A self-taught portrait artist from Gwaun cae Gurwen is to exhibit her work in Ammanford Library.

Visitors to the show, held from September 8 to 19, will see how Tina Francis, has captured a unique insight into the changing face of mining.

Her paintings are inspired by her husband and other workers in the opencast mine at Tairgwaith, where coal miners endure backbreaking and hazardous conditions.

“My inspirations for my latest pieces have arrived from watching the hard working men and women each day not knowing how long they will have their jobs.

“You can see in the faces the toll of the harshness there working life has on them," said Tina.

An artist with more than 30 years experience, Tina, at the age of 22, found herself a mother of two with one severely disabled child.

Unable to work the conventional way she fell in love with art, and began to paint and exhibit her art.

Overcoming her nerves to public reaction, she said: “I was happy to find that I had an exceptionally good response to my art.

“At the time I lived in a beautiful place at the time called Devils Bridge in Mid Wales and it was a big influence on the subjects I painted.

“I have found through the ages my work has come from the inspirations my travels give me and the people I meet.”

Tina is also a certified Bob Ross instructor and loves to pass on my love of art.

For further information Tel: 07916123940 or visit tcpaintings.com