Wednesday 16 December 2015

Section From The Temple Of Olympian Zeus 2013

This painting is based on a section of the temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens.  I've obviously added 'artistic license' because I wanted there to be more emphasis on colour.  This temple was the largest in Greece at the time that it was completed (during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian c. AD 120).  It took over 600 years to be built and less than 200 years after its completion it was ransacked by a barbarian invasion of Athens.  Christianity became popular across the Mediterranean during these times.  When Christianity became the main religion of the Roman Empire (approximately AD 330) there was no use for a temple that was dedicated to the king of the Polytheistic gods.



Section From The Temple Of Olympian Zeus 2013, oil painting on canvas (80x50cm)

 

Wednesday 9 December 2015

Yellow Flower

This is another Walkden Gardens inspired drawing.  I like capturing detail in my art work, especially in my drawings.  Working with smaller pieces is quite different to my larger drawings, because although the area to be covered is so much smaller, it also means a greater amount of detail in a small space.  I will continue with the smaller drawings and try to accumulate a larger number for next year for an exhibition.  I think they could look quite interesting when exhibited together.

Yellow Flower, fine line pen and coloured pencil drawing, A5 (2015)

December Exhibitions

I have two exhibitions which include some of my art work this month.  Art with a heart in Altrincham is having a Christmas Carol exhibition which includes two of my pictures, The Changing of the Seasons (left) and Winter Tree (right).  The exhibition will be showing this art work until the beginning of January.

 
 
The second exhibition which includes some of my art work is art the ArtismUK  gallery in Stockport.  This is a Christmas exhibition which includes the work of artists from ArtismUK.

Friday 4 December 2015

Marsland Road

This is a road I used to live on from October 2000-August 2003 and is the road which Walkden Gardens or the Maze gardens are.  The flat we lived in for 5 and a half years before moving to Marsland Road was in a lovely area but was itself not maintained.  It had no heating at all when we moved into it in May 1995 which was ok because that summer was a heat wave.  The winter was pretty cold and the lack of heating was very hard.  There was no central heating or fire of any description.  We used to cuddle our cats for warmth or switch on our small Baby Belling cooker (with two electric hob rings!) for warmth occasionally.  I got quite ill with flu which was bad enough to have to call the doctor out and I think the lack of heating was what made me so ill.  We finally got a fire when one was donated to us by our inlaws in the spring (yes the landlord didn't mind installing a fire if we got one for them to install first).  Moving to Marsland Road was complete luxury.  We had central heating which came on before we got up in the morning (never had that at all until Marsland Road), we were in a good sized Victorian house with a lovely long garden and best of all, it didn't have any damp or rot.  In our flat previous to our removal to Marsland Road, the damp was very bad.  One time I walked into our bathroom and my foot disappeared through the floor leaving a large hole, which the landlord patched up a few weeks later. 

Marsland Road, fine line pen drawing and coloured pencil, A5 (2015)


Marsland Road was an optimistic time where I was able to get on with my studies (MA and PGCE) and finally start my teaching career.  I still get a nice feeling when I go back around the area.

Thursday 26 November 2015

The Maze Garden

The Maze Gardens were in reality the Walkden Gardens in Sale.  We called them the Maze Gardens because they are arranged into compartments in a maze like way.  When we first discovered them in 1995 it was a surprise because nobody advertised them, there wasn't any clear sign outside telling the passing public that there were gardens behind the hedge (and very nice interesting gardens too!).  I've lived around the Sale/Altrincham area most of my life so to not realise that these gardens were on my doorstep most of my life without realising was a surprise.  It seemed most people in the area were as ignorant as us.  Since 1995 things have changed at Walkden Gardens.  There is a friends group, regular fun day events and more money invested in their up keep.  I hope that the Tory cutbacks don't affect these lovely gardens.  Even today, although the gardens are now much better advertised, one can go there without seeing anyone else.  They are a nice retreat in a busy area.

The Maze Garden, fine line pen and coloured pencil drawing, A5 (2015)

Friday 20 November 2015

September 2009

I've called this piece September 2009 simply because in that month I spent a lot of time in Walkden Gardens in Sale enjoying life properly for the first time in a long time.  I had quit teaching the month before after a long argument with the authority that paid my salary as a teacher.  I won't go into details however in part my bad back and autism had their part to play in my departure from teaching.  I was glad to go and don't regret a thing although at the time it meant a lot of financial uncertainty.  I had hated September when I was teaching because I always felt that I was putting myself away again after the 6 weeks holiday where the real me could exist.  I was depressed in those days and it is even more clear how down I was when I reflect back to that time now.  September 2009 was thoroughly enjoyable.  The sun was shining (literally), my back was a lot better and I could walk again and there was no teaching!  I could just take everything in and enjoy it instead of having feelings of anxiety/dread/needing to be at home planning and marking etc.  I don't think teaching is a bad career, although it is stressful for anyone.  I do think that teaching is intolerable if it's in the wrong school or environment.  That September was like the first experience of freedom after being incarcerated for so long.

This picture is the first in a number of postcard size pieces that I am planning on exhibiting in the near future.

September 2009, fine line pen and coloured pencil drawing, A5 (2015)


Tuesday 17 November 2015

The Changing Of The Seasons

I like autumn with the colours, fog (yes I like fog) and the changeable weather.  I hate it when it rains for days or weeks on end, it gives me SAD (seasonal affective disorder).  A mix of weather is ok though, although the best weather towards the end of autumn/winter in my view are the sunny frosty days.  These are the days where the mud freezes over so that I can do more walking down the footpaths near where I live without the mess of the mud.  The warm autumn this year has kept the leaves on the trees longer than normal therefore the colours have lasted longer as well.  Here is one of the trees that I have walked past on one of my walks. 

The Changing Of The Seasons, fine line pen, gouache and coloured pencil on paper, A2 (2015)

Wednesday 4 November 2015

Winter Tree

This is another one of my tree studies.  We are reaching that part of the year where there will be plenty of these trees to look at (and enjoy).  I like the patterns that appear when you spend long enough looking at them.  Winter can be a dreary and cold time but if you want to see beauty, it is there if you take the time to stop what you are doing and pay attention to what is around you. 

I find it ironic that people accuse high functioning autistic people such as myself as lacking awareness of other people yet lots of so called normal people tend to have a lack of awareness of their environment and often also a lack of awareness of other people too.  How many times do I see people walking around with music headphones on their ears while also texting on their mobile phone paying no attention to anything but their music and the conversation/video/social network website that is on their phone.  At least it's just one aspect I struggle with (understanding other people).  I spend more time observing my environment and taking it in.  I have pointed out things to other people such as the design of buildings, unusual plants or whatever and they are often quite surprised that these things are there because they haven't noticed them.  I also have in the past mentioned sounds that I hear that 'normal' people don't hear or, if they do hear the same sounds, they find them quiet whereas I find them loud.  Maybe my lack of attention to people means I have more time to pay attention to my environment while 'normal' people spend so much time focussed on other people there is no space left for other things. 

Winter Tree, oil painting on canvas, 40inches x 30inches (2015)

Thursday 29 October 2015

Abstract leaves

This is another fine line drawing combined with gouache.  I chose this subject because I haven't produced much work which focusses just on leaves and flowers for quite a long time.  I thought it would be interesting to see how my work has changed since I last looked at botanical inspired art work.  I have included my drawing 'Flower' that dates from earlier in 2012 to compare with.
Abstract leaves, fine line pen and gouace, A3 2015

Flowers, charcoal drawing, A3 2012

Monday 19 October 2015

Behind the Chain Link Fence

At the end of 2014 I drew a picture that I called In Front of the Chain Link Fence.  It represents some of the feelings that I have about bullies and bullying, having experienced them throughout my life.  Behind the Chain Link Fence continues the theme that explores the issues that being 'different' attracts bullies.  I experience less bullying these days simply because I don't have much to do with people in general.  I had an issue professionally this year due to the communication difficulties that arise from autism.  Autism is a spectrum.  Some people don't speak, some speak a bit and some seem to be more 'normal',  The people that fall into the 'more normal' category have a difficult time because they seem at first to be 'normal' therefore the expectation off other people is that they can perform socially as well as anyone else.  It doesn't take long for most people to intuitively know that you are odd, different etc even if they aren't sure what it is about you that is unusual.  Quite often people interpret  someone with 'high functioning' autism as rude, not making an effort, aloof, disinterested and generally a nasty person.  To the autistic person this interpretation of their character is upsetting (we don't go out of our way to offend people) and worse, some of the unspoken social rules are a mystery to us so trying to fix whatever offence has been caused is out of reach.  All of this is frustrating. 
Behind the Chain Link Fence, pen drawing and gouache, A3
This  piece continues with the abstract style that is seen in my earlier drawing.  The fence is bent after years of plants and trees growing through and around it.  I think with this drawing, the fence is a representation of the mental barrier that I have put up throughout my life.  When I was a kid I spent most of my time in another place in my head which helped me get through the day.  It helped when the kids at primary school used to bounce me off the chain link fence in the school playground, punching me, taking turns to spit on me, kick me and call me names.  The kids in my class who were onlookers would tell me to cry and then the bullies would leave me alone.  Instead, I did not cry for them.  I looked at them with a stony face even when they punched me as hard as they could in my stomach.  They would do this on a regular basis when I was an infant (about 6 or 7 years old).  They were about 2-3 years older than me.   I would go back to my child minder's house after school.  Her older son who was about 12 at the time would pin me down in an armchair and lean over me with his knees either side of me and shove me in the chest.  Gradually he would move his face nearer to mine until it was touching.  I was scared that he would head butt me or spit on me (the spitting did happen).  I could go on.  Such is the life of many autistic people unfortunately.

Another aspect of autism I always thought hadn't affected me is facial recognition.  I've done the online tests which ask whether a person is happy or sad based on how their face looks.  I find that easy and pass these tests with no trouble.  These tests are not true to life.  Basically my problem is that I keep finding situations where people see me and start smiling and waving at me as though I should know them.  This happened last week at a hair dressing salon.  A lady sees me in there, smiles, starts waving and waits for me to react with the same sort of smiling and waving (I suppose).  Instead, I look at her completely confused.  'Why does this person seem to know me when I haven't got a clue who she is?' are the thoughts going through my head.  She sees that I don't know who she is so she tries to help me.  She says 'My son is in your daughter's class at school'.  This doesn't help because I have two daughters.  I ask her which daughter?  She says 'Isabelle'.  I'm really confused because not only do I not know who she is, she seems to know me and knows my kid's name.  Obviously she's seen me at school waiting to collect my girls and knows who is in her son's class.  It shows how much attention I pay to other parents at school!  I've been taking my girls to that school for more than 6 years.  This situation has happened a few times over the years.  I don't think I look at people's faces properly is my conclusion (although I'm not aware that I am doing this).  I suppose this is interpreted as disinterested and rude behaviour by other people.  That sort of interpretation is the excuse to progress to bullying in some cases.
In Front of the Chain Link Fence, pen drawing and gouache, A3

Thursday 8 October 2015

Hurry On Sundown

I've named this piece Hurry On Sundown because of the obvious, it is a picture of a sunset.  My other reason is that it is the title of one of my favourite Hawkwind tunes.  I first heard this song when I was 2 or 3 years old after my mum had brought a Hawkwind compilation tape (Road Hawks).  The first tune was Hurry On Sundown followed by Urban Guerrilla.  The contrast between the hippy folk style of Hurry On Sundown and the heavy rock Urban Guerrilla was pretty effective.  The album that Hurry On Sundown first appeared on was Hawkwind's first album (Hawkwind).  There are two versions of this song, the hippy folk one and the psychedelic version later on in the album.  I can't decide which version I like best.

This painting continues a theme of tree sunsets that I have been working on throughout this year.  The earlier piece most closely linked to this painting is my drawing 'The Other Tree Sunset'. 

Hurry On Sundown, 120x106cm oil painting on board
The Other Tree Sunset, carbon pencil and coloured pencil drawing, A3

Tuesday 6 October 2015

Solo Exhibition

I have a solo exhibition starting on Saturday 10th October.  My work will be on display throughout the rest of the month.  Below is a preliminary poster (preliminary because there is a mistake with my name).  Further updates to follow.

Girl  and Girl 1
My mum, me and Emily

Artism Gallery
 


Thursday 1 October 2015

Water Reflections at Mourtzakis

Mourtzakis is a family run hotel that is situated about a mile outside the small Mykonos village of Ornos.  It was the first hotel that we stayed at during our 2015 month long expedition around the Cyclades islands.  I was warned that Mykonos was a touristy island and not what I was used to (I'm more familiar with mainland Greece and less well known areas).  I did not let this put me off.  Instead I booked a hotel in a quieter village away from the capital of the island and better still, it was not in the town of Ornos but instead a good 20 minute walk outside the village.  This meant that we had the place to ourselves.  The hospitality from the landlady of the hotel was wonderful and an excellent start to our holiday.  The hotel pool was also interesting.  It was a salt water pool and was completely deserted for most of our stay.  There is nothing like having a nice pool to yourself.  The first time I had this experience was in Tolo in 1999.  I floated in the middle of it looking up at the stars in the night sky.  Mykonos doesn't have the night sky that Tolo in 1999 had (Achivadolimni in Milos is the place to go for an amazing night sky).  It did not matter, having a pool all to yourself that had an incredible view over Korfos Bay was enough.

This painting focuses on the contrast between the water reflections and the middle figure, therefore a mixture of figurative and water reflection.  I chose this composition because I liked the contrast and the patterns that water reflections make. 

Water Reflections at Mourtzakis
 
Here is the earlier preliminary sketch.
Water Reflections at Mourtzakis (sketch)

 



Monday 21 September 2015

Achivadolimni Sunset, August 2015

Achivadolimni Sunset, August 2015, oil painting on canvas 106x83cm
Αχιβαδολíμνι or Achivadolimni means clam bay.  A very secluded part of the Island of Milos.  It's famous for its beach, scenery and sunsets.  As with everywhere else we have been in in Greece, each sunset here was different.  The first day we arrived and enjoyed the sunset and the perfect view of the sea and Achivadolimni I commented about how spectacular the place would be with a good thunderstorm.  Greek thunderstorms are in my view very enjoyable.  It gives a brief break from the heat of summer and they sound so good as the thunder echoes around the mountains and over the sea.  The following day I awoke to the sound of torrential rain and thunder.  Maybe Zeus (known as Zeus of the thunderclap in literature) was listening.  The storms rolled past throughout the rest of the day.  By the evening the countryside came alive with colour having been dried out and dead looking a few hours earlier.  It was quite a transformation.  This was the only rain we experienced the whole month we were in Greece.

Achivadolimni Sunset Sketch, carbon pencil and coloured pencil drawing A3

 






Monday 14 September 2015

Naxos Tree Sunset, 1st August 2015

We arrived in Naxos after spending 3 days at Mykonos beforehand.  Naxos is a very different island from Mykonos, more down to earth and cheaper (not that I felt Mykonos lacked a Greek feel especially where we stayed which was quite isolated).  I like sunsets as many people do and have previously included sunsets in my artwork.  Greece and I suppose the Mediterranean in general is home to some spectacular sunsets, with no two being the same.  The tree in the painting is simplified because I focussed on a smaller part, whereas the drawing has taken a larger overview of the scene.


Naxos Tree Sunset, 1st August 2015, oil on canvas 80x100cm
 
Preliminary sketch

Naxos Tree Sunset, carbon pencil and coloured pencil drawing A3




Wednesday 9 September 2015

Goodbye Delos


This painting captures a moment from this summer when we were leaving the ancient site of Delos near Mykonos Greece.  Delos was the place that is responsible for the term 'Delian League'.  This league came about after the Persian invasions into Greece during the 490/480 BC period.  They continued to be a threat to the Greeks even after the battle of Salamis 479 BC where the Athens comprehensively defeated the Persians in a sea battle.  The solution to the Persian problem was for a league to be formed where members donated money and in return were protected by the Athenians from the Persian threat.  Over time many small (and large ) islands felt that paying into the Delian League was unnecessary because the Persians seemed to be less of a threat.  When such islands tried to leave the Delian League it was then that they realised that they did not have a choice to pay or not pay into this 'protection racket'.  This effectively became the Athenian empire of the 5th century BC.  Money was paid to the 'neutral' island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo, god of the sun.  This money was later used to build the world famous buildings on the Acropolis in Athens.

Goodbye Delos, oil painting on canvas 117x106cm


Our visit to Delos was hot, but also worth the effort of the boat ride on the Margarita and the ramble around the ruins of the deserted city.  On our return journey to Mykonos on board the Margarita I struggled to keep my eyes open due to the heat, the non stop rambling around Delos and the gentle rocking of the boat.  This painting captures this final moment where tiredness takes over from the enjoyment of seeing Delos after waiting for 20 years to see it.
Goodbye Delos, carbon pencil and coloured pencil sketch, A3





Thursday 23 July 2015

Isabelle

During our holiday in Poros, Greece in August 2014 we spent a day at a remote beach known as Vayionia bay.  We walked 7 km up a mountain and along small country road in 40 degrees centigrade heat to this isolated bay.  Apparently there is a ruined town under the sea although it much be quite far out into the sea because we couldn't see it anywhere.  What we hadn't planned for was the walk back to the hotel.  We had to walk up the mountain all over again however this time it was the hottest part of the day.  A very gruelling walk.  We tried to find the temple of Poseidon at Kalavrea which is the ancient name for Poros island.  We were too tired to walk up the road that lead to the temple and we were unsure about how far up the road the temple was.  The following day we returned and found that the temple was in fact quite close and not very far up the road.  They will be excavating the area where the temple is for many years, so there will be many interesting archaeological finds to come from there in the future.  This image captures a relaxed moment before we started our very hard walk up the mountain.


Isabelle, oil painting on canvas 106cm x 127cm, 2015

Monday 29 June 2015

London Exhibition,' Bells From The Deep' at the Hundred Years Gallery

My latest exhibition of work includes three recent pieces, Forgotten Tree, Apotropaic Trees and The Other Tree Sunset to be shown in London at the Hundred Years Gallery.

Apotropaic Trees
 
Forgotten Tree
 
 
The Other Tree Sunset
 

It takes place at the Hundred Years Gallery in London, 13 Pearson Street, London E2 8JD.  Here are are the details.

1.Bad-Dad-Jem-Negus‘Bells from the Deep’ is a title borrowed from one of the great Werner Herzog’s documentaries which dives in the profound spirituality and superstition in Russia. For our Open Call we aim to ring the deep bells of the artists, searching for the spontaneity of drawing and the dedication of craft printing, as an intimate and direct expression of the artist’s inner force, whether this one comes from the so common overwhelming social struggles, life’s uncertainty and beauty, fears, or just simply their personal, spiritual or not, themes.

During the ‘Bells From The Deep’ exhibition the gallery basement will turn into a drawing room open to everyone who wants to use it as an improvised studio. We will also ask the audience to participate in a series of events organized with the artists and to vote for their favourites. The 8 most voted artists will be exhibited in a Hundred Years Gallery Group Show during 2016 organized and curated by the Director Montse Gallego.

Saturday 27 June 2015

Manchester Autistic Show

It's been a while since I posted due to unbelievable levels of work (which) will continue so until later in July.  I took a morning off from my work commitments to attend the Manchester Autism Show.  I spend a couple of hours drawing in public as part of the Artism art group (which supports artists, in particular autistic artists).   This is a pretty rare occurrence because I really cannot stand doing my art in front of people.  Here evidence of my efforts.


Add caption

Friday 22 May 2015

The Other Tree Sunset

This is the last drawing for a while due to work commitments.  This one is based on the same sunset as 'Tree Sunset' but focused on a different tree. 
The Other Tree Sunset, A3 carbon pencil, charcoal pencil, coloured pencil.



Wednesday 20 May 2015

Tree Sunset

Sunsets seem to be a theme at the moment.  Maybe it is because I am having to take a break from art for a couple of months while I work hard on my paying job.  I think the time while I'm working is quite useful as it gives me time to think about the art that I've done so far in the year and what projects I have in mind when I am free to work on my art.  I already have lots of ideas and plans about what I will be doing in the next few months.  Anyway, this piece is a continuation of Forgotten Tree but with more focus on colour.  Winter trees are the major beauty of winter.  I don't generally like winter and the weeks and weeks of cold and dark.  What helps get through winter is frost, picturesque snow, fog in the evening and looking at the shapes that trees make against the sky.  For now though I'll be looking forward to heat and sunshine at least at some point this summer.

Tree Sunset, A3 carbon pencil, charcoal pencil and coloured pencil

Friday 15 May 2015

Playground Sunset, November 2013

I have two children so spending time in playgrounds is something that I find myself doing a lot.  On one occasion we went out just before sunset for a quick visit to the local playground.  November and December 2013 were particularly good for the wonderful sunsets.  I don't know whether there was more pollution than normal or whether it was to do with other unusual weather, however whatever the cause the sunsets were spectacular for a number of days.  Sitting in the park while the kids play really does give me time to look around and take everything in.  It was particularly lucky when I got to take in the sunsets of November/December 2013.


Playground Sunset, November 2013, A3 carbon/graphite and colour pencil

Wednesday 13 May 2015

Forgotten Tree

I've called this piece Forgotten Tree because there are so many of these 'forgotten' trees in parks across the country.  I sit in the park after collecting my girls from school and take in the surroundings.  Generally they are familiar and rather mundane.  The park looks the same and rather forgotten.  It could do with an overhaul.  The trees capture my imagination especially in the winter.  Trees make interesting patterns in the winter.  How many times do people sit and take in their surroundings and the trees?  Everyone at the park seem to be engrossed in each other's conversations, the kids play on the park equipment ignoring everything except each other.  I sit away from them all and take it in and think.  Maybe forgotten applies to aspects in my life.  I certainly was forgotten in previous workplaces.  Often the most qualified person, I would be overlooked for a promotion in favour of someone more loud mouthed and noticed.  I've left that behind and find life more peaceful and happy.  

Forgotten Tree, A3 carbon and colour pencils

Monday 11 May 2015

Reality, Southsea Common, June 1977

If this picture seems ominous or threatening to you then I've achieved what I set out to do.  Southsea Common was near where I lived in Portsmouth.  I remember living on the South Coast of England, the walks, days out in Brighton and breathing the fresh air.  My mum finished her degree in June 1977.  During the lead up to June I was told about our impending move to Manchester, or more specifically Longsight in Manchester.  Longsight was nothing like Portsmouth.  Before I came up to Manchester I always had the stereotypical view of the North of England as grim, rather like the opening credits that were shown on the soap opera Coronation Street.  Where we ended up living in Longsight actually turned out just as bad as I feared.  It was grim, back alleys, smogs so thick that the buses stopped running because they couldn't see where they were going and standing outside made your feet disappear.

I also had a sense of wonder at what was actually real.  I believed that I was the only real person in the world while I lived in Portsmouth.  Everything else was fake/a robot/not alive.  Whether this sense of alone in the world was a manifestation of autism I don't know.  Reality on Southsea Common was me and an unwelcome move up to the North of England.  Sometimes reality is not what we want or expect.

Reality, Southsea Common, June 1977, oil painting on board 120x100cm

Saturday 9 May 2015

Think Differently Exhibition

Three of my recent artworks, Sounion, Siesta in Epirus and Alone are currently being exhibited at Art With A Heart in Altrincham as part of the ArtismUK art group which supports autistic artists.  Further exhibitions will be following over the next few months which will feature some of the other recent work that I have produced.  So far the response has been positive!

Me and my work (from left to right), Sounion, Siesta in Epirus and Alone.


Detail of Siesta in Epirus and Alone.



Thursday 30 April 2015

Contemplation, August 2000

This piece reflects on a difficult stage in my life.  I graduated in June 2000 from my BA hons degree in Classical Studies.  That should have meant a summer of relaxation after the stress of final exams and a 12,000 word dissertation.  I had some temporary work set up that should have lasted the summer, however the work dried up after only 4 weeks.  Instead of parties, nights out and fun it was missed rent payments and food donations off family to see us through to the next academic year.  My boyfriend and me were completely broke.  For entertainment we went for all day walks and late into the night walks.  I've never eaten so many lentils, but lentils aren't a student food for nothing.  Other cash streams that I had relied on also didn't materialise.


Contemplation, August 2000, oil on board 100x120cm

What kept me going through this financial catastrophe was knowing that from late September I would start my MA studies.  I had applied for a bursary for this qualification as there was no student loan funding for post graduate studies.  This application was rejected.  I applied to my bank for a career development loan.  I phoned them to check on my application.  I was unbelievably relieved to hear that my application was successful.  A letter came a few days later rejecting my loan application.  I was stunned.  No job, no money and an MA to pay for! 

It got worse.  The flat we had lived in since May 1995 had become almost uninhabitable due to lack of repairs by our morally corrupt and stingy landlord.  We finally complained about this to the council who inspected it.  They agreed that the state of the property was appalling and instructed the landlord to make specific repairs.  The reward to us was a two month eviction notice period.  No, money, MA to pay for and soon to be homeless. 

There was lots of thinking to be done regarding this dire situation.  If I didn't find funding for the MA I didn't know what else I was going to do.  There was no plan B, there was only plan A, an MA for the following year.  This why I call this piece 'Comtemplation, August 2000'.  I had to think my way out of this predicament and I did this successfully.  Within a week I had secured a loan from another bank, within three weeks I had set up part time work at the university where I was studying, and within four weeks we had put a deposit down on a lovely house in the same area we were living.  From the ashes rises the phoenix.  Whenever life seems to be a never ending series of bad news, never lose hope and always keep trying is the most valuable lesson learned from this difficult time.
 

Saturday 18 April 2015

Sounion




This drawing continues a theme that I have been following for a few months based on my visits to the temple of Poseidon at Sounio.  In earlier posts I mention that my first visit to this temple was in 1999 as a student on the British School at Athens undergraduate course, Topography and Archaeology of Ancient Greece.  This very ruined temple captured my imagination then and upon returning in August 2014 it did not let me down.  The situation of the temple is the tip of Southern Attica about 79 km from Athens.  It was dedicated to the god Poseidon (king of the sea) in the mid 5th century BC and later abandoned as Christianity spread throughout the Mediterranean.

Many people come here to see the sun set over the horizon as the Aegean sea spreads out from the cliff top where the temple stands.  I've yet to see the sunset.  Another excuse to visit in the hopefully not too distant future.  I think I will be creating a lot more work based on this temple!



Sounion, A1 drawing and gouche (2015)

Monday 23 March 2015

At Bet's, June 1986

 
 Bet was my gran (8th Feb1929-16th March 1994).  I spent at least half my childhood at Bet's house. I'm not sure that it was planned that way.  At first I only visited when we (my mum and me) came up to Sale (just outside Manchester) from where we lived which was sometimes Portsmouth and at other times London.  We finally moved to Longsight, Manchester in 1977 and the following year Bet got very ill with Crohn's disease.  There was a point where it was believed she wouldn't live for much longer however she did pull through although it took her a year to get out of hospital and another year to get back to work.  During this time we visited her several times a week at the hospital and when she finally got back home, we spent every weekend and holiday there.  My mum stopped doing the whole weekend visits, just coming on a Sunday.  I continued with the weekend and holiday visits and even started to stay two nights a week for a while because my mum started night school.  I ended up with my own bedroom and it was basically a second (or you could say main) home. 

At Bet's, June 1986, Oil painting on board 122cmx100cm

This painting shows a weekend moment in June 1986.  On sunny, warm days we would often have the French window open which I loved because it was like bringing the garden into the house.  There weren't really many other days that year that were warm enough to do that with summer 1986 turning out to be particularly wet and cold.



Monday 9 March 2015

Τολό

Τολό or in English letters Tolo is a small seaside town in the south western Peloponnese of Greece.  The first time I went to this place was 1999 while studying with the British School at Athens.  It is near the oldest intact bridge in the world (c.1300BC) and still used by the locals.  We visited the usual places nearby, Mycenae and Epidauros and later went out for a meal in Tolo where our hotel was.  I finished eating long before anyone else and went straight back to the hotel swimming pool.  Lovely experience having a pool all to yourself at night, floating face up looking at the stars.  I returned to Tolo in August 2014 with my family.  My girls loved the relaxed Greek atmosphere and the tavernas that sit right next to the sea. 

This painting captures a moment where my oldest daughter is looking out at sea.  She is happiest when she is swimming in the and snorkelling, which she will do all day without a break.  Here is a rare moment when she was not in the sea albeit briefly.



τολό, oil painting on board, 122cm x 100cm

Preliminary drawing, A3

Thursday 22 January 2015

Sounio 2


This is the second drawing/painting which follows the theme of Sounio.  I explained in my post 'Sounio' earlier in January why this place is important to me.  I'll probably develop the A3 drawing/paintings into a larger scale oil painting at some time in the near future.


Sounio 2, pen drawing and gouache, A3 (2015)

Sunday 11 January 2015

Latest Exhibition - Draw Your Own Conclusions

My work is being exhibited alongside other drawings from 14th January to 1st March 2015 in Altrincham. Below is the promotional material for this exhibition (which features my 'Girl' drawing).

 



Here are two of my art works included in the exhibition

Top image, Girl
Bottom image, Apotropaic Trees


There is also a life drawing session for all abilities that is taking place on Saturday 17th January.