The Ladies of North Wales

On Saturday we drove north and our first stop off was with printmaker Ruth Thomas who was taking part in HelfaGelf which is the North Wales Arts Trails events. It started this weekend and will continue for the following two weekends which is a big commitment by the 112 artists taking part, much longer than similar events I've been to.

Ruth's primary work is with collagraphs, specifically using natural forms and materials to make her plates. With a mixture of grasses, leaves and even re-hydrated spiders she produces some lovely work. I particularly felt drawn to her use of colour and found the same with the second artist we visited on the following day.

I've seen the work of Ann Bridges before and really enjoyed the chance to meet her. She was very generous in describing her working methods of making printerly paintings like the one above - she stencils layer upon layer of thinly rolled printing ink on to a special paper base and builds up her images. They just glowed- but it was her passion for drawing and completing a daily sketchbook type journal which caught my imagination. Looking through her collection of what are really 'visual diaries' was a real delight and a method of working she employed last year when she was artist in residence at Plas Newydd, home of the Ladies of Llangollen. She said we shouldn't go home without seeing it and she was so, so right.

Nestled in a valley, Plas Newydd is only about a quarter of a mile from the centre of Llangollen. It was home during the late 17th and early 18th centuries to Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby who ran away from their wealthy homes in Ireland to be together, living in 'romantic friendship' at Plas Newydd for over 5o years. They have always been known as 'the ladies of Llangollen' and they had two big passions - to collect woodcarvings and stained glass.

Both the outside and the vast majority of the interior surfaces are covered with hundreds of carvings many depicting mythological creatures. Too dark to take great pictures but it was easy to see how inspiring a place it was for Ann as artist in residence.

The stained glass collection was incorporated into their windows and pieced into mosaics. Both the house and the grounds with its topiary and knot garden are a delight. We're so glad for the recommendation. Plas Newydd was a delight.