Bon Noelle my festive chums...

with a tra la la la la and a hey nonny nonny...deck my bowels with sprigs of holly and a big fat ding dong and bing bong on high...t'is Christmas Eventide.

I really wanted to say a humongous thank you to every one who has taken the time to read this blog over the past year...your support is very much appreciated. I must say I am always a wee bit surprised just how many bods do check out what I've been up to and what I'm wittering on about...............................I am most humble.

Well peeps...the "Faded Seaside Glamour" exhibition continues and has received shed loads of wondrous comments. I blush with the excitment of it all...incidentally, it's now going to run until mid January...oooooer. Thankyou Drew and Ian at "Luke and Jack" for their continued support and encouragement. I love you boys and all your saucy minxiness...mmmmm...not sure if such words exist but t'is Chrismas and I'm a big bloated bag of festive fun and frolics...pass me another mince pie with lashings of cream.........

This year has been a pick 'n' mix of creative endeavours. I began the year with a series of "Shape-Shifters"...which were organic and to do with light, texture, hope and fantasy...and ended the year with the "Faded Seaside Glamour" paintings which were all about being on the outside of society and the emotional implications that entails. In between all of this I created "The Adoration of the Tattooed Christ"...a painting inspired by a beautiful trip to France. Mmmmm...I reckon it conveys the state of my mind throughout the year...I began it in my own little fantasy world and ended it a moody old git with a circus fixation...oh...and with a bit of spiritual shananagans chucked in for good measure. Freud would have a field day...ho hum.

On top of the rollercoaster ride that is my inspiration...I've also produced some commissions. Ooooer and hurrah! The latest one has hurled me down another direction and I am now endeavouring to produce some works inspired by "the days of yore". I'm hoping they're going to be a kind of "Raphael meets Holbien". I've started drawing one out on an old piece of shelving, I'm trying to get it to look like a medieval wooden panel painting. Mmmmm...Hope springs internal as they say. Hey ho, if it doesn't work out I'm sure it'll make a fabulous shelf for the pantry...be it a rather ornate one...

I'm going to be creating a couple of nudes for an exhibition at "Luke and Jack"...spookily enough...entitled "Nudes"...ooooooer. Fingers crossed that this new/oldstyle turns out well enough to go on display...wish me luck peeps.

Well enough of these witterings...may your yule log be massive and may you be well blessed....oooooer missis. Enjoy!

Thank you for taking the time...festive hugs,

Ivor x

Hellooooooo my luvverly chums,

It's a tad gloomy today and the light is really rubbish so I thought I'd take the opportunity to write this 'ere blog. Please bare with me because I'm knackered and seem to have had countless mishaps and blunders this Sunday morning time....hey hoooooooooooooooo.

I'm actually hoping that tomorrow brings a jolt to this enfeebled brain and I can rectify all the cock ups that I've made today...well, a bloke can hope.

I'm actually writing this to let all my readers and followers of this 'ere blog know that I'll be launching the 6 "Faded Seaside Glamour" paintings on December 3rd at "Luke and Jack" in Merchant City Glasgow no less.

Well I say I will be....mmmmmmm...still in the midst of finishing and framing and varnishing and tweaking and sorting. It seems that for some strange and inexplicable reason one of the paintings has taken an extreme dislike to the varnish and has had... one I can only describe as... an allergic reaction to it. I am now a lot balder than I was this morning and a shed load more hysterical...I have hyperventilated into about a squillion paper bags and chanted a calming mantra til I'm blue in the face...all to no avail as the bleedin' thing still looks like s**t. Ho hum...I am calmer now and have walked away until tomorrow...as they say..."hope springs eternal"...and if that fails I will resort to plan B...which is blaming everyone except myself.

I apologise for my rant...but I like to share...

Hope I'll be seeing loads of you at the launch but, failing that, I hope that you'll be able to pop along and have a gander as it runs til after the Christmas festivities.

Thank you for taking the time,

Ivor x

Bonjourno my special chums,

T'is a dark and gloomy night and it's well and truely "brass monkeys" in this 'ere office. I shall endeavour to write this wrapped in a shawl like a Dickensian dowager...I'm prepared for shrinkage and am hoping that it's not too severe...ho hum.

Where to start? Well I'm so into this "Adoration of the Tattooed Christ" painting and have now finished the main centre piece. I've commenced the painting of the four corners so, hopefully, all the "adorations" will be finished well before the deadline of the exhibition. Mmmm...must say it's been a lorry load of fun doing this piece as it's all about memories of a far flung place...a holiday of light and sunshine...a chance to see my eldest in his natural habitat and a bugger of a composition. I have been working in some very strange positions doing this painting and it is playing havoc with my geriatric frame...I can forsee a brace, a truss and a prolapse before this image is complete...gone are the days when the Kama Sutra was just a thing you did cos you were bendy. It has also proved to have a will of its own and I've been guided by the work rather than the other way round...a strange and slightly disconcerting feeling. Oooooer...perhaps I'm having an "experience"...?...I wonder if I could get Yvette Fieldings job now she's buggered off to pastures new?

I've created this painting especially for the exhibition at the Phoenix Centre. They are having a fantastic open day event at the end of November...it's going to be filled to the brim with truely beautiful art created by a shed load of talent. My pal Mark Getty has been organising it and will be displaying there too. A huge big fat thank you to you Mark....you're a star!

Here's the details and I really hope you'll all pop along and have a gander and, hopefully, buy lots.

The Phoenix Centre

201 St. James Road

Glasgow

27th November 2010

12-23.30

Thank you for taking the time,

Ivor x

Afternoon peeps,

Brrrrrrr it's chilly round the doodahs this dull noontime day.

I have been working tirelessly and, without the aid of a safety net, to finish another painting in the "Faded Seaside Glamour" series. The "Marionette" is now complete and can sit alongside its counterparts. I'm getting fair excited about this batch as they seem to be gelling rather well and the narative appears to be unfolding in a most satisfactory manner...blimey, hark at me sounding all discriptive and literary.

I have to admit that these images are a tad "darker" than the last series but as they're about "acceptance and solitude" I suppose they should be. I'm trying to create a mood and atmosphere rather than a difinitive story. They're all set in a sort of twilight when all the characters come out to play so the mood is rather important...here's hoping that they work as a proper series when they're complete.

I've now started the "Escapologist"...he's progressing slowly as I'm trying not to make him look like some kind of S&M fetishist...mmmmm...is that a word?.............reckon it's working so far but, hey hoooo...it may turn out to be one chain too many...oooooer.

Alongside the "Faded Seaside Glamour" paintings I'm doing a piece for the Phoenix Studios art exhibition. It's completely different from the current batch as it's been inspired by my trip to southern France. It's very "Christlike" and I'm trying to capture the atmosphere of what I experienced there. Coooo lummey...I sound like I've gone all spritual and ethereal. I haven't at all...it's all to do with the light and colours that I saw. Plus...there's a bit of pagan thrown in...shed loads of symbolism...a suggestion of shananagans and lorry loads of over the top framing. Mmmmm...fingers crossed that I pull this off as I'm treading a very fine line between "high class gorgeousness" and "Blackpool tack"...ho hum.

Thank you for taking the time...

Ivor x

Well bonjour...ooooooo la la and a bucket full of frogs legs,

I've just returned from France...Montpellier to be precise...it was fantastic. I do advise everyone to go as it's so beautiful, historic and full of the most gorgeous looking people I've ever clapped eyes on. Do I sound shallow?...mmmm...I don't reckon so, I'm an artist so can truely appreciate the quality of the perfect form...well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I must say that France has inspired me...I saw some things that took my breath away...actually we were up in the hills one day which did actually shorten my breath...blimey it was hilly. I danced on the bridge at Avignon...just like in the song...well not so much a dance, more of a jig. Think I was in danger of being arrested as the bridge was trembling a bit...think of Homer Simpson on a treadmill...the French obviously reckoned it was a fit of some sort so gave me a wide berth...ho hum.

I went to a few galleries as well...saw a fantastic exhibition by Jose Pires in Lodeve and I also discovered the most spectacular paintings by Nicolas Mignard at the Calvert Museum in Avignon. I can honestly say I very near weed my undercrackers. I got all moist with emotion, decided to pack in painting all together as I could never aspire to such wonderment, had a major crisis followed by a cafe au lait which seemed to settle me...mmmmmmmm and aaaaaaahhhh. I've got over that now and am back on track with the new series of paintings.........

I'm now on the fourth image...it's a marionette. She's a rather moody bint...she stares out at me "with attitude" as they say in these 'ere times. I'm trying to capture a mixture of vunerability and defiance in the painting...I think it's working so far but, as it's only half done, anything can evolve. The "Burlesque Noir" and "Harlequin" paintings are also done and dusted...the same theme of vunerability threads through them both...well I reckon it does. I sent the images to a client of mine as I value his opinion and he says they remind him of the old black and white "art films" of Italy and France. I can really see his point and am dead chuffed with the comparison...thank you Michael, you're a star! When the "Marionette" is finally finished I want to do an escapologist/contortionist...I have this idea buzzing around in my head that I can't shake. It'll either work really well or look like an advert for an S&M Swingers club...ho hum.

Incidentally...whilst I was away on my jolly hols I read a book called "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. It is the first book in years to move me to tears...not a good look sat on a balcony in Monpellier with a snotty nose and making wailing noises, the locals were intrigued at the strange English bloke. I really recommend a read of it...I'm inspired to do a painting...it will not be at all commercial and it will be quite sad...but it is something I feel compelled to try.

I just thought I'd share that with you....

Thankyou for taking the time,

Ivor x

Bonjour my chums,

This is just a quickie of a blog as I've not got my bonce round a lengthy one...so much has been going on and on and on...ooooer. However...I will rectify this tomorrow with a full on no holds barred blog of epic proportions...

In the mean time this will have to suffice...apologies.

I've just learnt that this particular piece in off to France....how very international is that. I'm dead chuffed to say the least...perhaps it's due to the extra ordinary ammount of images there are in France of Saint Michael slaying the dragon. Ooooooo la la.

Thank you for being so patient...

Ivor x

Hellooooooooooooooo my chums,

I was enjoying some lovely sunny weather but thought I'd best bung up a blog lest you forget me. I am a martyr to my "art" to be sure....

Well I have finished the commission and delivered it to the client. Thankfully, he really liked it and seemed fairly moved by it. I admit to being a tad worried as commissions are always a little unpredictable...mainly because I tend to always paint "warts and all" with a portrait...not saying that the subject had any warts...infact a more handsome fellow you could not meet...it's just that I do love painting "detail"...mmmmm. I really wanted this one to be successful as it was commissioned from so much love and was full of symbolism relevant to the subject. I think it worked...I hope it worked. It also helped that the clients were so bleedin' nice.....thankyou Dave 'n' Stu for trusting me with your beings, it is much appreciated.

I am well into the new series of paintings...it still hasn't a title and I continue to refer to it as the "Fairground/Burlesque/Circus" series...which is a right gobfull. It's a much darker set of images than the shapeshifters...mind, that may well be due to them being set indoors and with un natural light. I'm endeavouring to capture the vunerabilty of the bods who work in this form of entertainment......it amazes me how most of the masses judge these folk. Hey hoo.

I'm trying to go for the raw, shabby and slightly forlorn look to these images...it's more to do with survival of the art and being constantly on the move than glitz and glamour. Oh and I apologise to all the purists out there....I'm painting a "feeling" rather than perfectly engineered circus/fairground equipment.

I reckon any one who can go out night after night wearing lycra and hanging from things deserves to be immortalised in acrylic...I also admire any bod who can wave feathers and jiggle their bits. I myself have tried it on occassions and am still receiving the doctors bills from all the people I traumatised....apparently the sight of a wee man waving feathered fans about whilst expressing himself through the medium of dance wearing a sparkly thong can give folk recurring nightmares....ho hum.

I'm now working on the second image...this one is proving to be a real challenge as it is so removed from the way I usually paint a piece. I've had to come at it from a completely different prospective and learn as I go. Mmmmm...fingers crossed that it proves successful...it seems to be going ok so far. Mind...that's no guarentee with me...I usually get so far in and then decide it's all a pile of poop. After that it gets quite messy with tantrums and tears and wringing of hands and threats to become a nun and all kinds of carry ons....hey ho...it's a right doings creating "the art".....

I'm off to the printers tomorrow to get some greetings cards printed...ooooer. I shall let you know how they turn out...

Thankyou for taking the time,

Ivor x

Bonjourno bonjourno bonjourno as our Italian cousins say...not that I have any Italian cousins and the nearest I've been to Italy of late is buying a pizza...ho hum.

I have been away to sunny Liverpool to have my website re jigged and given a spanking update. I've re invented myself like what Madonna does only I refuse to wear a conical bra...
A big thankyou to my chum and fellow artist Chris Butler for spending so much time creating it and putting up with my tantrums. How anyone can stare at screens, push knobs and play with a mouse all those hours is a wonder to me and I have great respect for them. I, myself, can just about muster up the enthusiasm to download a few pics and post a blog before I have a panic attack and become convinced the machine is out to get me and will aid my eventual downfall.
Mmmmm...perhaps I should do a series of paintings based on this paranoia and exorcise the ghosts forever...???

Speaking of a new series...tomorrow I begin work on the "Circus meets Burlesque" set of paintings. I'm quite excited about these as they're so different from the "Elementals"...I'm still unsure how they'll develop as I only have a vague image of them in my head. It's all a tad strange really because I usually have a clear image and a vague concept...this time it's reversed. The idea is firmly imprinted in my balding noggin but I'm going to have to do the first painting to see where the whole series will take me. All I can say is I see...velvet...tattoos...circus art...bosoms and colour. Here's hoping it all goes swimmingly well or I may well end up running away to the circus, donning lycra and dangling from a swing...mind, I have done that at parties....ho hum.

I've also just completed a new commission piece...I must say I'm dead chuffed with how it turned out and am just hoping that the client feels the same way. It's always a very anxious time where portrait commissions are concerned...how I see a person may well be totally different from how the person sees themself. I think I've captured the spirit and character of the person dead well.....fingers crossed the feeling's mutual......oooooooooooooooooer.

Whilst I've been creating "the art"...I've also been developing the idea of doing cards and prints. I'm putting the feelers out and have a set of 6 cards on display at "Luke and Jacks" in Glasgow, as well as some paintings. The very nice lads who own the shop have been fantastic and dead friendly. They are developing the shop into a wonderfly diverse "lifestyle" ambiance...it's well worth checking out. Please note the shop contains items of an adult nature so is only accessable to over 18s.
I'm feeling dead excited in general these days about my work and am often seen skipping merrily on the patio...not really a good idea at my age as things creek...others wobble and some swing................not a pretty site...hey ho.

http://www.ivorsexton.co.uk/

http://www.lukeandjack.com/

Thank you for taking the time,

Ivor x

Good evening my chums,

I apologise for the lateness of the hour...also...I apologise for any spelling mistakes cos it is so late.

Well what can I say? T'is been a whirlwind doings of epic proportions. I've been steadily painting some new pieces and finishing others. The "Dragons Kiss" is now finished...it was the last in the "Elementals" series of paintings. It's probably the most sensual painting of the series. I must admit she's looking a tad dishevelled and a little "emotional"...mind...who wouldn't with a bloke that's part dragon breathing all over you. It was quite difficult trying to bring in the "fire" to this series. All the dragon shape-shifters were men...and nearly all of those were transformed as part of a spell. This image is the only one of the "Elementals" whose story comes mainly from my imagination. Mmmmmm...how telling is that?

I've also been working on some nudes...reckon I'm doing this due to my own sad carcass being on a tobogan ride to sagging wrinkleness. Perhaps painting better forms will exorcise the ghosts of desperation at hitting middle age. Mmmm...I do admit to it being a very therapeutic exercise and I'm now less inclined to scream when I remove clothing. Ho hum. Plus...I'd forgotten what a challenge it is painting shed loads of bare flesh. Where these particualar paintings will end up is a concurrent countdown conundrum...but...I have fingers in many doodahs and irons in many fires...oooooer, I say no more.
My new best friend Joe Hendry and me have been in dialogue...I sound dead Alan Sugar. We're considering doing some stuff together in a rather groovy new place in Glasgow...I won't say owt else now as it's still in the early planning stage. I'm dead excited...I'm skipping as I type. Thanks Joe for keeping the faith my chum.

I'm still displaying stuff at "Christo's " Gallery in the West End of Glasgow and my stuff is also adorning the walls at "Art Bar" in Brunswick Road Glasgow. Please feel free to go along and have a gander...and...if you feel inclined purchase a pice of "Art"

http://www.christosgallery.com/

http://www.artbarglasgow.com/

I was at the circus the other evening and it was quite an experience. It wasn't immpressive at all...infact it all seemed a tad jaded and slightly sad. I do admire the troop continuing on despite dwindling audiences and constant protests from animal rights bods. "Why are you telling us this?" I hear you ask. Mmmmm...well, along with this circus experience and the stuff I've been reading on "Burlesque" theatre, I feel a new set of paintings forming in my bonce. Have no idea how it'll pan out or even how I'll approach it...but I know something will emerge from it all. A right "circus of burlesque". I will keep you posted...mind it'll have to wait a bit as I've got some commissions to do. Ho hum.

Finally...can I make a huge apology. Apparently a spam dooooings has got hold of my email address book and keeps sending people stuff for viagara. Please accept my sincere apology...I am endeavouring to sort it out.

Thank you for taking the time,

Ivor x

Helloooooo peeps,

T'is I and I'm finally calm from all the recent drama and upheaval.
Plus....I have news....ooooooooooooooooooooer.

Firstly I would like to take the time to say a big fat thank you to David from Park Gallery. Sadly his beloved business is no more....yet another statistic of this horrible economic melt down. I just want every one out there to know what a huge support he was to me over the past year. It was a pleasure doing business with you my friend, us artists have lost a good chum and I've lost somewhere really fun to lurk whilst I'm in Glsagow. Pecker up fella....I'm sure you'll bounce back with even more enthusiasm and, as our American chums say, spunk.

The "Elementals" series of paintings have now been split up and can be seen at two venues. Hurrah!

I am now showing some work at "Christo's" gallery on the Great Western Road...the West End of Glasgow no less. I don't know about you lot but I'm dead impressed. Thank you Louise for taking some of my work...I'm sure it's just the beginning of a beautiful relationship. "Christo's" is a lovely gallery and well worth nipping along to...not just to have a gander at my new stuff though I'd be really chuffed if you would...but because it has a dead friendly atmos and Louise is so welcoming.

http://www.christosgallery.com/

I am also showing at "Art Bar" in Brunswick Street...oooooer yet again...in the Merchant City of Glasgow no less. The really lovely, talented and all round good egg Joe Hendry contacted me and, Bob's yer uncle, I was in. Joe is organising the gallery and getting together some very talented and established artists to show at the venue. It is all very exciting...I've been skipping now for days which isn't good for some one of my great age and with a dodgy hip to boot.......I reckon it'll be a dead dead hip and happenin' laid back and groovy place to exhibit...I can't wait...I think I'll skip some more......

Cheers Joe...you're a star!

Joe and I attended the most fantastic and fabulous "Glasgow Boys" exhibition at the Kelvingrove. I recommend any one who is in Glasgow to go along and see it, it is so bleedin' worth it.
I came away with really mixed emotions. The first was "I'm so unworthy, I really must hang my brush in shame" The second was "where's me board and brush...I need to create!" They were truely great painters...it's a sort of spiritual experience being in the same room as those paintings. I was sooooo humbled. Blimey...I've gone all misty eyed. Mind...it's definitely put me well and truely back on track to start a new series of paintings. I know one that I feel the need to do...it's of the "Green Man"....the geezer who hung about in oak trees in the days of yore. Have no idea as to how it'll develop...but...hey ho...that's part of the fun.

Thank you for taking the time,

Ivor x

Hello my loyal chums,

T'is with great sadness that I write today so please bare with me.

My exhibition of "The Elementals" has been cancelled due to unforseen circumstances. Hopefully I will be able to find another venue soon so that this collection can be viewed.

I'd like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to David at Park Gallery for all his support and help over the past year. It is a huge loss to the Art world and especially me, that his beloved gallery has had to close.
I'd also like to say thank you to Rachel his glamorous assistant.

You will be so missed my chums.

Thank you for taking the time,

Ivor x

Bon morrow my cold damp chums....

T'is supposed to be lovely Spring like weather with gamboling lambs and the budding of fruitfulness and promise...mmmmm...it's about as promising as a damp dishcloth on the draining board of life. Ho Hum.
T'is just as well that I have been locked away like a balding Rapunzel in my studio tower. Me and the weather are as strangers, infact me and the real world are now just passing aquaintances. I've been painting and painting and painting.......................

I am please to say that I am now working on the last piece for the forthcoming "Elementals" exhibition. It's called "Dragons Kiss" ooooer. It's a vague reference to a shape shifting dragon...which, incidentally, there were rather few of. All were blokes to...and all seemed to be shape shifted as a form of punishment or because some other bloke got a bit miffed with them. Enough said...
The paintings seem to have taken on a life of their own and I'm not too sure if they controlled me or I them. I know that sounds like a lorry load of pretentious doodahs...but they have been the most "organic" paintings I have done. It's been quite a challenge to create enough "shape shifting" to inform and still maitain a mood and narative that the viewer can unfold. Hey ho...it's now too late to have all the usual doubts about them as the preview is now less than two weeks away....oooooo...bloody...er.

On 27th May 2010 between the times of 6:00pm and 8:30pm at Park Gallery in Polakshaws Road they will be on show to the world. The past 5/6 months of my life will be there for all to peek at... read about... judge... praise (hopefully)... buy (most certainly)... and enjoy (fingers crossed)
All I can say is please "be kind to my mistakes"

If you have an uncontrollable urge to find out more please feel free to contact David at Park Gallery....he's a most obliging soul and, I have to say, a most patient one...he'd have to be to represent me.....cheers David.

Thank you for taking the time...

Ivor x

www.ivorsexton.co.uk

www.parkgallery.net

Bon morrow and forsooth,

Howdy doooooooody to you my chums, I completely knackered and am fast becoming a shadow of my former self. Mind, this only applies to my emotional state and not the physical as that is expanding so fast I could do a convincing "lookie likie" of John Prescott. Mmmmm....I wonder if there are any school fetes or local supermarkets need opening by a former Deputy P.M.?

The new paintings are going swimmingly well and will soon be ready for public display. It's been a strange old road that I have travelled doing these...I keep floating off into clouds of fantasy trying to imagine what it would be like if one could actually "shape shift". I know I'd most certainly shift this big belly, I'd probably give it to poor and needy. I reckon it's been a kind of cathartic experience painting this series. I've hurtled so bleedin' fast towards the dreaded "middle age" that I've lost my grip on reality....ooooer. I keep looking in the mirror through the hazy smear of vaseline and I don't remember getting to look like that. Ho hum...I think that we would all like to change the way we look in one way or another, it's just that in the old days of the "shape shifter" it was just easier to do. Blimey...."how deep" I hear you cry...but t'is true and I'm sure that I will soon be very accepting of my wrinkles and pot belly....yeah and Katie Price will become a media recluse and Gordon Brown a centre fold for "Play Girl".
If you look back to the days of yore shed loads of strange going ons were put down to "shape shifters"....prime example was the Werewolf, it was far easier for people to believe that such horrendous acts were carried out by a beast than a man. Ho hum...infact...in those days people were constantly changing from one thing into another, the only difference these days is we now use cosmetic surgeons......................mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Verily I say unto you...I reckon I'd much rather have the belief that I could change into anything that I wanted to than go under a knife to achieve it.

"The old days are lost.......and I wondered why?"

Ooooooer....got a tad "deep and meaningful" there...it seems to have past now and I am once again calm. I do apologise, it's so unlike me to be that thoughtful about anything....I used to be able to rely on being witty and ornamental..........

The launch of this series of paintings is on 27th May 2010. It at Park Gallery, 697 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 2AB between 6:00pm-8:30pm and will run for two and half weeks.
Please please please go along and have a gander as I would be internally grateful. I'll also be bodding about at the lauch to have a chin wag with peeps...you can get to see how my shape has shifted ha ha he he.

Thank you for taking the time,

Ivor x

www.ivorsexton.co.uk

www.parkgallery.net

Bon morrow to you all....

T'is Spring and my sap is a rising and I'm feeling perkier than a perky person on the Pinky and Perky show...

Where to start?
Well it's now six week this coming Thursday until my exhibition at Park Gallery Glasgow. It's been a frenzy on activity in my studio I can tell you...my arm is aching and my eyesight is failing. I am now eating, sleeping and dreaming "exhibition". I'm a nightmare to live with and I'm fast on my way to resembling a "Terrorhawk" puppet. By the time the launch happens I'll be a shadow of my former self...people will go from looking at the "gaaaaaawwwwjusssss art ambiance" to a wizened old hobbit in the corner, verily t'is a pooh. Having said all that...............

The new pieces are progressing along rather nicely...I'm truely enjoying creating these images. I seem to be alot more "organic" with the process of painting the "shape shifters"...which is rather apt when you think about it. I'm calling this batch the "Elementals"....mmmmmm...."why?" I hear you cry. I wanted to create some pieces that were not only about change but were part of nature as well. I know it all sounds a tad "artistic" but I reckon that when they're viewed all will become clear. Well, I'm hoping it does or I'll look a total pillock. I think that David from the gallery is a tad anxious...the poor man hasn't seen any of the paintings yet and is trusting to fate at the minute. Courage mon brave...all will be well and, if not, there's always the option to beat me over the head with the frames.......................Hey ho, it's a knife edge existance being creative.
I've learnt shed loads of stuff doing this series...I've been researching "shape shifting" for weeks now and never realised just how universal the concept was. I'm trying to bring the notion bang up to date........mind, I suppose the new culture of endless cosmetic surgery has already done that....look at Katie Price, her knockers have "shape shifted" more times than a werewolf at the fullness of the moon.

Oh well..back to the confines of my studio ambiance, the paintbrush awaits....

Thank you for taking the time....

Ivor x

www.ivorsexton.co.uk

www.parkgallery.net

Bon morrow bon morrow bon morrow,

How are you all my special chums? It is blogging time once more and I'm feeling perkier than a perky person on a perky bus. Spring seems to have arrived finally and it has put a smile on my face.

I've been very busy of late and have managed to sell quite a few paintings. The small "Fairy Tale" series have all been sold. I followed the "Snow Queen" with the "Match Girl" and "Snow White". They were a bit of a seasonal offering and represented the four seasons of the year...hence them being a "seasonal" offering. I know I'm rambling but you'll have to bare with me as I'm practically chained to my artist chair these days and have lost the ability to communicate unless it is through the medium of "the art".....ooooooer. I'm am considering having my paintbrush surgically attached to my hand to cut out the time I have to pick it up upon waking in the morn.
Did I say that "Heathcliff" has gone to a new home?...he is now looking suitably angst upon some ones wall. "Last Days of Summer" has also been given a new abode....I'm really chuffed about that as I so wanted him to go to a good place. Thank you to all my patrons for wanting my images to enhance their establishmnets....I am deeply chuffed.
The prints are also selling quite well and I am now "global"....oooooer...Condaleeza eat your heart out. Apparently my angels are now flying all round Europe....details on how to grab yours are on the website....................

I am exhibiting a new set of paintings at Park Gallery, Glasgow at the end of May...27th to be precise. The concept of this new batch is still ruminating in my bonce. I can see shed loads of scenery...lots of gorgeous women and handsome blokes....people changing into animals, birds and trees....unrequited love....seasonal and symbolic flowers...and lashings of love.
Alongside all of this I will also be endeavouring to produce other images to be displayed in the gallery....I have a very enthusiastic gallery owner called David who's support knows no bounds....cheers David and cheers to Rachel too, his glamorous assistant.

I'm almost finished painting "Houdini and Rosabel"....it's all very unrequited, sensual and romantic. Here's hoping that the finished image lives up to my idea of how it should look. I am very very critical of my own stuff and have been known to go into critical meltdown when I've finished a piece. Thankfully it never lasts too long and my universal compassion and calm return...mind, it may take a smack round the head and some reassuring words...thank you Graham.

I feel the muse calling...thank you for taking the time,

Ivor x

Bon morrow my special chums,

Happy happy happy belated doodahs to you all...yes I know it's late and I know I should of wished you all well before this time....I have no excuse. Well take me out and flog me, I'm incontinent or incompetent...either way I am contrite.

I've been a very busy old artist...I've been painting the Urban Gothic series and am progressing rather well. The "Snow Queen" and "Red Riding Hood" have been sold recently and, I am pleased to say, have gone to a very appreciative home. I'm now working on "The Little Match Girl" as the third of this size of paintings. It's a very sad tale indeed and I'm trying really hard to capture the beauty aswell as the sadness of this particular tale. It is also rather apt as the weather has been baltic and the poor wench did have to squat in doorways lighting matches to keep warm...mmmmmm...I'd of been tempted to set fire to the pillock that had forced me out to flog the damn things in the first place but..hey ho.
There appears to be a pattern forming with these images and all the ladies in question seem to have very distinctive personalities...here's hoping the two that follow are equally as unique.

I've also been painting "Heathcliff" as part of a literary romantic series. I reckon it follows on from the Fairytale and gothic lot....I'm attempting to give thes characters a more "streetwise" image and bring them into the 21st century. Here's hoping I can pull it off...these bods are so well known that every person who's read the books have their own take on what and how they should look...oooooooer.
I need to say a great big thank you to Safi who modelled as Heathcliff. The bloke endured sub artic conditions to squat in a doorway on a Glasgow street and have me point a camera at him. I was wrapped up in coat, gloves and scarf...he was shivering in jeans and baring his chest.

Thank you Safi....you're a star!

I was also commissioned to paint a picture to celebrate 100 years of the Alhambra cinema in Penrith. It's an independent movie theatre and well worth checking out. I hope all who have frequented the venue for the past 100 years appreciate the painting...I had a blast painting it.

www.ivorsexton.co.uk

www.parkgallery.net

Thank you for taking the time...

Ivor x