Mysteries. Time-travel. That same green car. This is Loughborough Junction in July 2008. What were we all doing there? Something to do with a courier flight to Tokyo.
Well, what an evening! I heard it went on till 2 am in the bar over the road for some people =), for myself, I was in bed by then but not before going round the corner to a delicious Greek Restaurant with some old friends. I only managed to take this photo at about half past eight. It was so busy all night, I was talking and taking it all in when in no time I was already on my 30 second (awkward) spot thanking people for coming and heading into the final half hour. I guess between 40 and 50 people attended in a steady stream, over what was an intense few hours for me. I am still amazed at everyone for their support and kindness, not least for making the trek out to deepest Camberwell a bus ride from the nearest tube. I made a few sales and even received a commission, and fingers crossed one or two people might still have their eye on a painting. We'll see. But the overriding impression I got from the event was that people really like my work, the new stuff in particular - the illustrative and cartoony drawings I have done in the last 12 months or so. Which is good news for the future. I was also intrigued to learn which paintings interested people. Often one person will like a certain group of pictures but then another person will like a different style so I feel justified in my diversity, though I admit my range over these paintings is wide. This particular exhibition was of a very large body of work, from over a large period of time, a kind of retrospective. The next exhibition will likely be more streamlined and focused on the work I do in the next 12 months! It was an excellent way to mark the end of one phase and the beginning of another and for that I know all the preparation has been worth it. There was a great atomosphere and I am really grateful to everyone for making it a memorable evening that will stand me in good stead in the months to come. Some of the people (click to enlarge)All of the pictures (click to enlarge)Preparation for this exhibition has over the last week or two taken over my life. Framing and printing, pricing and hanging, deciding how much wine to buy! Man-o-man I hope people turn up.
Didn't draw exactly what I was going to draw today but I did draw these guys instead. Their friends run the finest tea shop in Brixton.
Only just worked out who this is. I knew I recognised him when I drew him in August but only saw him in a video the other day to put a name to the face. He was nice enough to pretty much pose for me while I drew him. Considerate fellow.
london concentrating mainly on successfully maneuvering about the city. engaged a kind of personal courier, very reliable one. know your way around the tube map, consider yourself savvy make use of an a to z. you stopped wearing certain items of clothing for no reason except your eye has been trained by a couple of million strangers. after three years you are no longer permanently exhausted
get to know people who have been here six years and think "wow... often scared of the dark and impressed by cobwebs and greenery. I love the shire and my hobbit roots. such is the despair of english towns these days. england is like a dying sun, and london is the still warm centre. or maybe the values or respect for the idea of britain we exported round the globe and then promptly forgot/lost/eroded are still alive repatriated/reimported love of difference or at least a sensitivity or confidence in embracing the other which is essentially the more-than-tolerance for other cultures - the understanding that humans share basic states regardless of background - that is the characteristic that perhaps once made us great. maybe i am being naif as i know for sure like all great empires - at its peak it was janus faced. i came to london without knowing why simply a massive place infinite possibility in anonymity, front door and see how london greets you. transitioned and wider and wider, at home in the world - familiar. strange fewer people and fewer immigrants english people seem sweet and foreign a migrant in the wider world. will help me. |
The ARTIST
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