Cynthia's Drawings

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!

Brighton Rocks

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.

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

Creativity Guidelines

Apart from expert tuition, inspiring my output, pushing me to push the boundaries, Christine Lock aka La Presse de Lock also follows strict guidelines in providing the right creative environment in her studio - specifically

1. A constant stream of fresh coffee and on occasion with home made biscuits

2. Outdoor working areas (with view of the Thames) when the sun shines - shown here the view from the studio balcony

3. Excellent luncheons, two courses, - featured a main course: delicious red pesto tarte avec Chèvre.

New York, new direction

Completed three days work at La Press de Lock on Sunday and arrived home dog tired but very excited about the way the work for the October show is shaping up. The last piece was of New York, rather unplanned in the overall scheme but hugely exciting.

More press work

My printwork at Christine Lock's press in Marlow continues to grow in terms of techniques and ideas. During last weekend's session I was working on introducing some figure work into the foreground of some pieces I had done sometime back.

It's done by taking figure drawings, from my Moleskines, distilling them down to basic shapes, silhouettes, inking them up and putting them through the press on top of the image already there. Early results are insteresting and add a new twist to the journey in monoprint.

The figures add a engaging ambiguity to the work - another dimension.

A bridgehead into Europe

After the distress of the Milan cancellation we hung around the airport, free wi-fi, surfing for options to get into Europe from Istanbul. Some friend Italians, victims of the same abandonment, offered us seats on a coach laid on by their local Consulate. So we was hanging with the Italians waiting for coach and heard a flight to Hamburg announced. Lara runs over to the SunExpress ticket desk and secures four.

Hey presto we are now in Hanover. They switched airports just before we took off.
Well it begins with ‘H’ and still in Germany and that’s in Europe and that is well cool.

"Babe, when its lovin’ if it’s not rough it’s not fun" . . *
* Poker Face – Lady Gaga

Istanbul Tuesday Morning

Certainly a morn for celebration as I have clean shirt from the hotel laundry the cost of which is allowable under the company's expenses policy. Awoke, in a bed, to the sound and then smell of fresh rain, soon followed by bakery smells particularly croissant.

Last evening we were entertained by Baran and his wife and family. Baran the eminence gris of our sales respresentative network in this part of the world. Spirits high as was the splendid resturant (Anemon) close by and level with the top of the Galata Tower. The resturant afforded an wonderful view of the Golden Horn and European side of the city, all washed in a pastel sunset. Attemped drawing, mixed results.

Tour leader Chris continues to direct our plans; currently maybe Milan or maybe Manchester. Personally auxious that I may run out of Clinique Age Defence Hydrator SPF15. However our chins remain elevated. We are blessed as the call to prayer drifts across the city.

Illustrated: The dinner party at Anemon; Golden Horn; A new dawn at the Best Western Hotel.

Istanbul - Morning

Left Dubai 02:35 and into Ataturk Airport at 06:00. The deepest sleep I have ever had on a plane - the street of constant standby or the MacDonalds we had at Dubai Airport. Small Best Western near Topkapi Palace and out comes the sun. The call to prayer mingles with the tap tap of carpenters across the street. A speed tour around the Blue Mosque and then to conference calls and briefs and counter briefings to those brilliant people in London what are tryin' to get us home.

Spirits reasonably high but oslilating between happy (when we have a plan) and less than happy when one component of it falls over. Hey Ho we move again tomorrow.

Dubai to Istanbul

Sunday, a day in the office.

A trolly dash round the Mall of the Emirates to purchase a Moleskine as my current on only has 4 pages left!

Tonight or rather 2am we fly to Istanbul. The flight is overbooked so we will check in three hours early. Like 000's of people across the world we are stranded and moving snail-like; a small platoon in some obscure scene in the 100 Years War.

Spirits high (still) as we say bye to Dubai and say Hail to Constantine's city on the Bosphorous.

Print Making: away from the press

Over the weekend, and with a few more shades of ink at my disposal I created some work in the studio at home, for further development when I am back at the Press with Christine Lock.

Initial results pleasing as shows how colour to give a particular sense of the place, the difference between northern europe and the west coast of the USA