Elin Sian Blake

Available for sale from Big Sky Fine Art in the English county of Dorset, this original painting is by the contemporary Welsh artist Elin Sian Blake.<br> The painting is presented and supplied in a sympathetic frame (which is shown in these photographs) and is supplied ready to hang and display.<br> The painting is signed lower right.<br> <br> Elin Siân Blake is a contemporary Brecon-based artist, originally from the South Wales valleys, whose work delves deeply into the rich tapestry of Welsh heritage. Through various mediums, she creates poignant reflections of societal and cultural issues that have shaped the Welsh identity. <br> <br> Born in 1981, Elin Siân Blake began producing commissioned artwork from an early age, focussing on the traditional Welsh ponies and landscapes of her childhood. She was particularly inspired by the agricultural and equestrian events she attended. As a teenager she spent all her spare money on art supplies. Blake graduated from the University of Glamorgan in 2002 with a degree in graphic design and illustration, but quickly realised that she wanted to create conventional paintings, rather than producing digital images. She then spent several years living on the road in vintage vehicles, painting the scenes and characters she encountered on her travels.<br> <br> Blake taught herself oil painting using library books, originally producing very detailed photo-realistic images. Her artistic style developed considerably over the years, becoming more expressive.<br> Blake’s main emphasis is always her love of images from the Welsh countryside and industry. As she explores the heritage of the Welsh valleys, she paints a social commentary on everyday Welsh working life. Her work captures the essence of Welsh tradition whilst simultaneously challenging societal norms. Bold and evocative, Blake's art invites the viewer to take a critical look at the complexities and nuances of Welsh heritage. By melding her artistic vision with a profound cultural understanding, she presents a thought-provoking examination of the past, present, and future of Wales.<br> <br> © Big Sky Fine Art<br> <br> This original oil painting features a miner who has just finished his shift in the colliery. He is sitting on a bench, head in hands. The background is sparse, but the colours are rich and warm. He is wearing tough boots, dark trousers, a red vest and his miner’s helmet with lamp. He is physically exhausted, his body gleaming with the sweat of his labours. This is an image of honest, dignified work, of the shear grime and effort of his life. This is about a single man, but also about the life of generations, of communities and of our industrial heritage.