Jigsaw - 52.Cromford exhibition - day five

The tree is beginning to look like a coral fan you sometimes see ...erm...in the sea. But things will change when I start to put the sky in! I spent around 5 hours dotting away today and for the first time ever, I have passed the 200 hour mark!!

Day five at the exhibition saw me again having some wonderful conversation and selling more prints !! I am continually surprised by how many people ask me what software programme I use to create my images...and it gives me a good sense of satisfaction as I explain and demonstrate how they are actually done and see the look on their faces!

Jigsaw - 51.Cromford exhibition - day four

First of all, I'd like to welcome any new visitors here! I know I spoke to lots of kind interested folk today. If you've already read the previous post, then I can assure you that today was almost an opposite experience...I felt fit and well and as well as meeting so many new friends, I sold a good number of prints...

As I sat dotting away, many people seemed surprised that I should chose to take up such a laborious process...and not only that, but one which caused me to lead such a solitary existence.I explain that I generally love my work and usually find great satisfaction from conceiving,planing starting and finishing something intricate which takes so long.Not being a runner, I would hazard a guess that there is something of the marathon runner mind in what I do...

something that also became apparent in being at my exhibition was that when I am at home, I known as 'Dad'..'Annie's Dad'...Mr.young...Niall young....Janets's husband.....as a couple we're always referred to as 'Janet and niall'...But at my exhibition...I am non of these...I am 'the artist called Niall Young'...I like that!

Jigsaw - 50.Cromford exhibition - day three

Not a huge amount completed today...this was because I woke up with a pain in my neck...I took painkillers but it didn't go...it spread to my head and thus spent the day residing within the spacious cavern that is my skull! I found it almost unbearable to concentrate and bending my head forward to work created pain....talk about suffering for one's art!...Visitor numbers were expectedly down on the weekend's offering, but I did manage to sell three prints thus covering my costs! We were also visited by photographers from the Derby evening Telegraph. Philippa's work photographs well and Philippa herself adds glamour to the event...I also enjoyed posing with a magnifying glass with which the photographer lined up a shot which showed me working on Jigsaw, with the magnifying glass showing a closeup of my pen poised above the image.

I'm afraid physically my day declined after that as the pain increased. As I drove home later it took a supreme act of will to avoid throwing up...I therefore decided this was a 'migraine' or possibly the beginning of Swine Flu...thankfully more painkillers and a lie down at home extinguished the headache.....so I still have Swine flu to look forward to!

PS...the sun shone for most of the day...no rain!

Jigsaw - 49 - Cromford Exhibition day two.

Sunday is usually the busiest day at the gallery with coach parties, families and groups out for the day. Despite the heavy showers, we welcomed around 140 visitors to the gallery today. I had some lovely conversations including one with a lady who after watching me work on 'Jigsaw' asked how I managed to get the photograph of myself onto the page. I explained that I had drawn it, but she refused to accept that it was the work of my hand....and continued to ask how the photo was applied to the page...Eventually I managed to convince her that such accuracy was possible...but I'm still not sure she understood.

I'm not sure I understand myself sometimes..I often find myself telling people that do what I do out of some deep necessity...that I would die if I didn't. Perhaps I'm fooling myself, maybe I'm just too idle to do anything else. but I will tell you this...when I sit in front of my drawing board, pen in hand...all the stars lie before me...all creatures on the earth and in the depths sing in joyous announcement that there is beauty and wonderment to behold. Life is precious dear reader beyond all that we possess...and oh how we waste it with such abandonment each day...is a sad crime. Let us love and live and be who we are now before it's too late! So here's a photo of who I am ...see you tomorrow.

Jigsaw - 48 - Cromford Exhibition day one.

Yes, you've guessed it,I'm back on the exhibition lark. This time it's my fourth year at the Cromford Mill in Derbyshire. This year a different room has been prepared for the gallery with a new hanging system (see yesterday)...metal clips are positioned on plastic wires..the pictures hang from these. It's not perfect as the pictures hang with a gap behind them...I've used lots of 'Blutack'

You can see here the rather haphazard way the pictures hang with this system here....

I'm sharing the gallery with Philippa Holland who is a Stained Glass artist. We live only 100 yards apart and our daughters are in the same class at school.Philippa's speciality is as you can see here, the light box...we keep the gallery lights off in this section so the light can be seen in the boxes.

Below you can see 'Jigsaw' which I will be working on during the week for visitors to see and talk to0 me about the technique. I'm hoping that the week will be successful as I've for the first time, put a number of my originals for sale. They won't sell, but then again, you never know!

Friday...

Today I have been wrestling with this little fella...in fact, I've been wrestling with a number of these little fellas!...Do you know what it is?.....I'll tell you in the next post..in the meantime...there are one million imaginary gold coins to anyone who guesses.

Jigsaw - 47

I spent time working on the commissioned theatre poster today ( will post development on this project when I have finished it!). I dedicated the rest of the time to the seagull, Boscastle.He's nearly finished now and blends in much better.

Jigsaw - 46

I've now installed the train which is similar to one of the 'Mini Pix' trains I produced a year ago.. and I've added a few branches too. I've yet to add in any sky...this will have to wait . I'm actually quite enjoying working on jigsaw...I don't feel under any pressure to finish it...I'm not tired of it...yet...although this is subject to change !

Jigsaw - 45

Working OK today ...have produced rough sketches for the theatre poster I mentioned yesterday (I'll let you see what they are at a later date) and managed to work here on the tree and railway viaduct. I've also had a few ideas about what I might work on when Jigsaw is finished.

Jigsaw - 44

Spent five hours working on the grass and the first colour of the tree today.I've also realised that I held off completing the tail of 'Boscastle' until I had the background to contrast it with, so now I will make plans to finish the tail. I also have a new commission in for a theatrical poster which needs to reach the stage where a series of good working ideas are ready for the client by Thursday, so I have set aside time tomorrow for this.

Jigsaw - 43

The initial sketch work for the tree was quite angular...I want the tree to be more contorted...so I've laid basic shapes for the main trunk and branches with more curves, twists and turns. I shall develop the finer branches and twigs as I get to them.

If you look closely, you can also see the train on it's viaduct.

Jigsaw - 42

you'd think that over the past eight weeks I'd have some idea about how I'm going to proceed with the background wouldn't you?...Well I do, but sometimes I have to be sure. Here I'm letting you into one of the secrets of my work. i like to print out a series of images so that I can try any number of different scenarios. As I wrote in the early stages of this work, the nebula is an important symbol for the overall concept, so that was decided a long time ago...I also love trains traversing the horizon, preferably on a viaduct and I love trees. The only thing to do is decide on a colour scheme and where to place this elements and leave room for other things to be added as when they occur.

Jigsaw - 41

Ok...so phase one of the work is now almost complete.Next I will set about the background.

Jigsaw - 40

Worked well today completing the candle holder and surrounding area..I've also begun work on the candle itself. Candles feature quite prominently in my work, I love the soft light they create, and they also symbolise other things.

Jigsaw - 39

It's been a frustrating day work wise.I got to a stage where I was preparing to work on the candle holder. For this I needed to set up a candle and holder a take a couple of photos..however, I had to wait for the dining room to become available, then when i set up the shoot, the camera battery ran out .Then when I used the camera's software programme I had an 'Update available' message...I downloaded it and found it made the programme inoperative!

Thankfully, all is right now...and I have the shots I need. I wanted a guide to the shadow sunder the candle holder.the above photo shows me strengthening the base colour of the table.

Jigsaw - 38

Having sketched in the candle holder, I now need to place the base colours of the table around it...I will then work on darkening the table an I will introduce shadows around the feet of the candle holder.

Jigsaw - 37

Jigsaw - 36

Jigsaw pieces fit together to reveal an image..and a key that opens my door....today I've added another 'key'....a 'vital' component to this picture and to understanding me!

It was 25 years ago today...

25 years ago today, Jan and I got married. Today we headed back to the same hotel where we held our reception.The two photographs are taken almost exactly 25 years apart to the hour and in roughly the same place.

If you're a Facebook user, and want to see a few more wedding pics head on over to my site.

Jigsaw - 35

I've just about finished work on the key seen here.It's on one of those clips that we used to attach to our belt loops back in the 80's....which is when I bought it...I still keep my front door key on it with a couple of other keys, but for the purpose of this picture...I have only the key to my door!...You can also see the initial rough outline of a candle to my right.
Incidentally, I had an email the other day confirming that I have been chosen to exhibit as part of The Wirksworth Festival ,which I mentioned in last Thursday's post !!

Wilbur and Boscastle.

Busy day...had to take a trip down to get my eyes tested today.I knew they had deteriorated since my last visit.So much so that I will now have to wear glasses for long sight too!! I've opted for 'Varifocals' so if you bump into me in Derby, I'll be the one with my arms out and walking like I'm trying to stamp on mice that keep running away.

Here's our lovely cat Wilbur...she was sitting on the windowsill trying to catch a moth that as just eluding her...I like the fact that she hadn't noticed she was standing next to a bird.

Jigsaw - 34

Well, obviously tonight we must extend our condolences towards the families and friends of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett who passed away today....will write more tomorrow.

Jigsaw - 33

The lighting in this photo is not even, so you'll have to forgive the fact that the daylight has lightened the right of the picture. More work on the old jigsaw pieces today in between watching the tennis from Wimbledon. A few Weeks ago I applied to exhibit in the Wirksworth Festival, you might remember from the last two years (if you're one of my long time readers) that I've had two successful shows there. This year the committee that decides who to award exhibitions to, met last Saturday to make their selections....I still haven't heard anything yet. This is a prestigious event in the region's art calender and is the main event as far as I am concerned.Be sure you'll be amongst the first to know when I know!

Jigsaw - 32

Two immediate things fought for my attention today...first on the list was my daughter's school sports day which bathed in gloriously hot sunshine was a joy to attend. The second was the first round match featuring Britain's Andy Murray at The All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon. Andy Murray is the current world's number 3 player and is the most hopeful chance we have to see a British men's champion since Fred Perry won it in 1937. As a tennis fan, it's as usual a roller coaster ride as we follow the fortunes of our favourite players.

I did manage some time on 'Jigsaw' as you can see...it's very labour intensive work at the moment with the temptation to ease up on the concentration...whilst the depth of concentration often slips a little when working on plane areas, I do try to keep in mind that if it's second class work, then if no one else sees it...I'll know it's there!

Jigsaw - 31

It's a case of contrasts this week...I'm finding work hard at the moment.Without dwelling on negative things, the pressures of daily life take their priorities and require attention no matter how much I try to avoid them...

Here I'm showing that I've reached the widest limits of the picture.You can also see the pencil signature that I always add to my work in the bottom Left hand corner.

Jigsaw - 30

Not done a great deal of work today, but I did do some....see if you can spot what it was...

Jigsaw - 29

Thank you for the supportive comments yesterday...I'm afraid I do dip into the blues whenever I get knocked back...but that's me, I'm an emotional person and I feel things very deeply when ever they're to do with my work especially.I do take work seriously and give every bit of myself to it .Saying that, I spent much of the morning recovering from my self administered liquid therapy session last night!...to aid my recovery I watched the Jose Carrera film about Toulouse Lautrec : 'Moulin Rouge'.

I worked on the table and the sea gull's base today.

Jigsaw - 28

I was visited this morning by a very nice man who kindly went out of his way to see my artwork.I'm not sure what he thought of my work as he stayed for only a short while and didn't seem too interested. He did say that the gallery was booked up 12 months in advance and he also said that he didn't think I merited a solo exhibition but could probably be incorporated in a group showing. I'm not totally surprised really as my work is usually viewed as a bit of a gimmick or curiosity..not really serious art. This thought tends to haunt me most of the time and I do tend to ask myself if I'm not actually deluding myself thinking I can make a go of being an artist.

As you will know by now...I'm down today, but I should be back up tomorrow!

Jigsaw - 27

I'm quite enjoying working at the moment..I find these jigsaw pieces really challenging and that's what I like...a challenge. I've also been able to put in some good long hours yesterday and today which has given me the chance to get into a 'groove' as it were.....this is a rare luxury at the moment.

This evening I had a telephone call from the owner of a local gallery .He's very interested in seeing my work with the prospect of an exhibition early next year. He is visiting me tomorrow morning to view my work....I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow!

Jigsaw - 26

Work has now progressed to the edge ...I'm constantly altering the darkness in between the jigsaw pieces. Worked a solid 7 hours dotting today!

Jigsaw - 25

The jigsaw...I spoke a little about it's metaphorical meaning the other day, but there's one thing more which isn't apparent from the picture. The actual jigsaw pieces are from one we bought one Christmas...we buy one every year..it's a tradition. But this one depicts a map of the British Isles...my home.The place where my life began and is....I think I spoke of wishing I could throw the jigsaw into the air and have it come down already assembled....I always thought that life would be easier and would make sense...but I guess if (using another metaphor) life were a piece of 'Flat-Pack' furniture , it would carry the notice ...needs some assembly.

Jigsaw - 24

Another day on the jigsaw pieces..not much more to say .

Jigsaw - 23

Can you believe a days work has gone into these few jigsaw pieces?...well not a whole day, this morning I had a trip into town...recently I've bought a rather dapper summer Panama hat which is perfect for keeping the sun out of my eyes and protecting my progressively thinning scalp!...So I wanted to buy a linen jacket to complete the look ...I found exactly the thing I was looking for !...to make it even better, I bought it from a charity shop for very little money!...happy and dapper I am!...a proper English gent!

Jigsaw - 22

Why is it, that when you throw all your jigsaw pieces into the air, they don't land ready- assembled?...wouldn't it be good if they did?...but what would be the point?....it would be a waste of time buying the jigsaw in the first place....and you'd be deprived of those times when you sit down to 'do the sky' and someone joins in... a time of sharing and laughter...concentration and achievement.Then when you find one piece is missing, you turn the house upside down until you find it..

'doing ' a jigsaw means one usually starts with the edges...the boundaries...once established, the bits in between are added...there are always some parts that are easier because they have some distinguishing feature ...but then there are the boring bits...the sky..the sea...the baked beans...(remember that one?)

A jigsaw can be a few pieces or thousands (I had a 5000 piece one)..but only time, commitment and hopefully the help of others makes it much more than putting a picture together...

...the thing is, I think a jigsaw is a metaphor....what do you think?

Jigsaw - 21

Don't worry folks...I'm still working. My time is dependent on many things at the moment...Jan is working regular hours which means I am doing all of the school runs and cooking and to be honest, once the weekend arrived, I just wanted a rest. It was also time to celebrate my eldest son Sam's seventeenth birthday!

Today I worked on Boscastle the Seagull and progressed to what's on the table...but more of that tomorrow.I'm also purposefully leaving the cards till a later date , mainly because they carry a particular message which I don't want to reveal just yet!. But I can tell you that they will have their faces towards you the viewer...!

Jigsaw - 20

I've been working on 'Boscastle' the Seagull today, but the above photo doesn't show the work very well. So below I've included this close up view which gives you a better idea of the colours involved.

Jigsaw - 19

I seem to have spent the majority of the last couple of weeks completing the jacket here...now you can see I'm nearly finished.I keep adding in deeper shades and touches of red....I'm sure there's more to do on it especially when I put the background in and see what the contrast is like.

Now I'm going to start on the Seagull, which due to its lighter colour should be fairly quick to do.

In Memory.

In memory of those who were murdered by the 'People's Army of China '

Tiannanmen Square Massacre 4th June 1989.

Jigsaw - 18

Isn't nature an incredibly suprising thing.As I write this, I'm also listening in on a television programme called 'Spring Watch'..The live programme shows updates on nesting birds,,how the chicks are fairing...and other species like Foxes, Squirrels,Stotes....anything wild really and it's a great programme to learn about the wilder side of the English countryside.

My Father was a member of the British Ornithological Society and through him I learned about birds and something about the ways of nature. I find it odd when chatting to people that they don't know even the most basic things about the life that surrounds them.I like to sit outside in the evening here and catch glimpses of the Swifts, migratory birds which always return to the same nest to lay their eggs an hatch their chicks...then at the end of the summer,they fly back to North Africa till next year. I like to watch the bats catching moths...there are foxes.....and there are the cats....and its the cats, or more specifically my cat that brought home the poignancy and brutality of nature to me today.

A year ago we welcomed two Manx breed kittens to live with us ...one of them (Tremble) was sadly run over and killed last Autumn.But Wilba has grown and is still alive, although it takes around 5 years for a Manx cat to reach adulthood, she recently became pregnant. We always intended to let her have one litter,keep one of the kittens then have her neutered. I knew she was due to give birth any day now as her girth increased and she waddled around the house.

This afternoon my eldest son Sam called me into his room to look at wilba as she was acting strangely.She was under his bed...as I crawled underneath I could see the unmistakable fluffy shape of a kitten...the same pattern as it's mum and no tail...but on closer inspection I was sad to see the kitten was not alive....Wilba was licking away frantically but there was nothing else I could do.The most shocking but logical thing I then witnessed was Wilba started to eat the kitten.Logical in that she had carried this kitten for so long and used up the energy giving birth, the only thing left was to recycle and regain some of the spent energy. I couldn't let her devour the little kitten entirely so took it from her...but I was shocked all the same.

Horrific I know, but amazing how instinct guided poor little Wilba...Incidentally, she is fine now about 5 hours after the event.She only had the one birth.

Jigsaw - 17

Annie was off today as there was teacher training at her school.So I've not been able to spend very much of my time working on Jigsaw.As per last week, I'm now working on the left sleeve in exactly the same way as the right one.you can see the blue which has already been applied trailing down over my shoulder.

This evening we went with a few friends to our local arts centre to see a Norwegian film called O.Horten. A beautiful , gentle life affirming movie with moments of bitter sweet beauty and surreal humour.Almost as good was the walk back home through the city which appeared almost deserted on what has been the hottest day of the year..