How Did It All Begin?

Hi,

My name is Mark Weeks and I live in Aberporth, Cardigan, Wales.

I graduated from University with a BA Hons Degree in Art and worked for a short time as a Signwriter and then as a Graphic Artist for a screeprinting company in the Midlands. I went on to teach art at a local FE College before changing career tact for a completely different profession.

Having now retired back to my routes, to this beautiful part of the world, I was immediately thrown into lockdown in the middle of a pandemic. Nowhere to go, and nothing to do, I broke out my paintbrushes again after a 30 year absence and found that I still had a modicum of talent.

Long winter walks, on deserted welsh beaches, not only inspired me to paint but also unearthed a pallet of natural materials with which to create sculptures.

What started off as an excuse to decorate the house soon turned into an interest from friends and family, and then onto others.

As I realised there was a growing demand for my artwork I reached out to local galleries who very kindly agreed to exhibit and sell some of my work.

As lockdown ended and the summer season finally began I discovered that my paintings and sculptures were actually quite popular and that people were asking for a point of contact for obtaining more items...

And so Aberporth Bay. Art was created.

This website hopefully will fill the gap for those who are interested in my work and would like to purchase things that I produce; or just enjoy looking at some fish :D

 

So What Do You Do?

It is important to me that all my materials are sourced locally around Cardigan Bay and that it is either reclaimed or beachcombed. Every piece of shell, stick of wood and lump of rock has been collected by me from a beach you've probably walked on. It has been washed and air dried months before being used to construct what you see in the gallery. 

I like the idea that you can possess something which is real and integral to a place that you live, or visit, without it destroying or having an impact on the environment. 

Everything I produce is unique and individual. I use the shape of the driftwood found to create sculptues; gather shells and stones to make characterful fish; and combine driftwood with slate to produce bigger sea life creatures.

What I produce is Art and Beachcraft to make people smile.

 

What's the Future?

Who knows? Maybe one day I'll pick six lucky numbers, but for now I'm happy walking on the beach with my two hairy dogs picking up shells and making fish; and occassionally slapping some paint on a canvas. No doubt some unscrupulous individual will copy my ideas and sell them on Etsy and this time next year they'll be available on ebay from China; but for now you can only get the originals from Aberporth Bay. Art :)