A reliable meal on the Great Western Way Where chip shop meets burger bar Drive through all day The arches of gold The cartons of crimson Many a lunch-on-the-go to be sol
Read more →A trip to an artist’s studio is a chance to discover new ideas and techniques for making art. It’s also an opportunity to ask questions, to see things in a different way – perhaps you might connect with a familiar subject, or a work that speaks to
Read more →On the morning that I spent in the National Gallery, there were three of us working in front of Veronese’s paintings. In the middle of the room, a young painter had set up his easel to make an oil sketch – ‘Forgive me if I
Read more →‘It’s not about finishing a painting, but bringing it to a satisfactory conclusion’ That’s what Mr Jones, our art teacher at school, used to tell us during our weekly critiques of each other’s work. I remember that phrase now as I look at three paintings in the
Read more →Olivia the curator had been working late. It was almost 10pm, and she was feeling exhausted. Only last week the leader of the council had asked for yet another valuation of the oil paintings, this time apparently for insurance purposes. She sighed, local government were unpredictable in
Read more →Sun breaking through a chalky damp dawn, A particular smell, a certain greyish colour. Feeling lifted by the grandeur and perspective of heavyweight capital-city buildings. The warmth of the Underground, Welcome on a cold day after the midday sun has faded. The clatter of carriages pulling in
Read more →Mistakes are an important part of an artist’s training. No-one likes them, but every mark out of place or muddy colour does clarify something in the mind. You have to reassure yourself – the next painting will be better, and you will never stop learning – that’s
Read more →I confess that I am prone to starting far more projects than I am able to resolve. Once you stimulate creativity, it is hard to contain it – particularly if you are as restless as I am! In other words, I get lots and lots of ideas,
Read more →Some people work on the train; others are happy just to sleep or to admire the view from the window. That morning I took the stopping train to Chepstow which also calls at Severn Tunnel Junction and Caldicot. There weren’t many on board, but I had chance
Read more →Swindon has a large and prosperous business community, with companies of all sectors and sizes located throughout the town. Last year I was fortunate to receive a request from Handelsbanken Swindon to assist with the decoration of one of their new meeting rooms. Handelsbanken are a local
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