Easter Eggs

It wasn't all about chocolate last week on the build up to Easter but on my trip to London I did have Eggs on my mind!

Straight off the train and into the British Museum to meet Jim Peters for a tour of the building and then the Ice Age exhibition, Jim was kind enough to invite me to see the show on the strength of him seeing my show last November, swapping a good experience for a good experience!

Small foot pendants, death masks, horses teeth and going through doors you're not supposed to were only part of it. Jim also showed me tiny carvings that opened up into more tiny carvings that blew my mind but also captured it to the point of a meditative state, well it would have if I'd of looked at it any longer. As soon as I arrived Jim showed me a box of hair that had a ridiculous age to it, I kind of knew right then what I was in for. All this stuff and more made me feel I was part of a Indiana Jones film, I had a fantastic time and found myself walking into a post on the way out with my head so in a spin (yes Jim if you're reading this,it's true)

Below a highlight of the tour....Old man chained to toilet sucking on young girls breast..... What?

I then went on to stay with my wonderful friends the Passey's, dropped my bags and then onto see a show by artist Sarah Simmonds at the RKB gallery.










I know Sarah from the Arts club and believe me there was a good turn out from the members at her show, the gallery was full with a grand warm vibe displaying a new series of screen-prints that act as a visual response to her research into the Bermondsey factory women's strike August 1911, great work and a good night was had.

The day after was spend on a egg hunt for my basket as part of my Easter Rabbit get up for our annual "Easter" Hatting at the Club with a spring theme, Jan and I swooped round in Wandsworth for a serious egg collection then back to get ready for the doo!

Staircase shots (it's tradition) before we go out then onto the club.



















My eggs went down a treat, no fights mind but all eyes were on my supply but I think I was rumbled in the outfit department as my good friend Catherine who came in as "Frock Porn"... frogs galore with a lily pad on head, alas no pic, club policy!
Below Stuart, Jan and I after the do at midnight, quite fresh and not bad going to say we got there for 6.30.

In ThE Frame!

It does seem a bit bonkers--the month says Spring and the snow outside and the rest of daily life still shrouded in grey, depressing! Still, if you're looking for something to perk you up, then an art hit is an easy way to do it, and if you're feeling new-seasonal, then a colourful splash will satiate those desires for something that feels more hopeful!

The work went up today for our next showing of Higherford Mill Artist at the Cross Gaits Pub, Blacko. Come meet the Artists and view the all new exhibition, a collection of fine art, quirky and traditional, a real refreshing antidote to Ikea's etc mass produced.

Putting up the work below

(below( Sean"s all over it, he"s always up for a party

If, like me, you're trying to ignore the biting chill set out on Thursday eve, 7pm and be welcomed by an open fire and a free glass of Sean's punch.

Well........See you there!

Home Front

For an elegant indoor experience, try my new Pop-Up studio, double glazed windows super comfy spot in line with the heater and best of all entirely out of the woods with the damp situation, the perfect platform to get swept up in my new work. So yes I have moved in and I'm happy, although it is quite a size smaller and I'm having to shout a lot at the studio technician to get back in his bed as Montee doesn't get all this moving around.

And my new work is coming on just fine, getting a bit obsessed with Sylvia, in fact my studio wall looks like I'm planning a kidnap!

I came across Syliva last week on the internet and found myself in quite a spooky place after hearing the recite, to hear her voice for the first time, especially as I've been looking into her and her life so much was quite the experience. So my fourth painting I've decided I will listen to the audio whilst working on the poem "Daddy", spooky results I hope!

Also...

I'm still on with the book!

Minotaur

All aboard for an evening at the Royal Opera House for dinner and a show on the last night of The Minotaur. We were so excited and couldn't wait to get there even though the weather was horrendous as we left the club in Chelsea so one had to do what one could to protect ones updoo!

The Minotaur was a bull-headed monster born to Queen Pasiphae of Krete after she had coupled with a bull.....well what more can I say? We were taken on a magical trip through the twisted maze of the labyrinth, experiencing seductive black vulchers consuming hearts, the delivery of sacrificial youths to the slaughter for a cannibalistic hunger and translucent screens and scenes depicting the Minotaurs dreams. As soon as the curtain went up we were hooked and facinated with the wonderful shananigons  we'd been given to explore. It was all sooo fantastic that when the curtain went down we immediately wanted MOOORE!

Sir John as the Minotaur below

The amazing Opera House, Betty and Bert Ervin, Megan Piper and  John B (sitting back so you can't see)

We had back stage passes as if all the excitement of the show wasn't enough and then  dinner with Sir John in a booked party room across the road. What super fun and there's no beating a night like that.

Back to some business in the city the day after (you've got to work as well as play) then home again on Wednesday to prepare for the changing of studios yet again (smaller for now due to the damp) but not before a Mill lot get to gether Friday night out at the Beer Festival.

Fehew! What a week, I even fit some painting in too.

Nature As A tonic

To bring in the new year  and reconnect with ones own true self, well the only way is up for a wilderness journey that is muddy and grounding, Pendle Hill!
Experience being immersed in nature, connected with it and humbled before a power greater than you and don't forget your cheese and wotsits butty for the top. I walked with the peeps from the In-situ in-conversation 101 project, blowing out the cobwebs from 2012.

Below with my nephews, Oscar left and Callum right (in a cloud) and then the group as we hit the Trigg at the top

We drank from the silver chalice of the well just over to the right and at that moment the cloud cleared and it was like magic, all at once you could see the super view of Pendle.

So you ask, did we journey through our own inner landscapes? Did we activate our senses? Well we took some deep breaths and felt the strong breeze on our skin, laughed all the way down the great hill then connected with Helmut's hot Wizards brew at the bottom, yum......perhaps we took the first steps.?

Above:Rum poured over sugar into Helmut's brew, Below Helmut on the right with his brother George

WOO-HOO

Yes I am glad to say Christmas is upon us and I'm nearly ready for it, I've finished my painting (phew) I've wrapped some presents and from now on out I pop, in festive up doos and outfits. I had a week of bugs that nealy threw me off track, but even though I had a face of pain....... I've been making a man with no hair and no tan and it's been good for relieveing my..........tention!  yes I've been helping Santa out for a certain little boy who would like a new blue friend for Christmas

Below "Blue the clown" on the slab

As you can see we're all decked up at our house!

But lucky for us the desingnated time for Blue's pick up is Friday as we've fallen for him bad and might not want him to leave!

The Blue clown before his finnishing hair

So HAPPY CHRISTMAS everyone, time for awakening the senses and sharpening the anticipation for what is about to come but look out though for those bubbly bunch of Elfs who might get you under the mistletoe!

                                           HO HO HO

ITS' CHRISTMAS!

Tha Artist have been so busy this week trimming the mill up old fashion 70's style, we had a bit of fun making our own and a drop of sherry thrown in for good measure!

Even Montee the technician was on hand to help but mainly got his tail twisted in tinsel.

 

Ladies up ladders and jokes of two blondes and light bulbs but we got it all done!

So you know the time and you know the place, SEE YOU TONIGHT!

Christmas D.I.S.C.O!