The influences come mainly from areas such as politics, visual artists, people who have contributed to Welsh culture, bards and writers. Gareth says, “with some of the portraits a personal recognition and connection can be claimed, with others there is a more collective influence and is part of a more collective appreciation”. With each portrait is a more ambiguous image and an englyn (Welsh poem) that corresponds to the subject, and which reflects Gareth Owen’s fondness of combining words and pictures.