(He always said he was.) Seriously, though, I have been away for a brief holiday in North Yorkshire, and I took with me a little volume about Hockney given to me by a friend. I encountered there a phrase by Hockney which I have seen quoted on several occasions. “That’s what artists do. We look!” … Read more
The new term begins tonight at the life-drawing class in Ilkley. I’m looking forward to it. Several interruptions have kept me away from art over the past couple of weeks (at least, away from the creative as opposed to the administrative bit) and it will be good to get to the sharp end again. I’m … Read more
One of our grand-daughters is staying with us at the moment, and we took advantage of her visit this afternoon to visit the David Hockney gallery in Saltaire. I suppose it is normal that although we live within five miles of Saltaire, and in theory could go there at any time, it takes the arrival … Read more
There is a very good series on TV at the moment dealing with the life and work of David Hockney. Although I admire his work greatly, and I’m enjoying the series, every now and then I can’t avoid making the occasional comparison between his life and work and my own. One difference, of course, is … Read more
I think it was Shakespeare who said that, although for the life of me I can’t recall the context. The phrase came into my head this afternoon when I was looking over the results of last night’s life-drawing class. I always like to bring my work home and spread it out in the studio during … Read more
I’m enjoying immensely reading Aiden Hart’s book about ikon painting. It has been a real eye-opener in several respects I never anticipated. The thing that really made me sit up and take notice this afternoon was his section on perspective. I had never noticed before the fact that in ikon painting it is possible to … Read more
We had a good country walk today around the North Yorkshire village of Carlton Husthwaite, which is an area we know very little about. I was amazed, walking along a lane at the start of the walk, to see so many, and so many species, of butterflies. My knowledge of these is rather limited, so … Read more
Damien Hurst has just launched with a great fanfare his latest artistic project, entitled Cherry Blossom. From the brief glimpse we have been allowed to see on TV I note several interesting coincidences. First, David Hockney has recently completed his own project following the arrival of spring in Normandy. Then, a great deal was made … Read more
Apropos of my earlier comment about Hockney’s work discipline, I came across the following wonderful quote from Martin Gayford’s book. In his student flat, in 1962: “On the chest of drawers, he placed a notice in large capital letters reading ‘GET UP AND WORK IMMEDIATELY’.” I have been allowing myself to be inspired by his … Read more
A friend loaned me recently the book by David Hockney and Martin Gayford, entitled Spring Cannot be Cancelled. I’m reading it at the moment. It is an account of the time Hockney has passed in Normandy recently. They have worked together on previous occasions, and clearly Gayford knows intimately Hockney and his work. I admire … Read more