Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Rhondda Valley,Welsh Poppies and Chicken

oil on canvas 9x11"


we've got these welsh poppies popping up all around the house,
they stay for the summer and are a delight,like little yellow lights...
the chicken pop up around the garden in unexpected places,
a bit of food and they are happy to pose...




oil on panel 8x10"

dropped the boys off at a skateboard park in the Rhondda Valley,
a run down area of Wales,many places fell into decline after the closure of the coal mines.
these colorful gardens made a nice contrast against all that misery...
i was tempted to paint a run down factory,i think if the weather had been bad i would have,
but the sun came out and caught the washing line and i was sold...

18 comments:

Gerald Schwartz said...

There is a lightheartedness to the rhythm of colors that you use, that being said, there still is, and feels like a lot of thought went into each ..
Very Nice.

rob ijbema said...

thank you gerald,
i tried to paint this with as little effort as i could...as you know that is the hardest thing to do...this time it worked...lucky me.

Gamb0 said...

Parts of the Welsh Valleysa are run down Rob but it's little splashes of colour, like your well captured washing line, that bring the place to life.
Have you got a gallery in Wales?

rob ijbema said...

yes you are right Gambo,and there was a skating park.
this was near Merthyr,all the hills were slate
i'm in Brecon at the moment and Cardiff this summer,do you know the Albany gallery?

Gamb0 said...

I know the Albany Gallery well Rob. I'll look out for you with eager anticipation!
Unlikely to get to Brecon in the next few days but ...

rob ijbema said...

i'll try and let you know when the Albany sumer showing is on,the one in Brecon is the A Frame gallery
mind you my biggest gallery is ofcourse here...

Dianne Mize said...

Hey Rob. You surely do have a way with purples! Both these pieces are lovely, but the one about chickens and poppies is the one I keep coming back to most. The colors sing.

rob ijbema said...

hmm,Dianne as much as i appreciate your comment,it makes me think,the purple is over dominant,have to start mixing my greya a bit more.
purple is like my grey,my crutch...if i doubt use purple aargh!
i'm happy with the cicken one though!

Barbara Pask said...

Hi, This is the first time visiting your blog. I love your impressionistic paintings, so soft and lovely. I'll be back. Barb

Anonymous said...

hallo Rob, wonderful paintings both of them...always a joy to see your work...great light in that chook one, and the washing line amongst the old houses looks chipper.

rob ijbema said...

thank you barb
that is very nice of you to say
apreciated!

rob ijbema said...

thanks chummie!
so glad you enjoy them
they were fun to paint!

Jack Riddle said...

Beautiful light in the Poppies piece, Rob. And the one with the washing has a feeling of optimism in it. Great work as always. Jack

Keith Tilley said...

I love these intimate little subjects Rob. The Poppies and Chickens has wonderful colours and tones.

rob ijbema said...

it is the shadows that make the light Jack,yes the washing does look a bit optimistic,
thank you very much for your kind words

rob ijbema said...

intimate little subjects,please me more and more Keith and with these petrol prices,we soon all will have to appreciate them a bit more...
cheers mate

Leslie Sealey said...

I like the one with the wash hanging to dry. You have some great rhythms going between the clothes line, the telephone lines, and the lines of the roof. Nice!

rob ijbema said...

hi leslie
i'm not surprise you prefer the urban scene...
if the washing hadn't been out i wouldn't even have noticed this little scene