John It is some time since I painted. I spent several weeks totally absorbed by the task of exhibiting, following which I felt that I really needed a break. Instead I have been fully engaged with DIY tasks. To my surprise, however, while lying in bed yesterday an idea for a picture came into my head. … Read more
Yes, we are back in Bradford after making one of our periodic “raids” on London. (Of course, if you don’t actually live in London you can afford to go there, if you see that I mean.) A couple of times each year we like to spend a fews days in the capital, taking in galleries … Read more
I received today, from the young woman who is redesigning my website, the first set of choices about how we might approach the task. This task is one I’ve been promising myself for a very long time, and it is exciting to realise that it is actually moving forward at last. She has sent four … Read more
We woke this morning to find that during the night a fierce storm had passed through, leaving broken trees around the village. Just when I start thinking that I might be able to give some attention to art I find myself spending the day sawing and clearing fallen branches. It is, as they say, an … Read more
…. quite suddenly I’ve had another request to exhibit. This is all very encouraging, although I hope I will be allowed time to get my breath back after the recent frenzy. I’m rather enjoying the current pause. The details have yet to be confirmed, so I’m not publicising it yet. It was good to meet … Read more
I had a really good walk today with a friend, in lovely weather, through woodland, and along the River Wharfe. There were butterflies and dragon flies, and red kites. Nobody mentioned the “L word”, although I will be reluctant to allow anyone else to navigate me on a walk using a mobile ‘phone!
I was reflecting today on the way in which different practical tasks require quite different mental habits and capacities. I am embarked on the task of renovating a set of park benches in the grounds of our local church. Woodwork has appealed to me for many years …. in fact, since I was in grammar … Read more
I have just commissioned a new web-site …. or at least, a new version of this one. It is many years since the site was given a good overhaul, and it is time I gave it a thorough re-think. I have reached an agreement with a web-designer, and have had the go-ahead from her to … Read more
Well, it does seem that I am being given preliminary intimations of a return to active artistic activity. Today I received an invitation to a conversation about the possibility of a new solo exhibition. How about that?
There is a kind of slow churning going on in the back of my mind as I recover from the frantic summer. I’m very busy indeed with DIY and gardening, but both of these activities leave a kind of inner space which other things can be going on. Very often comment about artistic “creativity” seems … Read more