tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59658970578535582992011-11-28T00:42:44.593Zknifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.comBlogger2291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-80181347796233721302011-06-17T07:59:00.000+01:002011-06-17T07:59:00.953+01:00

Another week flashes past, lots of creativity going on all around. My eldest had the Private View for her end of course show at Paston College last night......it was fabulous. Heaps of  bright, shiny, creative young people, accompanied by an even larger number of astonished parents and other visitors. Congratulations are most certainly due to all the students, and to Matt and his staff. I

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-8148747600378779132011-06-15T17:28:00.000+01:002011-06-15T17:28:40.616+01:00

Busy times....... The work is progressing, with three small paintings finished and half a dozen decent drawings pointing the way towards more complete things in the near future. There are more than a few balls in the air in other areas. The new life drawing class started last Saturday, with two new students. I have the promise of at least four for this coming Saturday. If you are local and

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-66466274049809648132011-06-05T11:09:00.000+01:002011-06-05T11:09:16.277+01:00

Just to say, there is a new life drawing class starting next Saturday, 11th of June, at North Walsham High School. Start time is 12.00pm, finish time is 2.00pm. I will be guiding for some, teaching others, and leaving some alone if that suits them best ! The price for the two hour session is £12.50, and I am running them for the next six consecutive Saturdays. If enough participants show up, we

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-76861260871611577312011-06-04T13:08:00.001+01:002011-06-04T13:43:30.795+01:00

The beach painting at the top was the result of a fabulously sunny day hereabouts yesterday. The main reason for painting it, other than the weather, was to test out a new additive to my paint. It is an impasto medium, which allows me to slap the paint on thicker. On balance, I am happy with the result and will be experimenting further with it on a larger scale with the nudes. Below are two

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-77574232719424570742011-06-02T19:02:00.000+01:002011-06-02T19:02:48.174+01:00

are meant for this.........

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-26102357661673232022011-05-14T19:01:00.000+01:002011-05-14T19:01:18.114+01:00

The arrival of Spring, and a determined approach, have meant an upturn in production. As ever, trying to strike the balance between vigour and fussiness is taxing me. Passion, not polish is my aim and although my head is hurting a little, I am happy with this stuff.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-80377440612747273482011-05-09T11:48:00.001+01:002011-05-09T11:53:42.867+01:00

Last year up here on the North Norfolk coast, there was a new, intimate, entertaining, creative arts festival called COAST. This year it will be very much more intimate if a few more quid can't be raised............ Everyone involved in organising COAST is working for the love of it, you would be giving to further enjoyment of and engagement with the Arts. If you have a business or an event to

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-62538146920169372592011-02-28T17:53:00.000Z2011-02-28T17:53:21.575Z

I have been accepted for the Fine Art MA at NUCA.....that's Norwich University College of the Arts. It starts in October, so much thinking and creating to be done. sketches and ideas on here soon........

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-58195834586213700572011-02-13T21:49:00.000Z2011-02-13T21:49:16.818Z

Great Yarmouth Dog Track + Beer = Man Love

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-43426501314022458512011-01-14T10:56:00.002Z2011-01-14T21:32:39.651Z

Today I am posting without any illustration, a rarity if not a first for me. I would like you to consider joining the Fish Fight, a campaign that I believe is a chance for us to help overturn the European fisheries policy which forces fishermen to return perfectly edible dead fish to the sea, simply because they have caught their quota of a given species. This waste is not a new problem. I

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-90061270639624857282011-01-11T19:06:00.007Z2011-01-11T19:31:41.552Z

So, it would appear my little vacation from writing this blog has turned into a gap of over a year.I think maybe that the extended gap is an illustration of two things; firstly how compressed time has become for all of us, and secondly how stale my online output was becoming.A fair amount of water has flowed under my creative bridge since we last spoke. Sales have been appalling, but the lack of

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-89379854828838533662009-11-28T15:35:00.005Z2009-11-28T15:40:14.773Z

The top one is up for an opening bid of £25.00, the middle one is £10.00 and the bottom £15.00.G'wan, you know you want to........

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-11708201935205118602009-11-28T12:59:00.004Z2009-11-28T13:10:28.485Z

Just a sample of what's available today.The top one has a starting bid of £10.00, the middle one is £40.00 and the bottom (in all senses of the word) is £35.00.How can you resist ???

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-8103682307957767512009-11-27T11:53:00.002Z2009-11-27T12:15:31.750Z

If you fancy an evening out, why not come along?This is the second sealed bid auction we have done at the shop. The last one was three years ago, and I said then that I would do another in three years time, so here we are.Currently there are 58 pieces of work up for grabs. Each one has a minimum bid price, the cheapest of which is £10.00, rising to £150.00 for the most expensive.A tally is kept

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-62998363040342391742009-10-09T13:37:00.005+01:002009-10-10T19:22:23.726+01:00

So, PDF files, what are they all about ?At the risk of sounding tetchy, why can't I create a simple table, then e-mail it out so others can fill it in ?Currently that's a rhetorical question, by the way. I no longer care. I've moved on. Oh yes. It's not bothering me. Not at all. Bothered I am not.No, really.Back to the easel then, hope you dear readers are all well, speak soon.X

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-70616093786125776092009-09-12T20:12:00.002+01:002009-09-12T20:23:35.596+01:00

........and I want to make it very clear that I am not leading a double life.My irregular wafflings on here have detailed some of the thoughts trials and tribulations of a struggling artist.I now find that my namesake is quietly undermining me with his burgeoning jewelery business, somewhere in our nations capital.It would appear that somewhere in the dim and distant, a branch of the family

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-13775225223711855492009-09-05T09:20:00.002+01:002009-09-05T09:29:55.221+01:00

..........on our coast.But not today.Got up later than planned, and didn't get wet myself, but there were several folk up and at it early on.I took these pics at what used to be a secret spot.......but judging by how many people were in the water, I guess the word has spread !Nice to get back behind a camera, I'm in the mood now, so off to a place called Sea Palling to get some more pics.........

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-60031476036701706722009-09-02T15:01:00.003+01:002009-09-02T15:11:44.241+01:00

This is my good friend Ed Foss, (the one at the bottom of the picture)Today he has set off from London, accompanied by his team-mates and several hundred others, to cycle from London to Paris in Aid of the Royal British Legion.You should be able to follow his progress here;http://norfolknomads.blogspot.comGive him a look if you have a mo', and leave comments of love and support, he's a top bloke.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-57935672874185626332009-08-26T11:09:00.003+01:002009-09-02T13:46:05.104+01:00

................because I have failed to post for sooooo long !Anyway, no boring excuses, the image above may help you understand my lack of application. The image was taken a few hundred yards from my house, one morning last week.Would you be stuck in front a computer ?I think not.While spending a more than reasonable amount of time on the beach, I have managed to do some work.Working from

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-12743828305430276262009-06-06T10:54:00.005+01:002009-06-06T11:26:30.991+01:00

I spent some of yesterday sanding down and re-priming a couple of metre square canvases. The work on them was more than a year old, and part of a series that didn't quite hit the spot.Not so long ago, I would have been really reticent about obliterating stuff that had taken a fair time to produce, but lately I have been embracing the cathartic elements of destroying old work.There is some

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-61281197559940075672009-06-02T22:18:00.003+01:002009-06-02T22:31:28.277+01:00

So, Open Studios is closed, so to speak.I'm pleased to say that I had a good one. Around 250 visitors over the seventeen days, some interesting and interested people, and a good level of sales.......hurrah !I even had a 'runner'.......that's someone who comes in and is frightened by the sheer level of filth on display, stays for no more than a minute, and immediately goes out through the door

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-87682758786947973592009-05-29T14:42:00.003+01:002009-05-29T14:57:34.576+01:00

.......that's the yard at the studio.Great day today, lots of odds and ends done, drank beer outdoors with the fabulous two at lunchtime, (my landlady's), also my man Beachfreak nipped in to say hello.The smells of hot sand and the sea, warm concrete and that odd 'green' odor that is as rare as the true early British summer day.Under normal circumstances it's easy to let days like today pass by

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-79810209801116787122009-05-26T15:53:00.001+01:002009-05-26T15:55:49.406+01:00

.........sold almost as soon as it was hung.........................I wonder why.........?!!

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-73454159162719787902009-05-26T11:46:00.002+01:002009-05-26T11:55:32.144+01:00

Sunday evening, on the beach, Bank Holiday Monday to follow........what's not to like ?Some of you may be familiar with the Gingerwitch.....(pictured above paddling in the balmy North Sea).....but even if you 'aint, there is no doubting her skills.The weather she ordered for her birthday was bright blue from dawn till dusk.I think it would be foolish to let her keep any of your hair or nail

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-84519224181785283102009-05-04T14:52:00.002+01:002009-05-04T14:56:59.947+01:00

walks that is.I need to motivate the brats to help out. Cash might help I suppose, but they did promise to help out if we got a new puppy..................I allowed myself to be deceived, 'cos I wanted another dog.Another task for today's list then !

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-51506151778682383032009-05-03T09:47:00.002+01:002009-05-03T10:00:21.942+01:00

We all know that Dad's bare the crushing weight of responsibility for their offspring with quiet dignity.None more so than the figure in the painting above. I was watching and daubing away as he and his two small boys started the sandcastle.Within ten minutes the famous North Sea 'fret' had crept up behind them, cold damp and visually disturbing.After a further quarter of an hour, Mum whisked the

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-36773158004079889592009-05-02T20:48:00.009+01:002009-05-03T10:01:23.607+01:00

I was lucky enough to be in London yesterday. I was even luckier to have four hours to kill before my train back to dear old Norfolk. A swift five stops and one change tube ride later, I was at the National Gallery.An even swifter twelve quid later, I was feeling somewhat inadequate standing with my mouth open in front of 'Large Bather', by a certain Pablo Picasso.The current show; Picasso

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-44217309744750305922009-05-02T09:49:00.003+01:002009-05-02T10:00:44.059+01:00

Been frantic for a couple of weeks, but all positive stuff.This piece was the one I was struggling over for a couple of days last month. I'm happy with it now.I have had a run of working fairly small, but it was nice to let go on this one as it is much larger. (3ftx2ftish).Lots more to say/show, but tight for time. I'll be back later.Out.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-78702643384577125182009-04-11T20:13:00.003+01:002009-04-11T20:28:15.202+01:00

I seem to have been AWOL for a week or two.My absence has been completely unintentional, I keep meaning to post something, but somehow the moment just does not arrive.Anyway, what with the aforementioned birthday celebrations, painting, gardening, kids on holiday from school, friends visiting with their gorgeous new baby and daily admin, I have been fully engaged in other stuff.The painting is

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-58304231280131371272009-03-28T14:02:00.002Z2009-03-28T14:23:20.792Z

our daughter was born.I can't succinctly put into words how parents lives are measured by the growth of their children. However, the panicked feeling of time flying by, is easily offset by the warm glow of pride in one's offspring and their bright, fresh, shiny lives.Another milestone in her life, and ours. The passing years proving to us all, that nothing stays the same.That fact alone is worthy

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-31109351970087287322009-03-23T07:45:00.002Z2009-03-23T07:48:23.845Z

..........is the number of you who have popped in since the 21st of March 2007.Who'd have thought so many people would be interested in two years worth of my waffle ?Thank you one and all.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-39018748038968046952009-03-22T14:55:00.002Z2009-03-22T15:14:10.517Z

There's a brisk northerlyish wind blowing across the beach today. We had friends up for a couple of days, so the canine companion has been thoroughly walked. I didn't notice any reticence on the face of the dog, but all the humans looked a bit sheepish when we got to the top of the cliff. It was a bit parky, to say the least.On the subject of the beach, lately I have been collecting bits of sea

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-40331357572255937232009-03-17T07:44:00.003Z2009-03-17T07:51:02.085Z

Getting organised to go and entertain teenagers is all very well, but it does mean getting the old carcass out from under the duvet at 6.00am.There are side benefits to this enforced regime, such as eating breakfast, walking the dog and edifying code like grunt-ver-sation with my very own teenage offspring.It's all about education folks.........

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-48631890246887578202009-03-15T14:30:00.002Z2009-03-15T14:35:54.202Z

I have been mostly painting the same small area of a canvas today, over and over again.I can't seem to get it right, so it's been a bit paint/scrape/ paint/ scrape ad nauseum.It would be fair to say I have nearly disappeared up my own arse today, so on that note........here is a much nicer one from back when I could create nice work.(That would be last week then).

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-90437967278827400072009-03-12T14:42:00.002Z2009-03-12T16:42:01.800Z

Just been lurking about on ebay, watching auctions on a few impractical fantasy items. Sort of window shopping for the desk bound.Great fun, but the temptation to put in a bid on a beautifully dilapidated 1968 Citroen DS was almost too much to resist.Me and my beret would look fabulous in it.....cracked leather seats, funky one spoke space age steering wheel, hydro suspension, Serge Gainsboro on

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-35717954261050063202009-03-07T10:17:00.002Z2009-03-07T10:33:42.573Z

It just goes to show, threats of violence only work temporarily. The laptop really was poorly, very poorly.Having now had the techno equivalent of a heart and lung transplant, the dear thing is on fire. Fast, steady, dare I say reliable !!! Outstanding.In other news, I have been mostly teaching for the last couple of weeks. Covering for illness.......... a bit like fire fighting, you feel

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-46105681318678252072009-02-17T13:08:00.002Z2009-02-17T13:31:39.167Z

....I'm on my daughters laptop, as mine has rolled over again.Makes a change for me to be hogging her machine !Some of you may know that I'm a part time team member and governor at North Walsham High School. Currently there are several staff and pupils from the school making a feature film in Romania........yep, Romania.The Major Domo of this project is Mr James "Francis Ford" Coulson, he is

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-78640105539081909512009-02-13T15:03:00.003Z2009-02-13T15:21:57.402Z

Just finished this.I used some photographs and sketches for reference, and painted it onto a canvas prepped with fairly lurid pink ground. Hopefully the little bits of pink showing through have helped to give the impression of a warm summer morning.The boat in the painting was called the Valerie Teresa, she was one of the last wooden crab-boats working from the beach at Cromer. Some of the best

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-54998012778886609742009-02-12T11:44:00.002Z2009-02-12T11:57:31.381Z

.......just because I might be.While sorting out some work for an upcoming exhibition, an away fixture incidentally, I realised that I'm a bit short of finished work.The five pieces promised to the aforementioned show constitute about half of my current stock.I do have several of the small nudes that I have posted recently, but somehow I have to finance frames for them.....maybe I'll sell

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-76008331832462230652009-02-08T20:48:00.003Z2009-02-08T21:09:35.685Z

One of my real guilty pleasures is reading. Whenever I get a few minutes I like to get into a book. I can even read in the shower.........indeed, my multitasking knows no bounds.This evening I have finished re-reading a book that I had sort of skimmed a few years ago. Without going into too much detail, it's a story of danger and dastardly deeds on the high seas, the true tale of a disastrous

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-60611822614127747202009-02-06T21:11:00.003Z2009-02-06T21:35:47.912Z

filing a tax return online.I'm not going to have a rant, mostly because I have nothing left to give. Suffice to say, that by the time my unique user identity number arrived in the post, I was already late. And that has cost me £100. Outstanding.The best bit, apart from managing to exit the site, was the THIRTY TWO......count them...32 ...character successful receipt reference code. What are the

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-3695561541094091712009-02-03T10:08:00.002Z2009-02-03T10:23:04.557Z

Travelling But Not in Love, here is a male nude.The funny thing about pastel work, for me at least, is that the less you do the more you get away with.For instance the feet on this piece have no toes, but if there were, my feeling is that the eye would be drawn to them too much.Incidentally, referring back to the 16th Jan post, and vigour/immediacy in general, I think this has a certain amount of

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-79874778218082236902009-02-02T20:40:00.004Z2009-02-02T21:56:48.021Z

So, threats of violence worked.In the end, I took it outside and read it the old horoscope. All that 'tekie' stuff may have had some effect, but the real power lay in creating an atmosphere of fear. Somewhere in the deepest recesses of it's circuitry, it heard my sincere threats.Obviously it had previously listened to my coaching, then polite requests, followed by child like pleading and lastly

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-21223144246733697642009-02-01T20:53:00.002Z2009-02-01T21:13:52.260Z

I have fannied about with this poxy machine for days. I know it's contours better than I know those of my wife.I am basically a creative person. I think in pictures, not 1's and 0's, so it makes my head hurt.I don't need to know all this stuff. I have a lot of things to think about, and not much RAM left on the old hard-drive. Why will it not obey me ?I have emptied trash, cleaned disks,

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-26807368671594656212009-01-30T18:29:00.002Z2009-01-30T18:32:14.426Z

Sorry, sorry sorry.Shitty computers, I hate them.Thanks to all of you for commenting on the stale and boring post below.While you wait for me to get it together, go over to Paul Robinson's site at the top of my links. He's a very talented painter, and a very top bloke.........off you go then.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-73973357077800264852009-01-23T19:54:00.001Z2009-01-23T19:55:19.248Z

.....with uploading images, AGAIN !As soon as I cure it I'll post something marginally more interesting.That will be all.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-25552244677276370182009-01-18T16:20:00.001Z2009-01-18T16:31:20.663Z

A cold wind and horses that won't stand still.........it's a tough life.The biggest positive to be drawn from the weekend, from a painting point of view, was the fabulous light. Just being out in it was inspiration enough.I have made a couple of attempts at the local nags in the last week. Great practice for speedy work but proper bloody hard to be accurate.More tomorrow, have a lovely evening.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-6164340459397642432009-01-16T10:46:00.003Z2009-01-16T11:50:39.525Z

and immediate, that's what I'm trying to preserve in the work.I have a tendency to fiddle, you see. Now, when I work in charcoal or pastels I work quickly with a certain flow. However, sometimes when I paint, I get bogged down in the detail and the end result can look overworked and tired.Enter the new Pochade box. I think the small size of the work, and the compact nature of the palette and box

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-31649225143506782002009-01-14T09:01:00.004Z2009-01-14T09:18:53.485Z

It's 2009 then. Stunning revelation I know.Before you ask, I have not just woken from a RipVanWinkle like snooze, I just find January a bit trying. The first week always vaporises in a haze of post Christmas malaise, and before you know it, there are only eleven months of the year left.In an effort to avoid feeling guilty about wasting time, I have been out and about painting with a new plan, and

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-61439576021401138632008-12-10T13:14:00.002Z2008-12-10T13:22:21.079Z

Penury, illness, irritation of all sorts.I'm trying to use it all as motivation, and in a limited way I think things are coming together. Clearer ? maybe, creative ? certainly, scary ? absolutely.Stand by.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-61571029693468899302008-11-18T10:05:00.002Z2008-11-18T10:16:07.275Z

......that's how I would describe the weather today.I'm trying to revel in the winter, rather than let it get to me.Walking about yesterday I wandered through a big pile of fallen leaves. One whiff of the musty earthy smell from them threw my mind back to being a kid in Bradgate Park.All a bit Merchant Ivory, soft focus back-lit memories of mittens and cold ears, but an involuntary smile can't

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-38129882029244200072008-11-13T10:58:00.002Z2008-11-13T11:16:18.669Z

Does anyone else remember asking their Mum to save washing up liquid bottles and cardboard when they were a kid ?I remember how even more important it seemed at this time of year, because it was time for the Blue Peter Christmas craft assault.Wire coat hangars, tinsel (fireproof of course !), candles, what could possibly go wrong ??John Noakes, Valerie Singleton, Peter Purves..........am I

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-22875315543179842702008-11-10T13:33:00.002Z2008-11-10T16:35:39.791Z

Bit of a gap there..........technical issues, and general fatigue.On a more positive note, a good amount of work done at the studio, including a couple of commissioned pieces. Always nice to get paid !The leaves are all off the trees here, and the rain is currently lashing the windows. Not easy to get out and paint in such conditions. I'm resigned to sitting by the fire and burbling away on the

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-68749169161934739592008-10-02T09:32:00.006+01:002008-10-02T10:40:51.126+01:00

at the life drawing group, but I'm thinking of creating one.Maybe we all get lashed, put huge canvas' on the floor, pour paint all over each other and drag each other across them ?..........artists naked, model sitting on a stool fully clothed ?I wonder if the public at large are stupid enough to join in with the slightly hysterical tone of the BBC this morning ?Picture the scene, some eighteen

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-33869197556738056092008-09-29T19:29:00.003+01:002008-09-29T20:03:14.310+01:00

Went to a friends birthday party on Saturday evening. The gent concerned, and his wife, are renowned for their gatherings, and true to form it was a very pleasant evening.Another thing they have a reputation for is their taste in art, which leads me neatly on to thepiece above. They own it, you see.I really enjoy knowing where most of the 'big-bits' are, and not only is this a large canvas (28"

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-70645671611924613452008-09-25T21:11:00.003+01:002008-09-25T21:33:28.892+01:00

A busy couple of days, with oddly conflicting emotions.Yesterday a good friend of long-standing rang me out of the blue. Because of his work abroad, and our mutual crapness as regards keeping in touch, his call was entirely un-expected.It transpires that he and his lovely wife are expecting their first child in December.......I was very excited at this news, and hugely amused that they are

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-32957129007096904672008-09-23T10:11:00.002+01:002008-09-23T10:25:42.674+01:00

speed and surprise !Sorting some work out earlier, I stumbled on this from a couple of weeks ago.All three are obviously quick sketches, and are not hugely accurate. For me, the speed and vibrancy are the thing here. I often struggle to get that feeling of life and movement into large finished paintings.Maybe the answer is not to try. Working with pastels, on big sheets of paper, is really

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-55255241866719643702008-09-22T18:18:00.002+01:002008-09-22T18:22:51.680+01:00

if you're new here today, and you live in Norfolk, you may well have dropped by after reading the piece about blogs/blogging in today's Eastern Daily Press. Welcome.Have a good look round, and feel free to drop in whenever the mood takes you.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-12303690188033616712008-09-19T14:05:00.001+01:002008-09-19T14:08:26.800+01:00

It's bigger, so more expensive, therefore an even better investment.In other news, what a great day for getting the washing dry...................

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-37033531667552193732008-09-18T14:06:00.002+01:002008-09-18T14:18:00.283+01:00

Don't bother with Banks, buy art.Look at it this way, it's inflation proof, can't be effected by men in red braces having a bad day, does not come from a whole in the Middle East, (so no-one will invade your country for it), the pipeline won't be shut off, is transportable if you move to Outer Mongolia, is easier to carry than bullion, is tax deductible if you hang it in your office, looks way

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-16779632640309135832008-09-11T22:02:00.002+01:002008-09-11T22:38:04.767+01:00

It's good to get back in the saddle, so to speak.For various reasons, the last few weeks have been a nude free zone. Like so many things, drawing from life is about practice, so I was rather happy to fluke this piece on Tuesday evening. It's nice and big too (A2), I think it deserves a frame.On a slightly less satisfying note, have a look here;NUJ film shows police obstruction of

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-91966769046925795572008-09-05T21:12:00.004+01:002008-09-05T21:51:14.268+01:00

to selling the work -ebay.I have bought and sold a few everyday items over the past year, so I reckon it might be worth a go. It might just be luck, but I have had nothing but good experiences with it so far. I seriously hope that things don't change now. Here is a link if you fancy a look.http://art.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_fromZR46?_nkw=beautiful+nude&_sacat=60435&_fromfsb=0&_trksid=m270.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-61433926739861934882008-08-31T23:20:00.003+01:002008-08-31T23:47:54.971+01:00

to Felixtowe.We went to have a look at Art on the Prom, which turned out to be a really good event.Seventy three artists, lots of punters, VERY hot.........what's not to like ?This seriously well thought out installation, was made for the event by a group of artists called Purplesnail. (http://www.purplesnail.co.uk/blog/).Top work.The standard of work was high, I was particularly impressed with

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-28907129767070065362008-08-20T23:18:00.002+01:002008-08-21T01:50:30.450+01:00

Bit of a long day today.I had agreed to take some good friends to the airport, Gatwick.........bit of a long way but they are proper humans and so more than deserve it.We spent four or five chatty hours making our way down there, catching up, gossiping, having a laugh with the kids, stopping in scruffy lay-by's to indulge in the male sport of al-fresco urinating, etc.After walking them to

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-37481354116822727952008-08-19T18:18:00.002+01:002008-08-19T18:34:06.321+01:00

Now, those of you who know me personally probably also know the two ladies pictured above.However, for those of you who have not had the pleasure, they are Sally Wallace and Jenny Rumens.I could ramble on about how lovely, generous, enthusiastic, supportive and generally brilliant they are, but they would only get embarrased.Suffice to say, without their constant support, I wouldn't have a studio

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-75825965910705039122008-08-12T11:19:00.003+01:002008-08-12T11:56:04.176+01:00

Scotland.It's a long way from here.However, the place is beautiful. Please excuse the sloppy montage of the view across Loch Tummell above, but I thought it was high time I got back into the saddle and wrote something. So did it in a hurry.We stayed in a cottage at a place called Glen Isla, north of Dundee. Fantastic views, loads of heather/sheep/rain..........even narrower roads than Norfolk !We

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-38967693004077444682008-06-23T12:15:00.003+01:002008-06-23T12:30:45.395+01:00

Just a quick idea of what's been happening in the yard at the studio.This sculpture of a wave is a collaborative piece I'm working on with three other artists.Tony Eadson is the other bloke in the pictures, Annie Lloyd and Jenny Rumens are the female half of the team.........not to mention our all round admin guru, and Lady in charge; Sally Wallace.The piece is for Salthouse 08, the annual art

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-22067649975694261342008-06-07T08:53:00.001+01:002008-06-07T08:56:15.772+01:00

Today, I'll be mostly sitting in St. Margarets Church, Norwich, looking after a group exhibition.If you're near St. Benedicts Street, pop in and say hello........(10.00 till 5.00).

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-45129831161824423262008-06-06T15:42:00.002+01:002008-06-07T07:50:53.016+01:00

Get out and paint a bit.That was my plan for today. In fact, it was the last thing I thought about as I nodded off last night.Sadly as I awoke to the sound of the British summer in full flow, I quickly amended my plan to;Lay in bed and watch UKTV History.Even more sadly, as I was doing my best to imitate a pile of freshly laundered clothes piled inertly on the bed, Herself spotted me and

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-30553866679914874212008-06-03T07:21:00.002+01:002008-06-03T07:33:45.005+01:00

It's true, honest.Open Studios came and went, it was okay but generally a bit down on last year. (Footfall and turnover).This week sees a brief foray into the city of Norwich, with a bunch of other painters and sculptors.We are showing in St. Margaret's Church, St. Benedict's Street, until 5.00pm on Saturday. If you are in the Fine City between now and then, come and say hello.I'm invigilating

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-76243549017659768812008-04-30T16:01:00.003+01:002008-04-30T16:51:55.273+01:00

Is it me or are things looking a bit dark ?If you factor in coastal erosion, credit crunches, house sales in free-fall, fuel prices sky-rocketing, staple foods costing 50% more than last year, Slippery Gordon trying to fuck us over for EVEN MORE road tax, people organising the disappearance of their kids for money, more child abuse in Jersey, a Bristol teenager on remand for alleged terrorist

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-56676275161032506402008-04-17T23:02:00.002+01:002008-04-17T23:29:26.577+01:00

There is a phrase that describes how I felt while working this evening; In the zone.I know, embarrassingly hackneyed, over dramatic, even possibly a little too transatlantic, but I can't construct anything that comes closer to how I felt.The sheer joy of finding a straight uncluttered connection between eye and brush is hard to beat. All the stupid things went well; the paint felt like double

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-61034871872491322332008-04-14T21:27:00.001+01:002008-04-14T21:29:45.066+01:00

The piece of the kids is finished...........................hope you like it or I'm going to look a bit of a tit !

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-32617183218597148262008-04-14T21:13:00.002+01:002008-04-14T21:24:08.929+01:00

you know what..........Mustn't grumble, lots of work, even a new commission, so I hope you'll forgive my lack of posts.Open Studio's is looming large on the horizon, (starts May17th), so I'm thrashing the canvas' all day and into the evening.I'm trying to do several pieces at once, but still have to organise the invitations to the private view, not to mention finishing off a ten foot high

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-62855298701570646502008-04-02T10:22:00.003+01:002008-04-02T10:34:46.069+01:00

..............of a certain degree of bias in my work.A certain fellow blogger and visitor to these e-ramblings has noticed that I mainly paint women.I know that for most of you this will come as a bit of a surprise. But having had a look through the archive, it would appear there is some justification for this observation.In order to try and redress this imbalance, here's a bloke.Don't say I

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-7981218729922880152008-04-01T09:59:00.003+01:002008-04-01T10:40:38.275+01:00

90 years ago today the Royal Air Force was formed as an independant arm of the British military establishment.Happy Birthday to all current, and retired boys/girls in blue, wherever you are.Through Endeavour to the Stars.(I'm at back right, behind the aircraft).

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-2989846829626275832008-03-22T21:16:00.003Z2008-03-22T21:56:47.944Z

Today marks a year since the start of this blog.The rambling chronicle of my days and work was begun in a fit of pique. I was convinced that to avoid lonely, ear-off, VanGoghesque mentalism, I needed to reach out into the world and tell people that I exist.With no planning and hardly any idea about what I would/wouldn't say, no real sense of how much to reveal of myself, or whether anyone would

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-10110490293384066742008-03-19T08:10:00.004Z2008-03-19T08:34:37.201Z

One of the pieces I'm working on for Open Studios is this one of herself. Getting time in the studio together has been a real challenge of late.With the normal everyday requirements of work, the evil ones, food shopping, domestic drudgery and the fact that it's not exactly tropical round here at the moment, the road has been uphill.A half decent Pinot Grigio and a new heater at the studio

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-87502983424962567892008-03-14T17:51:00.001Z2008-03-14T19:33:45.781Z

This week I have mostly been screwing pipes, with a mate.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-90912957534351173962008-03-12T09:29:00.005Z2008-03-12T09:59:37.463Z

I know everyone is wittering on about the weather, but having just got back from the beach I have to say despite the wind and rain, it's magnificent down there today.The wind is what Norfolk folk call a 'Lazy Wind'. It's too lazy to go round you, so it goes straight through. Stumbling along into it is like having prolonged ice-cream-brain-freeze. Add abrasive qualities of seemingly jet propelled

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-25738975607763520222008-03-06T20:00:00.002Z2008-03-06T20:25:06.125Z

I harbour a dream of travel.I don't mean a foreign package holiday, my dream is to own a scruffy camper van and go and have a look round.I really like the idea of slowly traversing little country lanes and coast roads, buying hedge-veg and catching mackerel as I go.I'd take a cut down painting kit and a camera, throw some paint about at last light or dawn overlooking wide rolling landscapes or

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-38231843877678454202008-02-29T22:21:00.004Z2008-02-29T23:24:22.473Z

So Harry is on his way back from the Hindu Kush then.I have to say that I think it was exactly the right thing to do for him to go and be part of the operational role of his unit. His credibility as a young officer would have been completely undermined if he had not taken part.Some of the squaddies I heard interviewed on the radio seemed to have a genuine affection for the man. While I don't

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-58262426906242361152008-02-22T21:30:00.004Z2008-02-22T22:43:17.671Z

Strange how things sometimes fall into place. Or maybe more accurately how, on occasions, events, senses and surroundings conspire to fit together in a way that seems designed rather than accidental.This photograph was taken, early one morning last week, from the cliff-top at the edge of my home village.I was up early to travel fifty miles in the fog and frost for a photographic job. In order to

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-90929625610766826512008-02-22T09:22:00.003Z2008-02-22T09:29:16.007Z

Sorry about that !.........work work work, good for the bank manager, not good for the thoughts of Chairman Knifepainter.Now, the Poll, thanks for all your support. I'm not sure my opinion is any more worthy, but I think all of yours are.I'm off to paint the bristles off some brushes now, but I'll be back with a proper post tonight.Later.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-66639446075936959642008-02-05T22:41:00.000Z2008-02-05T23:02:35.942Z

The cherub in this picture is variously referred to here as The Firstborn, or The Evil One, or occasionally I even use her name.I'm fairly sure that this picture was taken in the summer of 1995, we lived inland at the time, and Herself was eight months pregnant with Laughing boy.Now to the point of this rambling.I need you to help me convince the now teenage Evil One that I'm right.........Okay,

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-5724502168837032112008-02-02T19:07:00.001Z2008-02-02T19:13:13.350Z

England, what happened ?See how you force me to frighten my readers with a victorious Celt ?(If you have a toddler, please feel free to frighten them with this picture......................" If you're naughty, the Welshman will come and get you " ).

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-43556841268576681932008-02-01T21:17:00.000Z2008-02-01T21:59:36.031Z

I can't claim authorship of this, it was sent to me on an e-mail, from an old friend and former colleague. Thanks Phil.British Army answering machine message :Thank you for calling the British Army. I'm sorry, but all our units are out at the moment, or are otherwise engaged. Please leave a message with your country, name of organisation, the region, the specific crisis and a number at which we

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-1710454376822652782008-01-31T19:03:00.000Z2008-01-31T20:27:36.500Z

As everyone in any kind of business knows, this time of year is a bit light on the old cashflow.Christmas debt, credit crunch, sub-prime shitters, whatever, choose your poison.So with a lack of gold and a heavy heart, I have by turns been chained to the easel and the laptop all week trying to eleviate the fiscal freeze.It would appear, that despite my best efforts to turn an honest coin, I am

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-52067049217057587492008-01-29T17:59:00.000Z2008-01-29T18:09:14.391Z

Been playing around with the appearance of the site, still not sure yet what I think. Let me know your thoughts.Also, I have added a neat little thing called snapshots. If you roll over to the unmissables on the right, you'll get a box with the relevant blog in. Go to the bottom right of the box, click, and you'll be there...................cool.If you think it's NOTcool, then feel free to

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-86501208038758951182008-01-29T10:45:00.001Z2008-01-29T10:49:20.583Z

When I was a boy, this is how I thought Tuesdays would look......................

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-1802259579053107582008-01-28T15:09:00.001Z2008-01-28T15:37:50.355Z

Picture the scene; Saturday morning, Herself and the Firstborn are away to the city on a mission to purchase shoes.Me and the Lad have no plans. Speculatively, I offer him the possibility of sitting fairly still while I paint his portrait. Surprisingly he gives up the coveted role of Chief Watcher of the Cartoons, and agrees.Actually, he's a pretty good subject, and the opportunity to catch up

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-64399582665819870742008-01-24T18:33:00.000Z2008-01-24T18:52:02.984Z

So, having figured that I have taken my digital photography as far as I want to, the obvious and long pondered question has been; "What next ?".After more than a year of deliberating and writing lists of pro's and con's, I have decided on a course of action.The bit of kit in the picture is a monorail camera. The sort of thing that some toggy's in their forties and older, (including me), learned

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-9258728389563593992008-01-23T20:28:00.000Z2008-01-23T20:53:39.536Z

More than one or two creative things going on at the moment, and as usual when I'm under pressure, the painting is going well.I always spend the first week or two of the new year plotting/planning/reading/more plotting.This means when I eventually pick up the old palette, I'm gagging for it.More than half the ideas on the list for this year will probably never get started, but I feel as though I

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-85807457697638586852008-01-21T16:54:00.001Z2008-01-21T18:03:21.195Z

Birthdays are funny things.Last week I was having trouble remembering when the actual event was.A couple of friends dropped in to see me on Thursday, and I was convinced that I had at least another week of being forty. I was wrong.I suppose last year felt more significant in number terms, but I feel as though my attention has been distracted by work and domestic stuff for a couple of months, so

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-48942596098577397772008-01-01T15:03:00.001Z2008-01-01T15:30:59.274Z

Hello luvlies, HAPPY 2008 !As for Crimbo...............in the event everything was cool.(As usual, my meltdown didn't last long)Pressies got bought........(Not on the interweb Ian, hope all your stuff arrived !).........journeys to visit family, went without mechanical or traffic mishap, Chrismas day was all about cooking/talking/eating/unwrapping. The kids were great, not too teenstrange and are

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-19951201494206028592007-12-14T08:30:00.001Z2007-12-14T10:02:56.306Z

At the risk of sounding a bit churlish, I'm going to say what I think;Fuck Christmas.Every town and city in the land is full of people desperately trying to plunge themselves further into a spiral of debt and despair, to buy unwanted and mostly unnecessary shite for people they don't see or even think about for 11/12ths of the year.Before you can join the happy throng of miserable geriatrics and

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-5071549097671720652007-12-11T11:53:00.001Z2007-12-11T12:01:17.482Z

Suddenly realised that we are only a few days away from Christmas, and just for a change, I have not even started to do the cards/buy pressies/get rations.I really do seem to leave it later and later every year to get a grip. I think that one day I will actually wake up on the day and think "Oh shit".The fact that it was only yesterday that work/school was resumed by the household, after the

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-2060990547622339572007-12-04T14:29:00.001Z2007-12-04T14:34:50.647Z

Wandered past this little scene yesterday.Can they read ?Did they think it was an offer of free accommodation ?Made me chuckle for about an hour.

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-56284687835949022172007-11-27T11:23:00.000Z2007-11-27T11:29:25.361Z

I was in Amsterdam when I made this picture. More specifically I was in the Van Gogh museum.If the owners of dogs subconsciously pick animals that they themselves resemble, do people who look like they belong in a painting subconsciously gravitate to art galleries ?

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5965897057853558299.post-22707871171855425732007-11-26T17:30:00.001Z2007-11-26T17:43:01.164Z

sort of sniveling and coughing, in that involuntary "this is ridiculous, I can't stop myself spluttering like a twat" way, when I happen across this image from way back in June.A nice warm glow ensued.Herself and the kids are still huddling together in the kitchen, and the large red 'unclean' cross which has been painted on the Lounge door, is still dripping blood like onto the hall carpet, but I

knifepainterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18426075550403567515noreply@blogger.com2