A line of pylons march across this land. We enjoy so much green, from darkest viridian to almost lemon. We pass gates are held together by rust and blue bailer twine. Red rust and turquoise blue the compliment to green on the colour wheel.
Our town where we now live, Laugharne, squats at the end of an estuary. Here the Afon Taf flows into Carmarthen Bay and eventually the Bristol Channel. On the other side of this estuary are deserted churches, small farm fields and narrow roads draped in flowers.
Cow Parsley, Red campion, butter cups, blue bells and hawthorn compete for room to flourish. Hedges are high. In the shade hearts tongue ferns glow in a green haze.
Roads are like some helter-skelter rising up to the sun and plunging down to shady bridges and crumbling cottages. Up, up again, to a field of views across a hundred fields. A line of pylons march across this land. We enjoy so much green, from darkest viridian to almost lemon. We pass gates are held together by rust and blue bailer twine. Red rust and turquoise blue the compliment to green on the colour wheel.
A Whole New World
LANDING IN LAUGHARNE May 2021
We have moved to Laugharne.
It is a town on the south coast of Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the estuary of the River Tâf. Population 1,222
It is rather like standing on the edge of a new life, when somebody is saying to you “Hey, would you like a new life?"
And you say 'Yes please, that would be nice, thank you’
I think I really know the difference between living in a place and loving a place. There is so much ahead of us, probably most of it will be strange. Yet there is so much to see, enjoy and stub one’s toe on. Every nook and cranny seems to have a story. Nobody ‘does’ topographical desolation, and piles of enthralling rubbish better than the Welsh.
I am making a drawing or two most days in Laugharne. I make notes each day about what we do all day here.
Here is our new home.
We have moved to Laugharne.
It is a town on the south coast of Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying on the estuary of the River Tâf. Population 1,222
It is rather like standing on the edge of a new life, when somebody is saying to you “Hey, would you like a new life?"
And you say 'Yes please, that would be nice, thank you’
I think I really know the difference between living in a place and loving a place. There is so much ahead of us, probably most of it will be strange. Yet there is so much to see, enjoy and stub one’s toe on. Every nook and cranny seems to have a story. Nobody ‘does’ topographical desolation, and piles of enthralling rubbish better than the Welsh.
I am making a drawing or two most days in Laugharne. I make notes each day about what we do all day here.
Here is our new home.
A BIG crush on Carmarthenshire
March 2021 Carmarthenshire is a grand county of often vertical green fields, meandering rivers, including the AfonTowy the longest flowing entirely within Wales big beaches and caravan parks and not forgetting chapels that demand you to draw them. In a desperate attempt to ingratiate myself with Carmarthen School of Art and speed my application to study at Coleg Sir Gâr I dedicate this album.
Pining for Pembrokeshire
A good friend of mine, Mark, mentioned that he and his wife Karen are going to explore Pembrokeshire; once lockdown is behind us. Amen to that! What a wonderful idea I thought then looked at the map on my pin board annotated with all the places Sian and I visited in 2019 and this, before March 20th last year.
So here is a collection of the work that came about from those journeys, and the map on my pin board. Included are drawings made on the spot, when there, paintings made later in the studio, and printmaking done in the studio of Peter Spens. Captions will be added soon!
So here is a collection of the work that came about from those journeys, and the map on my pin board. Included are drawings made on the spot, when there, paintings made later in the studio, and printmaking done in the studio of Peter Spens. Captions will be added soon!
Urban Renewal
This year has been the year of the micro jaunt. A time when a short trip takes on the significance of a two week holiday!
The purchase of an electric bike helped. Since August I have triangulated between Slough, Uxbridge and High Wycombe and one or two other places. The result is that I have really begun to appreciate and draw the everyday.
The purchase of an electric bike helped. Since August I have triangulated between Slough, Uxbridge and High Wycombe and one or two other places. The result is that I have really begun to appreciate and draw the everyday.
Discovering the Modern Church
Having spent the last twenty years exploring churches built between 900 and 1900, I decided to give those built after 1945 a go. And I kept the ‘survey’ local, the High Wycombe area. What I discovered, sketched and subsequently painted was a confection of all shapes and sizes, in range of materials.
'Churches started to come in all shapes. There were bunkers and ships. There were churches that looked like silos… churches with swervy roofs and hyperbolic paraboloid roofs. The faithful must have had to work hard to convince themselves they were attending church at all.'
Museum without Walls by Jonathan Meades Published 2013 by Unbound Books
'Churches started to come in all shapes. There were bunkers and ships. There were churches that looked like silos… churches with swervy roofs and hyperbolic paraboloid roofs. The faithful must have had to work hard to convince themselves they were attending church at all.'
Museum without Walls by Jonathan Meades Published 2013 by Unbound Books
Exploring Architecture
For many it is still too soon to travel far. However it has been a high old time for some virtual visits. Architecture is a constant theme for my meanderings of late in gouache acrylic, inks and line work.
Kent Coast in June
No. I have not be 'doing a Cummings' and sneaking down to Kent.. Photographer Trevor Clapp and I since 2015 have amassed 2000 photos, 5000 words and 70 drawings on our coastal jaunts. Most of which are up on www.curiouscoast.co.uk With time to reflect in these times and knowing that one day we will be able to enjoy Kent and Essex without restrictions I have been revisiting the Kent photographs Trevor took as the basis for this work...
Darling Buds of May
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May 12 2020
Well it has been an interesting couple of months! Distressing and confusing, yet amongst it all the opportunity to enjoy some wonderful weather. And with so many worthy distractions removed, get down to meaningful work, for example The Lockdown Gallery here, a few tabs across. Also it is a good catch up on correspondence with friends. PJ Lehrer, my dear friend in New York city continues to post inspiring photographs on Instagram. I continue to beg copies from here to 'translate' into illustrative pieces. It is much fun and a wonderful collaboration. And now looking back its interesting to see how much has been created since we started at the beginning of 2019. Find PJ here |
2020 - New year New romance
More to be said as the year progresses. Enough to say that I have fallen hopelessly in love with West Wales (sorry to shout!). I seem to spend all of my artistic waking moments thinking about painting this wonderful part of the world, the counties of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
A Peruvian Adventure
It is important to reflect on any journey. What did we see and do across two remarkable weeks in September this year?
We saw the pyramids of a civilisation that pre dates the Pharaohs and Inca temples and towns and their terraces lying in the sun
Most days we were in sight of mountains crowned with clouds and snow.
We had the chance to explore cities and their gorgeous churches, each House of God dripping with gold and silver. And during these discoveries come to sense a people for whom Christianity and spirituality were very much part of their everyday.
We salivated over ancient textiles and pottery fashioned two thousand years
Recoiled from the tourist hoards including young girls perched atop of ruins, their arms spread wide and chests thrust forward for ‘the photo’.
We relished wonderful cuisine and stayed in some wonderful hotels
Travelled through jungles, plains and peaks and spied small villages by fast flowing rivers.
Ridden on trains where smartly dressed attendants suddenly don colourful costumes and danced along our train’s carriage. Then they give a fashion show
And sailed across a lake and met people we will never forget.
Each was an exquisite and unrepeatable experience.
We saw the pyramids of a civilisation that pre dates the Pharaohs and Inca temples and towns and their terraces lying in the sun
Most days we were in sight of mountains crowned with clouds and snow.
We had the chance to explore cities and their gorgeous churches, each House of God dripping with gold and silver. And during these discoveries come to sense a people for whom Christianity and spirituality were very much part of their everyday.
We salivated over ancient textiles and pottery fashioned two thousand years
Recoiled from the tourist hoards including young girls perched atop of ruins, their arms spread wide and chests thrust forward for ‘the photo’.
We relished wonderful cuisine and stayed in some wonderful hotels
Travelled through jungles, plains and peaks and spied small villages by fast flowing rivers.
Ridden on trains where smartly dressed attendants suddenly don colourful costumes and danced along our train’s carriage. Then they give a fashion show
And sailed across a lake and met people we will never forget.
Each was an exquisite and unrepeatable experience.
Inktober 2019
Inktober is an ink drawing event that occurs every October. People are encouraged to create and post an ink drawing every day, or at whatever pace works best for them. The rules are loose and flexible, which allows for all types of artists and creators to join in on the fun.
Although I think I draw a lot and tell some people I draw everyday well, not always so the challenge of Inktober - a drawing each day is a tough one however it is also a lot of fun to be part of a worldwide community that over 31 days creates millions of drawings between us. Here are mine :)
Although I think I draw a lot and tell some people I draw everyday well, not always so the challenge of Inktober - a drawing each day is a tough one however it is also a lot of fun to be part of a worldwide community that over 31 days creates millions of drawings between us. Here are mine :)
An Album for Autumn
October: We are just back from a big trip to South America (more on that soon) and feel plunged into Autumn, winds and rain as I write this. So I have gathered together some recent work Autumnal, the usual leitmotifs emerge, the sea, sand, land, a little London and fruits of the earth.
That summertime feeling
Let us leave the shapes and sounds of summer up a little bit longer!
Five days cycling by the River Mosel
Revisting the The Somme
At the end of March: A week in the Somme, that area in northern France where from 1914 - 1918, during the Great War, there was so much conflict.
On this second visit one had a clearer sense of the scale of the conflict, how so much was given and so little gained.
On this second visit one had a clearer sense of the scale of the conflict, how so much was given and so little gained.
Coming back to Life
THE WINTER WORKS ALBUM January 2019
T H E T R A V E L S H O W
JANUARY 2019
It is that time of year, the TV, newspapers and online is full of travel, places to go and people to see. And it prompts this small collection of my favourite cities, places to which I have travelled, enjoyed and felt privileged to have been..
A R O M A N I A N R O M A N C E
OCTOBER 2018 We made a journey across the rich landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains and the historic province of Transylvania. We heard the stories of its legends and tales of the 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler. We entered the celebrated, exquisite painted churches in Moldavia.
There was tranquillity in the Convents and unique painted churches of Bucovina, with their colour ladened exterior frescoes protected by soaring shingle roofs. Remarkable work painted in the 16th and 17th centuries yet they retained their freshness and colour.
Brasov entertained us for two days a 12th-century town renowned for its Gothic-style Black Church.
In Sinaia, the ‘Pearl of the Carpathians’, we saw Peles Castle the summer residence of the first king of Romania, Carol I.
And just up the road, Bran, whose medieval castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, to protect the old border between Wallachia and Transylvania.
And, of course, Bucharest, the capital, sometimes known as ‘Little Paris’, has wide boulevards and French architecture, whilst the Palace of the Parliament is the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.
LOVE ROMANIA - 49 DRAWINGS IN THE SLIDE SHOW BELOW
OCTOBER 2018 We made a journey across the rich landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains and the historic province of Transylvania. We heard the stories of its legends and tales of the 15th-century ruler of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler. We entered the celebrated, exquisite painted churches in Moldavia.
There was tranquillity in the Convents and unique painted churches of Bucovina, with their colour ladened exterior frescoes protected by soaring shingle roofs. Remarkable work painted in the 16th and 17th centuries yet they retained their freshness and colour.
Brasov entertained us for two days a 12th-century town renowned for its Gothic-style Black Church.
In Sinaia, the ‘Pearl of the Carpathians’, we saw Peles Castle the summer residence of the first king of Romania, Carol I.
And just up the road, Bran, whose medieval castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, to protect the old border between Wallachia and Transylvania.
And, of course, Bucharest, the capital, sometimes known as ‘Little Paris’, has wide boulevards and French architecture, whilst the Palace of the Parliament is the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.
LOVE ROMANIA - 49 DRAWINGS IN THE SLIDE SHOW BELOW
Whittenham Clumps
SEPTEMBER 2018 WHITTENHAM CLUMPS: WALKING WITH CHRISTOPHER AND ANNA
If you want to really understand something place yourself in the care of a passionate expert. Christopher Baines is just such a person. He unlocks the magic of Whittenham Clumps and artist Paul Nash’s constant fascination with this special landscape. We joined Christopher Baines on a special walk around the Wittenham Clumps, stopping to examine particular points of view where Nash took the landscape and made it his own. Before we set of Christopher gave a illustrated talk, full of insight and anecdote; ideas that made the walk so very special.
BIG THANKS to Christopher Baines and his collaborator and co-guide artist Anna Dillon www.annadillon.com/Their Nash-Clumps website https://www.nashclumps.orgis a constant visual delight
ART IN ACTION
Click on 'Action' to enjoy the short film
Another collaboration with Bespoke Framing
A tour of my studio
Summer 2018
I was so pleased to welcome Alison and Tom into my ‘studio’ the other day.
The result was a lovely two-minute film from Alison
She commented
'Tim Baynes opens his studio in Beaconsfield to us – what a treat! My son has just taken art as a GCSE option in school and we thought a visit to an artists’ studio would be a perfect inspiration'
Play the film from this link bit.ly/2timsstudio
The full story from Aly is on the Bespoke Framing website
SEPTEMBER 2018 WHITTENHAM CLUMPS: WALKING WITH CHRISTOPHER AND ANNA
If you want to really understand something place yourself in the care of a passionate expert. Christopher Baines is just such a person. He unlocks the magic of Whittenham Clumps and artist Paul Nash’s constant fascination with this special landscape. We joined Christopher Baines on a special walk around the Wittenham Clumps, stopping to examine particular points of view where Nash took the landscape and made it his own. Before we set of Christopher gave a illustrated talk, full of insight and anecdote; ideas that made the walk so very special.
BIG THANKS to Christopher Baines and his collaborator and co-guide artist Anna Dillon www.annadillon.com/Their Nash-Clumps website https://www.nashclumps.orgis a constant visual delight
ART IN ACTION
Click on 'Action' to enjoy the short film
Another collaboration with Bespoke Framing
A tour of my studio
Summer 2018
I was so pleased to welcome Alison and Tom into my ‘studio’ the other day.
The result was a lovely two-minute film from Alison
She commented
'Tim Baynes opens his studio in Beaconsfield to us – what a treat! My son has just taken art as a GCSE option in school and we thought a visit to an artists’ studio would be a perfect inspiration'
Play the film from this link bit.ly/2timsstudio
The full story from Aly is on the Bespoke Framing website
WHITTENHAM CLUMPS
March 2018
Some places truly strike a cord.
These are places that preoccupy you for many days after your visit.
The place you really cannot wait to get back to. Whittenham Clumps is one of my places.
I walked past it in July 2103 with two friends as we walked the Thames Path. I immediately created a linocut from the drawing I made at that time. It has been at the back of my mind since as a magic place, there, but not quite.
Remarkable views are here, you look across Oxfordshire to the north, Chilterns to the East, South and West across the Berkshire Downs and Wiltshire.
The artist Paul Nash, who first saw them in 1911, described the view from The Clumps: "a beautiful legendary country haunted by old gods long forgotten” Paul Nash repeatedly painted Wittenham Clumps. I hope to follow in his wake, in a more industrious fashion than I have hitherto.
Painting the library
November 2017 and in February 2018 were the first times I had engaged publicly about my painting.
(Aside from muttered openings in my 2010 and 2011 shows).
I finished the actual 'talk' in forty minutes and then we got into an exercise: I'd bought some gear and paper and a jar of Rudbeckia stems and we all got to work.
It was a really exciting session! A big thanks to Beaconsfield Library for suggesting the idea and helping to make it fly!
Three big learnings
1. People are more interested in how one does something more than why or what
2. People love getting stuck into something
3. Taking along some equipment so people could have a go with untried materials was a bonus - for they love experimenting with something new
March 2018
Some places truly strike a cord.
These are places that preoccupy you for many days after your visit.
The place you really cannot wait to get back to. Whittenham Clumps is one of my places.
I walked past it in July 2103 with two friends as we walked the Thames Path. I immediately created a linocut from the drawing I made at that time. It has been at the back of my mind since as a magic place, there, but not quite.
Remarkable views are here, you look across Oxfordshire to the north, Chilterns to the East, South and West across the Berkshire Downs and Wiltshire.
The artist Paul Nash, who first saw them in 1911, described the view from The Clumps: "a beautiful legendary country haunted by old gods long forgotten” Paul Nash repeatedly painted Wittenham Clumps. I hope to follow in his wake, in a more industrious fashion than I have hitherto.
Painting the library
November 2017 and in February 2018 were the first times I had engaged publicly about my painting.
(Aside from muttered openings in my 2010 and 2011 shows).
I finished the actual 'talk' in forty minutes and then we got into an exercise: I'd bought some gear and paper and a jar of Rudbeckia stems and we all got to work.
It was a really exciting session! A big thanks to Beaconsfield Library for suggesting the idea and helping to make it fly!
Three big learnings
1. People are more interested in how one does something more than why or what
2. People love getting stuck into something
3. Taking along some equipment so people could have a go with untried materials was a bonus - for they love experimenting with something new