Dydd Gwyl Dewi (St David’s Day)

The first day of March every year commemorates the death and celebrates the life of Patron Saint of Wales, St David.

An early leader and preacher of Christianity, It is safe to say that St David’s life has with time, slipped into mythology, treading the boundary between the factual and the apocryphal. What we are left with are stories and fragments, some realistic and some supernatural of the remarkable life of a remarkable man, and fitting Patron Saint.

From founding a monastic community, Glyn Rhosyn (Rose Vale), where St David’s Cathedral now stands today, to raising the earth into a hill as he preached so that the all in the crowd that formed could hear (something Wales clearly needs more of..) and bringing a youth back from the dead, St David was an incredibly influential member of the Church rising up to become Archbishop of Wales.

He existed on a humble diet of bread and herbs and water (it is reported that he drunk no other drink) and this treated him well because the stories state that he lived until the ripe age of 100. Upon his deathbed his last words were; ‘Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.’

So lets celebrate this unique and fascinating figure in the history of Wales and remember to ‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain’, ‘Do ye the little things in life’.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant Hapus (Happy St David’s Day) from The Art Shop.

The Print Room: William Brown

William Brown ‘Exploring Bear’ Woodblock. Edition of 23. 21cm x 21.5cm. £275 unfram

William Brown ‘Bears Having a Chat’ Woodblock. Edition of 23. 23cm x 29.5cm. £275 unframed

William Brown ‘Bears Reaching for Pears’ Lino cut. Edition of 23. 18cm x 19cm. £275 unframed

We have set up a Print Room as part of our current exhibition ‘An Anthology of Work by Painters & Printmakers’. Many artists, particularly painters are also printmakers. There often seems to be a natural progression. The work in this show is primarily by painters who have regularly exhibited at The Art Shop. They often produce innovative and exciting printmaking too.

Framed and unframed limited edition Lino, wood block, wood engraving, collograph & silkscreen prints are available. You can select an unframed edition and use our framing service, with a wide range of mouldings, mounts and prices.

The late William Brown – the painter of the iconic bear, whose paintings and drawings we have been fortunate to exhibit. Here is the work of an extraordinary, playful, powerful and inventive printmaker, working in lino block, wood block and silkscreen. He originally started printmaking for his friends (poets and writers). These blocks and silk screens are now with his printmaker, Pete Williams, in Cardiff who is producing runs of William’s work in small editions. Although not signed by the artist they are authenticated with a seal. These prints are very collectable and hang so well with his paintings.

Exhibitions are open to public viewing every Tuesday – Saturday, 9.15 – 17.00

 

Find something special…

Wrappings, papers, badges & ribbons. Collections of Royal Academy & Artist handmade cards.

 

 

Ribbons!

Brass & Copper Kaweco Liliput fountain pens with leather pouch. J.Herbin cartridge tins (in 20 colours) & a William Brown ‘Getting to know you‘ card.

One-off SIlver jewellery pieces by Syann van Niftrik, John Derian postcards & just glimpsed below handmade earthenware ceramics by Clementina van der Walt.