Just as I have reached the point at which I can launch myself properly into a new piece of work I have received a piece of very sad news. A friend and former colleague wrote to tell me of the death of his wife. I expect the work to have to do in a variety … Read more
I have noticed before that “inspiration” in art is not necessarily a matter of some sudden insight. Just as frequently (perhaps even more frequently) ideas which have been precipitated by some experience take some time to rise to the surface of consciousness and achieve any kind of clarity. This is certainly the case with our … Read more
A ‘phone call first thing this morning to one of the art shops from which I get my materials confirmed the fact that It might well be Friday before the mail order arrives. In any case, I had pretty well decided how I was to pass the day. The weather has been far too good … Read more
This morning I decided that it might be prudent to follow government advice and take a test to see if I am carrying the Covid-19 virus. The experience was extremely strange and actually put me in mind of Samuel Beckett’s Godot. The test site was a small tent set up in the middle of Bradford’s … Read more
Over the past few days I have been sorting through a large collection of old photographic slides which I had accumulated. The experience has been an odd one in several respects, and not only because of the mystification I often experience about the places and people I chose to picture. A large part of the … Read more
“Oi ‘ev scranletted three hundred furrers fro’ Nettle Flitch to Ticklepenny corner!” With these words I greeted my wife as I came in from the garden for lunch this morning. Let me explain. This is one of my favourite quotations from Cold Comfort Farm (my favourite novel) by Stella Gibbons. Reuben, the solid and hard-working … Read more
Somewhat to my surprise I found myself making two small drawings today, after a period of several weeks during which I have not done any art work at all. It looks as if I might have washed out of my system the baleful effects of a period of writing. Where these ideas come from remains … Read more
I’ve just finished a conversation on the ‘phone with a friend and fellow artist. His immediate problem was where to get a supply of drawing paper, since art shops are currently defined as “inessential”, and hence closed because of the pandemic. We fell to complaining (as artists tend to do) about our experiences and about … Read more
The process of artistic creativity constantly surprises me. Sometimes it can be rather like walking down the street, minding your own business, when somebody leaps out and mugs you. Several days ago I decided that I had finished my “Green Man” series, with a total of seven images in the series. So confident was I … Read more
What an odd experience! Over the past few days I’ve been incubating an idea. (This will be based on the traditional architectural image of the “Green Man”.)* A set of four images have been sketched out, and reference material assembled….primarily in the form of pictures of the leaves of various trees. I’ve been interested in … Read more