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

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

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