Our Trip to Portmeirion

So in order to get some inspiration for my forthcoming Green Man Shop, Lily and I went on a trip to North Wales.  Our idea was to spend a few days with my mother who lives in a cottage by the Berwyn Mountains.

I felt that in order to create art about something like The Green Man... who is, according to the tradition, an intrinsic natural force, I had to get us out of London.  So over the course of 4 days, I managed to make two great designs for Rainbow World Art ... but that's not what I want to blog about today...

On the third day of our excurision, we went to the other-worldly village that is Portmeirion, which is doing a promotion whereby you can print off a voucher from their website that permits free entry!

Being in the village was quite an experience.  Pretty awe-inspiring, really.   The whole place feels so organic... so wholesome...  Portmeirion's designer, Clough Williams-Ellis, designed the village in almost perfect harmony with the landscape.  From almost wherever you stand within the village, there are incredible views to behold.

Outside of the village, there are a number of short but outstanding nature walks to be had in the woods (which contain some VERY unusual trees) and on the beach.  

Lily and I decided that next time we go, we want to spend a week there.

Lily looking out over the lake

Strange tree flexing its muscles

James in a little stony round place

James and the Buddha

James securing his hat in the village

James thinks he's the lord of the dance

Lily in an archway