January 2010 Wednesday 6.1.10 Richard would have been driving up to London today to deliver prints and paintings but as the roads around Oxford are closed and Gloucestershire Police have said not to drive unless it is essential, we’ve decided against it. Our printer arrives, the other one having broken down last weekend. The Parcel Force driver has managed to make it through the snow and says that the main roads have been gritted , its the smaller ungritted roads that are really difficult. I had noticed through my studio window a British Gas man yesterday having great trouble driving up the Lane to turn into the drive of an elderly resident and we were impressed by how much effort he had made to get there. The children love it - I watched one Mum with two small boys pulling them along on two sledges behind her. Thursday 7.1.10 I’m busy working in the top studio when Wallace phones to say ‘Happy New Year’ and have a chat. I’m working on a commission for his sister Madge which they will all be coming to see at the end of the month. Friday 8.1.10 The big freeze is still on so the temperature at night is dropping and the snow isn’t diminishing. Went over to check out the studio across the Lane - it was looking a bit sorry for itself with numerous holes in the walls where paintings had hung for the open studio for the National Star College - but cheering to see all the red spots on the labels which R had left up on purpose. He’s going to fill the holes and repaint for me. He also digs out three starts of paintings that I’d made a couple of years ago and put to one side, in the hope that I will recommence. Saturday 9.1.10 R’s painted a wall in the room next to the kitchen yellow; we’ve been considering the idea for some time and are surprised how well the paintings look against it and the small console table that he had made a year or two ago. It feels surprisingly warm and cheerful. Vincent van Gogh said that yellow was the colour of happiness and I feel inclined to agree. We decide we like it so much that two of the other walls in there should also be yellow. It also picks up the old yellow in the Godwin Victorian gothic floor tiles. Sunday 10.1.10 Poor Nathan has had someone crash into his stationary van - he says it was very icy. Monday 11.1.10 Continue working in the blissful quietness of the snow clad upper studio. Tuesday 12.1.10 ditto Nathan rings to see if we are going up tomorrow and says that the Police actually witnessed the party that had crashed into his hired van and the van company said they had arrested him. Feel great distress at the terrible news of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. It has suffered other recent disasters such as the storms and hurricanes in 2008 which left 800 people dead. This earthquake is going to affect over 3 million people. Wednesday 13.1.10 It’s Samuel’s 2nd birthday and we are very disappointed not to be there to share in it due to still being surrounded by snow and ice. When I phone to speak, they are tobogganing in Greenwich Park. So we’ll go up next week instead, although not sure that Nathan will be able to make it as he will be working on another Arctic Monkeys music video. Thursday 14.1.10 I’m rather pleased to find an e mail on my Blackberry from the Big Give, who say that they will again double donations to charities registered with them who are giving aid to the poor people of Haiti. I usually do it through the Bank but the doubling aspect seems far more appealing. My first thought is for the Red Cross , then we notice Action Aid through whom we have sponsored children for over twenty five years. We also read about the amazing inflatable hospital that Medicine Sans Frontiers are sending, with 100 beds and an operating theatre - it sounds incredible. We eventually end up making the donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee which will benefit thirteen of the charities working in Haiti, including the Red Cross, Action Aid, Help the Aged, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Islamic Aid etc. Friday 15.1.10 Am pleased we made our donation through the Big Give to the DEC before the end of the day as the doubled funding has now ended but of course all these charities can be supported through the BBC Appeal or at post offices and banks. However small the amount, it will help. Aid from numerous countries has arrived in Haiti but distribution of food and water etc. is proving difficult. A group of British firemen dug out a two year old infant from the rubble today - its face lit up at the sight of its mother. Very many will have perished and others are likely to die from their injuries, lack of treatment or lack of food, water and facilities. Saturday 16.1.10 Working on all fronts in the studio. Sunday 17.1.10 Snow clearing. Just about to start work when I notice e mail on my Blackberry from Suzanne apologising for the delay but saying they are excited about the painting and construction that they saw in my studio last July and when could they come and collect them. I reply that we will be away in London for part of next week so she enquires whether we could deliver them en route. But as we are going to be loaded up to the gunnels (mainly with things for Henrietta and Kev that had been stored here whilst awaiting their move, I say that Richard could deliver them towards the end of the week. Monday 18.1.10 I go out to wave Richard off and find myself tidying up the pots in the garden; i probably spend an hour or so and am heartened to see new green shoots coming up through the warm earth as i remove the dead leaves and stalks. It's always fascinating that the cycle continues year after year although it does bring home how terrible it must be for the Haitians to have lost everything. harrowing stories on the news each day with continuing stories of trying to distribute the aid Tuesday 19,1,10 We're off to London at midday after sending a cheque to the National Star College for the remaining amount made from the sale of the miniatures and paintings I did for the Open Studio towards the new creative arts centre. En route i phoned Brian Sinfield's gallery and Pippa tells me that she and her husband Dominic have bought 'Bonjour' the small corrugated newspaper painting. I'm really touched. We arrive in Greenwich about 4.30 and as I open the car door I can hear the squeals from Isaac and Samuel as they stand on the doorstep of their new home with Henrietta. It's a lovely terraced house with three bedrooms so the boys have one each. Isaac takes me up to show me his room on the top floor - there's a distant view of Canary Wharf and the Thames Barrier through his window. Samuel's is next door and a little smaller, with Henrietta and Kev's to the other side. Richard's job is going to be hanging all the pictures and a large mirror over the fireplace so after Kev's return and supper we walk round with them looking for the best walls for each. Wednesday 20.1.10 I look after Samuel whilst richard takes Henrietta shopping then drops her at the pool for a swim. When he returns we put on our hats and coats and walk with Samuel up to meet Isaac at his nursery school. Samuel's very happy to walk with intermittent skipping and a wide legged variation punctuated by either dropping his bear, hat popping off or a short sit on the pavement after a stumble. We are really pleased as we get there in good time and before Henrietta arrives. We meet Johnny, Frank's dad, who says that Juliet who is currently doing her teaching practice is doing a lesson on CD covers and is going to use the work I've done for King Crimson. After lunch R hangs the pictures whist I entertain the boys and try to put up some wall charts in Isaac's room. Isaac has become quite territorial about his room into which Samuel is always desperate to get. We leave at about 9pm and are pleased and surprised to be back by midnight. There are messages on the phone from Brian Sinfield and James Huntington Whitely, who wonders if i might have painting for his World Cup exhibition in the summer, for which he has some sponsorship. Thursday 21.1.10 Back in the studio. Phone call from Stephen Davis re setting up the Arts and Heritage group for the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire and to see if I can make a meeting on the 9th February Friday 22.1.10 R drives up to London to deliver Jazzamattazz and the Chicago Jazz Club Monday 25.1.10 R’s gone to meet Meurig and Andy Ginn at Gloucestershire College to see if it would be suitable as a venue for Robert Fripp and Theo Travis’ performance as part of the Music Festival. I’ve been working towards this for several years; Robert had always said that he would perform there when my big commission was installed if he wasn’t on tour. It has also been Andy’s dream since my first visit to the old campus so it seemed a wonderful rounding off when Meurig suggested it might be good to combine the unveiling with the performance during their later discussions with Greg (the Principal). Meanwhile I’m working on the commission. Just after R returns Joyce arrives with Lara’s print for me to sign; it’s always good to see Joyce. We sit and chat whilst Richard puts the print in its mount and frame. Tuesday 26.1.10 E mail from Sue saying that she ‘Love, Love, Loves’ their new paintings and that Rob s thrilled too. And one from Greg saying he also thinks it would be good to combine the unveiling of their big painting with Robert and Theo’s performance. A wonderful invitation from Margus to Estonian Independence Day celebrations in London and also telling me that he had been in discussions with Mr Aimar Jugaste of the Vaal Galerii re my exhibition there in April. Wednesday 27.1.10 E mail from the great Roberto in ‘hotel modesto’ saying that all the arrangements for his Festival performances sound good and he will contact Theo re paragraphs for the programme. Thursday 28.1.10 Another e mail from the Great R re the Festival performances and one from Bob Sims re the performance by The Humans. Whilst working in the studio receive phone call from Wallace re their visit at the weekend to collect Madge’s completed commission. Friday 29.1.10 A sixteen year old girl was rescued two weeks after the earthquake in Haiti. She’s been in the bathroom at the time of the quake and survived by drinking bath water. There have been others rescued during this time including an eighty four year old woman and a twenty six year old man who is thought to have been trapped during an after shock. The big problem now is that there are not enough tents to house all the survivors and more need to be manufactured. The scale of this disaster is almost beyond comprehension but it has been heartening to hear of all the wonderful work by doctors and rescue workers plus the huge public response in donations - the last figure I heard some time ago for the UK was over forty million pounds which seemed to double the amount pledged by the Government (which also comes from us the taxpayers). Saturday 30.1.10 Nice letter from Helen, Principal of the Star College, saying thank you for the cheque as balance of proceeds of my open studio. Work on Madge and Eamonn’s till 4am. Sunday 31.1.10 Do another hour or two on the commission before they arrive with Wallace. We chat for a while before I take them over to the studio to see the painting. Madge had seen it very early in its progress and Wallace also saw it at the end of September but Eamonn has not seen it at all. I’m always concerned that I have made a painting that is commissioned feel right for the commissioners and I am delighted that they are so happy with it. I always feel it is a huge responsibility. It’s good chatting over an early dinner. I give Wallace a copy of the CD of Richard Arnell’s ‘Punch and the Child’ that has a reproduction on the cover of my Punch and Judy painting Father and Son which Wallace owns.

January 2010

Wednesday 6.1.10

Richard would have been driving up to London today to deliver prints and paintings but as the roads around Oxford are closed and Gloucestershire Police have said not to drive unless it is essential, we’ve decided against it.

Our printer arrives, the other one having broken down last weekend. The Parcel Force driver has managed to make it through the snow and says that the main roads have been gritted , its the smaller ungritted roads that are really difficult. I had noticed through my studio window a British Gas man yesterday having great trouble driving up the Lane to turn into the drive of an elderly resident and we were impressed by how much effort he had made to get there. The children love it - I watched one Mum with two small boys pulling them along on two sledges behind her.

Thursday 7.1.10

I’m busy working in the top studio when Wallace phones to say ‘Happy New Year’ and have a chat. I’m working on a commission for his sister Madge which they will all be coming to see at the end of the month.

Friday 8.1.10

The big freeze is still on so the temperature at night is dropping and the snow isn’t diminishing.

Went over to check out the studio across the Lane - it was looking a bit sorry for itself with numerous holes in the walls where paintings had hung for the open studio for the National Star College - but cheering to see all the red spots on the labels which R had left up on purpose. He’s going to fill the holes and repaint for me. He also digs out three starts of paintings that I’d made a couple of years ago and put to one side, in the hope that I will recommence.

Saturday 9.1.10

R’s painted a wall in the room next to the kitchen yellow; we’ve been considering the idea for some time and are surprised how well the paintings look against it and the small console table that he had made a year or two ago. It feels surprisingly warm and cheerful. Vincent van Gogh said that yellow was the colour of happiness and I feel inclined to agree. We decide we like it so much that two of the other walls in there should also be yellow. It also picks up the old yellow in the Godwin Victorian gothic floor tiles.

Sunday 10.1.10

Poor Nathan has had someone crash into his stationary van - he says it was very icy.

Monday 11.1.10

Continue working in the blissful quietness of the snow clad upper studio.

Tuesday 12.1.10

ditto

Nathan rings to see if we are going up tomorrow and says that the Police actually witnessed the party that had crashed into his hired van and the van company said they had arrested him.

Feel great distress at the terrible news of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. It has suffered other recent disasters such as the storms and hurricanes in 2008 which left 800 people dead. This earthquake is going to affect over 3 million people.

Wednesday 13.1.10

It’s Samuel’s 2nd birthday and we are very disappointed not to be there to share in it due to still being surrounded by snow and ice. When I phone to speak, they are tobogganing in Greenwich Park. So we’ll go up next week instead, although not sure that Nathan will be able to make it as he will be working on another Arctic Monkeys music video.

Thursday 14.1.10

I’m rather pleased to find an e mail on my Blackberry from the Big Give, who say that they will again double donations to charities registered with them who are giving aid to the poor people of Haiti. I usually do it through the Bank but the doubling aspect seems far more appealing. My first thought is for the Red Cross , then we notice Action Aid through whom we have sponsored children for over twenty five years. We also read about the amazing inflatable hospital that Medicine Sans Frontiers are sending, with 100 beds and an operating theatre - it sounds incredible. We eventually end up making the donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee which will benefit thirteen of the charities working in Haiti, including the Red Cross, Action Aid, Help the Aged, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Islamic Aid etc.

Friday 15.1.10

Am pleased we made our donation through the Big Give to the DEC before the end of the day as the doubled funding has now ended but of course all these charities can be supported through the BBC Appeal or at post offices and banks. However small the amount, it will help. Aid from numerous countries has arrived in Haiti but distribution of food and water etc. is proving difficult. A group of British firemen dug out a two year old infant from the rubble today - its face lit up at the sight of its mother. Very many will have perished and others are likely to die from their injuries, lack of treatment or lack of food, water and facilities.

Saturday 16.1.10

Working on all fronts in the studio.

Sunday 17.1.10

Snow clearing.

Just about to start work when I notice e mail on my Blackberry from Suzanne apologising for the delay but saying they are excited about the painting and construction that they saw in my studio last July and when could they come and collect them. I reply that we will be away in London for part of next week so she enquires whether we could deliver them en route. But as we are going to be loaded up to the gunnels (mainly with things for Henrietta and Kev that had been stored here whilst awaiting their move, I say that Richard could deliver them towards the end of the week.

Monday 18.1.10

I go out to wave Richard off and find myself tidying up the pots in the garden; i probably spend an hour or so and am heartened to see new green shoots coming up through the warm earth as i remove the dead leaves and stalks. It's always fascinating that the cycle continues year after year although it does bring home how terrible it must be for the Haitians to have lost everything. harrowing stories on the news each day with continuing stories of trying to distribute the aid

Tuesday 19,1,10

We're off to London at midday after sending a cheque to the National Star College for the remaining amount made from the sale of the miniatures and paintings I did for the Open Studio towards the new creative arts centre. En route i phoned Brian Sinfield's gallery and Pippa tells me that she and her husband Dominic have bought 'Bonjour' the small corrugated newspaper painting. I'm really touched. We arrive in Greenwich about 4.30 and as I open the car door I can hear the squeals from Isaac and Samuel as they stand on the doorstep of their new home with Henrietta. It's a lovely terraced house with three bedrooms so the boys have one each. Isaac takes me up to show me his room on the top floor - there's a distant view of Canary Wharf and the Thames Barrier through his window. Samuel's is next door and a little smaller, with Henrietta and Kev's to the other side. Richard's job is going to be hanging all the pictures and a large mirror over the fireplace so after Kev's return and supper we walk round with them looking for the best walls for each.

Wednesday 20.1.10

I look after Samuel whilst richard takes Henrietta shopping then drops her at the pool for a swim. When he returns we put on our hats and coats and walk with Samuel up to meet Isaac at his nursery school. Samuel's very happy to walk with intermittent skipping and a wide legged variation punctuated by either dropping his bear, hat popping off or a short sit on the pavement after a stumble. We are really pleased as we get there in good time and before Henrietta arrives. We meet Johnny, Frank's dad, who says that Juliet who is currently doing her teaching practice is doing a lesson on CD covers and is going to use the work I've done for King Crimson. After lunch R hangs the pictures whist I entertain the boys and try to put up some wall charts in Isaac's room. Isaac has become quite territorial about his room into which Samuel is always desperate to get.

We leave at about 9pm and are pleased and surprised to be back by midnight. There are messages on the phone from Brian Sinfield and James Huntington Whitely, who wonders if i might have painting for his World Cup exhibition in the summer, for which he has some sponsorship.

Thursday 21.1.10

Back in the studio. Phone call from Stephen Davis re setting up the Arts and Heritage group for the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire and to see if I can make a meeting on the 9th February

Friday 22.1.10

R drives up to London to deliver Jazzamattazz and the Chicago Jazz Club

Monday 25.1.10

R’s gone to meet Meurig and Andy Ginn at Gloucestershire College to see if it would be suitable as a venue for Robert Fripp and Theo Travis’ performance as part of the Music Festival. I’ve been working towards this for several years; Robert had always said that he would perform there when my big commission was installed if he wasn’t on tour. It has also been Andy’s dream since my first visit to the old campus so it seemed a wonderful rounding off when Meurig suggested it might be good to combine the unveiling with the performance during their later discussions with Greg (the Principal).

Meanwhile I’m working on the commission.

Just after R returns Joyce arrives with Lara’s print for me to sign; it’s always good to see Joyce. We sit and chat whilst Richard puts the print in its mount and frame.

Tuesday 26.1.10

E mail from Sue saying that she ‘Love, Love, Loves’ their new paintings and that Rob s thrilled too. And one from Greg saying he also thinks it would be good to combine the unveiling of their big painting with Robert and Theo’s performance. A wonderful invitation from Margus to Estonian Independence Day celebrations in London and also telling me that he had been in discussions with Mr Aimar Jugaste of the Vaal Galerii re my exhibition there in April.

Wednesday 27.1.10

E mail from the great Roberto in ‘hotel modesto’ saying that all the arrangements for his Festival performances sound good and he will contact Theo re paragraphs for the programme.

Thursday 28.1.10

Another e mail from the Great R re the Festival performances and one from Bob Sims re the performance by The Humans.

Whilst working in the studio receive phone call from Wallace re their visit at the weekend to collect Madge’s completed commission.

Friday 29.1.10

A sixteen year old girl was rescued two weeks after the earthquake in Haiti. She’s been in the bathroom at the time of the quake and survived by drinking bath water. There have been others rescued during this time including an eighty four year old woman and a twenty six year old man who is thought to have been trapped during an after shock. The big problem now is that there are not enough tents to house all the survivors and more need to be manufactured. The scale of this disaster is almost beyond comprehension but it has been heartening to hear of all the wonderful work by doctors and rescue workers plus the huge public response in donations - the last figure I heard some time ago for the UK was over forty million pounds which seemed to double the amount pledged by the Government (which also comes from us the taxpayers).

Saturday 30.1.10

Nice letter from Helen, Principal of the Star College, saying thank you for the cheque as balance of proceeds of my open studio. Work on Madge and Eamonn’s till 4am.

Sunday 31.1.10

Do another hour or two on the commission before they arrive with Wallace. We chat for a while before I take them over to the studio to see the painting. Madge had seen it very early in its progress and Wallace also saw it at the end of September but Eamonn has not seen it at all. I’m always concerned that I have made a painting that is commissioned feel right for the commissioners and I am delighted that they are so happy with it. I always feel it is a huge responsibility. It’s good chatting over an early dinner. I give Wallace a copy of the CD of Richard Arnell’s ‘Punch and the Child’ that has a reproduction on the cover of my Punch and Judy painting Father and Son which Wallace owns.