MEET THE LOCAL ARTIST – Adrian Levi
Our front cover this issue was painted by local artist Adrian Levi. Adrian is a former pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera and has a wonderful way of showcasing our local area. I highly recommend people follow his facebook page as he uploads paintings at different stages – allowing us to see the progression. I spoke to Adrian to find out more about how he works:-
What first inspired you to pick up a paint brush, and how has your style evolved since then?
At an early age, I began to draw steam engines and a huge line of trucks, that were constantly chuffing up and down the line on the other side of the road from where I lived. From then on as I got older, I was given paint by number sets on birthdays and Christmases that eventually led me on to using real oils and canvases. Then that itself led me on to acquiring an O level grade A, in school.
Do you prefer to paint on location (plein air) or from memory/photos in your studio? And how does the local landscape influence that choice?
I have done, I think three on location scenes, the first didn’t go down to well, as I stood with my easel too near the river’s edge, pebbles do tend to slide, I will leave the rest of that to your imagination. I also recall just a few years ago when a group of us painted in Craig Y Nos park. I enjoyed that. I do though much prefer painting from photos / reference pictures, as the lighting never changes as when painting on the spot. If I were to go plein air again, I would take a photo, then paint in the details and finish it at home using light and shadow glazes; those are layers of very diluted paint.
Where is your favourite place to paint in the valley?
There are so many to choose from. There’s the rocky mountain the Darren hill and The Capitol falls, these are in Ystalyfera. What I would love to do of local scenes is how the villages looked like say, 40 to 60 years ago, as so many great sceneries have been wiped away by new constructions.
The sleeping giant is iconic in this valley; how did you approach capturing it on canvas?
I had done one a few years ago, but I felt it was too flat and plain looking. I had searched online for a better photo but I was unable to find one I liked. Yes, I could have taken one myself but never got round to it. Then a friend posted a very clear photo of it and I was able to get a lot of details painted.
Is the front cover painting for sale and where can people see and buy any other work that you have done?
The painting is for sale as are most of what I have done. These can be seen at Craig Y Nos Country Park Artist and Makers Emporium. I do charge extra when they are shown up there, but buy directly off me before they go up and save 30% off the asking price. Other places you can see my work is on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Adespaintings
