February 2010 Monday 1.2.10 Call from James Huntington Whitely re the possibility of a painting for his World Cup exhibition. Tuesday 2.2.10 E mail from Galerie Alain Blondel enquiring about two particular paintings Phone call during the evening from Jeffrey Burgen of the ACA Galleries re the exhibition in 2011 and the visit they might make here during the summer. There’s also been quite a lot of exchanging of e mails with the Great Roberto and Meurig Bowen of the Cheltenham Music Festival. Wednesday 3.2.10 During the afternoon we go to the National Star College for an update on their appeal and building schedule. The governors have decided to go ahead with the constructing of three of the buildings even though the government’s Learning and Skills Council have reneged on their long promised matching funding for this project and those of many other colleges of further education. Interestingly those that have been funded are mainly in Labour constituencies. I’m really thrilled that one of the three buildings will be the creative arts centre. Thursday 4.2.10 I’ve long had a fascination with mirrors and frequently use them in my paintings. Richard has found a very beautiful arch top Edwardian mirror that I feel might create the illusion of a double doorway. So we are excitedly awaiting its delivery next week. I love the idea of reflections and that mirrors bear witness to ever changing stories as well as adding extra light and magic to any space. Yesterday evening I’d received an e mail from Louise, an A level student, who wants to write about my work in her essay based on religion and art. She asks ‘as a modern artist, how much inspiration do you get from religion and how do you manage to get it into your art work?’ and do I think religious art is dead? But of course I’ve had the privilege of working for people of many creeds and cultures - Jewish, Muslim, Hindu; Methodist Catholic and Anglican and I see every painting as a spiritual journey. And I also have a dear friend who is a goddess of an ancient pagan cult. Friday 5.2.10 Working hard on all fronts in the studio. E mail from Dr Gandhi in New York re his commission. Saturday 6.2.10 Good uninterrupted day in studio. Sunday 7.2.10 Ditto Monday 8.2.10 Ditto Tuesday 9.2.10 Attend inaugural meeting of the Arts and Heritage Group of the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire A very interesting group of people including the writer Stephen Davies (who worked on Brideshead, Ruby, Silent Witness, Waking the Dead and Casualty) his passion is the restoration of the fantastic gothic Woodchester Mansion where young people are also trained in the arts and crafts skills in conjunction with Cirencester College, Gloucestershire College and the University; Margaret Austen who is a lawyer and hosting this meeting, Margaret is on the development board of Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum and is Honorary secretary of Cheltenham Festivals and the Holst Museum; Sir Nicky Mander who wrote the book The Historic Houses of Gloucestershire, he his wife and family live at Owlpen - he’s also very involved in the Victoria History of Gloucestershire; David Brennan whose company restores historic houses and he’s also on the University Council; Mark Heywood whom I had met at the Star College, our next High Sheriff and is ‘passionate’ about our magnificent Gloucester cathedral; the wonderfully enthusiastic Donna Renney, chief executive of Cheltenham Festivals. Quite a lot of initial ground is covered trying to define what the group wants to achieve within the Hon Co Stephen, whom we browbeat into becoming chairman is reporting back to the Court later in the afternoon. Wednesday 10.2.10 After considerable correspondence back to the paints. Thursday 11.2.10 ditto Friday 12.2.10 Mary from BBC Radio Gloucestershire phoned this morning to ask if I will do a live broadcast telephone interviews about The Humans concert on the 20th at St Michael and All Angels. Busy day in the studio. Whilst we are eating supper the doorbell rings. Nobody rings at 9.30; “It can’t be Nathan” I say to Richard but sure enough it is, with Ruth. They have come straight from art directing at Greenford Studios. It’s such a joy to see them, we didn’t think they would be arriving until tomorrow so it’s a wonderful surprise. Saturday 13.2.10 Whilst Nathan and Ruth have popped into Cheltenham Richard makes a birthday cake and puts it in the oven just before we walk down to the village to meet Henrietta, Kev and the little boys en route here, so that I can take them to have their feet measured. They both have beaming smiles and Isaac a new haircut. It seems that both their shoes will fit for a little longer so we don’t need to purchase new ones which makes it all the more embarrassing when Samuel gets off his seat and I spot that there are large pieces of popcorn adhered to his bottom and the smart blue shoe shop chair. The shoe shop ladies are very nice and tell me not to worry about clearing it up. Isaac jumps straight into the push chair we’ve brought down for Samuel so Samuel rides on Richard’s shoulders until we reach the Lane when I encourage him to walk as we all sing “rum diddly um-tum tum-tum” The boys have a wonderful time with Nathan and Ruth, whose games are very energetic, until tea time when they and they exchange belated Christmas presents as they had missed each other here over christmas. The birthday cake is to celebrate Isaac’s 4th birthday tomorrow. Over supper, when the boys are in bed, everyone catches up on news and tells us about the projects etc. that they are working on. Sunday 14.2.10 Nathan comes in with a big bunch of beautiful red and pink roses for Ruth and I explain to Isaac that his birthday is a very special day as it’s the day when people who love each other exchange cards, flowers or gifts. We’d got him a rather wonderful globe showing the animals of the world and their locations. And a beautiful set of building bricks, out of which he and Ruth construct a magnificent city. After lunch we wave good-bye to H, K, I and S who are on their way to Devon for the half term week. R takes my Mum shopping and home. During the evening Nathan shows us some of the sets they’ve been creating, in particular one for Paloma Faith. It was fascinating to see how his original designs which he manipulated around the screen in three dimensions had translated into reality. Interestingly both Paloma Faith and Jamie Cullum (for whom Nathan had made the exploding piano) are going to be appearing at Cheltenham’s Jazz Festival. Monday 15.2.10 I do a short radio interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire about The Humans concert on Saturday either side of which I hear Toyah singing “These boots are made for walking” . We have a nice late breakfast with Nathan and Ruth before they leave. Nathan’s going to try and go to an aircraft museum in Surrey en route to see the plane he will be transforming for a Kate Nash video, whilst Ruth goes to a prop house to select props for the video she’s working on. Tuesday 16.2.10 Busy working in studio. Wednesday 17.2.10 We drive over to Gloucester City Museum for the launch of the collaboration between them and BBC Radio Gloucestershire for the ’History of the World in 100 Objects’ the daily series that Neil McGreggor director of the British Museum is doing on BBC Radio 4. We bump into Louise who curated my last two exhibitions there and are chatting when Mark Hurrell’s pa Chris calls us in to the room where the celebrations are going on. We get a lovely welcome from Mark (Head of BBC Radio Gloucestershire) and Julia and Andrew Fox ( Head of the City Museums) who later in the evening asks when I’m going to be having my next exhibition with them; I’m really touched as Louise also asks the same question. It’s a beautiful Museum and I’ve really enjoyed the two exhibitions I’ve had with them. As at Cheltenham the staff are particularly warm and friendly. I’m particularly thrilled that Mark Hurrell, who I invited with Julia to become Patrons of the Friends Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, had selected Cheltenham’s Ashby piano from the Arts and Crafts collection as one of the ten items representing Gloucestershire’s museums and there’s a particularly amusing part of his speech where he says he really had to argue for its inclusion. They’ve also selected some of Sir Edward Jenner’s cow horns - probably those of Blossom the cow that he took the first serum for his first anti-smallpox vaccination. The lawn mover which was invented in Stroud - the derivative of a similar device was made for cutting the nap from woven baize to cover snooker tables and red cloth for the British Army. Also the wheel from the jet engine developed by Sir Frank Whittle near Gloucester. I’m excited to hear from Louise that the museum has received a large grant from the heritage lottery Fund particularly to develop their educational facilities in this and the Folk Museum. Like Cheltenham it will probably be closed from September until April for the work to be completed. Thursday 18.2.10 Lots of e correspondence re The Humans concert; the Friends legacy leaflet, the Arts & Heritage group of the Hon Co. plus David Bynog, editor of the American Viola Society magazine wanting to reproduce my painted viola on its November edition cover. Friday 19.2.10 Busy working when the phone rings; it’s Robert Sandelson (one of my dealers) who I’d had an e mail from last week. He’s now working with the Hay Hill Gallery from 5a Cork Street and would like me to do a show. He wonders if I can come along and meet Gary. The Echo has a nice photograph of Toyah on the front page superimposed in front of St Michael and All Angels with a heading ‘Why is Toyah at St Michael’s - it’s a mystery” and on page 2 a really neat piece where they interview her on why she is playing here; it is particularly good as there are quotes from her saying they have a close association with me and that she and Robert are Patrons of the Friends of Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. Saturday 20.2.10 Richard picks up a copy of today’s Echo which has more coverage of The Humans and another photograph of Toyah. At about a quarter to seven we set out for the church leaving my Mum in charge of the fire and door opening. We are amazed at the size of the queue. Toyah comes out before the show clutching a hot water bottle as it is very cold. the church is absolutely packed - the tour manager has mistakenly put us in the balcony where the view is rather obscured by the rail. I introduce Patricia and David to Cressida and Charles; Jenny Mead was also there. At 7.30 prompt I’m given a sign to make a short announcement after Robert has stopped turning up. We make our way up to the balcony and Robert starts a beautiful solo soundscape which last for perhaps 10 to 15 minutes then in come The Humans, Toyah in the most stunning dress back rubber long tight sleeved bodice with a silver/black skirt flowing out from the lower hips. The music and her voice are beautifully matched. Bill Rieflin who is drummer with REM is playing bass guitar with Chris Wong on the other bass guitar and Robert Fripp on his own magical instrument. There is a very moving song about her father who sadly died during the summer - lots of mentions of their tour to Estonia which I take a secret pleasure in as it was me who introduced them to Margus Laidre the Estonian Ambassador at the opening of my Day at the Races exhibition at Cheltenham Art Gallery in 2006. The audience are all entranced - including us. This is a new way of singing for Toyah where her voice becomes very instrument-like because she is not competing with drums. It is almost bell-like at times which melds perfectly with the way Robert plays. I worry that she will get too cold but she had told me once they were performing they would warm up. This is a far more ‘high art’ cutting edge experimental music and less athletic than when she performed in Vampires Rock. It’s a brilliant performance which receives a standing ovation to which they respond with two wonderful classic rock songs ‘These Boots Were Made for Walking’ and Jimi Hendrick’s ‘Purple Haze’. Everyone starts arriving back at the house. Toyah asks if they can go over to the studio to see the work as Bill Rieflin’s wife is a surrealist. Bill particularly likes my big monochrome still life. We get Robert to tell the story of when he met Jimi Hendrix who said ‘shake me by the left hand man, it’s closer to my heart.’ They don’t stay for the meal as two of them are suffering from jet lag. Over supper there’s a wonderful story from Charles about the Steinway piano he bought from an auction sale that he’d attended to buy a tractor; a very special piano as Debussy finished composing La Mer. This is of particular interest to Meurig as director of the Cheltenham Music Festival he points out that it’s Debussy’s centenary in 2012 - I comment that Charles ought to give a talk. There’s also an interesting conversation between Rachel and Edward who would like to start a Racecourse choir to celebrate the Racecourse’s centenary next year- it seems as if she will become their choir mistress. Patricia is particularly interested in Charles’ Real Flower Confetti Company and she and Alyson also discuss writers and writers with Cressida who is the biographer of the Garman sisters and has written books including ‘The Happiest Days’ and is also a journalist and reviewer. David, Patricia’s husband,d is wonderfully helpful serving the champagne and helping Richard in the kitchen - he’s a delightful man with a cheeky sense of humour, not only a practitioner, teacher and manager of dentistry he also makes jewellery. Patricia proposes a toast to The Humans. Sunday 21.2.10 To Beverly Hodson and Peter Cottingham’s for lunch where we are again delighted to see Patricia and David also Wallace and Morag Dobbin. Wallace is on the appeal board at the National Star College and we tell Patricia the story of him buying the Wallace and Grommit piece that the great 4 times Oscar winning Nick Park had kindly donated to the Star Art exhibition and auction that I organised a couple of years ago and is now part of the ‘wall of Wallace’ in their home. Morag had purchased the work that Elizabeth Blackadder (the Queen’s painter in Scotland) had painted especially for us and her sister had bought the ‘Babe Rainbow’ by Sir Peter Blake donated by one of my dealers Theo Waddington. Peter has made the most exquisite canapés and other exciting pre luncheon hors d’overs. We have a delicious pepper with sun dried tomato and fennel starter followed by squash in a tomato and olive sauce with a fillet of cod which is Peter’s own handsome, tasty and good for you creation. He had also prepared poached pears and chocolate mousses. The conversation is varied and very witty - some good discussions on church buildings and carvings plus a debate on whether the nave of the church is named after the knaves who sat there or as Patricia suggests nave the latin word for navy and of course as fitting for a vice chancellor of a university she is indeed correct. It’s a lovely afternoon and I am touched that the painting Beverley and Peter bought from my open studio towards the National Star College’s new creative arts centre is on the wall at the end of the table. Wallace tells me how much he likes it and like Beverley is very perceptive in its reading. I’m much honoured as there is also a Barbara Hepworth and Elizabeth Frink in the same room. David comes and sits next to me saying thank you for the concert and supper last night and also points out to me that Patricia is wearing some of his jewellery today; I had been admiring it but then had the opportunity to hold and see it at close quarters when David asks Patricia if she can pass it over. In the centre of the gold necklet is a circular Celtic lovers knot that he had both shaped and engraved thirty years ago but its beauty is timeless. Monday 22.2.10. Working in studio. Tuesday 23.2.10. Visit Heather for a cup of tea, a piece of her delicious lemon and orange drizzle cake and a chat. She’s looking bright and beautiful and has just been working on a very nice indian ink drawing inspired by catwalk models; a lively and vigourous piece as are the two collages she is putting into a charity exhibition at the Gardens Gallery. We also catch up on what has and is happening with the Friends Committee of which Heather is the Chairman. Wednesday 24.2.10 Up to London for the Estonian Independence Day lunchtime celebrations at Claridge’s. Margus is there to greet us. We are in the ballroom and as we make our way through the throng John Beaver(Honorary Consul) calls out ‘hello’. He tells me that he’s recently read my blog of 2006 where I’d talked about him taking us out to one of his favourite drinking holes in Tallinn until the early hours and regaling us with wonderful stories relevant to the country including telling us about Arthur Ransom writing Swallows and Amazons during his time as a spy in Tallinn. Also that Graham Green originally wrote ‘Our Man in Tallinn’ but the publishers decided Havana sounded rather more exciting. After this we go over to 5a Cork Street to meet Robert and Gary to discuss when I can fit in an exhibition with them. They are hoping for mid September through to mid October which is always a nice time of year to have a show. Gary seems to be a very nice man, he and Robert discuss the Rodin sculptures in the gallery - whether we should keep some there during my show to compliment the paintings, or not .We then walk up to the Royal Academy to see the Van Gogh (with letters ) exhibition but there is a long queue and it’s raining so we decide to head off to find some international papers. R notices on for the poster at the front entrance of the RA for the Summer Exhibition that my painting can be seen hung at the end of the wall. Thursday 25.2.10 It’s R’s birthday today; ask him if there’s anything he would like to do but he decides that it would be nice to have the time, particularly as Henrietta, Kev and the boys are coming to celebrate it at the weekend. Nathan is art directing on a shoot in Gran Canaria. He had five large bags probably full of equipment and props to take with him when we spoke on Tuesday as he was packing. We find a very nice letter from Tim saying how pleased they were with The Humans concert and that it raised over £1,000 for St Michael’s Fabric Fund and with Robert’s two previous concerts over £2,000. Friday 26.1.10 Working on projects in progress and some new ideas. Saturday 27.2.10 Phone call from Henrietta. Poor little Samuel had been being sick yesterday, through the night and this morning so they have decided not to come for fear of giving it to us or my Mum. Sunday 28.2.10 We had thought if Samuel was better we might meet halfway but he’s still being sick poor little chap so we are leaving it - which does of course enable me to work on in the studio.

Monday 1.2.10

Call from James Huntington Whitely re the possibility of a painting for his World Cup exhibition.

Tuesday 2.2.10

E mail from Galerie Alain Blondel enquiring about two particular paintings

Phone call during the evening from Jeffrey Burgen of the ACA Galleries re the exhibition in 2011 and the visit they might make here during the summer.

There’s also been quite a lot of exchanging of e mails with the Great Roberto and Meurig Bowen of the Cheltenham Music Festival.

Wednesday 3.2.10

During the afternoon we go to the National Star College for an update on their appeal and building schedule. The governors have decided to go ahead with the constructing of three of the buildings even though the government’s Learning and Skills Council have reneged on their long promised matching funding for this project and those of many other colleges of further education. Interestingly those that have been funded are mainly in Labour constituencies. I’m really thrilled that one of the three buildings will be the creative arts centre.

Thursday 4.2.10

I’ve long had a fascination with mirrors and frequently use them in my paintings. Richard has found a very beautiful arch top Edwardian mirror that I feel might create the illusion of a double doorway. So we are excitedly awaiting its delivery next week. I love the idea of reflections and that mirrors bear witness to ever changing stories as well as adding extra light and magic to any space.

Yesterday evening I’d received an e mail from Louise, an A level student, who wants to write about my work in her essay based on religion and art. She asks ‘as a modern artist, how much inspiration do you get from religion and how do you manage to get it into your art work?’ and do I think religious art is dead? But of course I’ve had the privilege of working for people of many creeds and cultures - Jewish, Muslim, Hindu; Methodist Catholic and Anglican and I see every painting as a spiritual journey. And I also have a dear friend who is a goddess of an ancient pagan cult.

Friday 5.2.10

Working hard on all fronts in the studio.

E mail from Dr Gandhi in New York re his commission.

Saturday 6.2.10

Good uninterrupted day in studio.

Sunday 7.2.10

Ditto

Monday 8.2.10

Ditto

Tuesday 9.2.10

Attend inaugural meeting of the Arts and Heritage Group of the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire A very interesting group of people including the writer Stephen Davies (who worked on Brideshead, Ruby, Silent Witness, Waking the Dead and Casualty) his passion is the restoration of the fantastic gothic Woodchester Mansion where young people are also trained in the arts and crafts skills in conjunction with Cirencester College, Gloucestershire College and the University; Margaret Austen who is a lawyer and hosting this meeting, Margaret is on the development board of Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum and is Honorary secretary of Cheltenham Festivals and the Holst Museum; Sir Nicky Mander who wrote the book The Historic Houses of Gloucestershire, he his wife and family live at Owlpen - he’s also very involved in the Victoria History of Gloucestershire; David Brennan whose company restores historic houses and he’s also on the University Council; Mark Heywood whom I had met at the Star College, our next High Sheriff and is ‘passionate’ about our magnificent Gloucester cathedral; the wonderfully enthusiastic Donna Renney, chief executive of Cheltenham Festivals.

Quite a lot of initial ground is covered trying to define what the group wants to achieve within the Hon Co Stephen, whom we browbeat into becoming chairman is reporting back to the Court later in the afternoon.

Wednesday 10.2.10

After considerable correspondence back to the paints.

Thursday 11.2.10

ditto

Friday 12.2.10

Mary from BBC Radio Gloucestershire phoned this morning to ask if I will do a live broadcast telephone interviews about The Humans concert on the 20th at St Michael and All Angels.

Busy day in the studio.

Whilst we are eating supper the doorbell rings. Nobody rings at 9.30; “It can’t be Nathan” I say to Richard but sure enough it is, with Ruth. They have come straight from art directing at Greenford Studios. It’s such a joy to see them, we didn’t think they would be arriving until tomorrow so it’s a wonderful surprise.

Saturday 13.2.10

Whilst Nathan and Ruth have popped into Cheltenham Richard makes a birthday cake and puts it in the oven just before we walk down to the village to meet Henrietta, Kev and the little boys en route here, so that I can take them to have their feet measured. They both have beaming smiles and Isaac a new haircut. It seems that both their shoes will fit for a little longer so we don’t need to purchase new ones which makes it all the more embarrassing when Samuel gets off his seat and I spot that there are large pieces of popcorn adhered to his bottom and the smart blue shoe shop chair. The shoe shop ladies are very nice and tell me not to worry about clearing it up. Isaac jumps straight into the push chair we’ve brought down for Samuel so Samuel rides on Richard’s shoulders until we reach the Lane when I encourage him to walk as we all sing “rum diddly um-tum tum-tum”

The boys have a wonderful time with Nathan and Ruth, whose games are very energetic, until tea time when they and they exchange belated Christmas presents as they had missed each other here over christmas. The birthday cake is to celebrate Isaac’s 4th birthday tomorrow. Over supper, when the boys are in bed, everyone catches up on news and tells us about the projects etc. that they are working on.

Sunday 14.2.10

Nathan comes in with a big bunch of beautiful red and pink roses for Ruth and I explain to Isaac that his birthday is a very special day as it’s the day when people who love each other exchange cards, flowers or gifts. We’d got him a rather wonderful globe showing the animals of the world and their locations. And a beautiful set of building bricks, out of which he and Ruth construct a magnificent city. After lunch we wave good-bye to H, K, I and S who are on their way to Devon for the half term week. R takes my Mum shopping and home. During the evening Nathan shows us some of the sets they’ve been creating, in particular one for Paloma Faith. It was fascinating to see how his original designs which he manipulated around the screen in three dimensions had translated into reality. Interestingly both Paloma Faith and Jamie Cullum (for whom Nathan had made the exploding piano) are going to be appearing at Cheltenham’s Jazz Festival.

Monday 15.2.10

I do a short radio interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire about The Humans concert on Saturday either side of which I hear Toyah singing “These boots are made for walking” . We have a nice late breakfast with Nathan and Ruth before they leave. Nathan’s going to try and go to an aircraft museum in Surrey en route to see the plane he will be transforming for a Kate Nash video, whilst Ruth goes to a prop house to select props for the video she’s working on.

Tuesday 16.2.10

Busy working in studio.

Wednesday 17.2.10

We drive over to Gloucester City Museum for the launch of the collaboration between them and BBC Radio Gloucestershire for the ’History of the World in 100 Objects’ the daily series that Neil McGreggor director of the British Museum is doing on BBC Radio 4. We bump into Louise who curated my last two exhibitions there and are chatting when Mark Hurrell’s pa Chris calls us in to the room where the celebrations are going on. We get a lovely welcome from Mark (Head of BBC Radio Gloucestershire) and Julia and Andrew Fox ( Head of the City Museums) who later in the evening asks when I’m going to be having my next exhibition with them; I’m really touched as Louise also asks the same question. It’s a beautiful Museum and I’ve really enjoyed the two exhibitions I’ve had with them. As at Cheltenham the staff are particularly warm and friendly. I’m particularly thrilled that Mark Hurrell, who I invited with Julia to become Patrons of the Friends Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, had selected Cheltenham’s Ashby piano from the Arts and Crafts collection as one of the ten items representing Gloucestershire’s museums and there’s a particularly amusing part of his speech where he says he really had to argue for its inclusion. They’ve also selected some of Sir Edward Jenner’s cow horns - probably those of Blossom the cow that he took the first serum for his first anti-smallpox vaccination. The lawn mover which was invented in Stroud - the derivative of a similar device was made for cutting the nap from woven baize to cover snooker tables and red cloth for the British Army. Also the wheel from the jet engine developed by Sir Frank Whittle near Gloucester. I’m excited to hear from Louise that the museum has received a large grant from the heritage lottery Fund particularly to develop their educational facilities in this and the Folk Museum. Like Cheltenham it will probably be closed from September until April for the work to be completed.

Thursday 18.2.10

Lots of e correspondence re The Humans concert; the Friends legacy leaflet, the Arts & Heritage group of the Hon Co. plus David Bynog, editor of the American Viola Society magazine wanting to reproduce my painted viola on its November edition cover.

Friday 19.2.10

Busy working when the phone rings; it’s Robert Sandelson (one of my dealers) who I’d had an e mail from last week. He’s now working with the Hay Hill Gallery from 5a Cork Street and would like me to do a show. He wonders if I can come along and meet Gary.

The Echo has a nice photograph of Toyah on the front page superimposed in front of St Michael and All Angels with a heading ‘Why is Toyah at St Michael’s - it’s a mystery” and on page 2 a really neat piece where they interview her on why she is playing here; it is particularly good as there are quotes from her saying they have a close association with me and that she and Robert are Patrons of the Friends of Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum.

Saturday 20.2.10

Richard picks up a copy of today’s Echo which has more coverage of The Humans and another photograph of Toyah.

At about a quarter to seven we set out for the church leaving my Mum in charge of the fire and door opening. We are amazed at the size of the queue. Toyah comes out before the show clutching a hot water bottle as it is very cold. the church is absolutely packed - the tour manager has mistakenly put us in the balcony where the view is rather obscured by the rail. I introduce Patricia and David to Cressida and Charles; Jenny Mead was also there. At 7.30 prompt I’m given a sign to make a short announcement after Robert has stopped turning up. We make our way up to the balcony and Robert starts a beautiful solo soundscape which last for perhaps 10 to 15 minutes then in come The Humans, Toyah in the most stunning dress back rubber long tight sleeved bodice with a silver/black skirt flowing out from the lower hips. The music and her voice are beautifully matched. Bill Rieflin who is drummer with REM is playing bass guitar with Chris Wong on the other bass guitar and Robert Fripp on his own magical instrument. There is a very moving song about her father who sadly died during the summer - lots of mentions of their tour to Estonia which I take a secret pleasure in as it was me who introduced them to Margus Laidre the Estonian Ambassador at the opening of my Day at the Races exhibition at Cheltenham Art Gallery in 2006. The audience are all entranced - including us. This is a new way of singing for Toyah where her voice becomes very instrument-like because she is not competing with drums. It is almost bell-like at times which melds perfectly with the way Robert plays. I worry that she will get too cold but she had told me once they were performing they would warm up. This is a far more ‘high art’ cutting edge experimental music and less athletic than when she performed in Vampires Rock. It’s a brilliant performance which receives a standing ovation to which they respond with two wonderful classic rock songs ‘These Boots Were Made for Walking’ and Jimi Hendrick’s ‘Purple Haze’.

Everyone starts arriving back at the house. Toyah asks if they can go over to the studio to see the work as Bill Rieflin’s wife is a surrealist. Bill particularly likes my big monochrome still life. We get Robert to tell the story of when he met Jimi Hendrix who said ‘shake me by the left hand man, it’s closer to my heart.’ They don’t stay for the meal as two of them are suffering from jet lag. Over supper there’s a wonderful story from Charles about the Steinway piano he bought from an auction sale that he’d attended to buy a tractor; a very special piano as Debussy finished composing La Mer. This is of particular interest to Meurig as director of the Cheltenham Music Festival he points out that it’s Debussy’s centenary in 2012 - I comment that Charles ought to give a talk. There’s also an interesting conversation between Rachel and Edward who would like to start a Racecourse choir to celebrate the Racecourse’s centenary next year- it seems as if she will become their choir mistress. Patricia is particularly interested in Charles’ Real Flower Confetti Company and she and Alyson also discuss writers and writers with Cressida who is the biographer of the Garman sisters and has written books including ‘The Happiest Days’ and is also a journalist and reviewer. David, Patricia’s husband,d is wonderfully helpful serving the champagne and helping Richard in the kitchen - he’s a delightful man with a cheeky sense of humour, not only a practitioner, teacher and manager of dentistry he also makes jewellery. Patricia proposes a toast to The Humans.

Sunday 21.2.10

To Beverly Hodson and Peter Cottingham’s for lunch where we are again delighted to see Patricia and David also Wallace and Morag Dobbin. Wallace is on the appeal board at the National Star College and we tell Patricia the story of him buying the Wallace and Grommit piece that the great 4 times Oscar winning Nick Park had kindly donated to the Star Art exhibition and auction that I organised a couple of years ago and is now part of the ‘wall of Wallace’ in their home. Morag had purchased the work that Elizabeth Blackadder (the Queen’s painter in Scotland) had painted especially for us and her sister had bought the ‘Babe Rainbow’ by Sir Peter Blake donated by one of my dealers Theo Waddington. Peter has made the most exquisite canapés and other exciting pre luncheon hors d’overs. We have a delicious pepper with sun dried tomato and fennel starter followed by squash in a tomato and olive sauce with a fillet of cod which is Peter’s own handsome, tasty and good for you creation. He had also prepared poached pears and chocolate mousses. The conversation is varied and very witty - some good discussions on church buildings and carvings plus a debate on whether the nave of the church is named after the knaves who sat there or as Patricia suggests nave the latin word for navy and of course as fitting for a vice chancellor of a university she is indeed correct. It’s a lovely afternoon and I am touched that the painting Beverley and Peter bought from my open studio towards the National Star College’s new creative arts centre is on the wall at the end of the table. Wallace tells me how much he likes it and like Beverley is very perceptive in its reading. I’m much honoured as there is also a Barbara Hepworth and Elizabeth Frink in the same room. David comes and sits next to me saying thank you for the concert and supper last night and also points out to me that Patricia is wearing some of his jewellery today; I had been admiring it but then had the opportunity to hold and see it at close quarters when David asks Patricia if she can pass it over. In the centre of the gold necklet is a circular Celtic lovers knot that he had both shaped and engraved thirty years ago but its beauty is timeless.

Monday 22.2.10.

Working in studio.

Tuesday 23.2.10.

Visit Heather for a cup of tea, a piece of her delicious lemon and orange drizzle cake and a chat. She’s looking bright and beautiful and has just been working on a very nice indian ink drawing inspired by catwalk models; a lively and vigourous piece as are the two collages she is putting into a charity exhibition at the Gardens Gallery. We also catch up on what has and is happening with the Friends Committee of which Heather is the Chairman.

Wednesday 24.2.10

Up to London for the Estonian Independence Day lunchtime celebrations at Claridge’s. Margus is there to greet us. We are in the ballroom and as we make our way through the throng John Beaver(Honorary Consul) calls out ‘hello’. He tells me that he’s recently read my blog of 2006 where I’d talked about him taking us out to one of his favourite drinking holes in Tallinn until the early hours and regaling us with wonderful stories relevant to the country including telling us about Arthur Ransom writing Swallows and Amazons during his time as a spy in Tallinn. Also that Graham Green originally wrote ‘Our Man in Tallinn’ but the publishers decided Havana sounded rather more exciting.

After this we go over to 5a Cork Street to meet Robert and Gary to discuss when I can fit in an exhibition with them. They are hoping for mid September through to mid October which is always a nice time of year to have a show. Gary seems to be a very nice man, he and Robert discuss the Rodin sculptures in the gallery - whether we should keep some there during my show to compliment the paintings, or not .We then walk up to the Royal Academy to see the Van Gogh (with letters ) exhibition but there is a long queue and it’s raining so we decide to head off to find some international papers. R notices on for the poster at the front entrance of the RA for the Summer Exhibition that my painting can be seen hung at the end of the wall.

Thursday 25.2.10

It’s R’s birthday today; ask him if there’s anything he would like to do but he decides that it would be nice to have the time, particularly as Henrietta, Kev and the boys are coming to celebrate it at the weekend. Nathan is art directing on a shoot in Gran Canaria. He had five large bags probably full of equipment and props to take with him when we spoke on Tuesday as he was packing. We find a very nice letter from Tim saying how pleased they were with The Humans concert and that it raised over £1,000 for St Michael’s Fabric Fund and with Robert’s two previous concerts over £2,000.

Friday 26.1.10

Working on projects in progress and some new ideas.

Saturday 27.2.10

Phone call from Henrietta. Poor little Samuel had been being sick yesterday, through the night and this morning so they have decided not to come for fear of giving it to us or my Mum.

Sunday 28.2.10

We had thought if Samuel was better we might meet halfway but he’s still being sick poor little chap so we are leaving it - which does of course enable me to work on in the studio.