A BONZA BIRYANI IN DEHLI

Lunchtime takes on a special meaning in New Delhi, we enjoyed a wonderful Biryani called Hydrabadi Dum Biryani,  a little on the spicy side for an English boy but really excellent! And nice to sit down in the  kitchen with the team and debate the cuisine of the sub-continent.

Mommy, look what I did on the way to school

Mommy, mommy, Trevor let me use his iPad on the train to school and did this picture of the other person in the carriage, oh Mommy, can I have an iPad like Trevor's?

Nicholas Dwan Draws

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.

CANADIAN TENACITY AT ITS FINEST

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

Chocolate - always appreciated

In the gallery this Sunday afternoon, a little quiet, lady comes in, oh I think, a visitor. Alas, not even giving MY work one glance she asks directions for another gallery in Marylebone.

Not knowing the place I looked it up on my phone, grateful she makes hurried exit. Oh well.

Two hours later the same lady turns up in gallery and presents me with chocolate from the wonderful shop just down from the gallery - Rococo Chocolates.

I kiss her and force her to sign my Guest Book.

Chocolate now in fridge.

Examples of Roco's output featured.

By the Pool

Looking downwards in Hong Kong can be as exciting as looking up! There is a huge swimming pool three minutes walk from the office in Wan Chai. There is a series of above street-level walkways that criss-cross this part of the city and I looked down on this marvellous scene.

Guess where?

Where else at 08:15 pm on a Tuesday evening?

Last evening was spent with super-friend Kerry 31, floors above street level.

I promised I would keep the exact location, in Hong Kong, secret.

Breathless breathless breathless is how I feel everytime I look skyward in this magic 24/7 place.

xx

Music of the Week: La Roux

Again from B's music collection in her car, this racy, punchy dance-around number. The I got hold of the lyrics. Poetry.

See it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ1Mi77nogQ

Lyrics

La Roux - In For The Kill

We can fight our desires
But when we start making fires
We get ever so hot
Whether we like it or not
They say we can love who we trust
But what is love without lust?
Two hearts with accurate devotions
And what are feelings without emotions?

I'm going in for the kill
I'm doing it for a thrill
Oh I'm hoping you'll understand
And not let go of my hand
(x2)

I hang my hopes out on the line
Will they be ready for you in time
If you leave them out too long
They'll be withered by the sun
Full stops and exclamation marks
My words stumble before I start
How far can you send emotions?
Can this bridge cross the ocean?

I'm going in for the kill
I'm doing it for a thrill
Oh I'm hoping you'll understand
And not let go of my hand
(x2)

Let's go to war
To make peace
Let's be cold
To create heat
I hope in darkness
We can see
And you're not blinded by the light from me

I'm going in for the kill
I'm doing it for a thrill
Oh I'm hoping you'll understand
And not let go of my hand

Clever Trevor

Memo to self: Its great to know someone really talented.

Trevor. Architect, helio pilot, cabinet maker, musician and builder of fast cars, bee keeper, what have I forgotten, oh yes - maker of sausages, bacon and saucissons.

Chris (creater of picture frames and another talented friend) and I went round to see T's woodworking set up the other day. Trevor laid on a modest breakfast, as a prelude to the tour of his place, grounds and wood working shop: sausages, fresh made bread rolls and strong coffee.

Illustrated: Tevor's beehives. Trevor. Trevor in his 'shop'

Bright colours on a dull day

My friend, framer and ace photographer Chris mentioned the other day, when we were out on a bike ride that in dull conditions pure colours stand out. The example he gave was pointing to a moss covered piece of wood that positively vibrated with colour. I have been thinking about this since and proved it to myself this evening on the commute home, randomly grabbing a shot of this tube train in wet dull Northolt.

City Spotlight: Singapore

Singapore snapshot. Breathtakingly clean. Singapore is more of a corporation than a country and everyone is 'on message' even the nice people at passport control.

My favourite stop is morning coffee at a one of those shophouses off Beach Road. My favourite view the sun breaking through the darkest thunder clouds after rain storm blows through the downtown skyscaper district.

With special thanks to the person in Singapore who commented on my Paris Breakfast piece.

Coffee Society

Earlier this week discovered Lantana, Charlotte Place, just off Googe Street.

Exceptional Espresso. Time Out Favourite Cafe of the Year 2009. Run by Australian Shelagh Ryan who is determined to make London a better place by serving quality, no-nonsense food (I had the banana bread) and proper coffee to the people. We are blessed!

Drawing features Shelagh in action 9/2/2010

Faure - the work begins

We began work in this evening's rehearsal on Gabriel Faure's Requiem. Performance 16th May - Ascension Sunday a gorgeous and complex piece of music totally uplifting to sing. Many weeks of enjoyment lie ahead.

New York Underground

Subway riding: Line 6 downtown and the exhortation as the doors close at everystation - "stand clear of the closing doors please" the voice male, radio announcer. Recorded it and now the ring tone on my BB (quite a surprise on the first incoming call)

Watercolour rediscovered

I have just liberated my watercolour box and cut-down brushes and rediscovered the unpredictability and grace of this lovely medium as it runs across the paper.

Magic Spoons

(Daughter) Bron’s latest work inspired by designer Martin Margiela, who takes things such as old wigs, canvases and silk scarves and magics them into couture
AKA ‘upcycling’ converting waste materials or useless products into new stuff of better quality

So B’s taken spoons and other types of kitchen paraphanalia to create aprons. Part of her A level coursework. Totally cool – I’ve learn shed loads from B over the last couple of years - which has informed my work. Nice.

Floral Tribute

Cycle ride last weekend w/great friend Richard.
We often pass this cemetery in Holtspur, above the roaring M40 motorway. Ricardo and I took a turn around this peaceful place
And discovered this wonderful tribute, quite fresh and full of love
(for John Smith) R.I.P

More detail on the place

Catwalk Claws

Wandering through iTunes looking for podcasts on fashion I discovered Style.com http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2010RTW/

The online home of Vogue and its clan. Now no excuse not to know everything about what is going on with the Collections - the three minute fashion films are wonderful!

Snow Patrol

The whole of the UK has been hit by snow. Everything is covered white including the statue of Diana in our garden.

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

Robert Frost - A dust of snow

The Wonder of Westfields

Went to Westfields Shopping Centre today with super chum Sean. A wonderful place. It is sale time in this 150,000m² retail space, the equivalent of about 30 football pitches! I love walking around. How many ideas go into each of the 200+ stores? The window displays, merchandise, layout and people who work there. Stand and watch it all soak it up - Westfields http://uk.westfield.com/london/