GOOSEY GOOSEY GANDER

Whither shall I wander?

Upstairs and downstairs

And in my lady's chamber.

There I met an old man

Who wouldn't say his prayers,

So I took him by his left leg

And threw him down the stairs.

(More fun with lino-cut printmaking!)

Five minutes from my desk: British Museum

The ‘BM’ is one of the world’s great museums housing some 8,000,000 exhibits and welcoming some 6,000,000 visitors each year – which I can quite believe, half-term school holiday week is quite horrid.

Anyway, the back entrance is really rather grand, with its sleeping lions and the Greek Revival façade.

Back to the line in Bedford Square

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.

Back at the Lock Press

Saturday 9th October 2010

I have returned to the printing press. Left all the fuss and bother of mounting this exhibition.

We (Christine sits on my shoulder) created some very good work this afternoon. Christine made a lovely Orange Cake too (featured).

The beginning of a great day

Soho, northern Soho, junction of Goodge and Charlotte Street is the Italiano Coffee Company. A wonderful coffee and complimentary huge coffee no better start to a day. I have been here many time, also a favourite with bicycle couriers.
More detail is here

My book is published

In celebration of my second one-man show I have produced a limited edition book of my travel drawings
Entitled ‘Doors to Automatic and Cross Check’ I have taken 22 drawings from 28 Moleskine sketchbooks filled across the last six years.
Only 50 books have been printed. Each one is individually numbered and signed by me.
You can secure a copy for £15 including postage to the UK or £17 per copy including overseas postage.
To order email timbaynes@msn.com

Drawing in Print

In print making there is a lot of experimentation, rolling up ink on odd bits of paper to determine an effect. I have taken some of these experimental scraps of paper and drawn into them with interesting results (I think) Featured here a 'before and after' piece - its exciting to attribute architectual lines to the forms created merely by running an ink roller across a sheet of paper.

Return of the Great British Poster

Saw this campaign for Stella Artois on the way into London at the weekend


Very witty and beautifully reconciles the man, the woman and the beer.

Creative Review comments:


When Mother (the Ad agency) wanted to achieve an authentic 60s look for its recent poster campaign for Stella Artois 4%, the agency turned to illustrator Robert McGinnis, who created classic posters for films including Breakfast At Tiffany's and Barbarella, as well as Bond movies Live And Let Die and Thunderball.

Full story here

Crime and Punishment

Megan appears to have perfectly blended her studies and her new role with Pukka Up in Leeds

Pukka Up (link) is 'All About the Party' Her unform is the perfect counterpoint to her recent essay "Media and Violence".

Megan featured far right.

Lock, stock and two smokin' printmakers

Session number 4 at Christine Lock's Press, picking up where we left off here .

I created a line image plate, inked it up and proofed it then inked it up again and overprinted several of the prints of Marrakesh that I made last session. So now we have a method that works with strong blocks of colour and design combined with a method of introducing line, detail and iconography. Magic! Well actually we had a catastrophy yesterday with one of the over-prints, such is life. Into every life some ink must fall.

Illustrated left the line image plate proofed-up right: the combination.

At the Christine Lock Press again

Yesturday afternoon, another session with Christine Lock at her Press in Marlow.

I go there with it all worked out and she presents me with a new host of ideas which I had not considered! And we spend time talking and discussing possibilities rather than 'doing'.

Result? Interesting work around an a drawing I made three years back of Djemaa el Fna the main square in Marrakesh. Throughout I am making mistakes, and putting them right, under Christine's direction.

Trying this, trying that. A journey with a wise companion-tutor.

Face Book Moments

It was Bron’s 18th birthday party earlier in the week. Madness at Vodka Revolutions, before I left I managed to complete a couple of drawings: Later tagged in Face Book .

AND ANOTHER THING
Face Book photo shoots: Random, their colour, composition and quality all out of kilter, yet they work. The main theme, to my mind, is happiness. Sad pictures need not apply. Sweeping generalisation. Memo to self: manipulate colour balance or don't post your picture .

What is in a name?

Juliet, super friend, inspiration and boss (1998 - 2003) let me know that 'Gag ga' was really 'Ga Ga'. (See last night's post)

Got it.

Anyways, seemed like a good oppportunity to call out Juliet, inspiration and Sian, inspiration - I collect inspirational people.

Featured here in the photo's are Sian and Juliet, at my exhibition seven years back, May 2003.

Yep, I am blessed again.

Brit Awards - Yeah, topical

Lady Gagga: 1,000,000

Cheryl Cole: 0

And Bron found another international winner earlier today in a local charity shop

At the printers again

Second session with print maker Christine Lock at her Press in Marlow. Healthy tension now in play: She thinks my approach is too pedestrian and I am too focused on the result not the journey - all work an no play makes me a dull boy. So I am being PUSHED - Yay! And the early results are wonderful. . .

Pictured: Hong Kong across towards Kowloon

Lyric of the week

"Dance wiv Me" Dizzee Rascal, featuring Calvin Harris


I know you didn't come out to stand and stare
You bought new shoes and you did up your hair
You made a real effort tonight and it shows
I can tell by your face you don't wanna be alone'Cause the mood is right and the time is now
And if you can't do it I'll show you how
All you gotta do is get loose, let go
Just throw a couple shapes
Put your skills on show, oh

Photo: São Paulo February 2006

Breakfast in America

Two nights two days. Working breakfast across the street from the office. Heading out, will I beat the snow storm. Bye Bye Grand Canyons, bye bye familiar and exciting city.

Life Underground

Travelling on London Underground everyday presents some great opportunities to draw. I hunker down in a corner of carriage and capture what's going on.

Nearing completion

Phew! Double Phew!

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.