Aberystwyth Antics
21/06/2015
Hi Folks, it’s a drizzly day here in Aberystwyth, the art centre of Wales. I landed here three weeks ago, and have been in the studio for two.
The locals, both in and out of the arts, are wonderful people, and I have been gathering lots of material to (hopefully) develop some art from. So far I have been to performances by the Aberopera group, I think there may be some of the pictures I took on their Facebook page. Also been on some walks with the Aberystwyth Ramblers (no, not a vocal group, but lovely people). Last weekend we visited a part of the Pembrokeshire coastline on a Ministry of Defence firing range (closed for the day), and saw some amazing scenery, a 13th c farm, and lots of munitions in various states. Two weeks time is an excursion to Snowdonia in the North.
I went to the Ceredigion County show today, and got some impressions of a steam roller which is 101 years old, and running i n immaculate condition, I’ll post photos next time, there were also two other stationary steam engines, which were used for powering sawmills, etc, and both of these were over 110 y.o.
The Arts Centre here is amazing, there is a cinema, restaurant, cafe, great art shop, last years British BP portrait award finalists exhibition has just finished, some amazing work.
I’m putting in some long studio hours, and several works are underway, if you would like to view some of my previous work, please go to www.redbubble.com and search under Fiitzy.
I’ll now attempt to attach some photos of this amazing part of the world.
Tony Fitzsimmons
Ps. Don’t even get me started on yesterday’s Art Centre excursion to Cardiff, (thanks sooo much, Carol) where we saw the most amazing collection of Impressionist and other 19th c art, which was donated from the Davies sisters, who amassed a great collection with the help of their industrialist Dad’s fortune. Boy, could those gals pick art! One of the Renoirs they brought in the early 1900’s for £5,000! Think 3 Monet waterlilies, a version (large) of Rodin’s The Kiss, the list goes on.
Aberystwyth appears to be the mecca of art – a relief to see something exists outside of London, or England for that matter! Anyone who can pick a Renoir for £5,000 is a genius. Tell us more