We were having a discussion over dinner tonight, initially about religion when we found ourselves asking the question, “What is it for?” I suggested (and I’m sure that this is not original) that religion and art both have something essential in common. They both affirm that things do not have to be as they are. … Read more
Before agreeing to exhibit at a venue, find out whether or not the space in which your work will hang is on the first floor. Once again I have spent a good part of the day carrying my work downstairs from the gallery in order to bring it home. Why does it always seem to … Read more
Much as I have enjoyed reading the novels of Henry James* I have to recognise that there are occasions when the great man becomes just a touch too much. I saw quoted today his review of the 1878 Royal Academy exhibition. “The artist must tell a story or preach a sermon; his pictures must not … Read more
This might appear at first sight to be a rather odd question. I’m prompted to ask it, however, by the experience of this week. I’ve hung my exhibition in the South Square Centre (Almscliff: an enduring obsession) and on Wednesday evening the “Unit 9” group of artists met for one of our regular sessions, and … Read more
I’m feeling immensely relieved this evening because my exhibition at the South Square Centre is now in place. I need to go in tomorrow to do a little tweaking, but to all intents and purposes it is ready to go. The process had its ups and downs. One of my pictures is absurdly large (done … Read more
Like most other people I suppose that I will have spent a good part forth day wondering how on earth we managed to get ourselves into the current crisis, and even more so asking myself how we might get ourselves out of it. A good part of the day, however, has been spent in preparation … Read more
I have decided that for my solo exhibition in the South Square Centre, during April, I will concentrate on the numerous pictures I have done of Almscliff Crag. I was astonished, when I began to review this material, just how persistent a source of inspiration that place has been. What I want to do is … Read more
Several years ago we went to a show by the celebrated stand-up comic Ken Dodd. Although he hails from Merseyside he tried to ingratiate himself with a Yorkshire audience by claiming to speak Yorkshire. Recognising the stereotypical tightfistedness of Yorkshire people he came out with the phrase, “‘Ow much?” I’ve spent the day making a … Read more
I’ve been puzzling for a little while about how I am going to cope with a rather congested period in my exhibiting programme later in the spring. I am committed to quite a big solo exhibition at the Manor House Museum in Ilkley, over the Easter period. At the same time, however, knock-on effect of … Read more
…. sometimes you’re the bug. Sometimes it all comes together ….” as Mark Knopfler used to sing. Well, I’m glad to say that today it has “all come together”. It is strange the way in which, on some occasions, it is possible to wrestle with a picture, feeling that you are getting nowhere. There have … Read more