Thursday 31 May 2007

Scarlett


Sorry about the lack of stuff, things have been a bit convoluted for a couple of days.

Myself and Jenny Rumens have been bravely manning the studio, despite gales and rain. As it happens, there have been some buyers about so we have not wasted our time.
Thanks again to everyone who has ignored the weather to come and see us........partners, family and friends especially.

Yesterday I even managed to do a bit of work. The result is this small canvas of one of the dancers.
It's a more finished version of the pastel I did of Scarlett.
(Posted as "Bank holiday" on May 8th).


The end of Open Studios is in sight, it's been a success despite the surreal weather, and as always the public bring new eyes and opinions which give us the perspective needed to avoid horrible incidents of Emperors new clothery.

I thank you all.

Sunday 27 May 2007

A North Easterly Gale.........must be late May then


The weather is so appaling I couldn't even bring myself to photograph it..............so, here's an image of my daughter feeding seagulls instead.

It makes me smile, unlike the rain hurling itself at the window.

Saturday 26 May 2007

Open Studios update



Things are going pretty well. The weather today has been pretty poor, but over twenty visitors takes the total to just over 100 in seven days.
Loads of interested and interesting people, both Jenny and myself are constantly surprised by the genuine interest and depth of knowledge displayed by our visitors.
Many thanks to one and all, keep coming folks, the kettle is always on.

Thursday 24 May 2007

Leaving me this week.....



Some canvases are hard to let go.

This one means a lot to me, I think the rain is how I was feeling the day I painted it.

However, I'm always at my happiest when I know the new owners will love it.
When a close friend buys a piece, it's a real compliment. If that happens at a momentous event in their lives, it's a lottery win.

BIG LOVE to Beachfreak and Gingerwitch, (It was her birthday pressie).
Me and mine wish you all you hope for, in this summer of your wedding, and always.

Feet



It's all in the detail some days.

You know when you are washing up and a bit of food is stuck to a Pyrex dish ? You sort of worry it like a dog with a bone, then it finally comes off.

Drawing feet gets me like that. I scrape and scribble and puff and pant, and then there is a small measure of satisfaction when I sort them out.

.............She does have a lovely bum too, by the way.

Tuesday 22 May 2007

Come on over



Another Bank Holiday is on the way, Open Studios is in full swing, the skies are big and blue, the beaches are some of the finest in Europe..................what EXACTLY are you waiting for ?

www.nnfestival.org.uk/OpenStudios/

Saturday 19 May 2007

somewhere over the........


Thanks to everyone who came and made last night a success.

The rainbow was a special reward for all the effort, it was made even more memorable to be stood sharing it with many people I love and regard so highly. Usually I'm stood watching the ever changing weather thinking of how I would love to be sharing it with you all !

Friday 18 May 2007

Tonight, tonight........


This is it then, private view tonight.

It all looks pretty good, my paintings, Jenny Rumens sculpture and furniture. All we need is our adoring public...........

If you are reading this and can get along, feel free to join us; 6.00 till 9.00, Beacon Farm Trimingham, NR11 8DZ.

Look forward to seeing you.

Sunday 13 May 2007

stagnite


Got plenty done today, bit of tidying up, some maintenance, and this small canvas. (16inx16in).

It's a study really. In my mind I see this as a really big bright vibrant canvas.

Any thoughts ?

Saturday 12 May 2007

Tuesday Life Drawing



Some of you local lurkers will know i run a weekly life drawing group on Tuesday evenings at Upper Sheringham village hall.

If you are in the area, either permanently, or on holiday, it would be great to see you. You don't have to book, we start at 7.30 and finish at 10.00pm.

Just turn up with your eight quid in one hand and a pad and some charcoal in the other.

All abilities welcome, we all struggle together.

Lunch break


Nice big weather today, every now and then the rain lashed on the roof and windows of the studio.
At one point it even drowned out The Killers on the CD player.
Soon sorted that out though, turn it uuuuuP !!!

Wreckage


This was the state of the studio this morning. I'm supposed to be putting a show on here, opening next Friday evening..................in the words of my alter-ego; DOH !

So, today I have mostly been tidying and cleaning up.

I have also been having a bit of a sly panic over whether there will be enough work done. I think on balance there will be plenty...............but I could really do with a couple more finished pieces......

Thursday 10 May 2007

Aristo's carboot






As previously promised, some images from the posh carboot sale last weekend, at Holkham Hall in Norfolk.

A unique event, I'm sure you will agree.

Go here for a better look round; http://www.holkham.co.uk/

bloggin'

Managed to have a stooge about late last night and early this morning, I'm a bit humbled by the quantity of artistic talent out there.

I have added a couple of new blogs to the "unmissables". Stolleart and Sevencamels are both well worth a look.

The Wide-Eyed with Awe award, (that's a new thing then), goes to the people at ;

http://sketchclub.blogspot.com

Check it out, I implore you.

Tuesday 8 May 2007

Bank Holiday



Funny thing long weekends, I always feel that they have to be FILLED with activity.
Just the fact that there is that extra day, means I inevitably try to cram five days stuff into three days.

Anyway, what I'm getting round to saying, IS, I had a busy one.

Friday evening was spent at Spearmint Rhino's in Norwich.......yes, again.
Took herself along, and we had a jolly time. Thanks once again to Vincent and the crew.
Claire loved the place, and spent a good deal of the evening talking to Vincent and the girls.
I was of course working really hard.

Saturday we were up bright and early to go to Holkham Hall for an event billed as an Aristocratic Boot Fair. The idea is that the local gentry turn up to shift the dusty relics from their attics/tied cottages/carriage sheds onto the assembled prols, for hard currency.

I was searching for some mangy taxidermy to dress up the studio with.
(always a nice combo, paintings of naked women counterpointed by a flea bitten Grizzly or Tiger skin rug).
Sadly the only options were a rather plastic looking stuffed fish, or a pair of pheasants in a glass case. Neither set my pulse racing.
However, the possibilities of the event had dragged all and sundry out for the day. Both the aristo's on the stalls and the characters walking round were fascinating in their Norfolk-ness.
I took a few pics, I'll put some up later for your perusal.

While disappointed at the lack of suitable relics, I was more than happy with the new word that herself invented, "Stuffery".
The Oxford entry would probably go something like ;
Stuffery, verb, disreputable examples of ancient hunting rights. Not uncommonly dismembered heads of bovine mammals, or complete skins of large carnivores. Often to be found in poor condition near large, loud, high-born men of a similar state.

Saturday night was another evening of work at Rhino's. Did lots of sketching, and was fascinated by the sight of two or three grooms to-be on their Stag nights'.
Each was placed on the stage and tortured by the supernaturally erotic dancers.

I have posted a sketch of one of them going through this rite. It looked to me like they were being forced to confront not only the end of their days of single male freedom, but the inevitable harnessing and eventual death of their libido...........that's maybe a bit dark, but do you know what I mean ? Like some ancient ceremony of willing self-denial;
"I shall no longer chase skirt, and if I do the vengeful god of erotic dancers will pluck out my eyes".....

Very funny, even so. The guy in the sketch had obviously drunk a few beers, but he was a master of self control. His hands didn't so much as twitch on his lap..........his eyes told a different story though.

The other picture is a portrait of one of the dancers, she has lovely eyes, and she dances under the name Scarlett.
In the nicest possible way, she most certainly is.

Sunday 6 May 2007

Open Studios 07


A bit of a blatant plug, but here's the invitation to the private view for Open Studios.

As you can see, I'm sharing my studio with the outrageously talented Jenny Rumens this year,
so I'll be showing the usual eclectic range of paintings, pastels and charcoal sketches and Jenny will be displaying her wonderful carved torso's, plus selected pieces of driftwood and found object furniture.

I hope that any of you lovely readers who know me and are nearby will be getting an invitation in the post..............but if you don't, come anyway !!!

(It's not that I have forgotten you, I may just have run out of stamps/hours in the day).

Friday 4 May 2007

Remembering


Found a great site while stooging around the net last night...... Illustration Friday.

In a nutshell, there is a weekly topic set on a Friday, anyone can submit an illustration to fit the topic. Drawings, paintings, digital imagery, all are acceptable.......I'm gonna have a lash, I respectfully encourage you to do the same.

If you scroll down the page a bit, you'll see the " IF " button near the hit counter.

I am cheating a little bit on the first one, (Remembering is this weeks topic). I found this sketch I did at Easter.
It's of my youngest nephew Johnny, he's a Midlands lad, and not being used to the beach he insisted on repeatedly fetching "flat sand" from near the waters edge to build his sand castles with.

Thursday 3 May 2007

Panic...


As I write ths I'm trying to edit some photographs, and make a phone call at the same time......

You would, dear reader, be justified in asking why I should be attempting these tasks simultaneously. The answer comes down to my apparent inability to understand the passing of time.

It's all relative you see, I mean scientific, theological and philosophical minds have struggled forever with such weighty issues as time and it's meaning.
I however, really just need to grasp the fact that I can't work 24 hours a day for a month leading up to an exhibition.
Would it not be better to get some work done in December/January/February, nes pa ?

Anyway, today's painting was completed last November................just before the winter got to me !

Wednesday 2 May 2007

seaset


This piece has left me for it's new home in the Midlands.
My client is a coastal lad who's work means he has to live relatively far from the ocean, I hope the painting brings happy memories of times past.