The paintings of Pembrokeshire artist Ken Maycock form part of the summer show at The Albany Gallery, Cardiff, until September 5. A graduate of the Slade, Ken mainly works from direct observation and has recently been painting the landscape in North Pembrokeshire. These are not picturesque images of mountain, heath and shoreline normally associated with West Wales, but rather a more intimate and personal subject matter-paintings of the pathway that cuts through Ken’s rather wild, uncultivated garden. “Painting outside is a relatively new venture for me,” says Ken. “Having moved to Pembrokeshire, I wanted to paint the landscape, only to find it yards from my back door. I have barely changed my position for five years now - the constantly changing foliage, light, weather and seasons have kept me pretty much rooted to the same spot.” Drawing lies at the heart of all that Ken does and his paintings are literally drawn with colour; drawing and painting are, for him inseparable. He also paints still life in the studio and although oils are his favoured medium, he likes to work using watercolour, pastel, gouache and acrylic. Ken’s aim is to get the drawing right whilst keeping the image ‘alive’ and to this end he is prepared to make endless changes and revisions without (hopefully) sacrificing spontaneity.