Painted over several weeks during July/August 2016, The Bridge End Mural was my first mural outdoor or indoor. It came with many challenges not least the amount of preparation to the wall before I could even think of painting.
My first thought was to paint a courtyard with a stable and horses because in the past the Bridge End used to be a coaching inn. Then I thought maybe I could draw on my experience as a short story illustrator and come up with something a bit more imaginative.
So, the idea was born. I wanted to come up with something that was connected to both the past and the present, something that was relevant to Ruabon and Wales, and something that would make the viewer think.
A quote from a very young Dylan Thomas has been translated into Welsh, and for me, this was both the start and end point, my inspiration and conclusion.
People have asked what it means.
I have used symbolism. The child plays on the grass while the lady reads a letter and holds a poppy. It could be just correspondence from her husband or it could be a telegram.
Both are oblivious to the presence of the gentleman in uniform. He wearing military uniform. Behind his back he hold a flowers,a forget me not. On the step lies a button from the soldiers tunic. It bears the crest of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Maybe he has returned from the front.
The dove is a symbol of peace and the sundial is a symbol of time moving forward. The dove flies towards the sundial.
How this story pans out is really open to interpretation.
From the start I set out to paint a tribute to the many young men that left Wales to fight for their country in the First World War, and inspired by their bravery and the words of Wales greatest poets this was the result.

Er colli cariadon y cariad a saif
Though lovers be lost love shall not.

Location: Bridge End Inn, Ruabon, Wrexham