Gwilym Hughes Artist: October 2010

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

On the hunt again!

I have now just completed the photo shoot for the next local press release.

The next press report will be going in the Malvern Gazzette and Ledbury Reporter.

I know I have traced most of the local paintings that Gwilym produced, but I've just got this feeling that someone out their will have maybe another Malvern Hills or a local cottage waiting to be discovered. The paper will go to print on Friday the 29th October so lets hope it brings in some results.

I have also just received an e-mail from a very king gentleman called John Pritchard.

John new Gwilym very well from working in the goods in department at Rolls Royce in Shrewsbury. John went on to say how he had great conversations in Welsh with Gwilym, and how Gwilym always had a painting or two in his van. Lets hope that some of the local employees that worked at Rolls Royce managed to find the blog and get in contact.

Saturday, 9 October 2010

News Just In

I have now had an article about Gwilym placed in the Shrewsbury Chronicle. The article was requesting anyone with Gwilym's paintings to get in contact. The paper has been out for about a week now, so far I've not had any response from the people of Shrewsbury. I have however noticed a lot of people viewing this blog who live in Shrewsbury (was this you?), so lets hope that maybe they own a painting and will be in contact soon. If you have not seen this article then please feel free to have a read at the following:

http://www.shrewsburychronicle.com/2010/09/30/do-you-have-a-painting-by-gwilym-on-your-wall/

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