Tim Baynes Art

ABU DHABI DELIGHTS

2012-01-30T06:38:00.002-08:00

The balance of Sunday, through until noodle soup in one of the modest hotel outlets, was spent trying to turn dull presentations into communication of brilliance. Time flew and so to bed.

Today dawned clear and bright although there was apparently fog out at the airport during the night, delaying planes to London which had the knock on effect of delaying all delegates' flights out of London. Ooops!

Oh well, we ready ourselves in the project office for the arrival of 140 people at sometime!

My high spot today was a walk across to the Crowne Plaza for a haircut.

Illustrated here: The hotel and a landscape of Abu Dhabi captured on the way back from me haircut.

ABU DHABI DO

2012-01-30T06:38:00.001-08:00

ABU DHABI DO

2012-01-29T00:36:00.000-08:00

Here for a week. Conference facilitation. Airbus 340-600 touched down 0230 am. Hotel and in bed by 3am.

Sleep punctuated by sound of a racing car. Awoke to realise the Hotel (Yas Viceroy is actually sitting on top of the country's Grand Prix track).

In the middle distance, Ferrari World and Ikea.

Warming up, unlike England's cricket performance.

5 MINUTES FROM MY DESK

2012-01-26T14:14:00.000-08:00

This new series comprises lunchtime drawings recent, and little older completed within a five-minute walk from 24 Percy Street just off the Tottenham Court Road.

NOHO is this district’s name, part of Fitzrovia a business area, Greek-Cypriot enclave, excellent coffee shops and restaurants, nudging its way into the University College of London, with The Post Office Tower as a landmark of London. This is a really vibrant area, with people spilling from bars and pubs even on a winter’s night.

Featured: Fitzroy Square - Fitzroy Square was a speculative development (nothing new here then!) intended to provide London residences for aristocratic families, and was built in four stages. Leases for the eastern and southern sides, designed by Robert Adam, were granted in 1792

SEEN ON THE RIDE - re posted

2012-01-22T11:28:00.000-08:00

Seen on the ride

On the last couple of Saturdays I have been denied the company of cycling chum Chris so, in absentia, I have still ventured forth, shortening the route to allow me to pull up and do a drawing at place that pleases.

On both mornings the sun has been out and the air quite crisp with leaves crunching under foot. Oh that Jack Frost is still about!

Cutting Edge

2012-01-04T12:27:00.000-08:00

If lino cutting was your least favourite class room activity at school this may not be for you.

Through my print making tutor Christine Lock I have been gently introduced to this hitherto unexplored form of printmaking. Its small scale and craft-like way of working is the prefect counterpoint to the expressive expanse mono print of 2010 - 11.

All change for 2012 another new direction!

Featured: Spring Trees both pieces 210 x 148 mm

2012 is off to a flying start

2012-01-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

January 1st, on the day this blog reached its 2nd birthday I was cycling with Judge Ricardo.

Here we are taking a well earned rest towards the end of an arduous ride. As ever, in these rare off duty moments, I am regaled with tales from this country's brilliant legal system.

Happy New Year!

MORE LIFE

2011-12-29T12:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the place to draw.

Another great drawing session organised by the wonderful David!

Body: Model's own

Commuting Home for Christmas

2011-12-25T06:25:00.001-08:00

Up and down the country we were hurrying home to love ones. Cheek to cheek, toe to toe on the overcrowded trains, taking advantage of the services before they are reduced for the Christmas break.

Hurry Hurry Quick Quick!

Featured here the edge of Platform 3 at Marylebone Station in London.

CONGREGATION FOR THE CONFERMENT OF DEGREES

2011-12-22T11:14:00.001-08:00

Tuesday 13 December 2011 at 9.45 am saw the culmination of an impressive learning journey: Private primary education, entry into the Grammar School system, spiced with adolescent anecdotes, such as an accompanied visit to a Police Station and very mild alcoholic poisoning and finally through to completion of an Bachelor of Arts degree course at the University of Leeds.

Megan Baynes was ‘admitted to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts First Class Honours - Sociology.

We had a nice cuppa in the Sociology Department after the Ceremony.

MIYAKE FOR ME

2011-12-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

A little bit of Issey Miyake does us all a power of good! This drawing from Fashion and Textile Museum rediscovered during a recent stock take.

MARVELS OF MALCOLM

2011-12-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

I found an audio cassette at the back of the cupboard yesterday.

A recording off air, from Radio 1 I guess. So straight to iTunes to down load Waltz Darling released in 1989 and took vogue style of dance. Fave track: Something’s Jumpin’ in Your Shirt featuring Lisa Marie.

Picture: Appropriate to the topic

NIL BY MOUTH

2011-12-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Drawing on the NHS

Bron recently underwent an operation and the recovery ward presented a good opportunity to get some drawing done.

Loads of interesting equipment, Ward Sister, shuffling patients and visitors out of place, meanwhile I am eyeing up the chocolates on the adjacent patient’s bed table.

ON A COLD AND FROSTY MORNING

2011-12-10T12:42:00.000-08:00

Here we go round the mulberry bush, On a cold and frosty morning

Cycle chum, framer, photographer and great friend Chris and I did not find a Mulberry bush but it sure was COLD on Saturday morning - Me ‘plates’ were frozen as were me ‘German bands’

Picture credits: My iPhone

BACK TO LIFE

2011-12-10T12:41:00.000-08:00

It was great to discover a life drawing group close to work and I went along last Tuesday! Brilliantly organised by David, excellent model called Clifford, great draw-ers and tea and biscuits at the interval. I shall return

Featured: Clifford

Link for more detail on the Group

Spens gift

2011-12-05T13:16:00.000-08:00

I recently became friends with leading contemporary painter and printmaker Peter Spens and was lucky enough to spend time with him in his studio and Gallery close to Highgate tube!

Currently you are in for a treat if you can make the short trip to see From mountains to sea, his latest show at Cranley Galleries.

Additionally, much of Peter’s current work over recent years work brings London to life with breathtaking large-scale views of London and the Thames. When I was with Peter it was exciting to be so close to energetic pieces and see also how he translate this into monoprint.

Full details of the show is here and the address is Cranley Gallery 3 Cranley Gardens London N10 3AA

THREE THINGS I HAVE IN COMMON WITH AN EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

2011-12-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

I worked with one once, when he was at McCann-Erickson
A passionate interest in typography
An obsession with keeping a drawing book

After a decade of having not worked with him and slightly less from having met up with him I was delighted to catch up with David Harris, now Executive Creative Director at Wunderman.

David has 70 drawing books, Daler-Rowney A5, the first dates back to when he was at college. Illustrated here, excerpts from his current book.

We talked of many things, great agencies we had known and he had worked in, offspring of whom we were extremely proud, creative leadership in the digital age, how to get a creative department in on time on a Monday morning, how that just some times, you have to do the ***kin’ ad yourself and other topics around we might stay connected.

During my tawdry career in ad land I hung-out in the creative department when ever I could and sometimes felt uncomfortable, yet, looking back, it was and is the place to be.

THANK YOU DAVID

Nicholas Dwan Draws

2011-11-19T12:51:00.000-08:00

Friend from Microsoft Michael Dwan caught the last moments of my show at the Circus Gallery today with his son Nicholas.

Nicholas is brilliant at drawing and thanks to his father is already set up with coloured pencils and a Moleskine.

He drew in my book and I drew in his. Cool.

Attached examples of his most excellent work.

Cynthia's Drawings

2011-10-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Friend in Cyberland Cynthia Scherb recently bought a copy of DRAWING on EXPERIENCE having discovered me on BBC.com in the US.

More importantly she shared some drawings from her Moleskine which I think are great!

Landlocked but loving the sea

2011-10-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Some good feedback from the posting the exhibition work on Flickr

Jo Johnston said:

Hello Tim, I've really enjoyed your travel sketches.. But I love your "shoreline" monoprints. They give a real sense being by the sea, of the waves and the sea breezes! I always seem to live in landlocked places but crave the sea.. Your prints really summon up the atmosphere of the coast with elegant simplicity!

Best wishes from Jo in Berlin

AS IMPORTANT . . .

See Jo’s work here http://www.flickr.com/photos/62254781@N03/ she has done some wonderful work and I especially admire her work of the sea.

Train Times

2011-10-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to be connected with Train Faces

Train faces is a super-blog inspired by Jay Snelling and aims to put the art back into the art of travelling! Well done Jay! I will be dusting off some of my earlier commuting captures to be one of the 'regulars'

"The train now leaving from Tim's Moleskine is the . . .. . "

THE SHOW OPENS!

2011-10-22T09:44:00.001-07:00

After nine months of work and eight weeks of intensive preparations, mishaps and turn-it-around support from my wonderful family and close friends my show SHORELINE opened on Thursday evening.

The work was well received as a press announcement commented:

‘The diversity of the English coastline, sky, shore, and quayside with a force and variety has successfully moored up Tim Baynes’ exhibition, which runs from October 20th until November 6th at the Circus Gallery in London.’

Circus Gallery 58 Marylebone High Street W1U 5HT

October 21 – November 6th 2011 Monday – Friday 10am - 5pm Weekends 10am - 4pm

Photography: Chris Worthington

Back to the line in Bedford Square

2011-10-19T09:50:00.001-07:00

I drifted out of the office on the lunch break and into Bedford Square.

And made my first drawing for many days.

Three protestors in the Autumn sunlight from the 4o DAYS FOR LIFE American anti-abortion group maintain their watch outside the offices of the British Pregnacy Advisory Service.

A very english wedding

2011-10-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

As Autumn comes upon us it is time to remember the wonderful Summertime. On almost the last day of August we went to the lovely wedding of Janine and Humphrey. Held at the tiny church in the village of Chilton in Buckinghamshire tucked away in the Chiltern escarpments: wonderful views, wonderful hats, wonderful company and excellent Chablis. All in all a great occasion.

Shoreline Exhibition Opens October 20

2011-10-12T05:29:00.000-07:00

Featured here Brighton Pier sokiss me quick

The Brighton MarinePalace and Pier is often seen on TV and in film including Carry On at Your Convenience. What acarry on! Take a stroll along, go on the rides; the deck chairs are free. Enjoyyourself with a hot pie.

Brighton Pier So Kiss Me Quick Monoprint 30 x 50 cms

Arguably the best part of Brazil is now in London!

2011-10-08T12:34:00.001-07:00

If you wish for the best espresso just north of Oxford Street, or you need some great pastries for that early morning client meeting go here.

Maybe there is an impelling need to impress people from France with a really good croissant (in London?) then go to the Brazillian Gourmet at the bottom of Cleveland Street.

Director Manager Christiane and her team are wonderful and professional.

If you have been to Brazil you'll know what I mean. If you have yet to go to Brazil, go here! And then book that trip to Brazil.

CHORALE

2011-09-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

I have returned to the choir and last Sunday we sung this lovely hymn.

The first verse was simply uplifting

Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness,
Leave the gloomy haunts of sadness;
Come into the daylight's splendor,
There with joy thy praises render
Unto Christ Whose grace unbounded
Hath this wondrous banquet founded.
Higher o'er all the heav'ns He reigneth,
Yet to dwell with thee He deigneth.

Text: Johann Franck, 1649; trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863
Music: Johann Cruger, 1598-1662
Tune: SCHMUCKE DICH

When did I last wear that jacket?

2011-09-25T11:35:00.003-07:00

The other day, in a desperate attempt to look smart I dug a seldom-used jacket from my wardrobe and fished this boarding pass from the last time I had worn it.

The memories of a few summer days and eating in restaurants by the River Nile came flooding back.

CANADIAN TENACITY AT ITS FINEST

2011-09-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

I am sure many people like me share a love of Canada and Canadians! Recently new friend Rob Elliot took on the might of the dear Canadian banking system to get a cheque over to me for my book Drawing on Experience.

The chain of email between us reached nearly to Newfoundland before the money turned up on my door step! Check out the envelope and stamps.

This story is a testament to all that is wonderful about Canada.

And Rob has the tenacity of a RCMP.

Thanks Rob

See Rob at www.swizzlestudio.com

ROUND THE COAST WITH RUTH

2011-09-25T11:00:00.001-07:00

My latest artistic collaboration is with walker, writer and photographer Ruth Livingstone.

Quote from her Home Page: "My name is Ruth Livingstone. I am a 50 something lady and I have set myself a task. I am going to walk around the coastline of the British mainland. Starting in North Norfolk, I will head clockwise around the coastline, following paths and tracks"

Please visit Ruth here

The arrangement with Ruth is that from time to time she sends me one her great photos and I turn it into a drawing and it finds its way up on http://ruthl.wordpress.com which is wonderful.

Example of the first drawing is here

This is a hugely exciting collaboration. Ruth's energy and flair bounces off the pages of her Blog as she walks round our coast and like my other artists she is constantly doing and creating!

Thank you Ruth x

Here is the second drawing

COLOUR ME JFK

2011-09-25T10:53:00.000-07:00

Spotted at JFK airport last night.

Super-friend and West Coast girl Juliet Erickson and captured this retail rainbow on her iPhone. This colourful display is at the ever excellent and constantly wonderful Muji store.

Love the colour, love the store, and really love the thought!

PEMBROKESHIRE 2

2011-09-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday Monday – each day a walk long the beach at White Sands just below the house. Few people about and I take a dip in the sea thinking that it will be sometime before I can next be in seawater swimming. We take a cliff top walk, five miles, a wonderful coastal path and look down the cliffs to the sea below rushing against rocks 750 million years old, the Cambrian age. Eventually we reach the lifeboat station at Porthstinian and here we are scooped up by Kate in the Land Rover and bounced back to the house for lunch.

I take afternoon nap, on a towel outside the house in the sun and the down onto the beach for a swim and an ice cream, chocolate with chocolate cornet.

Sunday evening: Church Beer and Fish and Chips. We attend Evensong at St David’s Cathedral. Warm grey stone sits on this town’s hillside basking in the last of the evening sun. The collects give us hope: Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Then bump bump in the Land Rover to Porth Gain and the Sloop Inn for a goodly and godly pint! The place was packed and live music was the draw http://www.sloop.co.uk

With warm welsh bitter which we sat and supped taking in the sights and people watching. Mike and I tarried longer over out pints contemplating more at The Shed http://www.theshedporthgain.co.uk/ the fish and chip bistro in the village where I tucked into haddock and chips with a little more pale welsh beer. All in all a wonderful evening and on the five-mile ride back to Whitesands I was nicely insulated through food and drink to the bump bump of Mike Land Rover.

One of my artistic hero’s is John Knapp-Fisher. I have salivated over his work through re-reading his wonderful book Pembrokeshire. Mike drove me over to his gallery in Croesgoch only a few miles down the road. John was in and we engaged in conversation and I was able to show him with immoderate praise and as importantly to actually see his work close-up! This experience included seeing his wonderful sketchbooks and colour palettes and all the paraphernalia of his work – everything was on display to touch and feel! These three short days in Pembroke, talking to John about his work, the location and hospitality afforded by Mike and Kate has ensured that I am bonded to this part of the world and willed to return. This is a particular landscape, unpacked before me in short order: tiny fields, hedge row-walls punctuated with slate roofed farms and often a blue blue sea.

For more on Mr. Knapp-Fisher

http://www.johnknapp-fisher.com/John_Knapp-Fisher/Home.html

Pembrokeshire

2011-09-09T14:40:00.001-07:00

PEMBROKE – A TIME IN WEST WALES

All shades of grey and ochre. All shades of green punctuated with purple and orange. Green landscape that reaches through slate stone and igneous and on to broad beach of sands that carry the reflection of walkers, surfers and the others.

Craig yr Awel is a lovely 1930’s cottage dear friends Kate and Mike have taken for a few weeks and invited us. This lovely house wedged into a hillside that looks out over the sea, which today shades grey green blue and changes every minute. The day is grey with wind and rain lashing everything until the mid afternoon.

One looks out on a sea, which changes colour directed by the light that may or may not break through a cloud and alter the temperature of the view. This is the light fantastic, or Fantasique, in a part of Wales that spawns painters and makers.

We arrived at noon in great wetness and wind and after a great lunch of local crab and roe with a nice green salad and a glass of rosé Sancerre. Then I climbed into a wet suit for a lesson on body boarding in the afternoon. I made a quick drawing on the beach (which was coloured in later).

This evening as I sit in the conservatory at Craig yr Awel the light continues to change, the colour of the sea, islands three miles out, and the sands immediately beneath this blessed house.

FURNITURE AND BETTER BURGERS

2011-08-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

A family meeting decided early that a late power-breakfast at Burger City was the perfect way to start a busy day by the pool. This was preceded by a trip to the stationary store to get more drawing pens (mine had expired in the heat) and visit the ATM although Burger City do take credit cards. Excellent fare and good quality diet cola. The atmosphere convivial populated by the usual clientele harried parents and ungracious offspring.

The highlight of the day (so far) was my visit to the furniture and word-working workshop at the end of our road. Two friendly chaps allowed me in to make a drawing and some photographs. Most hospitable, as I drew, a nice Turkish tea was placed in front of me on an upturned canister of wood-glue. What I could not work out was that the some of the walls were tiled and there was a huge vat in one corner and a nine-foot high press-like object that could not figure in the world of woodwork. I was told that before 1975 the place was and olive oil mill. The wheels of progress turn . . .

HILL FIRE AT BELLAPAIX - looking back to Cyprus

2011-08-27T13:09:00.000-07:00

Well today has been an adventure. Bellapaix Abbey must be only a forty-minute walk from the village so I decided to try. Twenty minutes into the climb I was out of the village and picking my way through a thistle invested ravine! The reward was an exceptional side on profile view of the north side of this gothic wonder nestling in the mountainside. Along another track, a side road, the main road and then I entered Bellapaix village at last.

Then pandemonium, on the main street, two fire engines, a police car and then there was a big pall of smoke and the thunderous crackle of flame. In the valley-ravine below the abbey, not far from where I had been 30 minutes earlier, a huge fire had broken out. As I write this water bearing helicopters, flown over from mainland Turkey, is running a water-bearing shuttle between the sea and our precious mountain. Quel dommage!

GRABBING THE PAN HANDLE

2011-08-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

Rose early and by 0730 on the road heading northeast towards and then along the Karpaz Peninsula known as the ‘pan handle’ of Cyprus. A sixty-two mile trip on now made excellent roads (last years tracks along the sea were pretty yet fearful). The early part of the day: shadows cast long across a red and sage green landscape that darkens blue-green as mountains rise up on the south east of our route.

Blue sea to our left or to our right sparkles en route. A brave journey without a map, a situation resolved as we reached Yenierekoy. Here after buying stamps from a happy post master (also an excuse to change a large note) I was furnished with two excellent maps by the Tourist Office next door; thus endowed, several jewel-like basilicas were discovered and drawn culminating with the Ayios Philon Church dedicated to Philon, the saint who converted the people of these parts to Christianity in the 4th century.

North Cyprus Return to Salamis

2011-08-17T07:10:00.001-07:00

We went again to Salamis a huge archaeological site that goes back to 11^th C BC founded by Teucer who could not return home after the Trojan War because he failed to avenge his brother Ajax. It is also associated with Assyrian Kings and was ruled by Ptolemy Alexander the Great’s foremost general. Thence it became a Roman province and St Barnabas who brought Christianity to Cyprus was stoned to death her. Salamis was abandoned during the Arab invasions of the 7^th century, as the city was in decline its harbour having silted up.

The site is vast. Excavations began in 1952. We saw a team at work last year and were able to look at their uncovering of another section of roman baths. Yet excavations have only uncovered a fraction (theatre, gymnasium, basilica, agora, and forum) of what must have been a huge and thriving community who’s necropolis covers seven square kilometres.

The place has a wild, delightfully unkempt feel as sea breezes displace some of the heat. Arrival at an early hour in the morning is recommended!

North Cyprus Bellapaix Abbey

2011-08-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

THE FINEST GOTHIC IN THE NEAR EAST

Having visited most of the cathedrals in England we are finely attuned to the delights of gothic architecture. Bellapaix Abbey, almost walk-able from the Villa, is billed as one of the finest pieces of gothic. Built on the side of a mountain, this twelfth-century monastery is a fine testament to the Lusignan period (the Lusignans from France, a family that came to control the Kingdoms of Jerusalem and of Cyprus).

The Abbey, with its pretty church appears, to float above the landscape. The masonry work of its cloister arches and tracery (most of which is fractured and is now silhouetted against the sky like old, poor, broken teeth) is so light and delicate.

Chill out Cyprus

2011-08-15T07:54:00.001-07:00

Today we went into Girne to see the castle, with a wonderful view across the harbour. This redoubtable fortress was home to the Hellenistic Romans, Crusaders, Lusignans (Guy de Lusignan was a cousin to Richard I) Venetians and then Ottomans from 1570.

Cyprus is close to (clockwise) Turkey Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Libya and Greece. Given those countries have over the last 2000 years been embroiled in conflict army commanders need a nice place; lush, verdant, accessible and defendable to send their troops for R&R. Chill out in Cyprus.

North Cyprus - The precursor to Ibizia

2011-08-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

North Cyprus - Vogue Club

2011-08-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

Midday we went in search of a beach to adopt. Not visited last year but this we drove 7 km East and discovered the Vogue Club. A huge and quite deserted beach resort; with different terraces, bars and sun loungers strewn here there and everywhere, punctuated by red yellow and orange Agila sun umbrellas. We seem to be the only one of a several families there and were given 50% off the entry price of TL10, as it was our first visit.

The Vogue Club became busier; eventually I counted 20 people in the warm sea of the tiny bay in which the place sits. The place looks like it was planned to be a much busier. Part of it looks like a hotel, uncompleted and another accommodation block, grey concrete nestles up against that. Behind a huge, lovely swimming pool, there is a huge amphitheatre with lighting gantries, possibly for the several music nights advertised?

Anyway we loved it and stayed for four hours, frequently cooling off in the sea and trying out any many sun loungers as we had the energy for.

North Cyprus - delicious dereliction

2011-08-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

I walked into the village. Did a drawing of a lovely deserted house or rather old house fallen into disrepair, I built a fantasy about it belonging to an old, long gone, family and so not in habited by since the troubles.

The climate makes buildings, fabric and paint age so gracefully.

Northern Cyprus - Last night a cleaner saved my life

2011-08-11T22:39:00.000-07:00

Arrived Saturday evening to find the villa in a two and eight!

Two hours later, the four of us, with what cleaning equipment came to hand and buckets of dettol had the place almost habitable. The major impact came from stowing old carpets and bric-a-brac in every available cupboard. All of a sudden the place began to look lovely.

Next day the cleaner came to finish the job.

Northern Cyprus -Good enough to eat

2011-08-11T22:34:00.001-07:00

Its is great to return to a place. In this case Northern Cyprus as we could not find oranges in the super market, OMG, I remembered (from last year) the roadside fresh produce shop run by an English lady from Stoke on Trent so bought oranges from the lady and some onions.

Brighton Rocks

2011-08-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

My show in October, The Sea, the Sea 2, at the Circus Gallery in London marks my return to the coast.

This will be a very English exhibition of work; capturing all that is best about the beach and the sea. The pier is very much a part of our sea and shore. Brighton Pier with its beach of peebles, fish and chips, kiss-me-quick, Pie, scary dodgem cars, deck chairs.

The show opens October 20th and runs until mid November.

Dubai fell out of my book

2011-08-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

The other day I pulled a book from the shelf, one I must have been reading last November.

Out tumbled a boarding pass from a one day trip to Dubai for BBC work with a lovely sales team out there. The memories came flooding back.

Secret Regent's Park

2011-08-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Discovered only day's ago, a secret garden in The Regent's Park and the entrance to which most of us will miss! Such colour! Colours of high Summer.

With a hey , and a ho and a hey-nonny-no

Shakespeare - As You Like It -

Act 5, Scene 3

ith a hey, and a ho, and a hey-nonny-no

Leslie Charles Driscoll - 20 December 1937 - 6 February 2011

2011-07-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

The last time I saw Leslie Driscoll he had a big smile on his face, was making jokes and at the same time, complaining about the service.

Leslie was perhaps one of the greatest influences on my life.

He touched the hearts of so many people with his wit, charm and congenital desire to introduce kindred spirits to one another.

He passed away in the beginning of this year after a long battle with illness.

We, those kindred spirits, had a farewell and thanksgiving service on on 22 February and later that day repaired to the The Pig's Ear in Old Church Street in Chelsea, as moment away from where he lived. We celebrated, on that grey February day, a life well lived and renewed friendships, one with another!

Last weekend a smaller number of the party journeyed to Sancreed. Sancreed is a small village 10 minutes from from Penzance. We went to pour his ashes in the area close to Sancreed Well, a holy place, a place that Driscoll loved so much. This grey July weekend was suddenly lit with bright afternoon sunshine across Cornish fields and hedgerows. Then we celebrated, again, in a magnificent party hosted by Michael Truscott the lifetime partner of artist John Miller of whom Leslie was also so very, very fond.

Dear Driscoll, God bless you and make his face to shine upon you and give you peace.

More on Maylandsea (back at the Presse de Lock)

2011-07-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Well the trip to Maylandsea yielded a whole bunch of ideas that distilled down to three strong images that were, yesterday, taken to the studio of Christine Lock Print maker and by me, through great artifice and some skill translated into mono prints.

Here are the baseline drawings.

The prints themselves are still drying, pressed under a great weights. They will be photographed and shared soon.

The good news is that one can visit a place, collect some material and ferment ideas over a seven day period and then turn all this into moderately wonderful work. To be proven of course. Trust.

I have actually filmed the 16 stages of printmaking yesterday and hope to stitch these sequences together to explain how it all works (for me).

A good printmaking day yesterday. Lunch hitherto and a continued feature was home-made chowder and garlic bread for lunch, with a modest (there's that word again) dessert of home-made apple crumble and (single) cream.

We are back and working towards the Autumn show.

Recognition at last

2011-07-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

This deceptively annodyne piece of communication landed with a whisper on the door mat the other morning. I would assure readers that I was not personally responsible for the consumption that obviously prompted this fine Pizza company to award the house the appellation of 'Valued Customer'

Bless.

Last wild places in Essex

2011-07-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

Continuing my series the Last Lonely Places in Essex, and in search of material for my print making I visited Maylandsea. Another edge-of-world village, on the coast on the Dengie peninsula; just south of Maldon and only 25 miles north of Southend on Sea.

An estuary village of bungalows, one Indian restaurant called Posh Spice a ship yard and dry dock and marina. One road in and the same way out, Maylandsea also features a pub named, with typical Essex candour, the Horny Toad (free parking).

I left with some wonderful images of barges and boat yard paraphernalia. x

Charlotte's Shop

2011-07-08T11:10:00.001-07:00

Essex has many famous people and places, John Constable, Southend Pier, and setting for the hit TV show The Only Way is Essex. I will add in Charlotte Campbell's small but perfectly formed food emporium DELI @ 56 in the village of Kelvedon, just of the A12.

Called in there the other day for wonderful ham from local Priors Hall Farm, a portion of lovely cheese and hand-crafted lemon fairy cakes hand crafted Fair cakes. All of which I selflessly presented to my Father.

Wonderful and worth a visit if you find yourself in the famous county.

29 ways to stay creative

2011-06-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

LIFE ON MICHIGAN AVE

Discovered this web site gem link on creativity! Each of the 29 ways is a a gem!

COMMUTING: Decline or fall

2011-06-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

I was reviewing a collection of recent (in the last twelve months or so) of drawings and came across those made on the daily commute in and out of London. I was struck by how expressive the assortment was as a body of work – conveying the despair of people’s daily journey into work. Or perhaps, closer to home, my feelings about the hopelessness of commuting versus people who can walk to the office or get to where they work in under 20 minutes.

The counter point to all this is the compulsion to draw or get down on paper a pretty face/body/or pair of heels I see on my travel so perhaps commuting is a celebration of beauty.

LATE RUNNING TORTOISE

2011-06-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

In case we sometimes feel that our local train companies are without consideration this caught my eye on the commute home a few weeks ago a notice brimming with compassion

Only two nights prior the entire Chiltern Railways network was plunged into disarray because five cows had wandered onto the line in the Gerrards Cross area.

The Ark now arriving at Platform one is the late running?

Gran Turino

2011-06-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Fun and excitement last Sunday:

Rise at 03:45 catch the 07:10 Ryan Air yellow 737-80 to Turin. Catch an airport bus to city centre. Arrive at the Golden Palace Hotel, typically Italian, dark marble and dim lighting. 12:30 pm work through to 01:30 am Monday with highly talented team of individuals, 23 people including me, on a new business pitch.

Arise 06:45 on Monday morning, micro-breakfast and see pitch team off on the coach to the client’s office! Catch taxi and race through cobbled streets back to airport for 10:10 Ryan Yellow back to London-Stanstead.

Fast, fun, fulfilling.

Featured pictures: Strange bridge, Chinese business man is taught how to tie a tie by his driver, picture of two lovers, taken from the airport bus

The last desolate coast

2011-05-31T13:02:00.001-07:00

On Saturday I went down to Essex, for two reasons; to see my father and to visit the sea shore and gather such material that the time might grant. We went to Tollesbury, on the very edge of the coast some 70 miles East of London.

I have been before. It was the need to connect that impelled this visit.

From the Tollesbury village it is about 5 minutes by car to the water's edge, now grandly called a marina. Fishing boats moored or quietly decaying or being perhaps refurbished with all the paraphernalia of fishing and sailing is littered everywhere. Each item makes its own picture. I selfishly gathered material, a few drawings and many pictures.

Thence out of the harbour, up through the village, stopping at the bread shop for two iced-buns and out onto the coast abutting the farm of John Seabrook.

On the farm we walked along the sea wall, fabricated from bright rusted iron sunk deep deep into the land to hold back the sea. This deserted small area of Essex coast where the occupying Romans would sink their amphorae into the mud to collect the sea and evaporate it into salt. The water was to high to collect the shards of their pottery which are so plentiful at low-water.

The light was flat a leaden sky spread flat upon choppy sea and May-green corn land. Wind from off the sea chilled us and made re-gaing the car a pleasurable moment.

The last special place.

Happy Monday, check your diary

2011-05-29T04:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday when visiting my father in the badlands of Essex I saw this not five minutes walk from his house. Truly, the Only Way is Essex.

Wunderlust Magazine Interview

2011-05-26T13:48:00.001-07:00

To be published soon

World According to.... Tim Baynes

Mountain/desert/jungle/ocean which are you?

Ocean – some of my best drawings are done on the water

First travel experience?

1970 - a 40 minute trip on a hovercraft with my Uncle, a member of the BBC Engineering Club

Favourite journey?

My first trip to Istanbul

Top 5 places worldwide?

Japan, Seattle, New York, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong

Special place to stay?

W Hotel Mexico City – you can lie in a hammock stretch across the bathroom, shower and look out on the city all at the same time.

3 items you always pack?

Moleskine Notebook, Pilot pens and a date stamp (dating my drawings is my OCD

Passport stamp you're proudest of?

China

Passport stamp most like to have?

Russia

Guilty travel pleasure?

A visit to the local post office

Window or aisle?

Aisle, easier for the washrooms as I get older

Who is your ideal travelling companion?

Someone who opens a conversation, tells a good story or talks about themselves and then shuts up

Best meal on the road? Worst?

Dim Sum in Hong Kong, Worst? : Anything Korean (sorry Korea)

Most surprising place? Seattle and its beaches

Most disappointing?

I have never been disappointed by anywhere I’ve been

Where do You NOT want to go?

There are No no-no’s on my list

Who/what inspired you to travel? Microsoft – they gave me the opportunity to work with sales teams across the world – I am very grateful and privileged.

Any travel heroes?

Evelyn Waugh (his wonderful observations)

Lawrence Durrell, reading any of his work is like sitting out in the hot sun

What do you listen to on the road?

Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar to be ‘back home in Blighty’ and any House/Old School to be back with my daughters

Any song take you back to a particular time or place?

When love takes over (Kelly Roland and David Guetta) reminds me of Ibiza and a couple ferociously arguing on a beach very early one morning

What do you read?

Waugh, Durrell and Poems by Thom Gunn

Is there a person you met while travelling who reaffirmed your faith in humanity?

Air crew and cabin staff across the globe.

Anyone who made you lose it? My first strip-search in Canada (I mean my first strip search, which was entering Canada J)

What's the most impressive / useful phrase you know in a foreign language?

‘Arigatou gozaimasu’

What is your worst habit as a traveller?

Always trying to open up a conversation then wanting to close it down when I have had enough (!)

Snowbound in a tent in Antarctica, how would you entertain your companions?

A game of name your five favourite movies and why, then books, then poems, then music tracks

When and where in your travels have you been happiest?

That 10-second moment when you cross the threshold of the plane home and the cabin staff give you a tiny smile (now you got me in tears)

What smell most says 'travel' to you?

My purse of Euro’s they were stored in a damp drawer and smell musty

Given a choice, which era would you travel in?

Today please. Thank you

If you could combine three cities to make your perfect metropolis, what would they be?

Tokyo, Rome, Sao Paulo

The end of year show

2011-05-21T23:01:00.000-07:00

There was a large crowd and lots of chattering talent at the De Montfort (Leicester) Art Foundation Show 2011.

It was another one of those proud father moments and happily my enthusiasm for Bron’s final work was un-dampened by the wine having run out before my arrival. As ever, at a really good show, other people’s work fascinates and inspires me, so I walk away (to a meal at Chicken Nandos) with a few good ideas – to incorporate in my printmaking work.

Fran's Tea Garden

2011-05-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Cycle chum Ricardo and I have one particular route for a monthly ride that takes us past one of the most wonderful teashops in the county of Buckinghamshire and the World: Fran’s Tea Garden. Fran also, I might add, offers a wonderful range of chutneys - not to be missed if you are in the area of Denham on the Grand Union Canal.

Only a short while before these pictures were taken I narrowly escaped falling into the canal having hurriedly braked to give some walkers the greater benefit of the towpath!

Fragments

2011-05-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to go to the open of Fragments on Thursday evening at The Circus Gallery in Marylebone High Street.

This exciting show was introduced by curator, artist and stitcher Adriana Paice and poet Ri Pierce-Grove. They gave an enchanting talk about their collaboration. These talented people have created a series of digital textiles which respond to attention by whispering poetry to you as you pass each work. The pieces are very inspiring filling me with the beginnings of an idea for my show in October. THANK YOU BOTH

Full story is here: www.adrianapaice.com

Fragments of the work

The quest for great coffee continues!

2011-05-11T05:25:00.000-07:00

Just off the Tottenham Court Road, a minute's walk from Fitzroy Square, is the wonderful The Old Dairy Cafe, 35 Conway Street. Wonderful espresso, great service and reasonable prices.

Here is the link http://www.theolddairycafe.com

Martyrs on the Hill

2011-05-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

Up the hill to Amersham on a fine Saturday afternoon. Walking on a path, through sown wheat up Amersham Hill to the monument erected in the 1930's to commemorate the 'Amersham Martyrs burnt 100 metres from the spot where the delightful '30 edifice stands. Larks in the air and clouds scud across the sky.

From the Amersham web site

The memorial was built to commemorate the Martyrs who were burnt at the stake in 1521. The Reformation had some roots in the Amersham. Prior to the Reformation, Lollards were condemned by the Church for such actions as reading the Bible in English and meeting and developing their own ideas.

As punishment and to deter others, 6 were burnt at the stake high above Amersham, so the flames and smoke would be seen by all and act as a warning. The daughter of one of the martyrs was forced to light the fire.

Driving in Dresden

2011-05-07T09:42:00.001-07:00

We caught up with close friends Chris and Liz, part of which included a photo tour of Dresden from where they have just returned. When they are out and about both have a keen photographic eye and this picture caught my imagination!

I of course visited the website and downloaded this picture of happy employees!

Essex made simple

2011-04-26T14:14:00.001-07:00

British television viewers faced an almost insurmountable dilemma on the evening of Easter Sunday; whether at 22:00 hours, to change channels from the wonderful programme on Elgar (In the bleak midwinter) to view another episode of The Only Way is Essex.

Meanwhile, the current issue of Reveal magazine is carrying this wonderful guide to who is who and who and done what with and to who/whom.

Back printmaking at Christine's

2011-04-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, Easter and I was back at the Presse de Lock for a great print making session. Lots of activity, five pieces of work. Exploring directions for the October exhibition, far from panic (yet) Christine, as ever, holding my elbow to ensure I don't fall. Creativity. . . a wondrous thing when it 'works'. As ever at Presse de Lock....one is assured of great cake!

A very Good Friday

2011-04-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

A wonderful bicycle ride with Chris two days back on Good Friday.

Little traffic on the by-roads here about.

At this time of year it is the season for wild flowers in bloom and swathes of Bluebells that love the chalk land soil hereabouts.

The portable studio

2011-04-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

Lots of people have asked about what I use for materials, for my drawings.

Here are the not-so-secrets of the trade.

Moleskine Sketchbooks I use the large size. A Moleskine watercolour book is lovely too if you like the long landscape format. And watercolour in my experience does not work with 'standard' Moleskine paper.

Crayons Caran d'arch Neo Colour II and smugging and blending them on the page is great with wet finger-tips.

Pens - Anything by Pilot especially the G2 and G4 (extra fine points) ranges are wonderful. Uniball pens also excellent.

Watercolours - my watercolour box (not seen here) is 30 years old now, It was bought for me by my first boss in an ad agency! Sadly the colours need replacing every year or so - I use Windsor and Newton half-pan size watercolours go for 'artist quality' not 'student quality'

All this kit can be easily packed away in a small bag (oh! don't forget a small water bottle and a glue stick for appending bits and pieces and tickets etc to the page) and you are all set!

Meanwhile in another part of the forest

2011-04-02T06:42:00.001-07:00

Here is strange encounter today when my friend Chris and I were on our Saturday morning bike ride

A padded jacket that appear to be floating and then resting gently on a tree branch! Part of the attraction was the colour of the coat blending into the shades around it.

The surprise of a great book.

2011-03-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

Other peoples' journals never, ever, cease to facinate! The journal which is constant companion of David G Allan is a case in point.

David is the Editorial Director of BBC.com's super new travel site . In the course of collaborating with him, about using of some of my drawings the new blog section on BBC.com/travel which went live this week, I discovered David's remarkable journal. I persuaded him to send me a few samples to share here.

The first illustration is Sleeping Beauty's Castle for a piece David did for the New York Times and second, an exciting experiement to capture trees of the forest by creating an illustrated daily calendar. Enchanting!

The colour world of hand-cooked crisps

2011-03-02T09:06:00.001-08:00

The in-store merchansising/display teams for Real Crisps have been doing great work around London with these wonderfully colour displays at many food shops in the West End of London!

The full story on the appetising art is here

Out of Africa

2011-02-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

Shepherd's Bush of a lunchtime seems more like a foreign destination than ever. The perfume shop, standing in line for my bag of chips and spotting this vehicle that has seen better days.

Every inch of this part of London fascinates.

Bedtime reading

2011-02-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

As Megs continues to blaze a trial through the hallowed halls of the Social Sciences Faculty, in her final year at Leeds University her book stack/reading list continues to impress.

In awe of Auerbach

2011-02-24T09:33:00.001-08:00

Super clever daughter Bron, currently at Leicester doing art foundation goes to life classes a couple of times a week.

The other day she sent me this wonderful study (full length nude) which immediately reminded me of Frank Auerbach's expressionist - impasto style. Wonderful and full of energy (both pieces)

Featured on the left is an Auerbach portrait.

Auerbach, born in 1931, was at St Martins, then the Royal College.

He was the darling of my tutors at the Slade.

Travel talk

2011-02-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

Here, here (link)are the 200 or so drawings, pulled together in a few folders, America, Canada, Europe and Asia.

They represent the privilege and joy of travel across the world. Travel, time out - quite wonderful. Average - four drawings every seven days (must try harder).

A basilica in Bombay

2011-01-26T07:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening I ventured out of the hotel and discovered The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount five minutes walk away!

Oh just so Catholic, as as if someone had pulled a cracker and the contents had created glittering interior, with, and not limited to Mother and Child surrounded by neon, so devote and almost intoxicating.

I did some drawing and took some secret photographs and wept (prior to the drawing and photography).

A better Biryani in Bombay

2011-01-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

Another wonderful reason for working in Bombay is lunchtime. For three days now, working with the best sales team in all of India, I have had the priviledge of lunching with them and enjoying great food and excellent conversation.

To 26th is Republic Day in India and actually a Public Holiday . . .

Happy Republic Day! God bless us all.

Bombay - quite wonderful

2011-01-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

Arrived at 1am this morning for a weeks work. A lovely 20 degrees at the airport and climbed to 35 today. Peaceable and the perfect antidote to January in the UK. Sunshine, warmth and lovely people. I am hunkered down in Bandra, western suberb, home to many Catholic Churches and Bollywood stars. Staying at the most excellent and attentive Taj Lands End Hotel.

Featured: Arrival at the airport this morning and Sun sets over Bandra this evening.

Nottingdale but not if you are in a hurry!

2011-01-22T11:21:00.000-08:00

Handy for the Westfields Shopping Centre and beneath the headquarters of the fashion company Monsoon Accessorize nestles the new only-been-open-a-couple of months resturant-cafe Nottingdale.

Service slow, steak-frites gorgeous, most of the other stuff (dishes) had run out. Hey-ho the company was excellent and surrounding (architecture) brilliant!

I suppose the cleverer diners takes in the Monsoon Art Collection at the top of their building, between courses.

Offspring envy

2011-01-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

Not other peoples'. Mine.
Over the last week both Megan and Bron have started blogs.
Click here http://bronniebaynes.blogspot.com/ or here http://meganbaynes.blogspot.com/
What really astonishes me (and makes me proud) is that each blog reflects what is unique, to my mind, about each creator. That,and fear, fear of what they will do to me having shared these links. Each blog's voice, tempo and topic is so very different.

(Horrid children - so full of talent)

Standing Sitting it's all commuting

2011-01-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

All we do is stand and wait

Why, why, why,

La Roux

La Gaga

Why

Draw

Colour

Scan

Draw

Colour

We can break the pattern

we can change the colour - lyric La Roux Cover My Eyes Bonus Track

The Darkness of Commuting

2011-01-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

. . . Is now ready to depart . . .

. . . Security announcement . .

. . . Destroyed without notice . .

All we do is stand,

And wait.

For January to end.

Dressed in beetle black, we carry Friday flowers.

Darkness.

All scurry,

Platform. Carriage. Seat.

January

Endless, darkness, darkness.

More revelations from West London

2011-01-14T09:41:00.001-08:00

Another excellent place for lunch in Shepherds Bush is the Fisherman's Hut, another example of imaginative naming in resturant and fast-food outlets.
As importantly it is next to a pound shop which offers and excellent range of storage containers. Both places are located opposite Shepherds Bush Market one of London's great markets the place to head for music CDs, fresh and cooked foods, yams and other exotic fruits and household goods and furnishings and. . . . Its all here.

Hard where

2011-01-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

Along with stationery shops hardware stores are a facination, especially the small independant variety. West London has its fair share with a growing trend for women to working behing the counter. The result is a a much better customer experience than the traditional grumpy bloke

Netherwood Hardware, 78 Shepherds Bush Road, is a excellent example of Hardwear with a gentle touch!

Fabio Revisited

2011-01-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

I'm in the bedroom with tissues and when

I know you're outside banging that I won't let you in'

Cause it's a hard life with love in the world

And I'm a hard girl, loving me is like straightening curls

(Equipment - Model's own)

Take Over Control

2011-01-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

One single touch from you, I'm gone Still got the rush when I'm alone

I think it is time I let you know

Take all of me, I will devote

You set me free, my body's yours

It feels the best when you're involved

Afrojack: Take Over Control

Featuring Eva Simons

Fish and Chip Shops in West London 2

2011-01-05T08:42:00.000-08:00

Since November I have enjoyed the flood of requests asking for more guidance on good eating places in West London. So the New Year gets off to a great start with a visit to Ocean Billy's. This establishment is stone's throw from Loftus Road home ground of QPR. My Saveloy was reasonably priced and excellent. There is seating for eight people.

The word saveloy is assumed to originate from the Swiss-French cervelas or servelat

ultimately from Latin cerebrus: originally a pork brain sausage particularly associated with Switzerland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savaloy

More anon!

30 Years of Japanese Fashion. 30 days left

2010-12-30T11:07:00.000-08:00

Oh PLEASE SEE THIS EXHIBITION ! I did, the other day. Breathtaking. Several drawings made!

Official Story: Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion is the first exhibition in Europe to comprehensively survey avant-garde Japanese fashion, from the early 1980s to the present. Curated by the eminent Japanese fashion historian Akiko Fukai, Director of the Kyoto Costume Institute, the exhibition explores the unique sensibility of Japanese design, and its sense of beauty embodied in clothing.
Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion
15 October 2010 - 6 February 2011Barbican Art Gallery

Looking back on 2010: J-Lo misses the sun in Cyprus!

2010-12-27T11:10:00.001-08:00

Fun and sun in July:

I went to Northern Cyprus. J-Lo did not. A wonderful part of the Levant.

We may well go back.

Oh, and here is the back ground to the story: Jennifer Lopez has cancelled a performance in Turkish-held northern Cyprus after angry protests from thousands of displaced Greek Cypriots.
The US singer's gig at a luxury hotel had triggered fury among Greeks who accused her of according legitimacy to northern Cyprus, a breakaway state recognised only by Ankara.

Links left in and my thanks to the Guardian Newspaper.

Illustrations of Northern Cyprus all my own!

Looking back on 2010: Escape from the Dust Cloud

2010-12-27T11:09:00.000-08:00

April 2010. Saturday evening: Stranded in Hong Kong for 24 hours, then to Dubai over night flight, then to Istanbul another night on a plane, Istanbul a stop over and a night in a real bed, prepared to take any flight from Istanbul into Europe, we took a flight to Hamburg which landed in Hanover, a night in a real bed, Hanover to Heathrow the next evening.

We were lucky. Air travel across much of Europe was paralysed for seven days by a huge cloud of volcanic ash. All airlines were desperate to begin freeing the log-jam created by the cancellation of 35,000 UK flights in four days.

Snug and warm in Singapore

2010-12-15T03:47:00.000-08:00

Whilst England continues its way through cold snaps that have arrived too too early, and struggles with engineering works on every train line and a disfunctional underground system, greetings from Singapore. Hot, sunny, clean beyond belief where even bus drivers smile! Just a short stay working with local team - hero's everyone! Love the people, love the architecture, can't wait to return. Featured: happy snaps of the extraordinary Hotel Re!, lobby and room and lovely tower blocks downtown.

The Tree of Threads

2010-12-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday super-cyclist chum and ex-oil man Chris and I were out cycling an we came across a curious piece of debris in the road. It looked like some sort of twine or strap that had fallen off a tractor . We pulled up and I took these hallowed threads and drapped them round a small tree, a la Andy Goldsworthy.

One week later Chris and I past the same spot and lo, the threads are still in place. However, having settled down after the initial excitement I see that things have changed with the disposition of certain strands across the tree.

Pictures featured from last week and this. We will monitor progress as we pass by across the coming weeks.

Cold Snap

2010-12-09T14:54:00.000-08:00

The other day, out with my framer and great friend Chris, cycling. We were through the woods of Burnham Beeches. With a little snow on the ground in and most leaves off the trees we could almost see into the heart of the wood, we could see for miles through the reflected light. Chilly cold fresh, nose-red bright.

Oh you trees! Oh you winter trees!

The J is silent

2010-12-04T13:51:00.000-08:00

Wandering the streets of Worcester with super-friends Chris and Liz we happened upon this curious shop front, of one of the UK's leading boot-makers. Doubtless the victim of a prank and waiting for a new 'J' to turn up!

Cathedral Project back on track

2010-11-30T06:47:00.000-08:00

After a rest of just under six months we are again visiting cathedrals. This weekend - Gloucester. Wonderful Romanesque nave, and royal patronage which enabled the east end to be re-build it the perpendicular style. And blends wonderful in the Autumn afternoon sun that fades all too soon as they dim the lights for Evensong.

Details here: a floor tile in the Presbytery and stained glass in the Lady Chapel.

Disneyworld Hammersmith

2010-11-30T06:13:00.001-08:00

Before you all start climbing all over the web to start booking your tickets, Hammersmith is actually home to The Walt Disney Company's London office. However Mickey was very much in evidence as I delivered a picture from my exhibition to Client and super-chum Amanda. The wonderful thing about Mickey is that he gets everywhere - check out the details on the handrail in the reception area!

Toronto Pronto Tonto

2010-11-19T15:46:00.000-08:00

What a week! Toronto, now it Friday and I am heading home having been working with great BBC colleagues and catching up with wonderful colleagues from my old school - Microsoft. Four days being subjected to an extremely wonderful service culture epitomised by the oh so wonderful Hotel Le Germain in Mercer street. Long days, neon lights, friendly sidewalks and great beverages. It is two years since I was hear and the warmth of the people is, absolutely, incredible. GOD BLESS CANADA. Thank you so much!

Picture feature - Random Creativity House Photographer

Nicholas Bate

2010-11-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

'Thanks very much' to colleague and collaborator Nicholas Bate for his mention of my book Doors to Automatic on his daily dose of magic and nuture for business of life and the life in business.

His blog is a real reward full of fresh ideas.

Journeys End

2010-11-17T03:39:00.000-08:00

Saturday was the last day at The Circus Gallery . Several pieces from my ‘back studio’* were snapped up which was especially pleasing.
Better still a good crowd of people visited:
In the morning super-friend Katherine, painter-husband Oliver and baby Rocco. Attached to this delightful entourage was Katherine’s father, poet Gene Stevenson. Gene and I chatted about how we both celebrate the world of travel, me in print-making, and he in poetry. Bonus: Gene was acquainted with Thom Gunn**

Rocco was awarded the Youngest Visitor to the Show .

Photos feature Oliver Katherine Rocco and Jo Bergdahl, Partner at Circus

*Back Studio – I picked this useful phrase up from Juliet Johnson, Director at the Frost & Reed gallery who the other day told me how artists often bring out work unsold from previous exhibitions in the hope of selling in a current show. All rather grand I though, must give it a go. ** Thom Gunn (1929 - 2004) In Praise of Cities – a poem I discovered earlier in the year, that was a critical in inspiring my show