To use ones own two feet to move between the boats and trains of the Adriatic has to be a privilege if only because nothing can be quick and time and patience are required in equal measures. Not that we felt ever burdened by delay or under estimating our journey. Above all the contact with the warm terrain and waters was profound. Corfu life can be a cliche: but leave the developed seaboards and within minutes the raw and wonderful legacy left from years of Italian occupation are in full focus with not much touched by those emerging from the ...
A small well formed group of artist wannabes crept to the ruin at Barbanichos, a special place owned by friends on the lower slopes of Pantokrator mountain on Corfu as it descends to the Ionian Sea above Avalki. We imported soft music and furniture to create the most wonderful impromptu studio as we hid from the impending storm for a lesson on vanishing points and simple watercolour shading. The staggering view over the Adriatic the Albanian hills provided material spied through the stone apertures of the ruin and everyone was absorbed by the atmosphere. Instant creativity ensued. The ...
As many will know, a group of fascinating artists descended on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset early in the twentieth century to produce some bucolic colourful landscapes in a style that really represents the landscape. Names like Walter Sikert, Robert Bevan and Spencer Gore amongst others have come to be the pioneers of this work and are worth a look at the places they found such as Woodhayes, Rosemary Lane and Applehayes. Some say little has changed in that landscape over the intervening hundred or so years; but a not so careful look at the structures of modern farming, the widened ...
We rushed away from the dull post Christmas weather at short notice and Morocco came up trumps. As quick breaks go we accumulated good time at the sketch pad. Whether seated at street corners or high in the Atlas the warm daytime in clean air provided a soft sunlight with which to work. The fishing boats in Essaouria are famous: but to see the basic construction methods with those hammering, sawing, sanding, cutting, and calking in each trade working in rhythm was fascinating. And in the medina walking and cycling in the tight streets is nicely quiet as we wander from market ...
We all sat in the balmy afternoon air under the oaks not fifty paces from Fazende where we often spend a summer holiday. And with a little direction and collaboration took in the shapes and hues of the collection of buildings. Transposing colour and shades made for a delicious array of images all saying the same thing. Well done to the etudiantes Molly, Katie, Imo, Paddy and Serena and look forward to their exhibitions of work in years to come.
It is said that the atmosphere of a cricket game is unsurpassed by that of Lords on a sunny day. And with the first team playing New Zealand the tension was there in a wonderful match which, according to the cognizant, “could have gone either way”. Anyway England won. As a first time visitor of the real thing: and one who normally listens to the wireless whist weeding the garden I found the close arena of different buildings of all ages and architectural merit and all with this similar function, of viewing for hours on end nearly static beings and ...
As part of an initiative launched through the superstars fundraising auction service by my friend Emma Hunt I have made a contribution to the magnificent array of local art from Somerset and Devon. If you fee inclined to have a peep we are raising monies for Cancer Research and the silent auction may be found here and without noise or fuss you may help the research that is so obviously working. [caption id="attachment_1160" align="alignleft" width="300"] Vineyard at Hooperhayne Colyton[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2427" align="alignright" width="300"] Cricket at Luppitt[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1414" align="alignleft" width="300"] Ecrehou islands betwixt France and Jersey[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1856" align="alignleft" width="300"] Tractor at rest[/caption] t
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A few days in the olive trees brought by the Venetian a few hundred years ago the need to put down marks was in the air. And that we did. from place to place where we perched the night thanks to friends with high places. Our gratitude for the company and cosy bed to they who know who they are with wonderful spots with views sunsets and tranquility. Thank you.
Who would ever have thought that to follow trails through a grecian mountain range might beat those azure blue island beaches and all the sun that goes with it. Well we did both and the novelty of the hills alive with no-one was a delight. Staying in high villages of a lost age where the building are fine and the aspects tremendous but alas devoid of the young and proper activity or even a shop. So that might be a detraction, though not really as we found the solitude of the hills, the ravines and the wonderful trees, a place ...
Using a variety of media and styles the work responds to mood and geography but is more than often an observation of simple scenes in everyday life and on the travels across Europe.
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