Journeys across the rivers and seas around Pembrokeshire have been depicted by the Artist in Residence at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre, St Davids.

Designer and illustrator Deborah Withey’s exhibition Croesi/Crossings opened on December 20.

It features a series of paintings and mixed media collages depicting significant journeys across the rivers and seas departing from Pembrokeshire and has been supported by the Arts Council for Wales.

American-born Deborah is Artist in Residence at Oriel y Parc until the end of January.

Deborah, who moved to St Davids in 2009, sites as her inspiration Celtic and Medieval art, Welsh history, beliefs, landscape and people.

She said: “Sea and river crossings are not only central to the story of Pembrokeshire and visually exciting, but have also had a major impact on my life. I was born in America because my grandparents left Wales, boarded the ocean liner, Aquitania, and crossed the Atlantic to New York. And 70 years on, I crossed the Atlantic in the opposite direction to come back...”

Croeso/Crossings follows Deborah’s first exhibition at Oriel y Parc which featured illustrations of the Welsh alphabet.

Paula Ellis, Oriel y Parc Manager, said: “We are delighted to have Deborah with us. We would love people to come and watch her at work and be inspired by her to go out and experience the National Park’s landscape and culture for themselves.”

The exhibition runs until January 31, 2014 and the Artist in Residence Studio is open daily 10am to 4.30pm. (Oriel y Parc is closed from Monday December 23 to Friday 27 inclusive).