The Gower Peninsula and Swansea City adventure...

This past weekend the international student group got the opportunity to visit Gower and Swansea City.  Gower is a peninsula with miles of gorgeous beaches and rocky terrain located about an hour and a half, by way of car, south of Carmarthen and just west of Swansea.  The moment we arrived we were met with the typical rainy weather of the season and cold blustery wind but that quickly faded as our jaws hit the soft grass in awe of the picturesque landscape.

As we walked along the grassy and muddy path, we were met with many sheep and their many, many presents they left for us.  Despite the animal landmines, we pressed on to the rocky coast and eventually the site of a seemingly endless ocean.  It was then the sun tore through the clouds and warmed our frozen faces which now bore broad smiles of wonder.

Unfortunately, by the time some of the group reached the shore, it was time to turn around and head back to the bus to travel to Swansea.  However, on the way back it felt as if we had been watching a black and white television and someone decided to switch the program to full color.  The grass was a gorgeous green and the sky became a beautiful blue-jaws back down to the floor.  Personally, all I could say was "wow" over and over.

After a short bus ride we arrived at Swansea.  Most of us famished ended up at McDonalds and ate whatever we could.  To be honest, I have no idea what I ate.  Hunger satisfaction aside, we began to stroll through town and the idea of a group photo scavenger hunt came about including photo-bombing a couple, stand behind a till, and storming a castle-all of which we accomplished with ease.  A couple hours later, however, it was time to say so long to Swansea and come back to our second homes in Carmarthen.

What was only a short day seemed like several hours, even days because of how much fun and inspiring it was to be in such a beautiful place.  This coming weekend there isn't a planned trip and the next weekend we go to Bath where I plan on sketching the architecture as best as I can.  In the mean time, I also plan on starting my first oil painting here in Wales and I couldn't be more excited! It's been a life changing couple of weeks here in Wales and I wouldn't trade this experience for the world.

The town of Aberystwyth, Wales...

The town of Aberystwyth, Wales can be described in so many ways with so many different adjectives that it would be impossible to list them all.

Aberystwyth is a little beach town with many attractions ranging from several centuries old architecture to the modern aspects of the colorful houses along the coast.  The international student group, and myself included in that group of course, went on a very cold and rainy day yet the colors of the architecture seemed to burst through the rain as if they were artificial rays of sunlight giving off warmth.  I guess one could say the smile and awe they brought upon me was in fact the warmth.
The warmth felt from the buildings and atmosphere was indeed the first reaction, the first thing I felt and the second was what I call "artist mode".

Artist mode might be something fellow art students or art lovers will recognize but just haven't put a name too.  It's best described as when you look at a building or landscape and start to think "how can I draw or recreate this in a creative way?"  Being that it was raining, it would have been impossible to sketch in person-something that will be remedied on a later visit.  So I took a few pictures and began sketching with different media.  I chose a little section of shops to start off with and used a new set of felt tipped pens thanks to the recommendation of a fellow artist, classmate, and good friend.

Once again, the Welsh landscape and atmosphere hypnotizes ones self and pushes you as an artist in a different and challenging direction.  I can't wait for the months to come!

Studying the structure of landscapes...

I've been studying the landscape of Carmarthen in my first week and by first observation it's simply breathtaking.  Even on a dreary, rainy morning you can see for miles, most of which is made up of farm land consisting of sheep.  But amongst the landscape are houses, fences, several kinds of trees-whose names escape me-and of course grass!

Each sketch usually takes about 10 minutes to do.  They aren't super detailed by any means but are instead meant to capture the structure of the landscape.

Back at my school in America, I studied how the light seems to dance across a still life as if it was carving a path for the viewer to follow-I hope to do the same with landscape painting and/or sketching.  And what better place then here in Wales and what better time than the end of winter and the beginning of Spring coming very soon.

The little things...

The semester has officially begun and class started without a hitch.  Morning coffee at where else but Starbucks (they are officially everywhere), Cinemas of the World class was informative and we screened "The Devil's Backbone" and were informed a bit about our project, and I managed to join the gym and did some heavy lifting and a bit of cardio.
Tonight begins a new adventure-Rugby.  I've never played before and tonight will be the first time I've ever practiced....ever. But being a bit of a "try everything once sports nut", I can't wait.  It's these little things in life that add up to being even more enjoyable as a whole.
So enjoy the little things in life and experience new things-no matter the outcome, positive or negative, you're that much better off for trying.

Sketching the landscape of Carmarthen...

Sketching the landscape of Carmarthen, Wales has become one of my favorite things to do anytime of day especially in preparation to paint for class at  later time.  Every where you look there's beautiful landscape and interesting architecture that leaves you stunned even if it's something you've seen everyday.

I was walking to the reception building yesterday morning to grab a soda early in the morning when something in the distance caught my eye.  As I set my soda on the ground and grabbed my pen and pad I began to sketch the hills and trees and houses being gently kissed by the suns light as quickly as possible.  Ten minutes or so later the sun had escaped behind the always reliable clouds and the moment was gone in reality but in memory and on paper, I would always have it with me.  It just goes to show if you walk around with your eyes open a little wider, you'll see such incredibly simple yet complexly beautiful things.

Arrived in Wales in one piece...

I finally arrived in Wales in one piece! First of all, the flight was amazing, a bit turbulent at times but overall a success.  I arrived to London about 11:30am and by the time I got through border patrol and hopped a bus at 4pm to Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen, Wales, It was 9pm.  It was then I found out Wednesday is the night of the week.

The students, the faculty, and so far everyone in Wales has been so kind and friendly, I couldn't have asked for anything more.  I've already met some wonderful friends and people around town-I just can't say enough good things.

Orientation wraps up this weekend, class begins Monday, and the journey continues for the next four months.  More to come very very soon!

*pictured above is the remnants of a castle toward the center of town overlooking a river.

One day to go and half way done packing...

One more day to go and I'll be off to Carmarthen, Wales.  And wow, I have a ton of packing to do!  One bag for clothes and the other for art supplies, books, and sports gear, and a back pack full of electronics is all this man needs.

I'm going to miss my family and friends here very much and I hope to make new friends in the near future. To everyone that has supported me in this adventure, I can't thank you enough!