Charity Auction after Demonstration
An original oil painting by Welsh artist Chris Langley is being auctioned to raise funds for the Cancer Research Wales Machu Picchu trek this September.
The work, a beautiful scene from Roath Park lake, was created during a two-hour demonstration at Caerphilly Art Society at The Twyn community centre on January 23.
The work is being auctioned on the society’s Facebook page and all proceeds will go towards the Machu Picchu trek fund for journalist and copywriter, Maria Williams.
Maria, originally from Bargoed, will be among dozens of Welsh people who will brave the Inca Trail to raise funds for Cancer Research Wales this September. The trek will take place at altitudes of more than 4,200 metres, and participants will camp wild along the way. At the end of the trail, they will see one of the wonders of the world, the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu.
Kind-hearted members of Caerphilly Art Society made a tea-break collection during the demonstration for Maria’s fund, raising £37 on the night.
She said: “Chris is a friend and client and generously donated the lovely work to my fund for the trek. It’s a painting which would look wonderful on anyone’s wall.
“I had such a warm welcome at the Caerphilly Art Society and must thank them for listening to me speak about the important work Cancer Research Wales is doing.
“Their work on developing simple blood tests for cancers such as colon cancer is vital. Far too many people in Wales are being diagnosed at A&E and at a later stage of cancer than in England, for example.
“I’m doing the trek with a business colleague, Dawn Evans of Ajuda Training in Cardiff. Both of us have lost friends to cancer, and we’re passionate about helping to improve cancer detection rates in Wales.”
Each participant has to raise £4,000, and Maria has raised £650 of her target so far.
“I’ve had donations from clients, friends, and family, and I’ve been selling items at car boot sales to raise funds,” Maria, former news editor of the South Wales Argus and Caerphilly Campaign, and former reporter on Wales on Sunday, the Rhymney Valley Express, and Merthyr Express, said.
“Alongside training for the trek by climbing Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Fan y Big, the Sugarloaf, and the Skirrid, I’m looking to step up my fundraising.
“If any schools would like me to come in and run workshops for their pupils on how to create a school newspaper, magazine, or talk about my time in the media, I’ll happily come along if they will hold fundraising events such as non-uniform days for the Machu Picchu trek. Anyone interested can contact me on 07790 654274.”
Artist Chris is known for his Welsh landscapes and colourful street scenes, along with impressive portraits.
He said: “It was such a pleasure to demonstrate to Caerphilly Art Society and it was great to see the room full of so many people.
“Please place your bids on the post on the Facebook page to help a worthy cause.”
Bids on the painting can be placed here: https://www.facebook.com/caerphillyartsociety/.
Chris Langley is available for commissions, art workshops, and portraits, and his work can be viewed here: https://www.christopherlangley.net/.