AN artist with a passion for Welsh Cobs will be spoilt for choice this Saturday as he attends the annual Barley Saturday parade in Cardigan.

Vladislas, who was born in Tunisia, and brought up in the South Pacific, now lives in the centre of Cardigan, and hopes to be inspired by these beautiful, fiery animals.

The full-time artist, who was originally a specialist textile decorator in London and who has won several major competitions for his works, is looking forward to the event that will see Welsh Ponies and Cobs being paraded through the town’s high street.

“I bought my Welsh Cob cross Lipizzaner when I was living on a smallholding in Aberystwyth having seen a beautiful display of Welsh Cobs at the Royal Welsh Show. I love everything Welsh and bought Welsh mountain sheep too,” said Vladislas, who has been inspired by the powerful light and colours in Van Gogh’s paintings.

His limited edition art works of hand drawn pencil and watercolours based on local beaches, wildlife, wilderness, wild birds, flowers, rivers and landscapes have been sold across the globe and are currently on display at Awen Teifi in Cardigan.

“I’m passionate about what I paint and I have to love what I paint. My works are very vivid and I like powerful colours using heavy contrasts that demonstrate the light, he said.

“I am spoilt for choice around here with the Teifi, the coastline and landscapes. When I visit Llangrannog, New Quay or Newport, I just have to paint.

“There are really beautiful places around here to excite me, especially on sunny days. It really is an iconic area,” added Vladislas, who is supported by his partner Judy Kennar, of Aberporth.

Vladislas drew his first pencil drawing of a horse at the age of 16 and loved the detail.

“I now draw every spare moment I have and one drawing usually takes me around 100 hours, with the colour drawings taking even longer. I paint from photographic reference and I find interesting things everywhere I go,” said Vladislas.

This year, he has had two exhibitions – one at Havant Church in Portsmouth and the other on our doorstep at St Mary’s Church Hall in Cardigan, where his work was well received and a contribution of more than £100 was made to the church renovation project.