TORFAEN artists Jill and David Hobbs like nothing better than to don their walking boots and head for the Welsh hills.

The paintings that they have created to record these outdoor experiences throughout the four seasons are currently being exhibited together at Craft Renaissance Gallery, Kemeys Commander, near Usk.

Their exhibition With My Walking Boots On... showcasing well-known walking trails in Wales, is being the previewed this Saturday, from 3pm to 5pm, and will be open daily until July 8.

David was born in Torfaen at the foot of Mynydd Maen, and has enjoyed the freedom of wandering the South Wales hills since his childhood.

With his wife Jill, he has made many walking trips to the tops of the Brecon Beacons, the Snowdonia peaks and further afield.

He also particularly enjoys the rugged and spectacular West Wales coastline.

His paintings in this exhibition are in acrylics, all using large flat brushes, executed in a fast and loose style, in order to avoid excessive detail, and aiming to capture overall impressions of the scenery, rather than slavish representations.

Now that he is semi-retired, he has a little more time to enjoy walking and painting, when his other activities as a jazz guitarist and double bassist allow. A new family member – Harris the deerhound lurcher – ensures there are plenty of walks.

Jill Hobbs was born in Hakin, Milford Haven, but moved to Griffithstown at a young age. She paints mainly in pastels and acrylics and is also an art tutor and demonstrator.

Jill is lead tutor at Pontypool museum, runs her own successful local art group, paints commissions and has had some of her portraits published.

She says she is inspired by fleeting sunlight, wind, rain, thunder, lightning and storms.

As well as her traditional landscapes, she is also known for her digital paintings and sketches made with executed using her iPad.

In her digital works, Jill specialises in portraits of jazz musicians and interior scenes of jazz venues in south Wales, where she often accompanies David, a keen jazz musician) as well as portraits of groups of people in cafes and pubs.

The couple’s original artwork is complemented by new work from artists Andrew Allanson and Ann Kelly, and copper etchings from well-known printmaker Frances St Clair Miller.

It all adds up to an excellent collection of new original works celebrating the Welsh landscape, with classic views of Pen y Fan, Corn Ddu, Keepers Pond, the Skirrid, the Monmouth and Brecon Canal and more.

l Craft Renaissance (NP15 1JU) is located three miles from Usk on the B4598.