JULY 2006
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Statement from Bridgeman Art Library.
Sally Broome comes with Eszar, bringing the small wood carving and book of etchings that I bought from her degree show.
Nathan and Rebecca arrive early evening bearing a large silver star helium filled balloon and a beautiful Orchid.
Richard cooks a wonderful meal, the highlight of which is the spinach roulade it makes Nathan and I reminisce about a rather delicious carrot soufflé that R used to make some years ago. Nathan also recalled the pulled and devilled chicken dish (17th century recipe ) that we also haven't had for some time.
Again the day is hot. I lay up two large tables in the garden.
My cousin Neil, his wife Meryl and six year old Harry arrive with my Uncle Les and Vera from London. It is so good having our extended family altogether for this glorious dejeuner sur l'herb (our dear Isaac and the delightful Harry are the star attractions). Neil has come to collect The BET which he has bought for Uncle Les (his Father).
Peter Horne and Anthony Oliver from the Star College appeals office come for lunch for lunch to show us the plans for the new development which are very exciting and to exchange ideas.
Martin Kiszko rings to say thank you for the book which had arrived at his studio. I in turn thank him for the CD of the premiere of his Brunel Cantata. He tells me he's now planning another huge project, this time inspired by Darwin. I ask if he enjoyed Robert's concert and he says that he and Nick were only talking about it yesterday and how marvellous it was. I comment on what a nice unaffected young man Nick Park is and he says yes, he's a person who could have anything he wanted but chooses instead to live in a humble home and drive an old car.
After peter and Anthony had gone we went to see Rita Peters to deliver the corrugated Novice Hurdle painting that she is adding to her now quite extensive collection. Peter, Jenny and Graham (her gang of special friends] are also there and help choose the best position for hanging the work whilst we chat and drink wine.
R goes to the City Museum in Gloucester to help dismantle the exhibition. All the works have to be packed ready to travel.
I send out more invitations to the National Star College arts evening, in between working on the large Hajj paintings; am gradually giving each head more distinction, with varying prayer caps, turbans and head dresses. I also make a tenuous beginning on the third of the Hajj canvases, "Pilgrims" two (Women).
R's at the Museum in the morning collecting the rest of the works ready for returning to the lenders etc. he's very excited in the afternoon as an e mail comes through from Margus of the North saying that he has managed to get sponsorship for the paintings to go to Tallinn to coincide with the Queen's visit to Estonia in October.
Later an e mail from Madge Abbott, Wallace's sister, confirming that she would like to commission a work
Working on the Hajj commissions.
Up at 6 to be ready for 7.25 when Edward comes to collect me for the Bishop's Breakfast. He asks how many people I know on the list and I tell him that apart from him, I don't. It's a bright sunny morning. When we arrive at the GLOSCAT restaurant I'm introduced to professor Patricia Broadfoot the Vice-Chancellor elect of the University, who tells me it was her idea to have an artist amongst their number. I meet Michael Heap, the Chairman of Community and Voluntary Services in Gloucestershire; then Hedley, the Archdeacon, asks if I'd like to join them. Greg Smith the Principal of GLOSCAT is also on our table as is Henry Elwes the Lord Lieutenant Ian Mean, editor of the Citizen and John ... the facilitator. The full English breakfast has been prepared, cooked and served by the student of GLOSCAT in this excellent Restaurant that is run by them.
On the next table sitting with Edward, the Dean and others, is the Chief Constable who gives a most enlightening talk on how Government cuts in finance and the combing of forces will affect them and lower the number of new recruits.
By the end of the Breakfast I've given out quite a few invitations to the National Star College student's arts evening and Ian Mean tells me he will have people there to cover it.
Greg Smith invited me to visit the College and says he will then drive me over to Gloucester to see the campus there.
Later in the day when talking to Marilyn Hogg arranging the return of the corrugated piece we borrowed from her and Peter for the Day at the Races exhibition, she tells me that I got an honourable mention for my paintings in a TV programme on Jackie Collins' home (she owns several of my works).
At about 10 pm, just after we've finished dinner, we get a call from the alarm service telling us that Lyn Horne has fallen. We run down the lane into her house and there she is lying on the floor having fallen downstairs. She's hurt her arm. Eventually we get her into bed - she doesn't want us to call the doctor and she says last time it was a locum from the forest of Dean who knew nothing of her case history, Her daughter Teresa, a nurse, rings whilst we are there and tells Richard that Lyn will know best.
Working on commissions. Send out more Invitations to the National Star College students Arts evening. In the. We go for dinner with Richard and Rose to celebrate her birthday my Mum comes too.
We drive to Castle Combe which has been called the "Prettiest Village in England" to meet the Doctor Emma and Charles Slosberg for tea at the Manor Hotel for tea in the garden with their two children Daniel and Susanna.
Still sending out invitations.
Working on the commissions, particularly pilgrims two (women).
E mail from the Cultural Attaché at the Estonian Embassy re the exhibition in Tallinn during October; the dates appear to be a little earlier than we had thought.
It's the Creative and Performing Arts evening at the National Star College. There are already crowds of people as we arrive for the photography exhibition and I can see Wallace talking to Peter Horne, the Appeals Officer and several of our other guests chatting to students about their work. As usual the standard is really high so I am pleased that we are guided by Sue Bezani in selecting the three award winning students. Two of last year's prize-winners are still students here although Andy Milne who received the first prize went on to study at Gloscat. We move onto the marquee set n their beautiful grounds; progressing through an avenue edged by sculptures on plinths, by the students which makes a stunning entrance. This year's theme for both the performance and the fashion show is Commedia del Arte inspired by a workshop with Ollie Crick. The play has also been written by the students and is beautifully acted. This is followed by the fashion show which is spectacular - amazing, colour, pattern and layering - quite breathtaking. The dance piece, Interpretations of a photocopier was very moving; the students had first performed it at the Everyman theatre in April and more recently taken around to schools. After this there are refreshments, a barbecue and jacket potatoes in the grounds . As dusk falls, fire jugglers begin to perform outside. Finally we assemble back in the marquee for the screening of the 'horror' film Nosforatu 2005 set the Manor and old Farm. There's lots of laughter and audience reaction, it's very funny and it is evident how much the Stars are enjoying it too.
Whole day spent on the Pilgrims (women) It's very hot in my studio so find it easier working at night.
It's a beautiful sunny day of the Senior Residents' Summer Fair and my Mum is manning the plant stall with her friends Olive and Joan. I buy some tomato plants, fuschias and others before moving onto the cakes and bric a brac etc. As usual we leave with a few assorted treasures including a rather nicely carved wooden Canadian Mounted Policeman, a couple of old costume dolls and some old china rose jewellery.
Then we're off to London, where we arrive about a quarter to eight Richard and Kev are going to the Christie's auction tomorrow to look at studio props and furniture for Kev's new design workspace.
We are in time to see Isaac before he goes to bed.
Over supper we discuss the items they are going to be looking at tomorrow.
R drops me off and collects Kev. We receive several phone calls from them discussing the prices and items. The mannequins I've been interested in have gone for little more that I wanted to pay. Also the desk and tables that Kev had his eye on, however they do come back with some most beautiful lithographic posters from the 1930s.
On their return journey they also collected Nathan and Rebecca. We all have supper in the garden and discuss projects and Isaac of course, who is the main attraction. We arrive back home in Gloucestershire at 3 am .
Eddy our builder has just built two red and black brick supports for the Belfast sink. We discuss what he's going to be doing next and decide on finishing the front path off rather than starting digging out the back. R's found some nice turquoise tiles that we will use in a harlequin pattern in the new bathroom.
Call from Lee in New York. We discuss her commission; she also wants a photograph of a work she commissioned in 1999 for an insurance claim. She tells me that she has recently sold a famous statue for $M1.8.
Working on the pilgrim women.
E mail from Karl Monday saying that the paintings have arrived and that Sharron is very pleased with them.
It's the hottest day of the year so far. Again we eat our supper in the garden.
My sister Gill visits after having driven down from Bedford, to take my Mum out for her birthday (tomorrow) lunch.
Working on the commissions. It's swelteringly hot again.
Set out at 9 am for the Star College. It's another beautiful day just right for the Awards Ceremony in the marquee. We go to Helen, the Principal's office for instructions re the prize giving and are given folders with the programme and running order. There are two Brians there, one from the Learning and Skills Council, the other is a governor and trustee of the College who's there with his wife Blanche. Also a representative of the Chelsea Building Society who give a large art cup.
The format has changed slightly from last year; the larger marquee makes it possible for just one ceremony as opposed to the two sittings and the students are now able to come out (mostly in wheelchairs)onto the wooden floor in front of the platform where they can be seen. After a coffee we make our way from the Manor House onto the beautiful lawn with the marquee. It's actually quite cool as the sections of canvas behind the stage have ben removed to give a good backdrop to the photographs of each student as they are being presented with their award. Everyone has been given a bottle of water and we have extra supplies.
It's moving to see each student receiving their Award and to to be able to hear and read ( in the brochure supplied ) at the same time of that particular student's achievements. I imagine they are feeling a pride at these achievements which for some of them will be mingled with a sadness at leaving the College after their three years; they will have made great friends amongst both staff and fellow students.
About halfway through it's my turn to present eleven students with their Awards before the three photography awards that I sponsor. The first prize also receives a silver star badge designed and made for me by Rosina Beach and the bronze sculpture created and cast by Tristram Tyler (Fine Art student at the University of Gloucestershire) these are accompanied by a money prizes with a further two for second and third. The standard of their work has been very high but as I point out in a short speech it also takes into consideration motivation, attendance etc. as well as artistic flair and I am guided by Sue Bezani, head of photography) in the decisions. I'm touched when Elizabeth Rankin who received third prize last year and first this, is overcome by emotion and give her a hug. I'm very pleased that like Andy Milne (last years winner) she had attained a place on the photography course at GLOSCAT. I tell her I might get to see her next term when at Greg Smith (Principal of GLOSCAT)'s invitation I will be shown around the Art & Media campus in Gloucester.
Afterwards I join Richard who is talking to Anne Cadbury next to whom he had been sat during the ceremony. We then go to enjoy the delicious buffet lunch.
It's good to be back at the easel making progress on the Pilgrims, Women painting.
I'm interested to hear on Saturday Review, discussion on the new Jameel Gallery and the exhibition of Islamic art that it now houses at the V&A, the money for which has come from my patron of the Japanese and Saudi Arabian commissions, in memory of his parents and to increase an understanding of Islamic art and culture. They were unanimous in saying how beautiful the new white gallery is and how breathtaking the exhibits are. They include the oldest carpet in the world, which is covered by a very long perspex box (10.5m long) William Morris was hugely impressed when he saw it. A must to visit when in London
My sister Gill visits after having driven down from Bedford, to take my Mum out for her birthday (tomorrow) lunch.
Today was my Mum's 84th birthday. We celebrate with a dinner party for ten. It's a great success, the mix of people is really good and this year includes 89 year old Tommy who looks and behaves in a very much younger way. I'm amazed when I come back after popping over to the studio to collect something to find that he's part way through (in his beautiful Scottish accent ) a five minute recitation, a poem about artificial insemination of cattle. He'd been a prize-winning stockman who'd received awards from both the Queen and the Queen Mother. Much amusing conversation over the dinner table.
Working on the commissions.
Ditto
Henrietta comes back with Isaac.
Call from the art consultants to ask about availability of paintings for a client presentation next week
lovely day with Henrietta and Isaac -paint a little after they are in bed.
Kev's sister Jo and her 4 year old daughter Jenna come to visit Isaac. Jenna keeps me busy touring the house and dressing her up as a Princess. she is a delightful child brimming with imagination and plays mischievously with all her baby cousin's toys.
Henrietta , Isaac and I go into Cheltenham to shop.
Henrietta returns to London with Isaac and also my Mum who is going back for a few days holiday