Train Faces

Oh that Jamie's commuting blog is so cool and it's not JUST because he features me sometimes . . although I am super-grateful when he does.

Thanks Jamie - sites like yours are a inspiration to keep going.

Linkie

SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

On Thursday I was lucky enough to be a guest at the New York Times-hosted special viewing of the Hockney Exhibition, A Bigger Picture at the Royal Academy. In spite of what I had read nothing prepared me for the sheer scale of this show. After 90 minutes wandering peaceably round all 12 rooms of work there was a lasting impression of being in the presence of great and highly contemporary work.

The show was effectly curated by the artist himself, since its conception in 2007. On show there canvases of very English nature: This was Yorkshire that could have been Buckinghamshire or Cambridgeshire. Included where ideas created by watercolours and oils painted on the spot.

Room 12 was my personal favourite with its exciting collection of numerous sketchbooks, his iPad work that is bound to set the heart pounding in terms of how this new medium can be deployed and compelling screen shows of his sketchbook work.

Remarkable.

As I and several hundred other people wandered I caught this transatlantic sound-bite, which for me summerises the experience

“Yes, he had this thing about looking” . . . .

MARVELS OF MALCOLM

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

Spens gift

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

ROUND THE COAST WITH RUTH

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

Dubai fell out of my book

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.

Leslie Charles Driscoll - 20 December 1937 - 6 February 2011

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.

Fragments

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

A basilica in Bombay

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).

Snug and warm in Singapore

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.

Nicholas Bate

'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.

The faces of Tokyo

Tokyo, my wonderful return at the end of last week. Tokyo intoxicating. I leave still not understanding but even more in love. Thank you for letting me back in. These pictures express my joy and gratitude. For you all in Toyko, in the Friday evening resturant team, those paper sellers, the leather craft maker, my new friends at the post office and dear Yoshie and Yukie my dinner dates on Thursday. More tales from Tokyo will follow.

She who hangs the Piper plays the tune

Oh wonderment! I was lucky enough to catch up with super-friend Juliet Johnson, director of Frost&Reed that lovely gallery in St James. As I entered the gallery I almost collided with a John Piper, the size of a bed sheet, part of great exhibition of French & English 20th Century paintings.

Piper my hero, his bold colour palette and the strength and vigour of his line work - totally breathtaking.

See the show now at Frost & Reed http://www.frostandreed.co.uk/default.asp

Amazing Grace

OK the headline is obvious the collection of Grace Kelly's wardrobe currently on display at the V&A in London is far from obvious.

A breathtaking collection of frocks

AND they have accessories on display wonderful sunglasses and of course the Hermes 'Kelly Bag' her favourites Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Yves St Laurent were all there and it was easy to see the influence her style had on designers like Donna Karan. Dear dear Grace.