‘news from the shed’

Isn’t it amazing, as soon as you start on a piece of work/idea you start seeing things that are related. Its like when you want to purchase a new car and it appears that every other car on the road is the one that you want – I can’t remember the official terminology for this but I bet there is one, rather like there seems to be a phobia about everything. (once did a pub quiz and asked players to match 12 phobias to particular words) ….any how I digress!

I was searching for the now infamous nail painting/sculpture of Leonardo by Saimir Strati

when I happened across some great work by an artist.. David Shrigley

whos use of language combined with his artifacts are brilliant, I had a butchers at his site an loved one piece -

Then came across another sculpture who uses bent nails, in the same manner as Terry Border (bent objects)by pjlighthouse

whos slant is that of a comical approach. Also on the trek came across Bill Secunda who makes huge sculptures using a combination of nails and other materials.

Well, enough time spent trawling, time to get back to the nails!!!

small detail of work in progress – its going to take some time I think, but I am working on other things as this progressess!!

I know, its been a long time… but with the best will in the world, sometimes life takes you by the scruff of the neck and commands that you spend more time with everyday life! I have been very busy with both work and home life, writing a specialsist bid has meant that most of my working day is spent number crunching (not my kettle of fish or even a pond I would normally dip my toe into!!), writing and then re-drafting, drafting again etc. still not completed – 12th March is deadline day!!! As for the day to day teaching that has gone out of the window – I prepare a days worth of lessons which somebody else delivers – things have to be so explicty laid down that this takes on massive amounts of research, planning and setting out lesson timings (those who teach may have some idea of the implications of this!)
home front – had an outbreak of white spot – a parasistic nasty that kills tropical fish, before we managed to control it we lost over 35 fish – just watching JJ come home and look into any of the tanks and say ‘there’s another dead one’ broke my heart. He lost all of his specialist fish including his favourites – a black ghost knife fish, talking catfish and his clown loaches. After many hours researching, water changes purchasing UV sterilisers etc and four weeks down the road we have managed to to get everything on an even keel. (added to that there was also the cost of another tank – a quarantine tank!!)
Set myself a couple of new challenges – one to lose some weight! going ok at present 1 stone in three weeks, eating and cooking sensibly, also, getting my bike back on the road – ended up purchasing a bike store (another cost both financially and time!), one advantage…. cleared up the back of the studio now have so much space!! Whilst clearing out old stuff came across a load of baby items – brought back fond memories- first shoes, bibs, all in ones etc-didn’t throw them away, sealed box marked for JJ in later years!!!
On the art front……. have managed to work ideas in sketchbook and finished off a painting I started some time ago. Started mapping out new piece to go in the ‘bollocks’ series using nails….. I’ll post a clue but me thinks its gonna take some time to complete it, well Rome wasn’t built in a day

Wow – what’s that old saying …’time flies when you are having fun’
Well, looking at the date of my last post time has certainly flown past, not to sure about the having fun part.
My recent dash to hospital has take its toll – I still am having a lot of trouble with keeping my balance and standing for long amounts of time is difficult – considering I spend a lot of time standing when painting this has hindered progress. I have been working out lots of new ideas for work and have been gathering materials and resources and researching for the next instalments!
Also, domestic life and work have been recent priorities – currently writing a sports bid for school, off timetable for two months; hoping to complete by early March, up to 30,000 words so far and only quarter way there!!
I have enjoyed relaxing with Jo and JJ – hours of playing Othello and Frustration

plus other things; reading and seeing friends etc
Other developments: JJ for his 7th birthday requested an aquarium rather than a playstation!!
Well, that was over a year ago and now we have 5 tanks, containing freshwater tropical fish. Latest additions are two new tanks – 360 litre and a small nano tank for his greatest desire – puffer fish, well, we now have three Indian dwarf puffers who are basically as cute as fish can be!!! They only grow to under an inch and we have spent hours watching them!

Anyhow, tryin not to spend too much time sat at the computer (not a new years resolution)
But aim to back as often as last year, oh yes, happy new year to you all and hope the stitches came out ok Oz

Follwing some comments left on my other site http://paultalbotart.blogspot.com/Â and past posts I have located an old drawing that I produced in the late 80’s. Roughly 20cm x 12 cm, mixed media. The series of work was based on conflict of relationships and a number of large canvases were produced (sadly lost over time!). Some of the influences of the F post maybe be seen and possible Moore, I still like to produce quick studies in this style although looking at my recent paintings this would not appear so! I think of them more as doodles.

Eeeeezzzzyyyy!!