HAPPY 2019

I'm starting 2019 with a bang! All will be revealed in the first week of January. Meanwhile, my friends, happy New Year and may all manner of blessings rain down on all our lovely little heads today, tomorrow and everyday hereafter.

SEASON'S GREETINGS

Joy, peace and love to each and every one of you for Christmas and 2019. May you light up a bit of the gloom, wherever you are.

 NdA 2018 Acrylic on paper 20 x 5 cms

A BRILLIANT LAUNCH

Beautiful evening on Monday hearing Simon Armitage read from his translation (Middle English to modern English) of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and seeing Clive Hicks-Jenkins' joyous illustrations for this book projected hugely on a screen in the holy but not austere ambiance of St. Dunstan-in-the West on Fleet Street.

Wine and mince pies were on hand, courtesy of Faber & Faber the book's publisher, but best of all for me was finally meeting Clive and his life-partner Peter Wakelin, in real life. Clive and I have been friends at a distance for years but until now never managed to be in the same place at the same time. 

We both have been closely associated with the Old Stile Press, working with Nicolas and Frances McDowall on some of our artists' books. To actually embrace Clive and Peter last night, two gifted and life-enhancing individuals, was a thrill I won't forget.

One of Clive Hicks-Jenkins illustrations for the bool.

Simon Armitage reading from the pulpit at St. Dunstan, 10 December 2018

St. Dunstan-in-the-West, Fleet Street

Printmaker Dan Bugg in foreground, Clive Hicks-Jenkins in the middle, Joe Pearsonat at the far end,

 10/12/18

LATEST SELF-PORTRAIT

I started this self-portrait last April, worked fast, didn't like it. Turned its face to the wall. Occasionally stared and fiddled with it. Left it to marinate for a few months. This evening I finished it.

I've been emerging all my long artist's life. Does anyone ever stop emerging?

Self-Portrait as Emerging Artist. 2018. Oil on canvas 25 x 30 cms

MOOD-ALTERING RECIPE

If I'm annoyed with myself, the world or any other temporary irritation, there's a simple remedy which never fails to banish the mood.

I put on a record and dance. The music must have a steady beat, a strong rhythm, nothing avant or après-garde. Some country & western, some rock & roll, tango definitely, samba, yes. Couldn't care less if my choice of dance music is un-cool. I'm on my own, dancing solo, and if my hip joints ain't what they used to be, so what? I can still move to the rhythm, it still frees my mind and lights my fire.

Tonight it was Waylon Jennings. If you're rolling your eyes, roll away! It's fun and it works. Choose your music and dance!

GLITTER

Way back when I was Hatshepsut, I liked wearing silver clothes. Still like a bit of glitter. Glitter today, fade tomorrow. Or maybe: faded today, shiny tomorrow?

TO BACH

This painting is finished. It's the first in a new abstract series I'm embarking on. The title of this one is To Johann Sebastian Bach because it's what some of Bach's music feels like, the movement in space it conjures up for me. I'd love to animate this painting. Maybe I'll try.

 To Johann Sebastian Bach. December 2018. Acrylic on rag paper mounted on board. 44 x 45 cms