Up The Workers

Up at The Workers Gallery in Ynyshir tonight at the opening of their Winter Group show. It’s fab. I have two pieces in the exhibition and quite a few more scattered around the gallery. The group show is a great mix of work, interpretations and inspirations based on a poem by Mike Church.

Random Faces In Random Places

It isn’t glamorous, being an artist. It’s a constant slog. Underpinning my art practice is a daily routine of just that, practice. And at the heart of that practice is simple drawing, usually in sketchbooks. I draw anybody, anywhere, at every opportunity. Random faces in random places.   I have a new piece of artContinue reading “Random Faces In Random Places”

Three Papers

A while back, I did some drawings of artists who inspire me and from those drawings I made some silkscreen stencils and printed up a series of nine images. Then I scanned a couple of those screenprints and had them made into small rubber stamps and that’s what I’m working with now, experimenting and seeingContinue reading “Three Papers”

Ideas Forming

I recently did a short residency at the lovely Galerie Simpson in Swansea and experimented with developing three dimensional forms from paper, print and text. I started out by making some little maquettes to try out techniques and I’m starting to think about how I might use them. Husb hung an LED bulb into one ofContinue reading “Ideas Forming”

The European

I almost always carry a sketchbook and I’ll sit quietly and scribble wherever I am. I was at a symposium a few weeks ago and this was one of the speakers, an immaculately dressed and groomed man. Of course he was, he’s European. Oh dear, I’m indulging in scandalous stereotypes here but the British menContinue reading “The European”

Remember

Today is Remembrance Sunday. In Britain there is a poignant service to remember the war dead, not glorifying war, but remembering the awful cost of war. So much of my work is about remembrance and memorial. The song ‘1916’ by Mötorhead, possibly the best anti-war song ever. So sad, so gentle…..   I am hugelyContinue reading “Remember”

Give It A Poke

Working with a long-time model at life drawing class at Swansea Print Workshop this week, I carried on using large (A2) pieces of brown wrapping paper and conté crayon, starting with the highlights in white and gradually incorporating sanguine and black. I’ve nearly run out so I’ve sent for new supplies – isn’t the InternetContinue reading “Give It A Poke”

Drawing In The Gallery

I finally found a couple of hours to visit the newly-refurbished Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea. It’s a fantastic restructuring but I only got about half way round before I had to leave, so I must plan another visit pretty soon to see the rest. I sat for a few minutes and sketched thisContinue reading “Drawing In The Gallery”

Recycled Sketchbook

I’ve had this handmade leather Steampunk style sketchbook for ages and used up all the paper a while ago. Its simple design meant that I could remove its innards and replace them with new (old) paper. I have loads of bits of paper left over from drawing or printmaking projects, some plain, some covered withContinue reading “Recycled Sketchbook”

Head, Hands And Feet – Female Nude (Parental Guidance)

I recently worked with a female model who is a body builder. I had worked with her some years ago before she started her stringent diet and exercise regime and it’s interesting to see how the shape of her body differed so much from before. She now has virtually no body fat. Before I startedContinue reading “Head, Hands And Feet – Female Nude (Parental Guidance)”