Chris's Welsh Art Studio

Situated in the beautiful county of Pembrokeshire in the heart of Wales, my work is inspired by the nature and the countryside that surrounds me.

I live and work from my home and art studio in Cilgerran, a beautiful village on the northern border of Pembrokeshire between St Dogmaels and Cenarth, 3 miles south of Cardigan, in West Wales. The village stretches along the south bank of the River Teifi, a river well known for salmon and sewin, and where coracle fishermen still fish.

Cilgerran has a famous and picturesque castle, which dates back to 1100 and stands overlooking the River Teifi. The castle is now managed by the National Trust. To the west of Cilgerran village is Cilgerran Gorge, where 3 slate quarries once flourished producing quality slate to be exported through the nearby port of Cardigan.

My studio is my favourite room in the house, and where I spend a lot of my time. It's actually two rooms as you can see in the picture above, the area on the right is where I pack paintings and prints ready for shipping, prepare canvasses for new paintings, and also a general area where I can do all the things that need a little more room and a nice flat surface. Through the doorway is my main studio, and where I have my easel and my computer, and where I also display more of my work to visitors.

I work on my easel at the far side of my studio. When I'm working I have a table next to me with all the brushes, paints, thinners and mediums I might need, it also holds a large glass palette that fits snugly on top.

Beside me when I'm painting I have my desk, my computer and all my paperwork, records and files. There is nice view out of the window from this area of the studio, which helps when I spend long hours working on paperwork or on the computer. Sometimes my neighbours even see me working and tap on the window with a cup of tea for me - I have lovely neighbours.

Cilgerran is a rural village surrounded by farmland, and I'm lucky enough to have wonderful views from my garden across fields of horses. I have a low maintenance garden where I grow a few vegetables, French beans, onions, tomatoes, ..and my favourites, strawberries.

The horses are in the field all year round and often come over to say hello and for pats, it's always very relaxing to sit and watch them.

I also have a studio assistant: Mr Merlin Brown. Merlin likes to sleep on my packing table and keep an eye on me as I work. Even when I need to actually use the packing table, he still sleeps on the packing table. I think he thinks it is his packing table. He also likes to adjust my paintings with his tail if they are too straight. Fine out more about Merlin the Ragdoll here.