Good afternoon my special chums,
T'is I...I have returned from the wilderness...well the frozen North to be precise. I really do not like this weather, I am totally opposed to it infact. I have no motivation to do anything except hibernate...and...if it gets much colder and things shrink anymore, I will officially be a "girl". Roll on Spring...roll on longer days and warmer climes. Mmmm...rant over and I am calm once more.
I have spent the past few weeks tweaking and finishing stuff off. I reckon it's so near Christmas and the time for festive apathy, I thought I'd get my desk cleared for the New Year...so to speak. I've the urge to commence the "Ascension" painting but really need to get the others completed. I'm off to Bonny Scotland next weekend to photograph two very obliging geezers who have agreed to be my "Desciples"...Please don't fret my chums, I have not started a religious sect, I am not getting young blokes to worship at my feet...actually that would be rubbish, I'm only 5' 3" tall...if they tried worshipping at my feet they'd put their backs out..oooer.
It's for the "Ascension".....
I've had a bit of a creative crisis this week end...I thought I had finished "Mercury" but every time I looked at it I disliked it more and more...well not exactly disliked it... it just wasn't "right". It's the old story..you keep looking at something and the more you look the more you can't think what's wrong with it until you have a total meltdown in confidence and decide that you are unworthy to paint and should just blow yourself and all your paintings up...praise the Lordy Lord that the matches were damp!
I've spent the entire day reworking it and am now very happy with it...hey ho...the hysterics of an over emotional old git...a big fat thank you to Brian...he's the model...for being so very patient with me and for waiting this long to cop a gander at the finished article. Speaking of which...I really do need to get myself to Liverpool to get the latest work photoshopped and put onto the web site. Mmm...why oh why do we need to have Christmas this time every year??? Please bare (sp?) with me peeps...I will have some new work on the site soon...I promise.
Thanks for taking the time...
Ivor x
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Hello everybodies,
It has been so very long since last we spoke. I do apologise but I was laid up with tonsilitis...a rather nasty bout I might add. I never knew a bloke could sweat so much with such little movement. I was rather pathetic through out the entire ordeal...I was begging for an assisted suicide at one point, it's just as well I live alone as I'm sure some one would of obliged otherwise.
I have been plodding along very slowly on the painting front...mind, I am getting quite alot finished. To be perfectly honest I had a bit of a scare. I had negotiated some painting sales with a very nice bloke in Dublin called Tom. He is a bit of a jet setter so all negotiations were carried out via shed loads of different countries. I was on my death bed when I got an email telling me the cheque was on it's way...mmm..the paintings weren't ready....hey bloody ho! Upshot of it all it was a tad manic for a few days and I vowed I would always be like a boy scout...prepared.
Thanks Tom...you're a star.
I've got a commission to do an "Ascension" painting...it's a big bugger too so I'm dead excited.
I was at the Walker Gallery in Liverpool on Saturday so was able to soak up the atmosphere, absorb the "art" and leave inspired. I had a vague idea of how I was going to tackle it but it always helps when you view some of the greats and how they portrayed the theme. The muse is now upon me and when I can prise him off I shall start the preliminary drawings. I'm still looking for the two Marys but have managed to identify who I want as Jesus and I've also found two of the Desciples...should be plain sailing from here...yeah right. I've not worked on a painting of this scale before so am a tad anxious alongside the excitement...it's a roller coaster of emotions to be sure.
I'm still continuing with the "Romanesque" series...hopefully if all goes well these should be seen in Newcastle before too long. Fingers crossed. I really feel it's time to get out there and get them displayed....I'll even exhibit the paintings...
Thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
It has been so very long since last we spoke. I do apologise but I was laid up with tonsilitis...a rather nasty bout I might add. I never knew a bloke could sweat so much with such little movement. I was rather pathetic through out the entire ordeal...I was begging for an assisted suicide at one point, it's just as well I live alone as I'm sure some one would of obliged otherwise.
I have been plodding along very slowly on the painting front...mind, I am getting quite alot finished. To be perfectly honest I had a bit of a scare. I had negotiated some painting sales with a very nice bloke in Dublin called Tom. He is a bit of a jet setter so all negotiations were carried out via shed loads of different countries. I was on my death bed when I got an email telling me the cheque was on it's way...mmm..the paintings weren't ready....hey bloody ho! Upshot of it all it was a tad manic for a few days and I vowed I would always be like a boy scout...prepared.
Thanks Tom...you're a star.
I've got a commission to do an "Ascension" painting...it's a big bugger too so I'm dead excited.
I was at the Walker Gallery in Liverpool on Saturday so was able to soak up the atmosphere, absorb the "art" and leave inspired. I had a vague idea of how I was going to tackle it but it always helps when you view some of the greats and how they portrayed the theme. The muse is now upon me and when I can prise him off I shall start the preliminary drawings. I'm still looking for the two Marys but have managed to identify who I want as Jesus and I've also found two of the Desciples...should be plain sailing from here...yeah right. I've not worked on a painting of this scale before so am a tad anxious alongside the excitement...it's a roller coaster of emotions to be sure.
I'm still continuing with the "Romanesque" series...hopefully if all goes well these should be seen in Newcastle before too long. Fingers crossed. I really feel it's time to get out there and get them displayed....I'll even exhibit the paintings...
Thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Good morning to you all my special chums,
I have returned from my travels and what a trip it was. It was full of family reunions and howdy doodys and all other interactions. I was at a family wedding so it was choc-a-block to the brim with light hearted drunkeness and "dancing like me dad". I had a very good time.
Whilst I was in Portsmouth I went to see The Mary Rose, HMS. Victory and another old boat whose name escapes me. I admit that bits of old boat don't usually inspire me to be creative but I found all of this very interesting. I had forgotten just how important it all is/was to Portsmouth as a place...I had left it along while back. The surrounding area was really stunning, especially from the top of the Spinaker Tower....not mant sea shanties were being sung and the whole area had a distinct lack of sailors. I did return home rested and ready to carry on with these paintings.
"Mercury" is progressing nicely and I have decided to work it like a "mummy" board and not a mediaeval wall painting. Mind you, I have noticed how the light has changed and how difficult it now is to get a decent days painting in. Hey ho...all those endless dark days...what the hell happened to the summer? I feel like I will end up like that "forger" geezer from "The Great Escape"...I know I'll never be able to locate a pin at the far end of the room, after a day with my brush I have difficulty locating the door. It is the "agedness" creeping up on me....
I have the opportunity to exhibit in Newcastle...only a small venue I may add...but still a chance to get my work seen by the people in the North East. I'm dead excited about it all...I was skipping on a train platform when I received the news...I only realised when someone went to get security. I shall clarify that last sentence...I began skipping during the phone conversation, I would hate for you to think that I just merrily skipped on train platforms for the sheer hell of it. Can I help it if I'm over excitable?
Anyways, I am now painting like the clappers to get enough work together...I've just flogged two paintings so have to make up the short fall. The trouble is, I don't do speed in my work...I do methodical...it's a conundrum.
Thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
I have returned from my travels and what a trip it was. It was full of family reunions and howdy doodys and all other interactions. I was at a family wedding so it was choc-a-block to the brim with light hearted drunkeness and "dancing like me dad". I had a very good time.
Whilst I was in Portsmouth I went to see The Mary Rose, HMS. Victory and another old boat whose name escapes me. I admit that bits of old boat don't usually inspire me to be creative but I found all of this very interesting. I had forgotten just how important it all is/was to Portsmouth as a place...I had left it along while back. The surrounding area was really stunning, especially from the top of the Spinaker Tower....not mant sea shanties were being sung and the whole area had a distinct lack of sailors. I did return home rested and ready to carry on with these paintings.
"Mercury" is progressing nicely and I have decided to work it like a "mummy" board and not a mediaeval wall painting. Mind you, I have noticed how the light has changed and how difficult it now is to get a decent days painting in. Hey ho...all those endless dark days...what the hell happened to the summer? I feel like I will end up like that "forger" geezer from "The Great Escape"...I know I'll never be able to locate a pin at the far end of the room, after a day with my brush I have difficulty locating the door. It is the "agedness" creeping up on me....
I have the opportunity to exhibit in Newcastle...only a small venue I may add...but still a chance to get my work seen by the people in the North East. I'm dead excited about it all...I was skipping on a train platform when I received the news...I only realised when someone went to get security. I shall clarify that last sentence...I began skipping during the phone conversation, I would hate for you to think that I just merrily skipped on train platforms for the sheer hell of it. Can I help it if I'm over excitable?
Anyways, I am now painting like the clappers to get enough work together...I've just flogged two paintings so have to make up the short fall. The trouble is, I don't do speed in my work...I do methodical...it's a conundrum.
Thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Good morrow to you all,
I am going to be fairly brief this morning as I am officially on holidays...mmm...I am about to embark on an epic journey to Portsmouth to visit my family, this may not seem such a big deal to most...but...you haven't met my family. Please look out for me on Jeremy Kyle, I'll be the one swinging a chair and speaking only in vowel sounds. I'm hoping to seek inspiration from the sea side and older parts of Old Portsmouth...I have distant memories from my college days that there are some very historical bits of olde Pompey. I left Portmouth in 1979 so we will see if it's how I remember it...mnid, as dementia is kicking in fast, how the hell will I know???
I managed to start blocking out the face of "Mercury" before I left...mmm...it's a very odd thing but I have managed to create an image that has no resemblance to old Roman wall painting and more early mediaeval church painting. It is staring out at me...just a floating head. The thing is, I am in a dilemma now...do I continue and develop this image?...or...do I reel it back to "fit" the series of paintings that I started? I have decided to ignore it all until I return from my travels...I shall look at it with fresh eyes and then, hopefully, will know which way to go. However, as I may well be traumatised from my time away, it could end up wearing a shell suit and hair extentions.
I have to add here that I do love my family and they are really cool people...it's just our way of communicating...we share insults.
Until we meet again...thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
I am going to be fairly brief this morning as I am officially on holidays...mmm...I am about to embark on an epic journey to Portsmouth to visit my family, this may not seem such a big deal to most...but...you haven't met my family. Please look out for me on Jeremy Kyle, I'll be the one swinging a chair and speaking only in vowel sounds. I'm hoping to seek inspiration from the sea side and older parts of Old Portsmouth...I have distant memories from my college days that there are some very historical bits of olde Pompey. I left Portmouth in 1979 so we will see if it's how I remember it...mnid, as dementia is kicking in fast, how the hell will I know???
I managed to start blocking out the face of "Mercury" before I left...mmm...it's a very odd thing but I have managed to create an image that has no resemblance to old Roman wall painting and more early mediaeval church painting. It is staring out at me...just a floating head. The thing is, I am in a dilemma now...do I continue and develop this image?...or...do I reel it back to "fit" the series of paintings that I started? I have decided to ignore it all until I return from my travels...I shall look at it with fresh eyes and then, hopefully, will know which way to go. However, as I may well be traumatised from my time away, it could end up wearing a shell suit and hair extentions.
I have to add here that I do love my family and they are really cool people...it's just our way of communicating...we share insults.
Until we meet again...thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
Monday, 15 September 2008
Good morrow to you my faithful chums,
I have returned from my travels...I have been away to Olde London Town and a very pleasant stay it was. I have returned a tad knackered and a lot broke...hey ho.
Whilst I was there I went on a visit to St. Pauls cathedral...I was not impressed and at a tenner a throw I so wanted to be. It wasn't the fact that the entrance fee was so pricey...it was such a dry and souless place, it could well of been a wine bar or some such venue. The ceilings were beautiful though so all was not lost...plus...it was a major work out walking up all those steps to the top of the dome.
I managed to get to the "Hadrian" exhibition at the British museum...now that was worth the fee. It was really very interesting and some of the sculptures were stunning. I fell in love with the "mummy" portraits and left the proceedings completely inspired and wanting to mummify someone just so I could paint their portrait. Not too sure if that's quite the done thing in this day and age but a bloke can only try...not sure if it's legal either but if anyone out there fancies being mummified and then immortalised then I'm your man.
I am now back to my sort of reality...mmmm...not sure if that's a comfort or not??? I have been so engrossed in these "Romanesque" paintings since my return I wonder if I should don a gladiators outfit and fight some lions...mind, with my legs and our weather it could prove dangerous. I have still got to add something or omit something and they will be spot on...I keep painting bits, gazing at bits, tweaking bits and distressing bits...one day a bell will go off in my head and I will know that this is it...finished. I sincerely hope that day arrives soon because I am going crossed eyed and virtually blind working on them. If I charged an hourly rate for all the man hours spent on this series they would retail for about £4 squillion..........
I am also in a bit of a conundrum and am wondering if I should be very brave and quit the work on the ward for a less stressful and less time consuming job. I so want to be concentrating on my painting and illustration stuff but am a big fat scardy cat about leaving my "comfort zone". When did I become such a coward??? What hapened to the boy who left art college with a song in his heart and a spring in his step?...mmm...bordering on bursting into song here so will shut up...and with a voice that could shatter plastic it would not be good...hey ho.
Thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
I have returned from my travels...I have been away to Olde London Town and a very pleasant stay it was. I have returned a tad knackered and a lot broke...hey ho.
Whilst I was there I went on a visit to St. Pauls cathedral...I was not impressed and at a tenner a throw I so wanted to be. It wasn't the fact that the entrance fee was so pricey...it was such a dry and souless place, it could well of been a wine bar or some such venue. The ceilings were beautiful though so all was not lost...plus...it was a major work out walking up all those steps to the top of the dome.
I managed to get to the "Hadrian" exhibition at the British museum...now that was worth the fee. It was really very interesting and some of the sculptures were stunning. I fell in love with the "mummy" portraits and left the proceedings completely inspired and wanting to mummify someone just so I could paint their portrait. Not too sure if that's quite the done thing in this day and age but a bloke can only try...not sure if it's legal either but if anyone out there fancies being mummified and then immortalised then I'm your man.
I am now back to my sort of reality...mmmm...not sure if that's a comfort or not??? I have been so engrossed in these "Romanesque" paintings since my return I wonder if I should don a gladiators outfit and fight some lions...mind, with my legs and our weather it could prove dangerous. I have still got to add something or omit something and they will be spot on...I keep painting bits, gazing at bits, tweaking bits and distressing bits...one day a bell will go off in my head and I will know that this is it...finished. I sincerely hope that day arrives soon because I am going crossed eyed and virtually blind working on them. If I charged an hourly rate for all the man hours spent on this series they would retail for about £4 squillion..........
I am also in a bit of a conundrum and am wondering if I should be very brave and quit the work on the ward for a less stressful and less time consuming job. I so want to be concentrating on my painting and illustration stuff but am a big fat scardy cat about leaving my "comfort zone". When did I become such a coward??? What hapened to the boy who left art college with a song in his heart and a spring in his step?...mmm...bordering on bursting into song here so will shut up...and with a voice that could shatter plastic it would not be good...hey ho.
Thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
Saturday, 6 September 2008
Hello all,
Tis I again ready to impart my very special brand of "paint along a Nancy"...incidentally unless you're over 40 you will probably have no floppin' idea what that last sentence means.
It has been a bad bad bad time for me....I have the "block" again...well it's more like the "apathy" to be honest. I have been sat here this morning attempting to paint in "Neptunes" arms only to be distracted by any damn thing that heads my way. I was even trying to count the legs on a caterpillar that had crawled into the studio...mmmm...not good. I am blaming the weather, I have to blame something. The painting is developing slowly and I am hoping will be finished before I reach 50. I do apologise to Will if he reads this, it is going to be finished soon... honest. The stupid thing is that I am already planning the next painting. I've got the model to email a photograph and in my head it is virtually completed. Thank you Brian for allowing me to use your image. Hey ho, it is a big fat countdown conundrum with no detox option from Carol Vordeman.
I am heading off to London Town for a week so maybe that will inspire me again. I'm attending a course which should be fun and frolics and jolly japes...mind, it all sounds like a lorry load of "hippy" nonsense but it gets me away and somewhere to, hopefully, recharge my batteries. I shall soak up the culture and sniff the aroma that is "the smoke"...I just hope my now "country boy" lungs can take it.
Work on the ward continues to be creative...it's like a cottage industry at the moment. I am still amazed at how some people don't realise just how talented they can be...still, if I can unleash the creative beast in some then I may just stand a chance of rekindling my own creative monster.
We shall see...
Thank you for taking the time...
Ivor x
Tis I again ready to impart my very special brand of "paint along a Nancy"...incidentally unless you're over 40 you will probably have no floppin' idea what that last sentence means.
It has been a bad bad bad time for me....I have the "block" again...well it's more like the "apathy" to be honest. I have been sat here this morning attempting to paint in "Neptunes" arms only to be distracted by any damn thing that heads my way. I was even trying to count the legs on a caterpillar that had crawled into the studio...mmmm...not good. I am blaming the weather, I have to blame something. The painting is developing slowly and I am hoping will be finished before I reach 50. I do apologise to Will if he reads this, it is going to be finished soon... honest. The stupid thing is that I am already planning the next painting. I've got the model to email a photograph and in my head it is virtually completed. Thank you Brian for allowing me to use your image. Hey ho, it is a big fat countdown conundrum with no detox option from Carol Vordeman.
I am heading off to London Town for a week so maybe that will inspire me again. I'm attending a course which should be fun and frolics and jolly japes...mind, it all sounds like a lorry load of "hippy" nonsense but it gets me away and somewhere to, hopefully, recharge my batteries. I shall soak up the culture and sniff the aroma that is "the smoke"...I just hope my now "country boy" lungs can take it.
Work on the ward continues to be creative...it's like a cottage industry at the moment. I am still amazed at how some people don't realise just how talented they can be...still, if I can unleash the creative beast in some then I may just stand a chance of rekindling my own creative monster.
We shall see...
Thank you for taking the time...
Ivor x
Monday, 18 August 2008
Good evening peeps,
Mmmmm...I have returned from the darkest of places and am endeavouring to bung down a new blog. The darkest places I refer to are the ones that I create so easily in my mind, blimey, is all creativity so bleedin' difficult? I sort of lied in my last blog by saying that the "Neptune" painting would be a piece of cake...not so my chums...it's been a complete nightmare. It began with such promise and verve but descending into complete shambolic chaos. I blame my lack of foresight and capabilities with the reference I was using. Paul, the bloke modelling, had been very kind and sent me the photograph that I requested, I, however, didn't realise that it was not lit in the way that I wanted to paint it. Hey ho...upshot of it all was a less than adequate painting...mmmm that'll teach me to be so cocky.
All is not lost though because Paul has obligingly agreed to meet up with me when I next visit London to have some more photies done...he's a gentleman and a scholar. In the mean time I have started another painting and am pleased to say this one is progressing nicely...famous last words and all that. This one is still going to be "Neptune" but painted with a different slant. The model is called Will...cheers Will, I hope that you'll be happy with what I do with your image.
I continue to plod along happily on the ward...there is a very talented artist with us at the moment. He seems unaware of how good he is and I am in the process of trying to nurture him with out scaring him off...he is not in a good place emotionally and the balance of "pushing" and "holding back" is very delicate. I hope that he will eventually have the insight to realise his talent he really is rather good.
Thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
Mmmmm...I have returned from the darkest of places and am endeavouring to bung down a new blog. The darkest places I refer to are the ones that I create so easily in my mind, blimey, is all creativity so bleedin' difficult? I sort of lied in my last blog by saying that the "Neptune" painting would be a piece of cake...not so my chums...it's been a complete nightmare. It began with such promise and verve but descending into complete shambolic chaos. I blame my lack of foresight and capabilities with the reference I was using. Paul, the bloke modelling, had been very kind and sent me the photograph that I requested, I, however, didn't realise that it was not lit in the way that I wanted to paint it. Hey ho...upshot of it all was a less than adequate painting...mmmm that'll teach me to be so cocky.
All is not lost though because Paul has obligingly agreed to meet up with me when I next visit London to have some more photies done...he's a gentleman and a scholar. In the mean time I have started another painting and am pleased to say this one is progressing nicely...famous last words and all that. This one is still going to be "Neptune" but painted with a different slant. The model is called Will...cheers Will, I hope that you'll be happy with what I do with your image.
I continue to plod along happily on the ward...there is a very talented artist with us at the moment. He seems unaware of how good he is and I am in the process of trying to nurture him with out scaring him off...he is not in a good place emotionally and the balance of "pushing" and "holding back" is very delicate. I hope that he will eventually have the insight to realise his talent he really is rather good.
Thank you for taking the time,
Ivor x
Friday, 1 August 2008
Hello my special chums,
Apologies for being so long in talking to you...no excuses...just apathy on my part. Blimey, it's been a bugger of a few weeks. The thing is I returned to work following a couple of weeks leave...not a very happy event as it takes me eons to get back into the swing of things. Mind, after a couple of hours it was like I'd never been away...hey ho.
I have been bashing away at my "Romanesque" wall paintings and am very nearly "happy" with them. It has taken shed loads of hysterics, a ton of sleepless nights and heaps of vallium to get me to this point...not that I am prone to exaggeration. I have re worked and reworked "Romulus and Remus" and "Mars"...I am now embarking on "Neptune". I think that this one should go more smoothly as I have had loads of practice on the other two. My only concern is that, at this rate, my paintings will be as bleedin' old as the Romans them selves.
I have been out and about appreciating the English counrty side...I was "a walking" the rivers and canals of Lancaster last week end and very nice it was too. I am still constantly amazed at how beautiful this country can be in the good weather...a thing that has to be taken advantage of when it is available. This week I was gardening in the pouring rain with some of the clients....why???...I ask myself. They insisted, so who am I to dissappoint them? Just kept on digging and thinking a couple of days ago I was whacking my bits out in the sunshine...it's a concurrent countdown conundrum to be sure...mind, not for poor old Carol Vordeman any more...
I'm rambling...I do apologise...think it's the fumes from the glue I've been using to frame up these paintings...
Thanks for taking the time,
Ivor x
Apologies for being so long in talking to you...no excuses...just apathy on my part. Blimey, it's been a bugger of a few weeks. The thing is I returned to work following a couple of weeks leave...not a very happy event as it takes me eons to get back into the swing of things. Mind, after a couple of hours it was like I'd never been away...hey ho.
I have been bashing away at my "Romanesque" wall paintings and am very nearly "happy" with them. It has taken shed loads of hysterics, a ton of sleepless nights and heaps of vallium to get me to this point...not that I am prone to exaggeration. I have re worked and reworked "Romulus and Remus" and "Mars"...I am now embarking on "Neptune". I think that this one should go more smoothly as I have had loads of practice on the other two. My only concern is that, at this rate, my paintings will be as bleedin' old as the Romans them selves.
I have been out and about appreciating the English counrty side...I was "a walking" the rivers and canals of Lancaster last week end and very nice it was too. I am still constantly amazed at how beautiful this country can be in the good weather...a thing that has to be taken advantage of when it is available. This week I was gardening in the pouring rain with some of the clients....why???...I ask myself. They insisted, so who am I to dissappoint them? Just kept on digging and thinking a couple of days ago I was whacking my bits out in the sunshine...it's a concurrent countdown conundrum to be sure...mind, not for poor old Carol Vordeman any more...
I'm rambling...I do apologise...think it's the fumes from the glue I've been using to frame up these paintings...
Thanks for taking the time,
Ivor x
Monday, 14 July 2008
Good morning my special chums,
I am back from my travels....I have been to exotic Durham Town. It was really fantastic...I can't imagine why the hell Roger Whittaker wanted to leave it???
I have always wanted to visit Durham cathedral because I had heard it was very beautiful...it was indeed. I loved it because, despite being extremely ornate and immense, it was not austere and overpowering. It was very welcoming for a large cathedral....some I have visited give off an almost "you're not worthy to enter" feel to them but Durham was just the opposite. I have no idea if this makes any sense but I know what I mean...
I also climbed the 325 steps of the tower....very nearly needed an oxygen mask and full medical back up when I finally reach the top but the views were spectacular...even through the misty eyes and wheezing. The clutching of the chest was a bit distrating too, not just for me but for the other tourists
One of the reasons I went to Durham was to deliver the commission portrait that I had been painting. I must say it was a tad nerve wracking...had no idea if the guy would like it...had no idea if he'd be honest enough to say...had no idea if it would look like him as it was painted from a photo and I'd never met the bloke. I was squirming a bit pre meet I can tell you. It all turned out great in the end...as soon as I saw him walking across the carpark I knew all would be well because it was "him". I felt like I'd known him for ages, must admit I was dead chuffed. Eddie liked the painting too, he reckoned that I had captured "him" too. The upshot of all this is I am now fully inspired to get back to my work with gusto once more. I was having a bit of a blip recently and felt like giving it all up and running away to the circus. I really must think of somewhere else to run away to...I'm far too old for the circus now and the only chance I'd have of getting in would be to grow a beard and drag up...hey ho! Any who, I digress...I am now going to spend some time re working a couple of the paintings and getting them to a place where I am completely happy with them. I admit that this could take some time due to my paranoia and insecurities...will I ever be truely happy with them???
Thanks for taking the time,
Ivor x
I am back from my travels....I have been to exotic Durham Town. It was really fantastic...I can't imagine why the hell Roger Whittaker wanted to leave it???
I have always wanted to visit Durham cathedral because I had heard it was very beautiful...it was indeed. I loved it because, despite being extremely ornate and immense, it was not austere and overpowering. It was very welcoming for a large cathedral....some I have visited give off an almost "you're not worthy to enter" feel to them but Durham was just the opposite. I have no idea if this makes any sense but I know what I mean...
I also climbed the 325 steps of the tower....very nearly needed an oxygen mask and full medical back up when I finally reach the top but the views were spectacular...even through the misty eyes and wheezing. The clutching of the chest was a bit distrating too, not just for me but for the other tourists
One of the reasons I went to Durham was to deliver the commission portrait that I had been painting. I must say it was a tad nerve wracking...had no idea if the guy would like it...had no idea if he'd be honest enough to say...had no idea if it would look like him as it was painted from a photo and I'd never met the bloke. I was squirming a bit pre meet I can tell you. It all turned out great in the end...as soon as I saw him walking across the carpark I knew all would be well because it was "him". I felt like I'd known him for ages, must admit I was dead chuffed. Eddie liked the painting too, he reckoned that I had captured "him" too. The upshot of all this is I am now fully inspired to get back to my work with gusto once more. I was having a bit of a blip recently and felt like giving it all up and running away to the circus. I really must think of somewhere else to run away to...I'm far too old for the circus now and the only chance I'd have of getting in would be to grow a beard and drag up...hey ho! Any who, I digress...I am now going to spend some time re working a couple of the paintings and getting them to a place where I am completely happy with them. I admit that this could take some time due to my paranoia and insecurities...will I ever be truely happy with them???
Thanks for taking the time,
Ivor x
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Good afternoon all,
I have spent the live long morning working on this commission piece....ooooer....it is almost finished so I am at that stage in the proceedings where I think I am the crapiest artist in the entire world, I should give it all up now and become a nun and that I should be drummed out of every art establishment in the world! I always get like this at the end of a painting....why the flop I do is a concurrent countdown conundrum...all I know is that it eventually passes and calm once again riegns in my world. It does, however, hold up the final push because I have to leave the painting... I have a tendancy to overwork them when I am in this frame of mind. Are there any other painters out there that experiences thse emotions at the end of a painting????
Answers on a postcard please...
This one is short and sweet...abit like myself!
Thankyou for reading this tiny blog,
Ivor x
I have spent the live long morning working on this commission piece....ooooer....it is almost finished so I am at that stage in the proceedings where I think I am the crapiest artist in the entire world, I should give it all up now and become a nun and that I should be drummed out of every art establishment in the world! I always get like this at the end of a painting....why the flop I do is a concurrent countdown conundrum...all I know is that it eventually passes and calm once again riegns in my world. It does, however, hold up the final push because I have to leave the painting... I have a tendancy to overwork them when I am in this frame of mind. Are there any other painters out there that experiences thse emotions at the end of a painting????
Answers on a postcard please...
This one is short and sweet...abit like myself!
Thankyou for reading this tiny blog,
Ivor x
Friday, 20 June 2008
Good afternoon my special chums,
I am in a very good mood today...apart from getting an extra day off work, I have had a very successful days painting. The commission piece is going swimmingly well and is very nearly finished. Still a bit of tweaking to do and the arms need some work but, on the whole, it is almost done. The strange thing about this painting is the way it has made me look at the other work I have done. This piece is more "painty" than the others and, frankly, I now need to go back and rework some of the older stuff. I suppose the trouble with having "works in progress" and other finished paintings lying about your studio...you are always looking at them and re evaluating them. Mmmm..not sure if that's a good or bad thing but hey ho...when you're limited with space...you don't have a choice. All I know is...and here's the rub...it has proved to be a blessing cos I now know how I can improve the paintings I have done.
Now the other question is..if you're at all interested...do I tweak and fiddle before beginnig a new work?....or...do I start a new piece and tweak and fiddle during it...or...do I just bang on with the new piece and fiddle and tweak when I feel the urge overtaking me??? It is indeed a concurrent countdown conundrum.
The new painting is going to be of "Neptune". I have finally sorted the photos of the model I am using. He is a very obliging and patient bloke and I am very grateful to him for allowing me to use his image. Thank you Paul...you're a star! I just hope I can do him justice. This is going to be sort of created as I paint cos I have no clear image of how it's to be....all I can see is blue and fish and a horse. I know what I vaguely want to achieve but am just giong to allow the painting to "happen". I don't expect this to make any sense to any body..it hardly makes any sense to me, but it will be an interesting experience...
Work on the ward continues at a pace....I am fortunate to have many clients who are really keen to create. I must say that I envy their energy sometimes...it takes me all of mine just to get there in the mornings. I have now got a vast array of differing bits of work and will really have to try and organise it a bit better. The trouble with me is that if someone has taken the time to produce a piece of work when they are so "troubled" it would be gittish of me not to try and display it. However, there is only a limited amount of wall space...I feel a decisive moment befalling me.
Thanks for taking the time,
Ivor x
I am in a very good mood today...apart from getting an extra day off work, I have had a very successful days painting. The commission piece is going swimmingly well and is very nearly finished. Still a bit of tweaking to do and the arms need some work but, on the whole, it is almost done. The strange thing about this painting is the way it has made me look at the other work I have done. This piece is more "painty" than the others and, frankly, I now need to go back and rework some of the older stuff. I suppose the trouble with having "works in progress" and other finished paintings lying about your studio...you are always looking at them and re evaluating them. Mmmm..not sure if that's a good or bad thing but hey ho...when you're limited with space...you don't have a choice. All I know is...and here's the rub...it has proved to be a blessing cos I now know how I can improve the paintings I have done.
Now the other question is..if you're at all interested...do I tweak and fiddle before beginnig a new work?....or...do I start a new piece and tweak and fiddle during it...or...do I just bang on with the new piece and fiddle and tweak when I feel the urge overtaking me??? It is indeed a concurrent countdown conundrum.
The new painting is going to be of "Neptune". I have finally sorted the photos of the model I am using. He is a very obliging and patient bloke and I am very grateful to him for allowing me to use his image. Thank you Paul...you're a star! I just hope I can do him justice. This is going to be sort of created as I paint cos I have no clear image of how it's to be....all I can see is blue and fish and a horse. I know what I vaguely want to achieve but am just giong to allow the painting to "happen". I don't expect this to make any sense to any body..it hardly makes any sense to me, but it will be an interesting experience...
Work on the ward continues at a pace....I am fortunate to have many clients who are really keen to create. I must say that I envy their energy sometimes...it takes me all of mine just to get there in the mornings. I have now got a vast array of differing bits of work and will really have to try and organise it a bit better. The trouble with me is that if someone has taken the time to produce a piece of work when they are so "troubled" it would be gittish of me not to try and display it. However, there is only a limited amount of wall space...I feel a decisive moment befalling me.
Thanks for taking the time,
Ivor x
Monday, 9 June 2008
Good afternoon peeps,
I have finally managed to sucessfully block in the commission portrait that I am working on...I even managed to send a pic of the rough stage to the sitter too. I was totally relieved and pleased to get the thumbs up to it. Phew! I must admit that it's been a blast doing this painting....I had no idea of how it was going to turn out and was really streesing at one point. I had even decided to end my painting life as I was so crap at it all...mmmm...perhaps a tad dramatic. It was then that I decided to work at it differently and just "block".....hurah...result!
It is always a learning curve when painting a commission...I always manage to go through some form of creative crisis before I eventually settle down and stop being such a paronoid idiot. Hey ho. Is this normal behaviour I ask myself???
The Roman God series seems to be on a go slow at the moment...I can only manage one crisis at a time it seems. I'm blaming it on the fantastic weather and the need to be outside in the sunshine attempting to get my pasty complexion somewhere to a normal colour. I also have the added excuse of being rather head battered by work on the ward. Not by the clients as it happens....enough said!
I went to view one of the rarest plants in the British Isles over the weekend...the "Lady's-slipper Orchid. It was quite beautiful and is being watched over by a bloke in a tent. Apparently it was stolen in 2004 but, luckily, not all the plant was taken and it has managed to recover. These orchids are now so rare that they are highly prized by unscrupulous morons that think it is their God given right to own anything that is on the verge of dissappearance. It amazes me that these people have such enormous egos and display such stupidity....would they be clamouring for the last buttercup if there was a virtual wipe out of that species....mmmm...sadly, yes.
It was a very humbling experience and almost spiritual to see that beautiful flower sat unobtrusively in its limestone recess....I was very moved.
Thanks for taking the time,
Ivor x
I have finally managed to sucessfully block in the commission portrait that I am working on...I even managed to send a pic of the rough stage to the sitter too. I was totally relieved and pleased to get the thumbs up to it. Phew! I must admit that it's been a blast doing this painting....I had no idea of how it was going to turn out and was really streesing at one point. I had even decided to end my painting life as I was so crap at it all...mmmm...perhaps a tad dramatic. It was then that I decided to work at it differently and just "block".....hurah...result!
It is always a learning curve when painting a commission...I always manage to go through some form of creative crisis before I eventually settle down and stop being such a paronoid idiot. Hey ho. Is this normal behaviour I ask myself???
The Roman God series seems to be on a go slow at the moment...I can only manage one crisis at a time it seems. I'm blaming it on the fantastic weather and the need to be outside in the sunshine attempting to get my pasty complexion somewhere to a normal colour. I also have the added excuse of being rather head battered by work on the ward. Not by the clients as it happens....enough said!
I went to view one of the rarest plants in the British Isles over the weekend...the "Lady's-slipper Orchid. It was quite beautiful and is being watched over by a bloke in a tent. Apparently it was stolen in 2004 but, luckily, not all the plant was taken and it has managed to recover. These orchids are now so rare that they are highly prized by unscrupulous morons that think it is their God given right to own anything that is on the verge of dissappearance. It amazes me that these people have such enormous egos and display such stupidity....would they be clamouring for the last buttercup if there was a virtual wipe out of that species....mmmm...sadly, yes.
It was a very humbling experience and almost spiritual to see that beautiful flower sat unobtrusively in its limestone recess....I was very moved.
Thanks for taking the time,
Ivor x
Monday, 2 June 2008
Good evening all,
It's been absolutely eons since I last wrote anything on this site...I would like to say it is because I have been so busy doing fantastic things that I never had the time...sadly this is not the case. I have been steadily working on the portrait commission, it is a strange feeling trying to create a portrait of someone that you have yet to meet, and then the meeting takes place on completion so the anxiety levels are well up. Mmmmm...wonder how the sitter feels??? I wonder if it is just as anxious for him??? I will find out in a few weeks time so until then I am desperately trying not to think about it. I am just plodding along in the vain hope that all will be well.
I've still got some tweaking to do on the "Romulus and Remus" painting...the frame mainly. Yes I know I was banging on about it the last time but it is still a major issue that I have yet to resolve. I wonder if there is a Bach flower remedy out there solely for the pupose of making idiots like myself stop dithering....answers on a post card please.
The next painting is still being mulled over in my head and is in need of getting bunged down onto board soon or it will erode into a pile of mundane nonsense. This does tend to happen to me if I dwell on something for too long...I start to fiddle with the idea and over produce it...not a good thing to do in my case as it always proves to be a balls up! Hey ho...I really must learn how to multi task and manage two or three projects at once. The problem with the way I work...if it is indeed a problem...is I get so focused on that particular bit that my vision become tunneled which makes me very boring to be around as I tend to switch off to everything else. Mmmmm, knew there was a reason why I live alone.....Still, onwards and upwards. I have no idea what that last sentence means but it sounded good at the time.
The ward is still producing some very fine and dandy work at the moment despite the fact that there are some quite disturbed people residing there. It always amazes me that so much creativity can happen even when it is being bombarded with so much erratic energy. The clients I work with have a wonderful abilty to accept and then switch off to what is happening around them...I envy this abilty.
I shall end these latest witterings to say that I attended the opening of The Midland Hotel in Morecambe this weekend. The Midland is a beautiful art deco builing that had been left to decay on the sea front. Urban Splash have undertaken the task of restoring it back to life. I reckon they have done a fabulous job....love all that old and new combination. Check it out if you get the chance...even if it is just to have a cup of sedate tea in the conservatory.
Thank you for taking the time...
Ivor x
It's been absolutely eons since I last wrote anything on this site...I would like to say it is because I have been so busy doing fantastic things that I never had the time...sadly this is not the case. I have been steadily working on the portrait commission, it is a strange feeling trying to create a portrait of someone that you have yet to meet, and then the meeting takes place on completion so the anxiety levels are well up. Mmmmm...wonder how the sitter feels??? I wonder if it is just as anxious for him??? I will find out in a few weeks time so until then I am desperately trying not to think about it. I am just plodding along in the vain hope that all will be well.
I've still got some tweaking to do on the "Romulus and Remus" painting...the frame mainly. Yes I know I was banging on about it the last time but it is still a major issue that I have yet to resolve. I wonder if there is a Bach flower remedy out there solely for the pupose of making idiots like myself stop dithering....answers on a post card please.
The next painting is still being mulled over in my head and is in need of getting bunged down onto board soon or it will erode into a pile of mundane nonsense. This does tend to happen to me if I dwell on something for too long...I start to fiddle with the idea and over produce it...not a good thing to do in my case as it always proves to be a balls up! Hey ho...I really must learn how to multi task and manage two or three projects at once. The problem with the way I work...if it is indeed a problem...is I get so focused on that particular bit that my vision become tunneled which makes me very boring to be around as I tend to switch off to everything else. Mmmmm, knew there was a reason why I live alone.....Still, onwards and upwards. I have no idea what that last sentence means but it sounded good at the time.
The ward is still producing some very fine and dandy work at the moment despite the fact that there are some quite disturbed people residing there. It always amazes me that so much creativity can happen even when it is being bombarded with so much erratic energy. The clients I work with have a wonderful abilty to accept and then switch off to what is happening around them...I envy this abilty.
I shall end these latest witterings to say that I attended the opening of The Midland Hotel in Morecambe this weekend. The Midland is a beautiful art deco builing that had been left to decay on the sea front. Urban Splash have undertaken the task of restoring it back to life. I reckon they have done a fabulous job....love all that old and new combination. Check it out if you get the chance...even if it is just to have a cup of sedate tea in the conservatory.
Thank you for taking the time...
Ivor x
Monday, 19 May 2008
Good evening peeps,
It is that time once more for me to inform you of what I have or have not been up to this week.
Mmmmm....shall we say that it has been a slightly more creative week than the last one. I have managed to complete the figures of "Romulus and Remus" and am half way through the painting of the birds. It all appears to be going swimmingly well and the crows are shaping up nicely. I do admit to a certain amount of satisfaction as it has been a long while since I have painted any form of wild life apart from homo sapian.... I remember saying in a previous blog that I was trying to create an ambiguity about who's who in this painting, dare I say that I think I have succeeded. I am not even sure myself which one is Romulus and which one is Remus....ooooer is that a cop out...???
I will have produced two paintings for this series when "R & R" are completed...the thing is I have yet to frame them up. This in its self is a crucial part of the finished piece and is going to be a very "learn as you go and hope for the best" time. I have a very clear and distinct vision in my head of how they will look...however....it involves cutting away and distressing, which only allows a fraction of error. Do I look scared...??? Absolutely! Blimey, it takes me forever to get going when I know what I'm doing, lordy lordy only knows how long it'll take me to crack on with the frames. Hey ho...
I have also been asked to do a private portrait and am about to begin the preliminary drawings. It has been a wee while since I was commissioned to do a portrait and am dead excited about it. The thing is when you don't know the sitter very well...in this case hardly at all, you need to bring a whole new way of looking to the table. I've decided to try not and deliberate for too long over how I am going to "do it"....think it will cloud my judgement and fog up my thinking.
The sitter will have his own perception of how he looks, I will see something else...the hope is that the final painting will marry these two up and all will be well. I defy any painter not to admit to wanting so much to please the sitter...
Can I say that when a person is subjected to constant and prolonged abuse they have a tendacy to become extremely knackered and weary. I mention this because it is happening to me at the moment and I am knackered and weary. It has not been a good time on the ward. Please emit waves of sympathy toward me in the vain hope that I will once again become motivated and committed.
I thank you.
Ivor x
It is that time once more for me to inform you of what I have or have not been up to this week.
Mmmmm....shall we say that it has been a slightly more creative week than the last one. I have managed to complete the figures of "Romulus and Remus" and am half way through the painting of the birds. It all appears to be going swimmingly well and the crows are shaping up nicely. I do admit to a certain amount of satisfaction as it has been a long while since I have painted any form of wild life apart from homo sapian.... I remember saying in a previous blog that I was trying to create an ambiguity about who's who in this painting, dare I say that I think I have succeeded. I am not even sure myself which one is Romulus and which one is Remus....ooooer is that a cop out...???
I will have produced two paintings for this series when "R & R" are completed...the thing is I have yet to frame them up. This in its self is a crucial part of the finished piece and is going to be a very "learn as you go and hope for the best" time. I have a very clear and distinct vision in my head of how they will look...however....it involves cutting away and distressing, which only allows a fraction of error. Do I look scared...??? Absolutely! Blimey, it takes me forever to get going when I know what I'm doing, lordy lordy only knows how long it'll take me to crack on with the frames. Hey ho...
I have also been asked to do a private portrait and am about to begin the preliminary drawings. It has been a wee while since I was commissioned to do a portrait and am dead excited about it. The thing is when you don't know the sitter very well...in this case hardly at all, you need to bring a whole new way of looking to the table. I've decided to try not and deliberate for too long over how I am going to "do it"....think it will cloud my judgement and fog up my thinking.
The sitter will have his own perception of how he looks, I will see something else...the hope is that the final painting will marry these two up and all will be well. I defy any painter not to admit to wanting so much to please the sitter...
Can I say that when a person is subjected to constant and prolonged abuse they have a tendacy to become extremely knackered and weary. I mention this because it is happening to me at the moment and I am knackered and weary. It has not been a good time on the ward. Please emit waves of sympathy toward me in the vain hope that I will once again become motivated and committed.
I thank you.
Ivor x
Monday, 12 May 2008
Good evening all,
I am writing this following a rather nightmare day on the ward....well, to be honest, it's been bleedin' horrendous! No bodies fault really and not very sedate of me to say so but I need to voice this as it has a baring on how I am feeling and how this blog is written. It is my way of saying that my head is mashed and I may not come across as the usual "up-beat" and "sparky" geezer that I like to portray.
Apologies now to any body that I may have offended with this previous statement but I do try to remain honest about my emotions. I shall shut up now and continue...........
The painting progresses and, dare I say as much, is looking mighty fine...mind you, this is usual at this stage in the proceedings and will, no doubt, plummet in my estimation nearer completion. Once I've almost finish a piece I go through a major crisis of faith in my abilities and convince myself it is all a piece of worthless crap...hey ho the torment of an insecure mind! I am about to begin the painting of the birds to finish the "Romulus and Remus" and am dead excited about it all. It's eons since I painted any form of wild life so it could either make or break this piece of work...ooooer...I'm excited and very worried at the same time. Is this a normal state of affairs? I ask myself...and...going on how much I fanny about before getting on with the actual painting, will I ever finish??? It is inded a concurrent countdown conundrum. I really will have to make a real effort as I am getting dead worked up about the next painting....not giving owt away at the moment as it is all buzzing about in my head.
Can I just say here and now how fantastic and truely beautiful this country is when the weather is sunny and the bluebells are out. I have spent the weekend in the wild outdoors and have been so in awe of it's splendor! Blimey, I sound almost Byronic....or moronic, depending on your view point. I do feel very inspired and humbled when the spring is springing and the summer is about to burst forth...what can I say...???....I'm artistic!
On that very up myself note I shall stop...
Thanks for reading,
Ivor x
I am writing this following a rather nightmare day on the ward....well, to be honest, it's been bleedin' horrendous! No bodies fault really and not very sedate of me to say so but I need to voice this as it has a baring on how I am feeling and how this blog is written. It is my way of saying that my head is mashed and I may not come across as the usual "up-beat" and "sparky" geezer that I like to portray.
Apologies now to any body that I may have offended with this previous statement but I do try to remain honest about my emotions. I shall shut up now and continue...........
The painting progresses and, dare I say as much, is looking mighty fine...mind you, this is usual at this stage in the proceedings and will, no doubt, plummet in my estimation nearer completion. Once I've almost finish a piece I go through a major crisis of faith in my abilities and convince myself it is all a piece of worthless crap...hey ho the torment of an insecure mind! I am about to begin the painting of the birds to finish the "Romulus and Remus" and am dead excited about it all. It's eons since I painted any form of wild life so it could either make or break this piece of work...ooooer...I'm excited and very worried at the same time. Is this a normal state of affairs? I ask myself...and...going on how much I fanny about before getting on with the actual painting, will I ever finish??? It is inded a concurrent countdown conundrum. I really will have to make a real effort as I am getting dead worked up about the next painting....not giving owt away at the moment as it is all buzzing about in my head.
Can I just say here and now how fantastic and truely beautiful this country is when the weather is sunny and the bluebells are out. I have spent the weekend in the wild outdoors and have been so in awe of it's splendor! Blimey, I sound almost Byronic....or moronic, depending on your view point. I do feel very inspired and humbled when the spring is springing and the summer is about to burst forth...what can I say...???....I'm artistic!
On that very up myself note I shall stop...
Thanks for reading,
Ivor x
Monday, 5 May 2008
Hello everbodies....happy bank holiday!
I have been painting...not much of a revelation I know but I have been struggling of late and have managed to overcome. Yes, I know that sounds very "up my self" but I was suffering the "block". I spent hours and hours and hours the other week painting a pattern on the T shirt of this painting only to discover it looked complete s**t! Only after I had the courage to obliterate the pattern did the "block" lift....voila, as our French cousins say, I am now going full steam ahead with poor old "Romulus and Remus" who had been very negleted.
I always find it very wierd that it takes so much courage to wipe something after hours of work on it...???...I knew it was wrong and had to go but it still took ages for me to actually sit down and do it.
I seem to be doing this procrastinating stuff alot lately, I always did go through a strange ritual before starting a new painting...usually just finding inane things to do just so I didn't have to begin right away. Now, however, I do it every time I intend to sit down and paint. It's like a fear that it's all gonna go horribly wrong and by delaying all will be well. Perhaps it's age?..perhaps it's insanity?....who the flop knows!???
I have very little else to say to be perfectly honest....I expect it's a blessing to most..ha ha he he. I put it down to the "block" and all it entailed. Hopefully I shall have more to bore you with the next time I blog....
Thank you for your time,
Ivor x
I have been painting...not much of a revelation I know but I have been struggling of late and have managed to overcome. Yes, I know that sounds very "up my self" but I was suffering the "block". I spent hours and hours and hours the other week painting a pattern on the T shirt of this painting only to discover it looked complete s**t! Only after I had the courage to obliterate the pattern did the "block" lift....voila, as our French cousins say, I am now going full steam ahead with poor old "Romulus and Remus" who had been very negleted.
I always find it very wierd that it takes so much courage to wipe something after hours of work on it...???...I knew it was wrong and had to go but it still took ages for me to actually sit down and do it.
I seem to be doing this procrastinating stuff alot lately, I always did go through a strange ritual before starting a new painting...usually just finding inane things to do just so I didn't have to begin right away. Now, however, I do it every time I intend to sit down and paint. It's like a fear that it's all gonna go horribly wrong and by delaying all will be well. Perhaps it's age?..perhaps it's insanity?....who the flop knows!???
I have very little else to say to be perfectly honest....I expect it's a blessing to most..ha ha he he. I put it down to the "block" and all it entailed. Hopefully I shall have more to bore you with the next time I blog....
Thank you for your time,
Ivor x
Monday, 28 April 2008
Evening all...didn't some old codger with a helmet say that once?
What can I say?....I have had an appalling week and have been suffering with the "block". I put it down to post holiday misery, a poor excuse I know but one that I am sticking with. Poor "R & R" have been left well and truely to their own devices the live long week. I did think about pushing myself into doing some work on the painting but know from old that it would end up a complete mess. I'd only have to go back to undo it all so have left well alone. I have been studying the piece and am unsure if the "block" is because I am unsure of where to go next or if the whole thing is wrong to start with...??? I shall know by the end of the week because, s**t or bust, I am going to be working on it...hey ho.
I have also been suffering with an appalling lack of communication...I mean that I send stuff out but when it comes back it has been totally misunderstood. That's if I get a response at all....who was it who reckoned that our lives have been made so much easier by the speed and communication of the internet? Who ever it was must of never used the old methods of speaking and posting. I mean, how do you know if an email has actually gone?...is there a man sat in a booth just passing them on?....mmmmmm...what/who/how ever....all I ask is just please respond...even if it's via smoke signals.
I have finished ranting and apologise for my lack of composure....must be that "block" that I've been banging on about.
On an up side...work on the Ward has been fantastic, I have so many very creative people to work with at the moment. It is a shame to me that these people stop utilising their creativity when they leave us, still, I suppose if they know that they have the ability to be creative then they have the choice to use it if they wish.
Thank you for reading...
Ivor x
What can I say?....I have had an appalling week and have been suffering with the "block". I put it down to post holiday misery, a poor excuse I know but one that I am sticking with. Poor "R & R" have been left well and truely to their own devices the live long week. I did think about pushing myself into doing some work on the painting but know from old that it would end up a complete mess. I'd only have to go back to undo it all so have left well alone. I have been studying the piece and am unsure if the "block" is because I am unsure of where to go next or if the whole thing is wrong to start with...??? I shall know by the end of the week because, s**t or bust, I am going to be working on it...hey ho.
I have also been suffering with an appalling lack of communication...I mean that I send stuff out but when it comes back it has been totally misunderstood. That's if I get a response at all....who was it who reckoned that our lives have been made so much easier by the speed and communication of the internet? Who ever it was must of never used the old methods of speaking and posting. I mean, how do you know if an email has actually gone?...is there a man sat in a booth just passing them on?....mmmmmm...what/who/how ever....all I ask is just please respond...even if it's via smoke signals.
I have finished ranting and apologise for my lack of composure....must be that "block" that I've been banging on about.
On an up side...work on the Ward has been fantastic, I have so many very creative people to work with at the moment. It is a shame to me that these people stop utilising their creativity when they leave us, still, I suppose if they know that they have the ability to be creative then they have the choice to use it if they wish.
Thank you for reading...
Ivor x
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Good morning one and all,
I have returned from my visit to Olde London Town in one piece....mind, I am totally broke and completely knackered! I always seem to forget just how expensive London is to eat out in...no wonder it is considered "chic" to be "London thin"...it's just a cover up so no one has to eat.
I have come back full of inspiration and my head is completely battered from sensory overload. I went to the "Jarman" exhibition at the Serpentine gallery....not a barrel of laughs I grant you, but very moving non the less...would of like to of seen more of his painting work as I always find them so passionate and animated. I went to the "American print" exhibition at the British Museum too....blimey and Lordy lordy...they certainly knew how to create atmosphere in the days of yore. I know that the computer is a fantastic thing that has made our lives so much easier and quicker....but............to see those prints and the way they were created and the time that they must of took and the awe inspiring results of the finished pieces...well, it damn near took my breath away.
I did the "Independant" galleries to check out what was "hip and happenin'" in the world of the not so starving artists...some of the work was very witty and creative and I loved it....other work I did find to be a tad.........enough said!
I did seem to find most of my inspiration and interest on the streets just wandering about aimlessly. I do like a good aimless wander whilst I'm in London. The streets are full of such amazing stuff, like a really cool piece of graffitti or mural...a crumbling building or decrepid gateway. The people are so diverse too...there is so much colour and differing ethnic cultures.
I am now sitting in my studio, staring into space alot and trying to gather my thoughts into some semblance of order. I came back and feel the need to move in a new direction with the paintings...trouble is, not sure how...??? This art lark can be so taxing. "Rommulus and Remus" wait for me to continue working on them, I have had a quick tweak but there is a nagging doubt in the back of my head telling me to go slow as I am in danger of "over working" the piece. Hey ho....who ever said that "ART" is relaxing?
Time for more coffee...I shall, no doubt, continue my day staring into space and calling it contemplation...
Thanks for reading this...
Ivor x
I have returned from my visit to Olde London Town in one piece....mind, I am totally broke and completely knackered! I always seem to forget just how expensive London is to eat out in...no wonder it is considered "chic" to be "London thin"...it's just a cover up so no one has to eat.
I have come back full of inspiration and my head is completely battered from sensory overload. I went to the "Jarman" exhibition at the Serpentine gallery....not a barrel of laughs I grant you, but very moving non the less...would of like to of seen more of his painting work as I always find them so passionate and animated. I went to the "American print" exhibition at the British Museum too....blimey and Lordy lordy...they certainly knew how to create atmosphere in the days of yore. I know that the computer is a fantastic thing that has made our lives so much easier and quicker....but............to see those prints and the way they were created and the time that they must of took and the awe inspiring results of the finished pieces...well, it damn near took my breath away.
I did the "Independant" galleries to check out what was "hip and happenin'" in the world of the not so starving artists...some of the work was very witty and creative and I loved it....other work I did find to be a tad.........enough said!
I did seem to find most of my inspiration and interest on the streets just wandering about aimlessly. I do like a good aimless wander whilst I'm in London. The streets are full of such amazing stuff, like a really cool piece of graffitti or mural...a crumbling building or decrepid gateway. The people are so diverse too...there is so much colour and differing ethnic cultures.
I am now sitting in my studio, staring into space alot and trying to gather my thoughts into some semblance of order. I came back and feel the need to move in a new direction with the paintings...trouble is, not sure how...??? This art lark can be so taxing. "Rommulus and Remus" wait for me to continue working on them, I have had a quick tweak but there is a nagging doubt in the back of my head telling me to go slow as I am in danger of "over working" the piece. Hey ho....who ever said that "ART" is relaxing?
Time for more coffee...I shall, no doubt, continue my day staring into space and calling it contemplation...
Thanks for reading this...
Ivor x
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Good afternoon all....aint it gaaaawjusss and spring like, it does make one feel good to be upright. I fear that I have been neglecting this blogg...I have no excuse apart from the fact that I have been awaiting some definite news about the exhibition in Manchester next year. I do know that it is definitely in November 2009 and I do know it will be at "Taurus" in Canal Street....ooooer! A very nice bloke called Iain Scott has been handling me and I must say he is very good at it. Can you tell I'm very excited?
I've also been preparing for my trip to the great metropolis that is London....it's been a few months since I ventured down to the city and am in the process of organising my timetable.....so much to do and see and so little time... I have lined up some work aswell, which has just cropped up and I am very grateful for. I am hoping to be inspired beyond measure by all the diverse cultures and visual stimulus that I'm expecting to be bombarded with. Mind, not sure if my chums that I am residing with will see it that way. I really think that the older I am getting the more child-like I become...most who know me would, no doubt, say "childish" but hey ho.
"Rommulus and Remus" continues...why oh why did I decide to give the clothes very elaborate patterns? I'm anticipating a spectacular finish on this painting due to the detail on the clothes...we shall see. All I see when I close my eyes after a day on the job is a mass of blurring colour! Is it good for ones eye sight I ask?....will it matter if it creates the desired effect?....NO is the answer to that. I mean, look at how old Van Gough suffered for his art....in the grand scheme of things I suppose a stronger prescription at the opticians is a small price to pay.
I seem to be rambling on a tad...I do apologise, think I'm far more excited about my hols that I first thought.
I will leave this blogg here whilst I still have a semblance of dignity left...mmmm.
Thankyou for taking the time...
Ivor x
I've also been preparing for my trip to the great metropolis that is London....it's been a few months since I ventured down to the city and am in the process of organising my timetable.....so much to do and see and so little time... I have lined up some work aswell, which has just cropped up and I am very grateful for. I am hoping to be inspired beyond measure by all the diverse cultures and visual stimulus that I'm expecting to be bombarded with. Mind, not sure if my chums that I am residing with will see it that way. I really think that the older I am getting the more child-like I become...most who know me would, no doubt, say "childish" but hey ho.
"Rommulus and Remus" continues...why oh why did I decide to give the clothes very elaborate patterns? I'm anticipating a spectacular finish on this painting due to the detail on the clothes...we shall see. All I see when I close my eyes after a day on the job is a mass of blurring colour! Is it good for ones eye sight I ask?....will it matter if it creates the desired effect?....NO is the answer to that. I mean, look at how old Van Gough suffered for his art....in the grand scheme of things I suppose a stronger prescription at the opticians is a small price to pay.
I seem to be rambling on a tad...I do apologise, think I'm far more excited about my hols that I first thought.
I will leave this blogg here whilst I still have a semblance of dignity left...mmmm.
Thankyou for taking the time...
Ivor x
Sunday, 30 March 2008
Good afternoon all,
I am writing to you this fine spring day on a friends computer as mine has decided to descend into madness and stop doing what it is desgned and paid to do...I'm still convinced it's a conspiracy and my computer is out to drive me completely over the edge...mmmm, me thinks that I have overdosed on "Martix" films...
I am in mighty fine and dandy good spirits today as I have just received news that I am to be exhibiting in Manchester next year. I am still unsure of the extent of the exhibition or how long it will last...the only details I have is that it will be in November. I will release details when I get them. I am chuffed to bits to tell the truth...I am now having to eat my words a tad...I shall explain. Last week I was banging on about no one ever responding to ones correspondence, I have been proved so wrong this week...some of the news has not been good but at least I had a response. I thank those people concerned....thankyou.
Work on the "Romanesque" series continues..."Rommulus and Remus" are all but blocked in and looking suitably bemused/bereft. I'm really hoping that this one works out how I'm anticipating it will...I seem to be going at it so differently from the others. Well all's well so far so fingers crossed and all of that. I'm off to London for a couple of weeks in the not to distant future so will no doubt return full of inspiration and a squillion pounds poorer! I will be open and exposed to all sorts of creative goings on....well here's hoping....I must admit that I do miss living in the old capitol, hey ho.
The creativity on the ward continues....it all seems to be on a roll at the moment and I am very grateful for it.
Well that's it for this week....can't get used to my digits hitting this very odd key pad.
Thank you for taking the time...
Ivor x
I am writing to you this fine spring day on a friends computer as mine has decided to descend into madness and stop doing what it is desgned and paid to do...I'm still convinced it's a conspiracy and my computer is out to drive me completely over the edge...mmmm, me thinks that I have overdosed on "Martix" films...
I am in mighty fine and dandy good spirits today as I have just received news that I am to be exhibiting in Manchester next year. I am still unsure of the extent of the exhibition or how long it will last...the only details I have is that it will be in November. I will release details when I get them. I am chuffed to bits to tell the truth...I am now having to eat my words a tad...I shall explain. Last week I was banging on about no one ever responding to ones correspondence, I have been proved so wrong this week...some of the news has not been good but at least I had a response. I thank those people concerned....thankyou.
Work on the "Romanesque" series continues..."Rommulus and Remus" are all but blocked in and looking suitably bemused/bereft. I'm really hoping that this one works out how I'm anticipating it will...I seem to be going at it so differently from the others. Well all's well so far so fingers crossed and all of that. I'm off to London for a couple of weeks in the not to distant future so will no doubt return full of inspiration and a squillion pounds poorer! I will be open and exposed to all sorts of creative goings on....well here's hoping....I must admit that I do miss living in the old capitol, hey ho.
The creativity on the ward continues....it all seems to be on a roll at the moment and I am very grateful for it.
Well that's it for this week....can't get used to my digits hitting this very odd key pad.
Thank you for taking the time...
Ivor x
Monday, 24 March 2008
Good afternoon and Easter greetings to one and all...blimey aint it early this year and aint it a cold one!
Mmmmm..where to begin?....the painting continues very slowly, I blame my "man flu", it slowed me down and mashed my head. I do think that if you're endeavouring to paint a picture depicting sibling murder you really do need to have a clear head....or am I being very old fashioned? It has progressed....I have one of the twins nearly blocked out. I'm hoping the "who's who?" will be very ambiguous. I'm hoping that the whole emotive state of things will be left for the viewers to decide. I'm hoping that when it's finished an equal amount of empathy will be dished out to both lads.....I'm hoping to get it finished before the model that sat is too old to be recognised....sorry Leigh, it is on it's way. Will be painting "mother" next.I have decided to go for the whole family theme on this set and am going to paint Rhea Silvia when this one of the twins is completed, mind, hers is not a happy story so will have to consider a range of emotions when dealing with this one. I also want to depict the "suckled by a wolf" theme too....have read a really cool story concerning this and think it would make a very good subject. All will be revealed at a later date......
The father of these two lads is on view on my web page....
www.ivorsexton.co.uk
Creative work on the ward has reached an all time high....I am honoured to have some very inventive and creative clients on the ward at the moment. The activity room is like a cottage industry which, in turn, has encouraged more of the staff to join it. I must admit that the banter during the sessions certainly expands the mind....I know it keeps me on my toes and I am constantly amazed at how "free" some of the work is. Here's hoping that it develops into a full time interest for the people involved.
I end this page of witterings by saying that I really do believe that blokes never grow up....yes ladies I know that you have said this since time began....I went to a friends allotment this weekend and discovered a pond full of frogs and frog spawn....all I could think of doing was bunging on some wellies, aquiring a jam jar with some string around the top and jumping in. Blimey, talk about "Swallows and Amazons" and "Enid Blyton"....all I required was a case of ricketts and some blamange and I would be back to my childhood....hey ho, it's got to be better than working for a living....
Thank you for taking the time.....
Ivor x
Mmmmm..where to begin?....the painting continues very slowly, I blame my "man flu", it slowed me down and mashed my head. I do think that if you're endeavouring to paint a picture depicting sibling murder you really do need to have a clear head....or am I being very old fashioned? It has progressed....I have one of the twins nearly blocked out. I'm hoping the "who's who?" will be very ambiguous. I'm hoping that the whole emotive state of things will be left for the viewers to decide. I'm hoping that when it's finished an equal amount of empathy will be dished out to both lads.....I'm hoping to get it finished before the model that sat is too old to be recognised....sorry Leigh, it is on it's way. Will be painting "mother" next.I have decided to go for the whole family theme on this set and am going to paint Rhea Silvia when this one of the twins is completed, mind, hers is not a happy story so will have to consider a range of emotions when dealing with this one. I also want to depict the "suckled by a wolf" theme too....have read a really cool story concerning this and think it would make a very good subject. All will be revealed at a later date......
The father of these two lads is on view on my web page....
www.ivorsexton.co.uk
Creative work on the ward has reached an all time high....I am honoured to have some very inventive and creative clients on the ward at the moment. The activity room is like a cottage industry which, in turn, has encouraged more of the staff to join it. I must admit that the banter during the sessions certainly expands the mind....I know it keeps me on my toes and I am constantly amazed at how "free" some of the work is. Here's hoping that it develops into a full time interest for the people involved.
I end this page of witterings by saying that I really do believe that blokes never grow up....yes ladies I know that you have said this since time began....I went to a friends allotment this weekend and discovered a pond full of frogs and frog spawn....all I could think of doing was bunging on some wellies, aquiring a jam jar with some string around the top and jumping in. Blimey, talk about "Swallows and Amazons" and "Enid Blyton"....all I required was a case of ricketts and some blamange and I would be back to my childhood....hey ho, it's got to be better than working for a living....
Thank you for taking the time.....
Ivor x
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Hello every bodies....
Blimey, where's the week gone?....I have finally started the "Romulus and Remus" painting...mind, it's been a bit hit and miss this week. I have the man flu which, as all you blokies out there will know is completely different from normal colds, flues or any other form of sniffling type illness. We suffer!....you all know who you are....
I am endeavouring to produce a painting of twins with the under currents of sibling rivalry and all that entails....thing is, the out come is murder, so want it to create the "mood" with out being too obvious. Mmmmm...we will see if it succeeds. The thing is with this batch of paintings is they seem to just evolve rather than have specific planning.....which is a new one on me, as I have always sort of known how they were going to turn out in the past. Not too sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Will probably not know until I am at least four paintings into the series. Hoping that all wells that ends well to quote the illustrious bard.
Right peeps, it is time to off load!....sorry, but have it on good authority that "blogging" and "off loading" can improve your mood and creativity. Mmmmm....I shall take their word for it.
Basically....I'm fed up! I have decided that the winter has gone on far too long and that we all need longer days and a warmer clime. I also would like some one to actually answer some of the emails, letters and correspondence that I am forever writing, even if it's just to say...."naff off, you're crap" This does not refer to these ramblings...I like a good blog myself....just wish that people would have the kindness and decency to reply to my enquiries etc....hey ho! Please forgive the bitterness of a dispondent old man.....I have "man flu", I have an excuse.
Painting is something that I have always loved and have always done....ever since I could hold a brush/pencil I have been creating something. Think is my one huge passion....it has certainly kept me sane through some rather crappy times....my need now is too exhibit....need to have the stuff on display and to get some feed back...need to feel the "buzz" of getting it all together.
Any help on that score would be very much appreciated.....I would be internally grateful so to speak.
Think I have stopped ranting now....all is calm in my world again and I am no longer hyperventilating...........thank you for listening.
Ivor x
Blimey, where's the week gone?....I have finally started the "Romulus and Remus" painting...mind, it's been a bit hit and miss this week. I have the man flu which, as all you blokies out there will know is completely different from normal colds, flues or any other form of sniffling type illness. We suffer!....you all know who you are....
I am endeavouring to produce a painting of twins with the under currents of sibling rivalry and all that entails....thing is, the out come is murder, so want it to create the "mood" with out being too obvious. Mmmmm...we will see if it succeeds. The thing is with this batch of paintings is they seem to just evolve rather than have specific planning.....which is a new one on me, as I have always sort of known how they were going to turn out in the past. Not too sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Will probably not know until I am at least four paintings into the series. Hoping that all wells that ends well to quote the illustrious bard.
Right peeps, it is time to off load!....sorry, but have it on good authority that "blogging" and "off loading" can improve your mood and creativity. Mmmmm....I shall take their word for it.
Basically....I'm fed up! I have decided that the winter has gone on far too long and that we all need longer days and a warmer clime. I also would like some one to actually answer some of the emails, letters and correspondence that I am forever writing, even if it's just to say...."naff off, you're crap" This does not refer to these ramblings...I like a good blog myself....just wish that people would have the kindness and decency to reply to my enquiries etc....hey ho! Please forgive the bitterness of a dispondent old man.....I have "man flu", I have an excuse.
Painting is something that I have always loved and have always done....ever since I could hold a brush/pencil I have been creating something. Think is my one huge passion....it has certainly kept me sane through some rather crappy times....my need now is too exhibit....need to have the stuff on display and to get some feed back...need to feel the "buzz" of getting it all together.
Any help on that score would be very much appreciated.....I would be internally grateful so to speak.
Think I have stopped ranting now....all is calm in my world again and I am no longer hyperventilating...........thank you for listening.
Ivor x
Monday, 10 March 2008
Morning all,
it is blog time again and I am happy to inform any one who's interested that I have finally completed "Mars"....yippeee. It has certainly been an experience painting a bloke that I admire so much and to try and encapsulate his persona into a painting. Greg has now seen a copy and tells me that he likes it... so...result all round! Mind, not sure if he really sees himself as a "God"...think he's far too modest for that...reckon that there are a few people out there that do though, the girlies at work to name but a few!
If you'd like to view the finished result, check him out on my web site...
www.ivorsexton.co.uk
I am now starting a new painting in the series..."Romulus and Remus". Strangely enough, "Mar's" children. The model is a really nice geezer called Liegh...he has kindly allowed me to use his image for the pic and I am truely honoured that he has. We have never met in person so I am hoping that I can do the man justice and that he doesn't feel the need to track me down and batter me when it is finished! Hopefully all will be well.
The week has started off quite calm here...no hurricanes experienced at the moment, well not weather wise at any rate. Have yet to venture onto the ward. I am attempting to get a large project under way...something to involve the whole ward...wish me luck.
Thanks for reading peeps....
Ivor x
it is blog time again and I am happy to inform any one who's interested that I have finally completed "Mars"....yippeee. It has certainly been an experience painting a bloke that I admire so much and to try and encapsulate his persona into a painting. Greg has now seen a copy and tells me that he likes it... so...result all round! Mind, not sure if he really sees himself as a "God"...think he's far too modest for that...reckon that there are a few people out there that do though, the girlies at work to name but a few!
If you'd like to view the finished result, check him out on my web site...
www.ivorsexton.co.uk
I am now starting a new painting in the series..."Romulus and Remus". Strangely enough, "Mar's" children. The model is a really nice geezer called Liegh...he has kindly allowed me to use his image for the pic and I am truely honoured that he has. We have never met in person so I am hoping that I can do the man justice and that he doesn't feel the need to track me down and batter me when it is finished! Hopefully all will be well.
The week has started off quite calm here...no hurricanes experienced at the moment, well not weather wise at any rate. Have yet to venture onto the ward. I am attempting to get a large project under way...something to involve the whole ward...wish me luck.
Thanks for reading peeps....
Ivor x
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Good morning to one and all,
Mmmmm..where to begin today? Firstly I would like to apologise to any one who is leaving me "add to my friends" on the "my space" site....I seem to be having trouble working that one out. I'm not sure if it's the site or me....it's probably me as I am a total idiot when it comes to things of a technical nature! I tend to either sit and stare blankly at the screen in the vain hope that something will happen or become convince that my computer is conspiring against me and go into a melt down of hysteria and obscenities....
I have now nearly completed the painting of Greg....."Mars" to every one following this blog. I'd forgotten what it was like to paint flora....that's...."as in flowers"...and not some random woman. This whole painting has been an odd experience....it keeps changing. I started out with a very clear picture in my head of how it would look on completion....doesn't look anything like how I imagined. I will be tweaking and detailing today so should of finished it before the light goes this afternoon.
I will then know if it "works".....must say that I'm quite enjoying the uncertainty of how it will end up. I'm usually 85% sure before I start....
Work on the acute ward is still very up and down.....lots of uncertainty about finance and bugets which is impacting on every one.....hey ho....all I can do is try. There has been some very creative stuff commenced this past week by some of the clients so I must be doing something right.....let's hope they are able to continue in the same vain this week...
Well I'm off to tweak Greg....thank you for reading....
Ivor x
Mmmmm..where to begin today? Firstly I would like to apologise to any one who is leaving me "add to my friends" on the "my space" site....I seem to be having trouble working that one out. I'm not sure if it's the site or me....it's probably me as I am a total idiot when it comes to things of a technical nature! I tend to either sit and stare blankly at the screen in the vain hope that something will happen or become convince that my computer is conspiring against me and go into a melt down of hysteria and obscenities....
I have now nearly completed the painting of Greg....."Mars" to every one following this blog. I'd forgotten what it was like to paint flora....that's...."as in flowers"...and not some random woman. This whole painting has been an odd experience....it keeps changing. I started out with a very clear picture in my head of how it would look on completion....doesn't look anything like how I imagined. I will be tweaking and detailing today so should of finished it before the light goes this afternoon.
I will then know if it "works".....must say that I'm quite enjoying the uncertainty of how it will end up. I'm usually 85% sure before I start....
Work on the acute ward is still very up and down.....lots of uncertainty about finance and bugets which is impacting on every one.....hey ho....all I can do is try. There has been some very creative stuff commenced this past week by some of the clients so I must be doing something right.....let's hope they are able to continue in the same vain this week...
Well I'm off to tweak Greg....thank you for reading....
Ivor x
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Good afternoon peeps....
Blimey I'm knackered...have been painting all the live long day and dessert fatigues are a bit of a visual nightmare to keep at with out a break. You'd of thought that they'd be a simple thing to just slap on and ignore....not so!
Think I'm sorted now, mind, far too head bashed to judge so am leaving them until my eyesight has returned...This painting of "Mars" is proving to be a strange combination of concentration and nostalgia. The model is a bloke that I have shared some good times with and it is very difficult not to keep wandering off down memory lane....after all, he is suposed to be the God of War so have to keep reeling myself back to the subject at hand. Not sure if smiling whilst painting keeps you focused or not but at least it may lessen the frown lines that seem to be taking over my face....
Can some one please tell me if I am the only one in this world that would rather not rely on computers to communicate with people....I'm referring to my attempts at getting people to respond to emails....in the good old days you could phone people and they would have to answer you. I'm so bleedin' useless with this technology I'm never sure if I've even sent the damn things or not....subsequently, I am always nervous about re contacting any one in case they think I am stalking them and call the police!
It is indeed a concurrent countdown conundrum.....
Think I've rambled on enough....thank you for reading,
Ivor x
Blimey I'm knackered...have been painting all the live long day and dessert fatigues are a bit of a visual nightmare to keep at with out a break. You'd of thought that they'd be a simple thing to just slap on and ignore....not so!
Think I'm sorted now, mind, far too head bashed to judge so am leaving them until my eyesight has returned...This painting of "Mars" is proving to be a strange combination of concentration and nostalgia. The model is a bloke that I have shared some good times with and it is very difficult not to keep wandering off down memory lane....after all, he is suposed to be the God of War so have to keep reeling myself back to the subject at hand. Not sure if smiling whilst painting keeps you focused or not but at least it may lessen the frown lines that seem to be taking over my face....
Can some one please tell me if I am the only one in this world that would rather not rely on computers to communicate with people....I'm referring to my attempts at getting people to respond to emails....in the good old days you could phone people and they would have to answer you. I'm so bleedin' useless with this technology I'm never sure if I've even sent the damn things or not....subsequently, I am always nervous about re contacting any one in case they think I am stalking them and call the police!
It is indeed a concurrent countdown conundrum.....
Think I've rambled on enough....thank you for reading,
Ivor x
Monday, 18 February 2008
Hello All,
once again it is time to inform everyone as to what the flop I have been up to....thankyou for being remotely interested.
The painting of "Mars" is progressing steadily....helped by the fact that the light has been so fantastic of late. Spring is on it's way I feel...so there is much rejoicing on my part as I tend to become a complete misery during the winter months...well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
I ventured out and about this weekend and went to "Williamson Park" in Lancaster....it is quite beautiful and it's flag ship building the Aston Memorial a fantastic centre piece. It has a very good gallery in its upper reaches which, not only is a very fine exhibition space, but allows fantastic views from its balconies. I was well impressed and and am chomping at the bit to be accepted for an exhibition there....mmmm...well here's hoping, will have to commence a charm offensive. Wish me luck!
Work on the the acute ward seems to be in limbo at the moment...not sure if it is the time of year or all the changes that are being implemented at the moment...???...what ever it is, it is stifling creativity and I am in need of some kick starting myself. Any suggestion would be much appreciated.....
Thanks, as always, for taking the time.....
Ivor x
once again it is time to inform everyone as to what the flop I have been up to....thankyou for being remotely interested.
The painting of "Mars" is progressing steadily....helped by the fact that the light has been so fantastic of late. Spring is on it's way I feel...so there is much rejoicing on my part as I tend to become a complete misery during the winter months...well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
I ventured out and about this weekend and went to "Williamson Park" in Lancaster....it is quite beautiful and it's flag ship building the Aston Memorial a fantastic centre piece. It has a very good gallery in its upper reaches which, not only is a very fine exhibition space, but allows fantastic views from its balconies. I was well impressed and and am chomping at the bit to be accepted for an exhibition there....mmmm...well here's hoping, will have to commence a charm offensive. Wish me luck!
Work on the the acute ward seems to be in limbo at the moment...not sure if it is the time of year or all the changes that are being implemented at the moment...???...what ever it is, it is stifling creativity and I am in need of some kick starting myself. Any suggestion would be much appreciated.....
Thanks, as always, for taking the time.....
Ivor x
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Well hello once more....blimey, you must be very patient as this is only the second blogg I've bunged up on here!...
How the flop does any one manage to keep these things going and do other stuff as well....perhaps it's just me??? I can't "multi task" This is meant to be a kind of apology for being so slow in up dating.........
The first thing I want to say is thankyou for taking the time to look at my web page and for checking this out....I have had a strange old week and a misunderstanding occured with one of my models. I hope that what I am about to say will clear things up for every body. The models painted are in no way connected to the subject that is being painted. The latter paintings are based on the people I have worked with on an acute psychiatric ward....they are a representation of what those clients "experience"....the models were used to protect confidentiality but it in no way represents the models mental health state. Similarily...."Judas" is a bloke called Paul and not a misunderstood apostle.....etc etc...I hope that this is now understandable. Thank you.
The Romanesque painting continues...far too slowly for my liking but, hey ho, it is half way to being presentable....the model concerned it kept posted with regular up dates and is probably sick to death of me bugging them...however, they do not let on and have been very patient. Thanks Greg, you're a star!
This series of paintings are developing into a "Roman God meets the 21st Century" type thing....mmmmm...we'll see...
Thanks for taking the time to read all this....off to care for the needy....
Ivor x
How the flop does any one manage to keep these things going and do other stuff as well....perhaps it's just me??? I can't "multi task" This is meant to be a kind of apology for being so slow in up dating.........
The first thing I want to say is thankyou for taking the time to look at my web page and for checking this out....I have had a strange old week and a misunderstanding occured with one of my models. I hope that what I am about to say will clear things up for every body. The models painted are in no way connected to the subject that is being painted. The latter paintings are based on the people I have worked with on an acute psychiatric ward....they are a representation of what those clients "experience"....the models were used to protect confidentiality but it in no way represents the models mental health state. Similarily...."Judas" is a bloke called Paul and not a misunderstood apostle.....etc etc...I hope that this is now understandable. Thank you.
The Romanesque painting continues...far too slowly for my liking but, hey ho, it is half way to being presentable....the model concerned it kept posted with regular up dates and is probably sick to death of me bugging them...however, they do not let on and have been very patient. Thanks Greg, you're a star!
This series of paintings are developing into a "Roman God meets the 21st Century" type thing....mmmmm...we'll see...
Thanks for taking the time to read all this....off to care for the needy....
Ivor x
Sunday, 27 January 2008
I have no idea what the hell I'm doing so please bare with me...Hello, what to say???
I have decided to start a new batch of paintings based on a recent visit to Rome....I found the city to be a complete sensory "high". Blimey, every thing is so beautiful...the food...the sites and the people!
Was gripped by the Colleseum...oooer, sounds painful!
Am working on a portrait that will be based on ancient Romanesque wall paintings. The bloke that I'm painting is a man that I met last year...knew I wanted to paint him but couldn't work out how, after visiting Rome I immeadiately knew.
Hope he approves!
Cheers for reading this....
I have decided to start a new batch of paintings based on a recent visit to Rome....I found the city to be a complete sensory "high". Blimey, every thing is so beautiful...the food...the sites and the people!
Was gripped by the Colleseum...oooer, sounds painful!
Am working on a portrait that will be based on ancient Romanesque wall paintings. The bloke that I'm painting is a man that I met last year...knew I wanted to paint him but couldn't work out how, after visiting Rome I immeadiately knew.
Hope he approves!
Cheers for reading this....
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