New Releases

In this painting, I wanted to capture the striking character of the Pierhead Building, one of Cardiff’s most iconic landmarks. Often referred to as "Wales' Red House," this Grade I listed building stands as a bold testament to the city’s industrial heritage, its vibrant terracotta facade glowing against the backdrop of Cardiff Bay.

In my work, I’ve focused on the play of light across the water and the rich, warm tones of the brickwork. By contrasting the intricate, Neo-Gothic architecture of the 1897 building with the sleek, modern curves of the nearby Senedd and Wales Millennium Centre, I aimed to reflect the meeting of old and new that defines the Bay today. The presence of the boats in the foreground adds a sense of movement and life, grounding this historic monument in its natural maritime setting.

In "Game of Life," I wanted to capture that high-stakes tension of being locked into a moment. The subject is powerful, muscular, and bald, a symbol of physical adulthood. yet he sits cross-legged on the floor, clinging to a controller. Surrounding him is a chaotic, painterly explosion of rainbow hues that bleed into the background, representing the vibrant but often overwhelming world he is trying to navigate.

For many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, video games weren't just a hobby; they were our first true sanctuary. As children, the digital world was the one place where we could choose our skins, build our own realities, and feel a sense of control that the "real world" denied us.

With "Game of Life," I’m exploring the friction that occurs when we transition from that youthful escapism into the complexities of queer adult life. It’s a look at the mental health toll of leaving the "save points" of our youth behind. This piece is about the exhaustion of playing a game where the rules keep changing, and the lingering, protective grip we keep on the comforts of our past as we try to survive the levels of our present.

Set of three pieces. This series of digital paintings by Cardiff-based artist maccb71Art, titled One Soul, part of my Three Lifetimes collection, utilizes a dramatic evolution of light, weather, and color to explore the journey of a single soul across different emotional and temporal landscapes.

Part 1 presents a scene of vibrant clarity and youthful stoicism. Bathed in the high, uncompromising sun of a mid-day beach, the shirtless figure stands against a backdrop of turquoise waves. The warm, painterly strokes highlight his powerful physique, suggesting a "lifetime" defined by physical presence and the deceptive simplicity of a clear horizon. His direct, calm gaze toward the viewer anchors the piece, representing a moment of peak vitality before the inevitable shifts of fate.

Part 2 shifts the narrative into a somber, introspective "lifetime" of shadow. The bright sands are replaced by a dark, rocky coastline under a heavy, moonlit sky. The figure, now clad in denim, looks downward, his posture suggesting a weight of experience or perhaps a period of mourning. The cool, muted blues and deep grays create a sense of isolation and quiet resilience. Here, the artist explores the internal landscape, where the strength previously used for action is now turned inward to weather a personal storm.

Part 3 serves as the series' climactic "lifetime," depicting a state of transcendence amidst chaos. The figure stands in a golden-hued storm, his hair windswept and his face turned upward toward a tumultuous, light-streaked sky. The thick, energetic brushwork and the interplay of amber and charcoal tones suggest a moment of ultimate reckoning or liberation. By placing the subject in the heart of the elements, maccb71Art captures the raw beauty of a spirit that has endured the sun and the shadows, finally finding a fierce, defiant peace within the tempest itself.

Which of these three "lifetimes" do you feel captures the most powerful emotion?

Captured in this painting is the striking facade of Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru (the Wales Millennium Centre), an architectural icon of Cardiff Bay. Known for its copper-colored steel dome and the powerful inscriptions carved into its glass, the building is a celebration of Welsh heritage and creative spirit.

In my work, I wanted to emphasize the bold, sweeping curves and the unique texture of the "slate" and metal materials that define its structure. By focusing on the dramatic upward angle, I’ve aimed to mirror the sense of ambition and inspiration the Centre represents. The play of light across the golden panels brings out the warmth of the building, set against the backdrop of the historic Pierhead Building and the modern Ferris wheel, bridging the gap between Cardiff’s rich past and its vibrant present.