It’s all culture here at present. Last week a trip to London, to see Jasper Johns amongst other things and a visit to the National portrait gallery to see what was on there. Neither disappointed, though the permanent collection of portraits of the Royals are curiously dreadful. Appallingly sycophantic stuff. There was however an exhibition of portrait drawings from the renaissance, which were brilliant in every respect. Having those faces from so many hundreds of years ago looking back at you was quite something, and you could get close. One had to deal with the “exhibition two-step’ of course which … Continue reading Looking at paintings, David Hockney and the exhibition “two step”

A trip to London to see Jasper Johns, Graham and David. Jasper is, of course, the famous American painter. Graham and Dave were at college with me when Manchester was still black with soot and there existed Colleges of Art instead of Universities. We lived in Rusholme and that is exactly the opposite to what we did. We rarely rushed home as the flat was, as I described it to my father at the time ‘spartan’. Graham recalled that there was one plug that did not appear to be connected to the meter, under his bed. So almost every appliance … Continue reading Eels and custard.

When I wasn’t doing that I took a look around Hackney and it looked absolutely lovely in the sunshine. A last gasp of Summer in the City. The yoghurt came off the ceiling without a problem, it was put there by my twin grandchildren but neither of them is owning up. Continue reading Can you clean the yoghurt off the ceiling, please?

I’m very proud of my home-grown sunflowers which are still flowering and look spectacular in the September sun, don’t try saying that without your teeth in. I was less pleased with the dahlia ( singular ) bulb that I had bought early in the season, at some expense. But then yesterday, there it was in all its glory. Not a mark on it. It obviously likes to bloom in private. Hope you like it too and that it cheers your Monday like it cheered my Sunday.           Continue reading September sun and the secret dahlia…

I’m a big fan of both and a keen Guardian reader, especially the Saturday version. Off to the Supermarket to get my copy and don’t quite know where to look. So I ask a helpful young man. I thought I said “Can you tell me where to find the newspapers please” and he just responds with the word: “Beetroot?” Now I know I’ve had a cold, a stinker, and my wife tells me I mumble, but how did I make newspaper sound like beetroot? Perhaps if I eat more beetroot I’ll see off the cold and my speech will improve. I asked the … Continue reading Newspapers or beetroot?

Joe and Jolien with Eleanor, after the ceremony and before the napkin waving!   Massive enthusiasm to party and a big appetite is a good start. That’s my handsome boy on the left looking ultra cool in his wedding suit. His beautiful bride and his sister complete the picture. So there we were in Leuven for the big event and discovering the Belgium is crammed full of cars and bikes. Some of these bikes can carry a small load, some a very large one. The cars are generally looking for somewhere to park when not filling the massive road going … Continue reading What to take to a Belgian Wedding…

I’m going to be doing a series of these for Cotswold Life magazine, which will be fun. This is the first. I’m sure you will know similar breeds in your area, but this particular one is very prevalent around the Kingsholm area of Gloucester and will soon be arriving in large numbers after their summer break.   For those of an interested nature here’s the rough version: Continue reading First of a new series…

This was the last of my exhibition drawings to sell as the event ended yesterday. I much enjoyed the week and hearing people chortling here and there was the icing on the cake. Having exhibitions is new to me and I’m hoping to take this one: The British Character, on to other venues. Hopefully next year and hopefully in another part of the country. Big thanks to all the people who visited, bought, or just looked and laughed. To see how the week went then take a look at these links: Last day of the show. Cartoons with a musical … Continue reading There it was, gone!

It’s been a good week, with over 300 people coming to my show over the week. Might even hit 400 if the small child on a scooter whizzing around the front of the building does not mow down the potentials. Just signed two business cards for a small child who asked me by saying: ” Have you got a pencil?” “Why no” said I ” but I have a pen, would you like me to do a little drawing for you?” “No? ” said she. “Just sign the card”. The price of celebrity. Boom boom!     Continue reading Last day of the show.