Gwilym Hughes Artist

Friday, 10 September 2010

Malvern Hills

Gwilym loved Wales, but never forgot Malvern.
During the years he producced numerous different versions of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire.
I have spent a month or so visting family members (and new found freinds of family members) to obtain photographs for this blog.

The images below are just a few of the high quality oil paintings that Gwilym producced.

The next painting below is now owned by myself. It sits pride of place on my landing wall outside my bedroom.
I believe it is one of the last versions of the Malvern Hills that Gwilym produced before he became ill. Even with a shaky hand and not so good eyesight, he still managed to paint a masterpeice.

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Gwilym Hughes Welsh Artist

This blog is dedicated to the late, great Gwilym Owen Hughes.

I would like to share the artistic talent of my late Grandfather Gwilym Hughes. I have spent the last 7 months searching Anglesey for Gwilym's paintings. This has involved joining web forums, phoning complete strangers and even knocking on numerous peoples doors and introducing myself.

I have been overwelmed by just how helpful people can be when put on the spot. Not one person that I met had a bad word to say about Gwilym, but all said what a shame it was that he was no longer with us.

This is my blog showing the outstanding level of Gwilym's oil painting talents. I would also like to share some great stories along the way.

Gwilym Owen Hughes was born on 5th May 1931 at Salam Street, Amlwch in Anglesey. His father sadly passed away not long after this. Gwilym's mother took him and his brother to a small farm about seven miles from Amlwch. He lived there until he was twelve, then came back to the village when his mother remarried. Gwilym left school at fourteen and went to work in Almwch post office as a telegram boy.

In 1949, at the age of eighteen, he was sent to do his national service for two years. He was Posted to Merebrook Camp, Great Malvern in Worcestershire, where he met the love of his life Beryl. They married in 1951 and had a son called John in 1952, followed by their daughter Janet in 1958.

Upon his arrival in Malvern, Gwilym found employment with Malvern Aircraft. He continued to work for them as a lorry driver until 1996, when he retired at the age of 65. During this time, Gwilym and Beryl frequently visited Anglesey and bought a small touring caravan. They kept it in a field at a local farm called Llithdy Mawr, at the base of Parys Mountain overlooking Amlwch port. It was in this field that Gwilym created many of his masterpieces.

Whilst on holiday he would sit and paint for hour upon hour. Other campers used to stand and admire his work, often commissioning him to create a painting of their favourite Welsh area. Even when returning to Great Malvern he would think nothing of painting late into the evenings. On average Gwilym could create a masterpiece from start to finish within just one week. Gwilym's paintings have not just been bought by the people of Wales, but can also be found gracing the walls of homes in America. Gwilym sadly passed away in 2005, after a long illness. He was a kind and sweet natured person, who would do anything for his family. He is greatly missed by friends and family.

If anyone has or knows where Gwilym's paintings are held today, then please feel free to E-mail me on:

craigandnic28@hotmail.com

With thanks