Aled Prichard - Jones

I was born in Bangor Gwynedd, in 1945, attended Friars school, Bangor and

Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle ,Penygroes until leaving to study Architecture at

Bath University from 1964 to 1969. After initially working in Aberystwyth

and then Hull, I moved with my wife Mary and young family to Pembrokeshire

where I worked as an architect until retirement in 2000. I then took up

painting fulltime and after a brief period living in the North East of England

I am now back home living in North Wales .

 

The Sioe Gelf television programme documented my move to full-time

painting in 2003 ,since when I have exhibited in various galleries

throughout Wales. I have had shared and mixed exhibitions at the Albany

Gallery Cardiff since 2004 and more recently at the Attic Gallery

(2009).I exhibited at the Welsh Artist of the year at the St.David`s Hall

Cardiff (2005and2006) and at the Royal Cambrian Acadamy,Conwy.Recent

solo exhibitions include the Galeri Betws y Coed (2006 and 2009) ,Plas

Glyn y Weddw ,Llanbedrog (2007) , Tegfryn Gallery Menai Bridge (2006 and

2008),Oriel Ynys Mon(2009), Albany Gallery Cardiff, (2010) and the Attic Gallery Swansea (April 2011).My paintings can also be seen at Christmas and Summer shows at the above galleries and at  the Fountain Fine Art Llandeilo, Oriel Pen fan Brecon, Lion Street Gallery Hay on Wye,Oriel y Bont.

 

I love painting the landscapes of Wales whether they be town or country,

mountains or sea. Coming from North Wales, I have always been

attracted to the majesty of the mountains which I have walked and

climbed since childhood. The light, atmosphere and sense of place always

inspires me to sketch and paint .My solo exhibitions include paintings of

the Snowdonia peaks, and coastline, wooded valleys and mountain lakes

which are so familiar to me.

 

I paint in pastel mostly and like their immediacy which help me to paint

quickly .I try to convey the magic, mystery and beauty of the landscapes

when I paint and am fascinated by the effect of light on water. The

glare, movement and reflections are a constant theme that I come back to

again and again. Soft pastel retain their brilliance, do not fade and

require no maintenance; they are everlasting and I am obviously hooked

by the freedom and spontaneity they bring to the painting process. I work

on strongly textured sandpaper because it grips the pastel so well. It

allows me to layer the pastel without the colours getting muddy. There

are a huge number of pastel papers available but I usually stick to sandpaper because I personally find it easier to use.

 

I am always delighted to have the opportunity of exhibiting my work and hope that my passion for Welsh landscapes gives enjoyment to others.