Wynmore Owen comes from a seafaring family  in Llangrannog, just 25 miles or so up the coast from Dinas but he has since moved even closer. His father and grandfather were mariners and Wynmor continues this close connection to the sea in his studio in Newport, the small town where he has lived for the past 40 years.

Much of his work is a celebration of the coastal wildlife and heritage of this part of West Wales. His raw materials are old oak fenceposts from local farms and recycled roof slates. His subjects, represented in water colour and wood cuts as well as sculpture, are seabirds, seals and small sailing boats in the waters around the cliffs and rocky bays of North Pembrokeshire.

This beautiful chough is made of oak and portrays a rare bird of the crow family, found in small numbers on Britain’s Western coasts. Its red beak and legs make it distinctive, even for those of us that are not committed bird-watchers. Watch out for choughs on Dinas Head. They’ll dive and swoop in impressive aerial displays and their calls are crow-like. They are easier to identify when you see them on the cliff edge, poking their long beaks into the short grass in search of insects.

For choughs, gannets, Manx shearwaters and more of Wynmor Owen’s work click here.