John My wife has always been forthcoming with her observations about my work. More than that, her opinions are backed up with reasons, and usually well-founded. Rarely, however, have I been on the receiving end of quite such a forceful plea (yes: a plea … or was it an order?) that I should not exhibit a … Read more
I never thought it would come to this, but I realised this afternoon that I am actually attempting to develop strategies for holding art at bay …. for deferring any future engagement with it. These vary, and can be deployed severally or in concert. There is always the garden, of course, but new diversions are … Read more
If communication has been rather erratic over the past three months there is a reason. I have been extremely busy, and under great deal of pressure. During the months of May, June and July I was fortunate to have three solo exhibitions. The first was my Observations, in the Apothecary gallery in Thornton. The second … Read more
I apologise to readers who might have been attempting to view the blog during the past week, but have not managed to make contact. There has been a minor technical problem, now fixed. I should have sought help earlier, but for a time I have been overwhelmed with obligations of one kind or another. Many … Read more
I spotted today another invitation to apply for a solo exhibition of my work. A short pause followed …. then I recalled my promise to myself to take the rest I really need. Let’s face it. This will not be the last opportunity which comes my way, and I need to be in better shape … Read more
I was pottering in the garden this afternoon when, quite suddenly, it seemed important that I listened again to Joan Baez. (Don’t ask me why.) So, while a prepared dinner I rooted out one of my old LPs which I bought back in about 1963. I think that originally I borrowed a copy from the … Read more
This afternoon I decided that it was about time I responded to promptings from various friends, and checked out the current Biennale exhibition at the Dean Clough Gallery, in Halifax. What an interesting experience it was in comparison with my trip last Saturday to see the Patchings Festival. In comparison with the Halifax event the … Read more
A friend of mine told me today how much her daughter appreciates my painting. I had no idea. How many more unknown fans might I have out there? Three of us drove down to Nottinghamshire yesterday, to the Patchings Festival. I’m afraid that this year I found it rather disappointing. The works in the exhibition … Read more
It was interesting, yesterday, when I collected my ten-year-old grandson from school, to discover that he is able to give a lucid account of the difference between prime and complex numbers. When I was his age I don’t think I had even encountered these concepts. It’s not too late to learn, even ‘though I’m not … Read more
There will be a brief break in these posts over the next couple of days because my wife and I will be going down to Sheffield in order to care for our small grandson. One never knows what to expect from these experiences, but I do know that it will be quite out of our … Read more