NOVEMBER 2006
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30
Call from Brian saying they have someone who would like to come and see 14th March. I suddenly remember it's at the art consultants in London as they have a firm who are interested but have still not made a decision. So end up asking them if they can send it by courier to Nathan's where Richard collects it later in the evening.
We set out early afternoon and arrive in Stow to visit long time friend Sharon, who now has The Fosse Gallery. We sit and chat while she tells us about all the exciting new projects she is hoping to do. Brian arrives shortly after as we've arranged to meet him there to give him 14th March. Whilst we are in the gallery we get an e mail from the Chelsea Arts Club who have decided they would like to use an image of my painting The Bar on their Christmas card. When we get back in the car I give them a ring, then it's on to Chenderit.
It's a nice gallery which soon fills up with people; amongst the guests I'm especially pleased to see Lisa from the Open Museum in Leicestershire and to meet many of Wallace's friend's. Suddenly it's time for me to give the talk. They are a good and attentive audience and as usual I run over time. Afterwards we go back to Wallace's house where he has kindly laid on a feast for us all. Wallace is a passionate collector who goes without a lot of things (like central heating)to enable him to further his collecting. I show Lisa around the paintings but there are also collections of art deco ceramics, Clarice Cliffe and Poole pottery. Also beautiful first edition books on birds etc. We leave just after midnight.
Back at the easel.
We drive up to Oxford to visit my dear friend Jane in the Radcliffe Hospital. It's somehow strange to see this wonderfully rebellious ally from my youth wired up, on a drip and looking vulnerable but still demanding a glass of wine and a fag!
Working on the Cantilever commission.
R drives to Chenderit as I felt the exhibition was a little overcrowded - I'd sent too many works so he brings a couple back. Meanwhile I'm working on the commission and praying. Mid evening e-mail from Roy to say Jane's operation to remove a large brain tumour has been successful and that she is conscious, laughing again and asking for a cigarette! big sigh of relief and thank you prayer.
R takes the paintings borrowed for the Estonian exhibition back to Robert and Toyah's.
Phone call from Brian Sinfield wanting images to show a client.
Another from Evelyn at the Chelsea Arts Club asking about the credit line for the christmas card they are producing, using THE BAR (the profits will be going to the Artists' Benevolent Fund and the Club's fund which sponsors student bursaries etc.).
Catherine from the art consultants rings early evening inquiring as to time scale and cost of possible commission.
Up late working on the Cantilever commission.
Simon and Caroline arrive to see their painting at 7.15; luckily they are pleased with it. I am always concerned as I know Simon sometimes worries so quite expect an e-mail in the morning after they have scrutinised the photograph R has given them to take away.
E-mail from Caroline and Simon! a couple of small amendments!
The results of the American elections that took place yesterday have given the Democrats the Senate and the House of Representatives. It's the first time I've ever heard President Bush sounding a little humble. Rumsfeld has resigned as it's obviously a sign that the American people are not pleased about the situation and policy in Iraq. Hopefully they will do something to try and counteract the terrible civil conflict that now exists in Iraq.
Frantically finishing off the Cantilever painting Night Life for R to take to the photographers to have the transparency made for the printers. Shortly after he leaves the phone rings; it's Rick Rumbell who's in London for meetings but has to fly back to Saint Augustine to be an expert witness early and a trial lawyer later in the week. We discuss news and then the American elections. He thinks that Bush should remove all the troops and give all the Iraqis a Ford or Chevrolet as a gift, which would boost America's employment and help counter balance the deficit the war has caused!
Catherine from the Art Consultants rings, wanting to arrange collection of one of the paintings to show their client.
Work on the Karl Monday horse commission.
Hear an interesting obituary on Last Words ( BBC RADIO 4 ) on the sculptor, model maker Alistair Bowtell who used to be Chairman of the Chelsea Arts Club. One of two people talking about him is the current Chairman, Don Grant.
It's Remembrance Sunday when we recall those who fought and those who died in past or current wars. During the first world war my maternal Grand Father and two of his fellow soldiers were injured one in the leg the other in the stomach and he in the head by the same shell. He only survived because he pulled on his balaclava to arrest the bleeding (the piece of shell had gone through his skull ) as he walked to the first aid post. When a child my Mother used to ask to feel the hole (the size of a 50 pence) over which the skin and hair had grown back. My paternal grand mother lost her first husband (father to my Father's older brother Bert) . Her second husband the Granddad I never knew's ship was torpedoed he survived but his hair turned white. My father who was a 21 year old warrant officer in the RAF during the second world war. His crew had to fly all weathers to collect data for meteorological reports. Sadly he lost one of his friends when his plane flew into the side of a mountain during bad weather.
Nice call from Sallie Thomas, one of my collectors; interestingly discover that her father, one of the foremost clock experts in Europe, knows Brian Sinfield well. Also discover that they own some of the primitive Bryan Pearce's work which they have loaned to the Tate.
Today we have a visitation from three Japanese ladies; Naoko who is a friend of Nathan's from the Slade, her mother and sister who are staying with her for a week. Richard explores some of Cheltenham with them before bringing them back for a meal. My Mum also joins us as she knows Naoko too.
R takes the big newspaper work up to the International Art Consultants for them to show to a client who is considering a commission. Meanwhile I am working on the Souk.
We leave at about 10.30 for Chenderit, calling at the Fosse Gallery, Stow on the Wold en route to deliver the little Punch and Judy painting for their Christmas exhibition. We get to meet Alice, Sharon's daughter, for the first time and are delighted that before we leave Nestor my friend of many years (Sharon's mother) comes in to gallery sit whilst Sharon takes Alice to an appointment. We realise that it's nearly ten years since we saw each other last.
When we get to Chenderit we are met by the art teacher who brings in a large group of AS and A level sixth form students. They are a good audience as are the two female members of staff from the art department. It's interesting to be in the gallery in daylight. They offer us a late lunch but we decide to drive straight on to Jane K and Roy's. I'm so pleased when Jane comes out to meet us looking marvellous after her recent operation. We laugh a lot and chatter and Roy brings out some old photographs. I comment on how stunning Jane looks in them.
We're back home by 7.30 so I'm able to commence work on the Souk
E mail from International Art Consultants saying that they have another client interested in a newspaper painting.
I'm doing some finishing off on another small painting for Karl and Sharron Monday.
In the evening a call from Wallace who has decided that even thought he's commissioned a work, he would also like to have the Desert Lion
Wallace phones Again. He's been thinking about the Punch & Judy painting ever since he first saw it before the exhibition and has decided he must have it!
E mail from Evelyn at the Chelsea Arts Club thanking me for letting them use the image of THE BAR on the Christmas card and asking if I would like some of them.
Brian phones about prospective commission for a client who recently bought one of my works from him on the secondary market. We discuss size, subject matter and price.
R's very pleased as last week he discovered some red tile rejuvenating polish for the old reclaimed tiles we have had laid all through the ground floor of the new part of the house - he has been doing a few more each day. So this evening he was exited when he discovered that the polish also comes in black - the tiles are black and red chequers with some arrangements of Godwin gothic revival tiles (1850's) in the ante room and lower studio.
E mail from Number 9 The Gallery asking if The Black Headed Gull or The Hottest Day are still available as they had an enquiry but both have long gone. Robert Sandelson sold The Hottest Day and The Black Headed Gull is in a public collection.
I'm painting brightly coloured and patterned enamel coffee pots on the outer edges of the Souk painting. We were fascinated to see these in the Museums and in the desert where the camel milk proffered to us by the Bedou herdsman was in bowl of the same beautiful graduated orange and white enamel. I've so enjoyed working on these paintings I will be sad when I finish.
I'm now beginning to think of my schedule for 2008 and Michele had mentioned to Richard that she particularly liked the Arabian paintings so I'm hoping to have painted some for my next exhibition at Galerie Alain Blondel.
There has been much in the news over the last few days about Bury Council selling a Lowry from their Art Gallery's collection (originally bought by them for £175) at auction for £1,500,000 to help cover a M£12 shortfall in the Council's budget. Many people feel that the loss of such a work just to make a quick buck to cover their own incompetence is wrong. It's a topic of big debate with Museums, whether selling off part of a community's collection, something that enriches those who take advantage of the wonderful facility that local museum and art galleries give,( and of course the asset would have just kept on growing) should be allowed. It is to be hoped that the Lowry estate gains its 4% droite de suite. This isn't just an elitist thing wanting museums to hang onto artworks for the benefit of the few; very ordinary voices were on the news expressing their disappointment and sadness at losing a painting they personally identified with. Most art galleries and museums start out (like the Royal West of England Academy ) being a collection that is the gift of a benefactor who wants to enrich his or her community. At the RWA it was Ellen Sharples, in Cheltenham it was Baron de Ferriers who left a lot of Dutch paintings to the town. Artists in their turn usually sell their works to museums for very low prices, knowing that the purchase budgets are miniscule or non existent. But I'm sure they will be reluctant if they think it's a make money quick investment for the local council.
Another call from Sallie Thomas who would like to commission a bigger Madonna and Child.
The tiles that R has been using the magic polish on are now looking beautiful. I had been quite disappointed that they had not washed up very well but they now look restored to their original glory though better than that with the enhancement of age.
R meets Mike from the Highworth Press in Cirencester as the proofs that Mike sent on Thursday for the Cantilever Christmas card have still not arrived. He also gives him a couple of the Chelsea Arts Club cards which are now available. They come in packs of 10 for £3.50 from Evelyn at the Arts Club, e mail or Telephone 020 737-63311 (international: +44 20 737-63311). All the proceeds go to the Artists' General Benevolent Institution and the Chelsea Arts Club Trust (which sponsors student bursaries etc.)
Wallace calls to tell me that there was a write-up with several reproductions on the back page of the Banbury Times.
Most of the day spent painting rugs and sandals in the Souk but in the evening I continue to refine Karl Monday's horses.
R speak to Alain confirming that I will do an exhibition at Galerie Alain Blondel during 2008. Alain comments that it seems a long way off but I don't think I dare schedule it sooner.
Hear a little item on choristers on Radio 4 which mentions how difficult it is for choir schools. The Abbey School, Tewkesbury where Nathan was a pupil is mentioned as it is having to amalgamate with another school to survive.
Wednesday 22.11.06
Phone call from Lee in Puerto Rico where she and Jim are celebrating Thanksgiving, she invites us to go and suggests February when we can overlap and have a couple of days with them and a couple on our own; it's such a sweet gesture I don't have the heart to tell her that my wonderful list of commissions is now so long that I can't see us ever getting away for something that isn't family or work. However I did warn her that I think it's doubtful that I will get the commission finished in time to send to New York for Hanukkah.
International Art Consultants seem to be buzzing at the moment. Today we had a third request for images; this time to be shown to a client in Paris.
Thursday 23.11.06
R goes to the Fosse Gallery to deliver the Little Sweetshop painting that I've made to replace the Punch and Judy which Wallace is adding to his collection
We had been invited to go to Shadowed by the composer Martin Kyschko at the Arnolfini as part of the Bristol Film Festival but sadly, due to finishing the painting off, we had to decline the invitation.
Up very early to go to the Racecourse for the Bishop's Breakfast in today's presentation three members suggest we should have a specific aim to achieve, debate and action on climate change and the environment. Others thought we should also focus on the family or the more spiritual aspects of the community - it's changing age - increasing number of pensioners and a shrinking number of workers.
Paper arrives from Wallace - the back page is taken up with an article and reproductions from the Chenderit exhibition, including the three dimensional piece In the palm of his hand, Manga, The Adoration, and much to Wallace's glee they have also reproduced The Angel and the Desert Lion.
Brian Sinfield rings; his client has commissioned a work with similar proportions to the one she purchased recently from the gallery (on the secondary market).
Working on the Souk.
ditto
The Sunday Times launches its Christmas Appeal which is for Sightsavers International 'Seeing is Believing' appeal with a big article in the Magazine by A A Gill. This is the charity for which the large newspaper painting we donated to the Seeing is Believing auction by Standard Chartered Bank earlier in the year, fetched over £19,000 which gave back sight to over 1,400 people. Which shows that these operations are comparatively cheap and that a little money given goes a long way to restoring vision and changing lives.
R has now cut and primed the boards for the two new frames, one of which will be the new commissioned Madonna and Child for Sallie Thomas. I like to have two options so that I can consider which looks best. Although each frame varies in width the outside measurement is the same.
R collects Henrietta and Isaac from London. Whilst I continue work on the Souk. Isaac now crawls ; it's fascinating to observe the wonderful co-ordination of this tiny nine month old boy as he navigates and manoeuvres himself at great speed around the house.
R has now given the two new frames and boards their final ground of gesso (after sanding between the five coats). This perfect primer is a polymer solution thick with marble dust and plaster. I'm now able to start the larger Madonna and Child.
Professor Ken rings; it's such a joy to hear him. They are back from New Zealand albeit temporarily they return next week - there isn't time to meet up - we spend an hour or so exchanging news.
Wednesday 29.11.06
R looks at the Fosse Gallery's web site and is pleased to see that The Sweetshop has sold before the exhibition opens on Sunday. We mull over the possibility of trying to take something else to them, which would mean removing a painting from somewhere else! We e mail Sharon to see if she would like another work.
Thursday 30.11.06
Reply from the Fosse saying "Yes please." so R sets out to Chenderit to collect Circus and Supper.
A shorter burst in the studio after taking Henrietta, my Mum and Isaac
for lunch at the little cafe next to the bookshop. Afterwards we browse
Courtyard books where Henrietta orders a book which they will try and have
sent directly to her; it is the first time they have tried this!