Tuesday 24 August 2010

The Happy Stick Insect


The abundance of rich vegetation at Dyffryn inspired this painting. Just think of the pleasure a stick insect would have trying to eat it all!

Thursday 20 May 2010

The Dyffryn Mosaic


This work is a celebration of the centenary of the Pompeian Garden at Dyffryn 1909-2009 (MXMIX-MMIX).

A Roman labyrinth mosaic was unearthed in Caerleon in 1865 with its centre missing. I appropriated its design and 'completed' its centre for this celebration, thus linking Roman Caerleon with Dyffryn's Roman Garden.

This is an oil painting with minute pieces of textile forming its tesserae.

Monday 17 May 2010

Dyffryn Open Weekend, September 2009


For the Dyffryn open weekend in 2009, Rachel Irwin exhibited a series of mixed media drawings based on various found pine cones. These are abundant throughout the grounds of Dyffryn and, although common, are complex and beautiful objects. They also represent a part of the cycle of nature. Cones shed by trees are slowly consumed by nature which triggers the regeneration of life. Click on the image to enlarge.

Friday 14 May 2010

The Roman theme celebrates Pompeian Garden


The Pompeian Garden garden is an Edwardian gem, added to Dyffryn Gardens in 1909 and restored with lottery funding in 2009. The exhibition of work by VOGA artists at the September Open Weekend featured the Pompeian Garden and other aspects of Roman Art, some of it displayed here on artists' easels. In the middle are two paintings by Ann Townson, and to the right two large drawings by Paul Baker, inspired by Roman Sculpure, including miniature terracotta rings discovered in the ruins of Pompeii. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Thursday 13 May 2010

Drawing workshop at Dyffryn's Open Weekend


Head Gardiner Alex Andrews provided plants for a magnificent plant arrangement which made the focus for a drawing workshop for all ages, organised by members of VOGA in the exhibition hall. Half of the exhibition can be glimpsed in the background, on green screens. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Dyffryn Open Weekend, September 2009


At the open weekend VOGA's work on the Roman and Pompeian theme was shown in the exhibition hall. Here is Shirley Anne Owen with her work. Click on the image to enlarge it.

The project begins!


This project grew naturally from the existing contacts between VOGA and Dyffryn House and Gardens. In August 2009 the year-long project began with a number of drawing sessions, focusing on a Roman theme, as 2009 was the centenary and restoration year of the Pompeian walled garden. Some of the artists at work in this first stage of the project were photographed by photographic artist Bethan Roberts. (left: Shirley Anne Owen draws Kay Keogh at work).

The centenary celebrations for the Pompeian Gardens had already on the weekend of 15-16 August been splendidly launched by a visit from the Roman Military Research Society from Bedford, who came equipped with togas, weapons, camp kitchens, craftsmen and even, in case of mishap, their own surgeon, who also moonlights as a "real life" surgeon!