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