Friday 1.5.09

I get up at 5.20 am to get ready for the Bishop’s Breakfast arriving at the NSC at a quarter past seven. The first there apart form the College’s wonderful catering team and this morning’s speaker David Owen from Gloucestershire First. He tells me that things are dire here in the County  and he can’t offer news of any green shoots although when he’s speaking later the places that sound to be doing best are tourist attractions like the Cotswold Wildlife Park whose takings are up. I had been going to mention that recessions are good for the arts and innovation but it didn’t seem quite appropriate at this meeting. It was very good to meet Anne Chambers the new High Sheriff of Gloucestershire; she owns and continues to create and tend the beautiful gardens of Kiftsgate Court where the wonderful rosa filipes Kiftsgate originated. We have two beautiful examples, one given to me by Robert and Joanne Sandelson a few years ago when they visited here. Anne stays on as one of the members of a short tour around the College after the meeting has finished. I’d also seen Greg at the Breakfast and we had briefly discussed the commission I’m painting for his College and I mention I had been in to give a talk to some of his Art students and that a group of about thirty are coming to visit the studio next week. He’d asked me how the painting was looking so I decided to send an image of it in progress this afternoon with me painting on it to give the photo scale. I’m delighted with his prompt and most enthusiastic reply.

Saturday 2.5.09

Phone call from Ros and Eric Schashke’s daughter Sarah to say that sadly her Mum Ros had died this morning. It was the first time I had spoken to Sarah so it’s a conversation mingled with joy and great sadness. She also asks to be remembered to my Mum; I am so grateful for the time we were able to enjoy that time with Ros on Sunday evening. We’d been trying to visit for some time but usually it was me who would get a cold or cough and not wanting to risk going to give it to her. Ros was so honest and brave she fought her cancer with grace spirit and fortitude a dear friend we will miss her greatly.

Sunday 3.5.09

Good day on the GC commission, weaving in more details and new figures.

Reply to Geoff. We’d received an invitation from him recently to the private viewing of The Beamus Project at the Vyner Street Gallery E2, a film he’s made in collaboration with Paul Colbeck based on digital detritus coming back to haunt us through the drains.

E mail from my god daughter Maxine in Botswana; trained as a lawyer she’s working there for the US government . Her little daughter Aimée turned one a few weeks ago and is now apparently walking and talking.

Monday 4.5.09

It’s Bank Holiday Monday and rather grey but I have the big GC painting in the forward position so the light is still good. I’m working across the top right hand corner and clarifying some of the imagery further down.

Tuesday 5.5.09

E mail from Robbie confirming that it’s still OK to bring a group of the art students over to visit the studio tomorrow. Just before I go over to the studio I get a call from Elin Dawes a producer at BBC Wales asking if they can use an image of my painting Bore Caffi Cymunedol on their web site. A public art commission from the Daniel Owen Centre that had matching funding from the Welsh Arts Council - the community raised the other half through coffee mornings, raffle tickets etc!! It measured over 8 feet tall and over 5 feet wide. The Centre is named after the C19th poet who lived in Mold, there is a statue of him in the market square just outside the community centre and I have featured a head and shoulders of him (back view) reading the local paper in the foreground of the painting.

I arrive at the Museum at about 5 past 2, have a quick look around the current exhibition Uncertain Weather, then up to the Friends of Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum committee meeting. My update on the Patrons scheme comes after Jane’s report on hitches in the planning application for the new development and Helen and Anne Strathie’s reports on other matters relating to the collection etc. They move Jenny’s item, the Silver Dinner up the agenda to give me chance to also mention the cake  which is now being very generously made and given by the Catering Academy of Gloucestershire College - it sounds like it’s going to be a wonderful creation. Sophia comes in to collect me to go and see the short film that the Museum have made (and had funding for) for the children’s area in the museum which incorporates my painting Portrait of the artist watching her children grow. One of the two mouse protagonists has been invited to the Museum for tea by her little friend who lives through a hole the skirting board. She gets lost in the Museum and finds herself in my painting where Nathan’s Punch & Judy puppets give her directions. It’s a delightful and charming little film and all the more touching because the little mice have been made by one of their ‘front of house’ ladies and Bruce the technician (who lives on a barge), made the short film with an artist friend of his Chris Merritt. After this Richard and I do a reccy round the Museum to try and decide which of the exhibits would be of particular interest for the Patrons to see.

Whilst we were in the museum I’ve had messages asking if the student visit to the studio can be postponed till next Wednesday when a mini bus will be available.

Wednesday 6.5.09

Working on the big GC commission. In the evening we pop to see Heather’s exhibition at the Gardens Gallery as its the Private View tonight.  Lovely vibrant spontaneous drawings and paintings; full of life and energy.

Thursday 7.5.09

Go into the Museum at 11 for a meeting; Jane Lillystone, Helen Brown and Sophia Wilson re the patrons evening. Then back to the studio before returning to the Museum at 6 o’clock for an achievements evening. Delighted to see Andy Ginn, Director of the Arts and media Academies of Gloucestershire College, there. It’s a fascinating evening and the staff give very interesting presentations on conservation, outreach, development & exhibitions programme etc.

Friday 8.5.09

Yesterday and today we’ve had an e mails from the Great Roberto telling me they have repainted their stairwell in grey to better present my paintings. Also making arrangements for his performance with Theo travis (flautist and saxophonist) here in St Michael & All Angels and that Toyah was off to Gran Canaria yesterday to sing for Gay Pride.

Work both on the Stack’s commission and Amer Baig’s.

Saturday 9.5.09

Likewise working on Amer’s painting and also the Stack’s.

Sunday 10.5.09

ditto

Monday 11.5.09

We set off for St Mary’s Prestbury for the funeral and service of thanksgiving for the life of Ros Schaschke. I remembered Ros telling me some months ago how she had planned this service which is beautiful and moving with a reading of Shelley’s Ozymandias of Egypt by her son Carl and Remember by Christina Rossetti by her daughter Sarah. They also play a recording of Vaughan William’s Lark Ascending; this exquisite piece where the violin captures exactly the feeling of the lark or the spirit breaking through the clouds to eternity above. After this touching service we are all invited to stay for tea and cake in the church where I meet Sarah, for the first time, she was also a great friend of my parents and I give her the card my Mum has written for her. A striking young woman wearing a lovely black hat ( between a pill box and a fez, ) with plume at the front. Also Carl, Ros and Eric’s son.  Dear Eric is charming and makes his way round to speak  to every one twice.

Back to the studio after calling at the garden centre as we’ve been replanting parts of my studio garden.

Tuesday 12.5.09

Working on Amer’s commission.

Wednesday 13.5.09

The students from Gloucestershire College arrive in a mini bus at 2, with Robbie their course leader following in his car. They are a very nice group of first year Art & Design students, particularly good at asking question and listening to the things I tell them about the works in the studio and life as an artist. As their questions are so pertinent they tend to lead into interesting episodes of the creative process and life. We first look at my studio over the Lane where the big Gloucestershire College commission is housed. Robbie and his colleague take lots of photographs. When we’ve moved back to the house to look at the pieces in my upstairs studio, a photographer from The Echo arrives: we recognise each other as he has been here before. We then return to the big GC commission to have more photographs taken and then it’s time for them to go. They are a delightful young people; but then all the students and staff I’ve met from GC are; full of enthusiasm for their subject and College life.

Thursday 14.5.09

The wonderful Gloucestershire  Echo has once again done us proud by printing a photograph of some of the students with me in front of the  big Gloucestershire College commission. It is such a good paper for keeping you informed about what is happening locally - there below the photograph is a story about a  22 year old woman, mother of two and a drug addict who attacked a young man in a wheelchair (who suffers from cerebral palsy) stealing his wallet and phone. His name is Andrew Milne! To my horror I realise that he is probably the Andy Milne

who received my first prize for photography whilst a student at the National Star College. This lovely bright young man and brilliant photographer went on to study at Gloucestershire College about four years ago. The young woman has been jailed for 16 months as it was her second offence I’m not sure that that is the right answer. I would would have liked her to have the privilege of working with or for the disabled as community service but perhaps in prison she will be helped to come off the drugs she has been addicted to since the age of 13; she also self harms.

Friday 15.5.09

Two copies of Le Monde Diplomatique arrive from Paris in this mornings post they reproduce my painted construction “Les Manifestants” on page 14 - very good colour for a news paper. Continue with Amir’s painting and the Stacks.

Saturday 16.5.09

Working on all fronts.

Sunday 17.5.09

Ditto

Monday 18.5.09

E mail from Tom Lowe of Radio Gloucestershire wanting to do an interview with Robert Fripp on Wednesday. I e mail R to try and arrange something but he no longer gives interviews - I guess he needs all his energies for the creative process. However he says Theo Travis who is performing with him on saxophone and flute, will be pleased to do so.

Amer Baig’s commission.

Tuesday 19.5.09

Richard drives up to Leicestershire to collect a Gimson Arts & Crafts chair, also en route a William Morris /Philip Webb corner bobbin chair whilst I’m working on Amer Baig’s commission.

Wednesday 20.5.09

Amer Baig’s commission.

Thursday 21.5.09

ditto

Friday 22.5.09

R goes down to unlock the church for Trev, Robert’s technician, so that he can set up for this evening’s performance. Robert arrives about 5.30 to change before walking briskly down to the church. We follow shortly afterwards so that I can be there to greet people we’ve invited. The church is already nicely filled and more keep coming, including Toyah with her guests; then shortly afterwards Dr Margus who I escort down the side aisle so that he can sit next to Toyah. Robert is very aware of the time and I am to introduce them at exactly 7. He sends me down the centre aisle. I stand at the front waiting for the chimes to stop before the introduction; then make my way to sit on the other side of Margus whilst Richard looks after the door letting the last few in. The performance is beautiful - uplifting, spiritual, inspirational. The audience are spellbound and perfectly silent. The understanding and rapport between Robert and Theo is quite magical; they stop part way through when Robert thanks us all, including the minister and congregation. It’s over all too quickly before the bells strike 8. R’s given the keys to Robert so that he can let himself in whist we stay and chat with various guests including Rob and Sandra Whittle who have come with Brian May and his wife. Toyah and her guests Glen Walford the theatre director (who has directed Toyah in Shakespearian plays) and Helen & Colin David of the English Eccentrics fashion house (they developed the process for making exquisite velvet patterns on sheer fabrics) Toyah had given me a scarf by them after we had both been in the drama documentary ‘Rolinda’, have walked up from the church. We follow on with Margus and arrive at just about the same time as Meurig and Rachel who are just getting the painted ‘cello out of their car and Andy and Hannah who are just parking. The atmosphere is magical much discussion and melding of ideas initially sparked off by the painted cello; Robert  suggests a tour of church performances next year for my charity. Such a generous gesture. I take them over to the studio to see The Gloucestershire College Painting glasses of champagne in hand, Colin tells me that he and Helen go to life drawing classes at the Royal Academy. The conversation over supper is exciting and inspirational. Andy and Meirig are going to collaborate on some joint projects.

Saturday 23.5.09

Henrietta, Kev, Isaac and Samuel arrive during the afternoon all looking bright and sunny they have been here for about twenty minutes when the door bell rings and low and behold a wonderful surprise it’s Nathan and Ruth! How lucky am I.

Sunday 24.5.09

It’s Henrietta and Kev’s anniversary so they are going out to lunch whilst we look after the boys. Dr’s Charles and Emma Slosberg arrive with their two children Daniel and Suzanna who entertain Isaac with games of football and conversations about Toy story one and two they are delightful children older and very patient. They are on their way to visit friends and tomorrow are going to watch the annual cheese rolling event at Coopers Hill.  My sister Gill and my Mum arrive (back from Bedford) early evening we sit out in the garden on this glorious summers evening

for drinks before supper. Such joy having all my family here.

Monday 25.5.09

H,K, I,&S leave mid morning for a week in Devon. Nathan and Ruth depart about 4pm.

Back to the easel.

Tuesday 26.5.09

Working on all fronts.

Wednesday 27.5.09

Reproduction fee from Pearson Education publisher; it’s rather wonderful that they have been reproducing Time and Time Again in a book on Thinking Mathematically for many years as it’s now in its seventh edition.

Working here and there in the studio.

Early evening drive over to Gloucester where I attend the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire's Annual General Meeting in the Council Chamber at Shire Hall. I bump into Mark Hurrell on the way in and John Thurston who gives me an update on a funding award towards the National Star College’s new development. It’s altogether a rather pleasant and gentle affair; after the accounts have been approved there is no other business so we are treated to a talk about the Berkeleys of Berkeley Castle by David Smith the former county and diocesan archivist a little earlier than expected. A hugely knowledgeable man who is writing a book on the subject. The talk was fascinating and presented in a relaxed and informal way relating the Berkeleys through each century to our history in which they played a substantial part after this there’s a light supper.

Thursday 28.5.09

I spend the early afternoon in the garden planting. I’m near the gate when it opens and a man comes through, letter in hand. he introduces himself as “Ceri Jones your County Councillor” so I’m not surprised when a little later I have moved over to my studio garden when he appears there. He tells me that he very much enjoyed the inspirational speech I gave when opening the new building at Cleeve School earlier in the year. For a councillor he seems quite a gentle person; he says this is not the best of times to be coming up to a local election next Thursday with the furore that is currently taking place in Parliament - a battle between politicians and the press since the Telegraph has started to name and shame politicians who have claimed excessive allowances, sometimes for mortgages that have already been paid off, a moat that needed cleaning a chandelier etc. etc. comment that gradually many of the pillars of society are falling down or crumbling, banks, politicians, the Learning and Skills Council etc. etc.

Later in the afternoon I feel an exquisite peace whilst standing in the garden and then my eye falls upon a female blackbird also enjoying this blissful quietude; she’s sitting on the grass and  even though the sun isn’t out it’s warm and she is taking a break after working so hard looking for food to feed her young the new mown lawn.

Friday 29.5.09

It’s a glorious sunny day again so working outside on the small viola and the two violins. In the afternoon we go to the Catering Academy of Gloucestershire College to collect the celebratory cake they have created under the guidance of Philip Jackson. When we arrive he’s in the process of coating deep pink rose petals in egg white and dipping them in caster sugar to  crystallise them for future use; it’s fascinating watching him - I had never realised before what a simple process it is. He tells us you can also do it with daffodils and natursiams also chive flower heads which he says have a wonderful tang of garlic. He then takes us over to see the cake which is amazing - beautiful and enormous with an added three dimensional layer over half the top constructed to be like a picture frame. They have used the Friends of Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum logo with 25th Anniversary within the 3D frame which is all made out of sugar. On the top of the other side it says Friends of Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum. Even the board that it sits upon is topped with sugar. It is a masterpiece of confectionary and is enormously heavy to lift because it is a rich fruit cake big enough for 120. This was to be my gift to the Friends but the Catering Academy decided that they would present it to the Friends as a gift. I am quite overwhelmed by their generosity and the effort it must have taken to make and create. Whilst Richard is moving the car closer to the kitchens, Philip shows me cakes and icing work by students. It’s fascinating to see how they create sugar fairies or similar out of sugar; these are level 1 students who by the time they reach level 3 will be hugely proficient It’s a wonderful experience particularly since I am working on the big painting for the College. The kitchens are spotless and one wonders at how difficult it must be when working with students to keep such high standards.

E mail from Sophy, Harriet Bridgeman’s PA asking if I would be able to make the ACS meeting for directors and trustees in about a months time

Saturday 30.5.09

I’m working outside again on the three string-less instruments in the sunshine after planting some fennel. R delivers the cake to Jenny and Douglas Ogle.

R came back from the village this morning very exciting as he’d seen Tom (Now being pushed in his wheelchair) who told him that he’s going up to Westminster Hall in July to receive a Mervyn Peake Award for photography. Apparently Mervyn Peake also suffered for Parkinson's and these awards are sponsored and presented by Mervyn Peake’s family. Mervyn was a writer, illustrator and poet.

Tom is the most amazing young man, always busy creating whether it is photography, paint, tapestry or a garden.

Sunday 31.5.09

This glorious hot weather is holding so I’m working outside  on the two small violins and the viola - tomorrow will be the 1st June and the Music Festival is in July.

Stop early evening to dress for the Silver Dinner at Brasserie Blanc. Richard Chatham rings to make sure he doesn’t have to wear his DJ. En route we draw into the garage to find that Richard and Lesley are in the next bay. People are queuing to get in and all sounding very festive. Cllr John Rawson introduces himself and asks if I remember him from when we opened the gardens Gallery together ( he was the Mayor then ) I say ‘Of course, we were a double act weren’t we’. We soon spot Wallace who’s already made friends with many of the Friends; Richard and Lesley have managed to get there before us; Ronald and Lyn arrive shortly afterwards. I introduce him to Douglas Ogle as I feel there will be lots of common ground they both having been architects. Later we’re all seated  - Im nearest the cake and the pianist which Jennie has organised so I can make the first cut. The food’s good and I’m delighted that Lyn comments favourably especially as she’s a cookery expert having run her own school and written books on the subject. After the pudding I get up to introduce the cake and tell the tale of how I’d thought it would be my birthday present to the Friends on this their 25th year but the Catering Academy at Gloucestershire College generously donated it; after this I do a birthday greeting to one of Jenny’s friends and get the pianist to play ‘happy birthday’ then do the raffle. I seem to have knack with raffles of picking out most of the committee members’ tickets and then I announce last but not least No 91 - Richard shakes his head at me and I realise that is one of our two numbers so replace it with another. The highlight of the evening is George Breeze’s speech. It was George who founded the Friends 25 years ago when he was Director of the Art Gallery & Museums, along with members like Jenny and Douglas Ogle. His vision has worked out well; the Friends have helped the Museum acquire many wonderful pieces including the Ashbee piano, one of the highlights of their Arts & Crafts collection. He also realised that the Friends could sometimes be a mouthpiece or voice for the Museum who as they are employed by the council are not always in the most favourable position to do this. He’s currently organising an exhibition (and writing a book) of Joseph Southall for Birmingham Art Gallery & Museum in 2011. George was curator there prior to coming to Cheltenham.