With colours as bright as the day they were painted, personalities encountered at Barmouth, Wales by full-time solicitor and part-time artist J. Walter Richards were recorded for posterity on 7 August 1907.

A part-time artist who drew and painted for his enjoyment, Richards exhibited a very keen eye for details, a certain sense of humor and seems to have possessed a level of technical ability on par with many artists of a professional ilk.  Unfortunately very little regarding this talented artist has come to light.

He seems to have made a living as a solicitor at Colwyn Bay, Wales According to an article that appears in the 3 February 2007 edition of the Daily Post (Liverpool) Richards retired to Ty Croes, Wales sometime in the 1930s and passed away in the late 1940s or early 50s and was buried Gwalchmai, Anglesey. The article also related how the vast majority of his drawings and sketchbooks were burned in a bonfire after his death. Such stories seem to abound for authors and artists so perhaps this was the case with much of Richards' work also. In any case, some of his work did indeed survive as evidenced by this beautifully preserved page.

Based upon the apparent accuracy exhibited in the three volunteer soldier portraits on this page Richards may have had more than a passing knowledge of military matters. Note the old quartermaster sergeant's Volunteer Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.

Watercolour Sketchbook Leaf
8 3/4 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches high
(22.2cm x 14cm)
J. Walter Richards
Barmouth, Wales
August 5 & 7, 1907