John It is possible that I have remarked upon this previously, but I was very interested this morning to see the level of communal participation at our local Remembrance service, in Clayton. Every year the turnout at the war memorial appears to be larger. I counted twenty-five wreaths laid there, which must be some indication of … Read more
For the first time in ages I actually feel that I have been moving forward today. The fact that my injured arm has not given any trouble, for the first time in ages, has been an enormous boost to morale. More important I suppose is the fact that plans to revise this website have, at … Read more
We want over to Ilkley today for various shopping purposes. I noticed on the way home that there had been one crucial difference between this visit and my usual ones. There was no visit to the art shop! In the past a visit to the art supplies shop would be the primary purpose of the … Read more
I am amazed to discover that a week has passed since I last posted. There is a reason for this. Life over the past year has been full of pressure, and this has accumulated as the year has passed. A couple of days ago I was brought face to face quite suddenly with the realisation … Read more
This afternoon my wife and I went over to Skipton to collect my “Green Man” exhibition, which has been on show there during the past month. The process of packing up and removal all went very smoothly, and I was in and out of the place in around half an hour. Reflecting on this experience … Read more
I am a regular reader of Apollo magazine. This might seem very strange, given the fact that its intended readership is people engaged in the art market. It reviews regularly exhibitions I have no chance whatsoever of seeing, and comments on aspects of the global market which may seem to be a million miles from … Read more
Yesterday afternoon we drove over to Skipton for a presentation in connection with my current exhibition there. This is my “Green Man” material, which is currently hosted by Holy Trinity church, in the town. It was a really encouraging occasion. There was a short service first, which the vicar had carefully managed to relate to … Read more
This afternoon I put the finishing touches to a talk I have to give tomorrow, on The Green Man. One thing was rather indeterminate in my mind for a good part of the process of writing. Should I entitle it “Looking for the Green Man”, or “Finding the Green Man”. The difference between the two … Read more
Many thanks to Irving Goffman for that wonderful title! It happens to describe my current problem very well. It is, of course, one which faces all artists. How do you present yourself as an artist to the world? Of course, in one sense the work speaks for itself. There is always the awkward problem, however, … Read more
I am becoming increasingly frustrated by the succession of diversions which keep me away from painting. Some of these are my own fault, such as any reckless agreement to repair a set of benches in the neighbouring church yard. Others are events over which I have no control whatsoever, such as the sudden death of … Read more