(A new exhibition of new work and paintings by Dorian Spencer Davies  in PENDRE ART. CARDIGAN)

Dorian Spencer Davies was born in Carmarthen and spent his early years in the small Pembrokeshire village of Angle close to the sea at the mouth of the Milford Haven Waterway.

He attended Dyfed College of Art, now CCTA in Carmarthen, studying Natural History Illustration and at the same time produced his first book based on the Heart of Wales railway line. During the 1980s and 90s, Dorian embarked upon a career working for several well known London book publishers including Oxford University Press, Penguin, Quarto, Franklin Watts, Usborne eventually being employed by Dorling Kindersley Books as Senior Art Editor for their children's book division. In all, he designed and produced over 40 books for them including the very successful cross section books. He has also conceived work and projects for Santoro Graphics (Bang on the door) 

During the late 1990s he returned to Wales in order to devote his time fully to painting again. He started off in Newquay, Ceredigion, then St. Dogmaels, Cardigan.'I have been greatly inspired by the beauty of the Ceredigion coast and regulary visits this part of the coast'. Poppet sands, Llangrannog, Mwnt and New Quay being among his favourites. He now lives and works from Tenby. He is still greatly inspired by the coastline of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

'I think growing up in this idyllic, unspoilt relatively remote coastal village may have had a larger influence on my work than I realised. I remember vividly the various boats in the Haven and being fascinated with everything to do with the sea, the moon features heavily in my work I think this is a subconcience translation of evening calm and beauty. Also the moon plays a significant role in its influence on the sea, tides and sesonal changes'

Working mostly in watercolour, Dorian has developed a unique style which is instantly recognisable, and very collectable. He uses mostly strong colours but with a whole range of subtle effects applied which are not immediately obvious. The sun, or perhaps more often the moon is shining on landscapes, buildings, harbours, beaches and boats. A new series of acrylic on canvas appears in this exhibition which is a new development in his work and he intends to develop this further exploring the colur and texture of paint. Some of his new work is abstracted and aims to explore the values of paint on canvas whilst retaing the characteristics of his renowed style.

Following a recent trip to South Africa he is also developing a new series of work based on african landscapes and wildlife.