Archive for September, 2007

just finished a new painting, one which has been rolling around my head for some time. The original image was taken when I was in Africa and the expression summed up how the people in the country felt, see what you think. The lighter blue underwent 5 changes – started off orange, then two different reds; one close to the earlier ‘red’ paintings, then a cadmium based red. Neither created the balance I was looking for and after several attempts a decided the blue, which is a cool hue in comparison with the warmer lilac not only created a subtle contrast but didn’t detract from the image as in the past when I want to create an element of vibrancy(sp). The overall  feeling that I wanted to give was that despite the hardship there is always hope and her eyes looking towards her dreams needed to be reflected in the painting.

Title of work – ‘my African queen’

40 x 40cm acrylic on canvas

Been very busy recently, what with one thing and another – working on background stuff for the site, working on another site (Pinner RFC) and funnily enough, some paintings! Also have been to a couple of gigs, Jesus and the Mary Chain – still thumping the sounds/feedback out, who were brill and the John Butler Trio – not my kettle of fish, lasted 30 mins or so and then went back to the pub (think i upset of our Aussie mates, but thats showbiz!!). A little bit of networking was achieved though and as a result managed to get John (the portraits I have done and youtube link) to deliver some web designing sessions and the possibility of me being a visiting artist to a school in south london – maybe I am famous!!!

managed to catch a couple of minutes of television last night and saw the Elvis competition – gave up after 5 mins as a few of us know there is only one elvis impersonator – Gary who performs in South Wimbledon and surrounding area, he was playing in a pub the night of the reunion with Oz and made for a memorable night.

I’ve just been sent this – set in the 1980’s when music was how shall we say….. not very good but looking back at it ….. laughable. sorry John!!

if you look closely this man hasn’t aged at all!!!!!

click on either for a link

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As a visitor to this country earlier in the year (a shambles in terms of organisation!), and having a relative living (only just) over there, I do take an interest on what is going on…. following reports on stupid inflation levels, and, having been there, seeing first hand how much poverty there is I was sent this from a fellow visitor to the country. No wonder its in the state its in with people like this leading the countries economy!!

Comment from The Cape Times (SA), 26 July
My Zim contact explains why fasting is good for the peopleDoc Mtusi must be one of the few people who understands

Zimbabwe’s economic policy. He knows what’s going on even better than his boss, Finance Minister Samuel Mumbengegwi, who announced in Masvingo (Old Fort Victoria) that there was no need for people to hoard food.
“But if people don’t hoard food, what will they eat when all the shops run empty?” I asked him, after he agreed to be interviewed this week.
“Who says they’ll run empty?” retorted Doc, who made me promise I would report him faithfully.
“Shelves are already empty of basic foodstuffs,” I pointed out.
“Then we’ll just order shopkeepers to fill them again,” said Doc. “We’ve already jailed quite a few who refused to. It’s simple economics. We will also jail anyone who hoards food, because that is what empties the shelves in the first place.”
“Sorry to cross swords with you on this, Doc, but your government is forcing shopkeepers to sell all their existing stocks for less than they paid for them. How can you expect them to buy in more supplies at the wholesale price if they know that by selling them at the government’s retail rate they’ll make an even bigger loss. It’s a quick way to go bankrupt.”
“No one ever said saving Zimbabwe’s economy would be easy,” explained Doc. “We all have to make sacrifices.”
“My point is you can’t blame shoppers for thinking that, unless they quickly buy up what’s left, there’ll soon be no food to buy,” I said. “They are not stupid. They can see that all the shopkeepers will either be bankrupt or in jail.”
“And my point is that the unpatriotic hoarding of food gives the impression that we have a problem, which clearly we haven’t, except in the South African media’s mind,” said Doc. “I’m surprised Mbeki still lets you write this nonsense. We are relying on Comrade Zuma to make you change your tune, once he takes over.”
“But until then, Doc, why have you now even passed a law to stop Zimbabweans importing food from

South Africa? If they can’t hoard food, they have to get it from somewhere. Otherwise they’ll starve.”
“We don’t call it starving,” said Doc, “we call it fasting. Fasting is actually good for you. Lots of famous people have fasted for the benefit of their people. Gandhi, for instance. In our case, the people themselves will be encouraged to fast, thereby strengthening themselves against the onslaught of colonial imperialism.”
“I’m sure they really would prefer to eat,” I said. “Most people do.”
“We have no objection in principle to people eating,” conceded Doc. “Those of us in government all eat, but only because persons in our important positions have to. What we must guard against, though, is the belief that ordinary people have the right to break the law if they are hungry.”
“That’s how the French Revolution started,” I said.
“Thank goodness we won our revolution 27 glorious years ago,” declared Doc. “So there’s no need to worry.”

nothing to do with toilet humour, but when art takes a pee!!

unusual urinals – more decorative than the ones I usually use and probably everyone else for that matter.

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If you fancy spending a penny!! heres the link to where you can purchase them: urinal

Looking at some of them Iam reminded for certain artwork by Georgie O keefe

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Again, looking around as I seem to spend more and more time doing i come across the odd thing that interests me, makes me laugh or just plain find wierd

Here’s some new editions

bubble wrap – we all love it, get something new in a box, unwrap it try and figure out how it works and as you are doing that someone comes along and the next thing you hear is that pop of plastic …. good old bubble wrap, its irrestible, are you one of those who has to pop each individual bubble, or are you the type to twist it up and squeeze creating a mass if small sound explosion?

Well for those who cant resist it heres something new:

Bandai Asovision of Japan has indeed hit the soft spot of the bubble wrap lovers by introducing PuchiPuchi- a bubble wrap popping simulator.PuchiPuchi features 8 buttons which are filled with air, and when you press them you achieve the same satisfaction that you get by popping those real bubbles. To make the experience more realistic, the gadget comes with a speaker which makes the popping sound.To keep your interest alive, the gadget includes 8 special sounds like ‘door chime’ and ’sexy voice’ which comes as a bonus popping sound after every 100 pops.

The PuchiPuchi is the size of a keychain and perfect to carry along with you in your pocket.

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for those who are traditionalist follow link: bubblewrap

another one bits the dust! currently I’m on a roll with my painting, the ideas, working out and brush work seems to be on top form. whilst working on this canvas, which I had sketched out some weeks ago, I had need to grab a pencil and scrawl on my wall the next ideas for my painitngs. Its quite exciting and trying to fit everything thing in is going to be hard going, but the pleasure I gain is well worth it. Two things I would like to mention here are: been looking at a lot of graffiti art recently, I’m into the stencil work that is going on, NOT the spraying of tags which is lazy, not very imaginative and to be honest crap. Some of the stencil stuff shows great talent, imagination and something I always link into – humour. I’ll post some examples and links along the way

the second: now trying to remember! Oh s**t, still cant think.

I’ll post my latest work instead

current title: with condiments (I seem to have lost it on the title front at the moment, maybe should call it blank or untitled, cant bring myself to do that)

 

 

Strange how the past catches up with you. some time ago I gave a leaving present to work colleage and a good friend who was returning back to New Zealand with his new to be wife and their (at the time unborn baby). I had worked with Hamish for little over a year and found his company enjoyable to say the least!

I must admit at this stage I haven’t been that good at keeping in contact, just the odd email here and there, nothing that unusual with me! A fellow colleage returned home over the summer and visited Hamish and family and sent me these photos. The bottle that you see him so proudly pointing at is the said present!

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When in France over 8 years ago I was in a shop (wine) and saw this particular wine, Vintage Talbot well I couldn’t resist it could I? the cost, as Iremember worked out to be roughly £35.00 (an awful lot for a bottle of red wine, as I prefer the cheaper ones found in Tesco!! Well I bit the bullet and purchased one. On my return I attended my local Round Table meeting (I am a past member) and fell into discussion with a Nick Mansi who is a bit of a wine buff. I mentioned that I had bought this bottle of wine and how much it cost (feeling rather proud of finding my namesake as a wine and if be honest, a little big headed), only to be informed I could have bought it at his local Threshers for under a tenner!! Eventually, we did open the wine and I must admit, I didn’t like it that much. but I bought some more as time went on – mainly as keepsakes and at times to hand to friends as a ’special’ present. I notice it’s not opened!! Not to sure about those curtains also!!!

Its nice to see the old gits face and looking so well, and I promise to get in touch very soonÂ

Just in time! I finished painting the portrait of JJ last night. Currently I have four options for the title

1. ‘JJ does Hockney, Warhol style, (with false glasses and teeth)’

2. ‘Funny face’

3. ‘Strange, yet false’

4. ‘Onions’

I’m still working on a more suitable title, it will come to me I’m, if you have any thoughts/ suggestions feel free to leave a comment

anyhow, here’s the finished piece: please click on thumbnail for large view

Really cool group of artist – who are not bothered to continually change their work

please follow link to watch

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