Extreme Painting

Meeting the artists behind the work is just one of the joys of working in a gallery. We've welcomed a few artists this year who work in the great outdoors producing work glowing with vitality.

Maggie Banks exhibited during our "Reflections" exhibition.

Frank Hamer admiring Maggie's work in the gallery.

Contending with Welsh weather is just one of the hazards of the plein air painter! Maggie and fellow artist Richard Bavin have been braving wind, rain, snow and ice this winter as they work on a project to capture the Brecon Beacons on canvas.  Maggie still  manages to look glamorous despite  renaming their experience  "Extreme Painting".

No wonder Maggie now swears by Merino socks!

Come rain or shine Louise Collis also can be found  on a Welsh  hillside or along the  coastline. Here her  car is doubling up as studio!

We have loved getting to know Louise and her work which can be seen in the Oriel CRiC Gallery until the end of January - each painting capturing the light and mood of the area magnificently. The Sugarloaf is seen here at its impressive best.

Louise and Lee Wright at the Launch of the Christmas exhib

The enthusiasm of these plein air artists is infectious, as is that of the artists in this video while attending the  "Art in the Open Air" festival in Ireland in 2010. For details of the 2013 festival visit www.artintheopen.org