I'm still alive.

Hello lovely people...I just thought I should let you know I'm still alive here. As my long time readers will know, I often hit a bit of a downer after an exhibition....and this time is no exception.Despite the fact that my week in Cromford was the best one yet ! Also added to this is the fact that it's school half term time AND a public holiday. there is very little opportunity to gain any extended time to work. All being well, i'll have some time tomorrow to get back behind the drawing board.

Till then, thank you for coming back each time to check my progress, I really do appreciate it!

Three Graces - 27

The final full day at Cromford saw a bit of an anti climax...very few visitors and no sales. Still...I was able to do a few hours work and make a couple of videos which I will post shortly! I'm back to the gallery tomorrow morning to take everything down again. I've booked a week there in October , so if you've been unable to see me this time..you know what to do!

Three Graces - 26

Today I concentrated on adding texture and detail to the tree....it's starting to look more rounded now.

It was a cold grey day here, but that didn't deter visitors to the exhibition. Sold another five prints, and again received compliments about my Can can themed pictures...how odd? I've also had increased requests for explanations to the stories surrounding the pictures..I always make the effort to tell background stories and where possible reveal the symbolic meanings attached to objects and characters

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Three Graces - 25 - and some general silliness.

Work continues on the tree in the background. Response has been varied as to it's contents.I'm not yet ready to tell the whole story behind the picture, as there are other elements to add in which will add to the overall story. In the mean time, my day at the gallery was mainly quiet, but I managed to sell two of my watercolour paintings and one print. But aside from around 50 visitor, I had a few very quite periods. So I decided to make use of the self timer on my camera and have a bit of fun!

I decided to try looking mean and moody (steady on ladies!)...It didn't work!

... So I tried to be mean and moody with my glasses off..as I lent back, the two pictures were were pushed against the wall and the flash therefore reflected twice like balls of light on my shoulders!...then it was time to be more creative...

Superman?....no.....Spiderman?....no.....balding idiot artist?....yes!

I've got my eye on you!

Big mouth strikes again!....you've got to love the shark teeth (ll my own!)

In messing about, I realised that the picture behind me made quite a nice background with my other two heads on it.....Kryten ?

I see the Cyclops, I learnt all about him when I was a pupil in Mrs. Iris's Class.

Doh!

Two things:..firstly I managed to forget to take my camera along to my exhibition today, so that means no update on my work...sorry! but I did have a good day. You never know who's going to walk through the door next. I've spoken to some wonderful people over the last few days .Something that makes me feel very humbled is the time people want to be in the gallery..my visitors on the whole seem to enjoy me explaining the meaning behind some of the pictures, and I can tell you that here at the end of the day my voice is a little on the 'worn' side as I seem to have been talking all day. another interesting thing is the pictures that gather the most compliments are not usually the one's I'd expect. My last colour picture of the Can can dancer has gained many favourable comments oddly enough and all from women.As it was originally intended to be part of a larger composition, I've been asked to consider returning to the subject again!...good news for me as I love the subject!

I'm working at the gallery each day this week...so I'm inclined to forget things (camera being the main thing today!) So I'll hopefully get my mind into gear tomorrow and bring you some more photos. Jan has also offered me use of her video camera, so expect some HD coverage sometime soon!

Three Graces - 24 - Cromford mill exhibition day three and video!

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Here's my first ever uploaded video to youtube. Sadly the quality is not very good, and I didn't realise that my camera recorded sound either, so I mimed my thanks and goodbyes at the end! Anyway, hope you enjoy this brief look at my exhibition...next time I'll ty for better quality!

Putting the exhibition up. Cromford - Day 1

Well...here we go again...and this time I'm making things difficult for myself. I've ended up shedding tears twice already today as I've explained some of the background to my work to one person and chatted with a lovely woman who's Mum had died a few months ago. It lead me to thinking that 'Art'...is part of 'He'art'...it dwells with passion, emmotion. To this end I've included for the very first time all my most symbolic and complex images including some never seen in public before (see below)
The two pictures on the right are freshly framed for the very first time since they were created back in 1987 (it think it was)

Tomorrow i'm hoping to post some video of the exhibition..I've never tried that before...it might fail magnificently....stay tuned ! See you tomorrow!

Three Graces - 23

Started work on the back ground today..I need to begin work on an area that doesn't demand too much attention.This is because whilst I'm at my exhibition can easily stop working to talk to people. I'm hanging my exhibition tomorrow...I got a call from my framers to say that the pictures will be ready by lunch time, so I said I'll be in to collect them around mid day..I'll then go straight to the gallery. I'll have four hours to get everything up and running.

Three Graces - 22

Here's a view of the entire area the picture covers. I've been working on preparation for the background for much of the day...taking photos and sketching. One thing I like to do is print out a series of small images like the one above and then draw various different ideas for back ground and sky textures etc...there's a long way to go yet, but much of the difficult intense work had now been completed...the background will be freer and less distinct.

Three Graces - 21

Only been able to work for a short time today...I had to go to Stoke to do role play. Once again I was playing a benefits claimant who has been off sick from work due to a physical injury. The session is for the training of benefit assessors who as part of their training course, get the chance to practise their interview techniques on real people.

I will be able to dedicate all tomorrow to this project...am almost ready to introduce some of the back ground elements. See you tomorrow!

Three Graces - 20

Spent the first part of Saturday taking a selection of pictures to the framers. I've decided to have a group of old compositions made ready to display.I've grown n confidence over the last couple of years enough to brig these images out at last...of course you've seen them as part of the 'unseen' tag I created a year or so ago.

The rest of the weekend was spent in the garden ...suffering from neglect on a wide scale, there was lots to do. I'm quite please with the little herb garden I've planted!

So today I'm able to dedicate my time to drawing.I've concentrated on building detail and texture into the Starman and little boy. Tomorrow I'm of to do more role play work, but should get some work done later in the day.

Three Graces - 19..Kittens one month old!

Starman continues.....

Below, the kittens are now four weeks old! Walking/running all over the place now...
Bindi

Draughty

Biscuit

Three Graces - 18

Here's the addition of a familiar figure!..The dark fuzzy areas on the picture are shadow from whatever is on the window (Note to self: must clean window!)

Work on the starman's face has progressed today...I feel as if I've drawn him a thousand times before!

Three Graces - 17

I tried all last night and throughout the day to post here, but along with other 'big' sites like Facebook and Youtube,blogger would not load. However, something seems to have been resolved, so here is the photo I meant to post yesterday.

I'll post today's progress later.

Three Graces - 16

You might remember the sketches I published of this little chap a while ago?..Well here he is on the page before dotting.you can see the rough outline of a soft toy behind the figure..it is in fact a panda which my Mum knitted for me when I was very little.The panda represents childhood and the boy has his back to it...he is gazing upwards!..

I've begun work on the boys head..more attention to the hair needed then onto the clothing.

Three Graces - 15

My three graces are taking shape nicely..as you can see, I need to complete the legs...I've left them undone for the time being because I'm undecided weather I want to include grasses/flowers, or even animals like in my previous work: 'Quintadagio'. I have more figures to add and an ambitious background.

Kittens'n stuff...

The kittens are three weeks old today and are now getting used to leaving the confines of their box to explore the world around them!

I thought i'd make this post to assure you that I've not stopped work on Three graces, but here in the UK, we've had a general Election...the results have not produced any party with sufficient majority mandate to form a government. Although I don't talk about it here, I love politics ...I'm quite caught up with the process that the main political parties are going through following the election...a 'hung parliament' means lots of negotiations and about alliances and coalitions. no results yet...

so I've been glued to the TV and radio watching the way things are developing. i've been producing more sketches for the further development of 'Graces' . I've also be recommended to view the work of Nancy Farmer...(thanks Jeanette!!). Here's a link to her web site so you can see her 'Naughty and nice' work too!

Three Graces - 14

Three Graces - 13

Back to work today..working out the correct shadows for the tennis girl's hand holding the balls was difficult. i'm still not sure I've got it right, but I'mk not going to change it now! Today I spoke with Jane up at the Cromford Mill and confirmed the dates for two exhibitions.The first will be from 21st - 28th of this month, the second one being in the first week of October. As regular readers here will know, I love showing my work at Cromford and working there. The challenge is to be ready to show in a few weeks. I have to have more prints made and a series of pictures framed.

I thought you might also like to see the latest photographs of our cute little kittens.Here you can see Biscuit and Draughty.

Here's Bindi and Biscuit...they're now 18 days old and have begun to venture out of their box...although in a very wobbly footed way!

Willington - Day three. End of exhibition

The end of a show is always a slightly sad occasion...there's a wonderful camaraderie which is shared between exhibitors. I was in a room with Nicky Ward who you might remember from from previous posts here. Nicky creates collages by using recylced materials and was a fantastic comrade to work with.

Above you can see the progress on these minipix trees...there will eventually be nine of these pictures together which I think will look nice. however, it's back to 'Three Graces' tomorrow, and begin to think of my next exhibition which will be in a couple of weeks...more info about that nearer the time!

or those ofyo wondering where the photos I promised to publish depicting the other exhibitions at Willington, I do have a series to show, but I will place them in an album over on my Facebook page...so head on over there to see !

Willington - Day two.

Spent the day working on these 'Minipix'.I've decided I like them together, so I'm producing a block of 9. Working on these is easy and enables me to break off and talk to visitors. It was a slow start to the day, but numbers through the door increased and at a few times during the day, there was a real crowd of people milling around. I was quite amazed to sell 7 prints today.
Now for my apology..I know I said I'd get some photos of the other exhibitors...but I didn't.I'll do my best to rectify this tomorrow...!

Willington - Day one.

A tired me!.Had a good first day at the Willington Arts Festival.My third appearance there, The day went well with over 150 visitor through the door of our venue. Plus I sold 3 prints!

Here's Annie helping me set up last night...she sorted all the prints for sale, and made drinks!

Rather than cart my Three Graces piece (which would have been too wide for the table anyway!) I decided to work on some easy 'Mini pix' of trees. I'm now home after having talked to most of the visitors and answered countless questions..(which is good, it's why I'm there!) There are two more days at the Festival...hopefully I'll get some photos of the other exhibitors !