Say hello to Brenda Cumming. 


What have you called your business? 
Gweddusart

How did you come up with this name, it's kind of unusual?
Gweddus is the Welsh word for becoming and so, as I am B.Cumming, it seemed a good choice....

Haha, very  nice. Where are you based?

Baglan/Port Talbot


What is your craft?
Painting now, but for many years I designed knitwear and crochet.
Where do you craft? 
Sitting in my armchair looking out over Swansea Bay



You told us that you knitted and crocheted so you have been crafting a long time, Haven't you?

I always painted as a child but my first sale was in knitting. 
I sold a pair of fair isle mitts at age 6.


When  did you specialise in painting then?
I only started selling paintings in 2006.

What other crafts/skill do you have?
I have designed knitwear and crochet for many years and taught at adult educations centres in the UK.

Have you got any  qualifications or are you self-taught?
I am self taught.

What are the things that  inspire you?

The beautiful scenery around my home and the work of 
other artists
Do you ever get “artist block”?
Yes, often.

What do you do to get out of an “artist block”?
I like looking through art books.

What keeps you going?
The idea of sitting in my old age and becoming a cabbage!!

What others artists inspire you?
Terry Harrison, Bob Ross & Josephine Wall to name a few.
Do you listen to music while you work?
Yes I do.

What music do you listen to?
Anything, but I particularly like Musicals.

Where do you sell/exhibit? 
I only sell online now, after years of doing craft fairs. 
You can find me here:
and:

What material gets your creative juices going? 
Tubes of paints and other artist's messy palettes.

What is your all-time favourite creation?
A landscape I did a couple of months ago.

 

What do you do if something you make doesn't turn out how you envisaged it?
I paint over it and paint something else... I never waste materials

Do you do this full-time, part-time or just as an hobby?

I am retired....so it is a hobby to help with the pension.


Do you recycle?
Yes, I do when I can.

Do you use materials made by other artists? 
I have done when I did needle felting and used dyed wool.

I guess the Welsh landscape inspires you a lot? 
Absolutely... having lived in London for many years, 
I cannot stop admiring and loving the beautiful landscapes 
in Wales

Now, Brenda,what is your favourite colour?
Purple definitely purple.

Does it feature a lot in your work?
Yes, everyone knows  my purple fantasy paintings.

Do you have a favourite subject?
I love fantasy.

Do you have any pets?  
Not any more. I used to have a dog that would sit at my feet while I painted.

Where have your items been sold to?
All over the world.

What is the most furthest place your items have gone?
Australia...nowhere unusual though.

Do you think you value your work enough do you find pricing hard?
Absolutely...a real nightmare trying to decide on a price.
I like to think that everyone can afford one of my paintings.

Do you get together with fellow artists?
I have a few artist friends but sadly we don't meet up very 
often due to family commitments.

Have you collaborated with other artists? 
No I haven't.

What was the first thing you sold?
That is so long ago I can't remember, apart from the knitted mittens when I was six...I was brought up to sell things.
My mother always used to say, don't complain about having
no money....make something and sell it.

Do you remember what it felt like, selling something?
I was hooked.

What is your biggest bargain in connection with your craft?
I have had so many I can't remember !!

What gets in the way of your artistic endeavours?
Family commitments.

What is your favourite tool?
A stubby little brush for painting leaves on trees.

Anyone else in your family or a close friend who enjoys painting?
My daughter has just started painting and doing encaustic
art



Any other links you like us to look you up? 
My static website which leads to my ebay listings,  www.gweddusart.co.uk 

Show us some more of your work please.



Anything else you want to share?
I just to say that everyone has a talent...
Love what you do and others will love it too.


Brenda x