LEGO Falling Water House model

A big thank you to Gilly for the gift of the fantastic LEGO model of Frank Lloyd-Wrights seminal building "Falling Water".
If you don't know about it, take 10 minutes to google some images of this beautiful architecture!
It's on my Bucket List to visit, but meanwhile here is the completed model photographed in my garden :)

 

Atlas | Battles

Playing a lot lately of one of my favourite bands; Battles. Finding myself constantly humming the fab vocal line from the track Atlas.

Well I had a bit of time on my hands so I've come up with a Tee shirt design inspired by the video for Atlas, which I'm gonna get printed shortly.

And here's the video.

It drives most people mental by the way.

Wonderful stuff!

Sketch Crawl Exeter

Fab day on Saturday out on a Sketch Crawl around Exeter, as part of the 43rd World Sketch Crawl Day.  To find out more visit sketchcrawl.com.

Living in a Lego World

Now this looks like fun!

Now is this 'Blocko-World"?

A Middle East crisis? Here we go again

Like a regular subscription, the bad news falls through our mail box and stamps all over our day.

Just when you were pottering around the house, folding clothes, cleaning the floor, sorting that junk draw, another edition of the same old evil is delivered into your hands.

So sit down with a coffee and flick through the pages.  It's hard to believe what you're reading isn't it?

(as featured at Seething Lane website)

Artist wants all UK Art Funding Cut - SHOCK!

Well, perhaps not all funding.  However, it seems to me the art-taliban are getting a bit hot-under-the-collar today following Culture Sec Maria Miller suggesting the art world should take a look at making art economically viable a bit more.

An angry YBA contemplates his ethical position and the number of £Ks to add to his work

This is what a former Arts Council chairperson Dame Liz Forgan told BBC Radio 4's World at One:

"The danger in what she is saying is that people actually start to believe that because art produces huge economic benefits, we should start directing our investment in culture for its commercial potential.

"That's not only philistine, it's self-defeating, because then you get accountants making artistic decisions, which is as silly as having artists making accounting ones.

"If you start to invest in art because of an identified commercial outcome, you will get worse art and therefore we will get a worse commercial outcome."

Now I'm a Fine Artist (BAHons Fine Art) who has exhibited from local galleries to The National Portrait Gallery and have been making a struggling living for 30 years turning my hand to all sorts of creative pursuits to survive, so I know and appreciate more than most the role of 'The Arts' in our society.

However, I strongly believe that a great deal of arts funding should be cut completely. Not reduced - cut. This would initially stall or destroy many projects certainly but then quality would survive and prosper based on real success rather than the 'life-support' of government funding.

Art History and the notion of commercial success

Let's examine some of the above statements; Liz Forgan says "...If you start to invest in art because of an identified commercial outcome, you will get worse art..."  

I would say that's ludicrous. Based on the evidence of two thousand years of Art, creative activity constrained within a commercial need has produced (nearly) all of the masterpieces of civilisation up until the romanticisation of 'The Artist/outsider' in the 20th century which then lead to the notion that an artist's freedom from communicating successfully to an audience is almost paramount requirement to create great art.

Consider just a few historical examples. Whether it was Leonardo creating La Gioconda for a paying client, Puccini writing Operas that would pack the houses, Rembrant flattering his patrons in The Night Watch, Dylan Thomas writing Milk-Wood for mass market broadcast or Michelangelo making sure that his client was happy with the new ceiling decor, Art has for centuries been driven by payment of happy clients. And that has produced stunning, world shattering art-works, many of which stand as pinnacles of our civilisation's achievements.

Doing it for the money?

 

I'm not saying that 'cash' is the only measure of an art-work's value but simply that if an artwork is any good (be it challenging, unique, ground-breaking, controversial  etc ), it will be successfully communicating that to some kind of  audience or individuals that will want to pay to see, to own, to licence, to hire, to read, to listen, to publish or to simply experience it.  If no one does... well then, perhaps it's not quite as great as some would like to make out.

But surely there great Art-works that are still great despite lack of commercial success?  Yes, of course there are and these will always continue to be produced and will catch society unawares and will change our perceptions, break new ground and maybe only fully be recognised in the fulness of time.  However that doesn't therefore equate to a justification for supplying funding to a thousand commercially unviable projects or artists in the belief that because they are uncommercial they must be producing exciting challenging or important work.

A composer friend recounted to me his experience at a conference where, as a composer of many years experience, building a living out of many micro-streams of revenue, he was disgusted at the number of attendees who's prime area of concern was that they should be entitled to get funding for their pursuits, based apparently on nothing more than they called themselves 'composers'. Many were genuinely irate that hand-outs were being cut or reduced or that their particular 'bright idea' couldn't get a big grant.

Success breeds money breeds success, or empty headed sell-out commercial crap?

Liz Forgan's statement: "then you get accountants making artistic decisions, which is as silly as having artists making accounting ones" is plainly illogical. It is no more true than saying "all herring are fish therefor all fish are herring"  An accountant makes accounting decisions and that's all. Taking a view, on advice, that funding Theatrical Drama X will result in big audiences while funding Play Y will result in the Theatre going bust is a commercial accounting decision. The numbers don't care about whether Play Y is an exciting work from a challenging new talent or not.  Neither do the numbers care if Drama critics slam either production, while all the time tickets are still selling like hot cakes.

And, of course, a successful thriving theatre replete with cash from Play X is then in the position to present less commercially accessible work, perhaps indeed by the new young talent such as the writer of Play Y.

This is not all about 'survival of the fittest' and 'damn the rest'; it's about accepting that being a commercial success is not an evil pursuit of scum artists who have sold-out to 'the man'.  Equally, producing 'challenging' or obscure work that has difficulty in finding an audience does not by definition mean that it's any damn good. Sometimes it is, but not that often.

Could a major reformation of the UK Art scene where Artists make work that really does have to work, prompt a new Golden Age?

Working within the perceived restriction of achieving some (even tiny) measure of commercial success seems to frighten off many artists who survive on funding. My contention is that if it was good enough for the centuries of Artists before them, surely it is not too much to think they could create wonderful Art and still consider to some degree how successful it could be commercially.

Yeah - Blasphemy.

.... discuss

Formula One

Now that's what I call a Grand Prix.

Cigar Box Guitar

Here's the result of my latest little mental lapse.

After hearing about and (occasionally) seeing videos of (CBG) Cigar Box guitars, I decided I'd have a go at making one of these great little beauties.

Born in the depression years in the US, the CBG was a dirt cheap way to make a fun little instrument that was surprisingly versatile and lent itself in particular to the raw blues genre.
Of course this music, acoustic or electric, spawned a huge lineage of bands and performers through to 60's Rock, Blues revivals, Festivals and recently to artists such as Sea-Sick Steve!

When I started researching this little project, particularly on Youtube I discovered a whole 'sub-culture' of makers, players, fans and events around the field of CBG's.  And I can't say thank you enough to all those people who shared ideas, advice and inspiration.
I've put a small selection on a Pinterest page here:

And if you're interested take a look at the result of my efforts here:



.

SketchBook Dreams 2

Another piece I've been working on.

Inspired by the brilliant work of John Harris, I've been trying to get that lovely aerial perspective that gives such a sense of scale.

SketchBook Dreams

Been working on some little iPad artworks lately using SketchBook Pro and SketchBook Mobile.
Quite fun trying to get a chalky 'pastel' feel.

'Planning' will save the world

 

   

Obvious now I think about it.

Fantastic hair style make-over

I've seen plenty of hair/make up /make-overs before but I've got to say this is fantastic!

But then I would, wouldn't I?  He does my hair too!!!

"Home Alone" Christmas Card

And here's my alternative xmas cards for all you movie fans.  So feel free to download and use this or the previous 'It's a Wonderful Life' version; both make me smile and both are religion-free if that's good for your ethics!

Enjoy!

'It's a Wonderful Life' Christmas card

If, like me, you like non-religious christmas cards (contradiction in terms I know), and you're a fan of "It's a Wonderful Life", then please feel free to download and use this design I put together for myself.

Great for film buffs, fans of classic cinema, lovers of overly sentimental slush, appreciators of snow, people called George (or Potter) and many, many more.

Also, the only card your friends will receive this season with the word 'jail' on the front. Ha!

Enjoy.

Now that's what you call Advertising

There was once a golden age for advertising.  It fell somewhere between the stumbling simplicity of 50's 'Ad Men' and the pretension of 80's Agency self aggrandizement.   A simple time before digital, subliminal, interstitial and social, this was a time of telling it straight; of grabbing your customer by the scruff of the neck and saying, "Just look at these nylon slacks! If you want to pull girls and have have a big fast car, you've got to wear these slacks! Get it?!!!"

Ahh, simple times.

Enjoy this choice selection of glorious ads from 1973 copies of Playboy magazine selected by Charlie Fox and Ted Badger esq.
(All credit to Guy and Russell for sourcing the magazines)

Slacks - YEAH!

At "A time like this" ?  What "time like this" could possibly validate this look, one wonders.

 Hey, Hey, HEY Kids!

I think I've seen Crusty The Clown wearing these.

The 'Rappers Man' is my new hero

Quite the 'man about town' don't you think?   This ad has f**king everything. Both pairs of slacks are obviously awesome. Then there's those killer tank-tops and shirts and what I suspect is a 'fun' bow-tie. Then a backdrop that consists of a big chopper and some poor wanna-be cat walk model who appears to be desperate for the toilet. 

As if that isn't enough, check out the 'classic' male model pose that was a cliche even in 1973. (Probably even in 1873).  I particularly admire the 'elbow on colleague's shoulder' move.  I strongly recommend actually trying this in real life. When next in a standing conversation, move closer to the person your talking to and then, without explanation, rest your elbow on their shoulder. See how far that gets you.

After a few seconds, if they haven't already punched you in the face, add a little twist to the moment by popping your other hand onto your hip.

I can only assume that the helicopter is for a fast escape.

More from The Rappers Man later

Germanic attention to detail

 I can only assume this was a 'last thing on Friday' ad.

 Purrr Purrrrrrrr

 Really quite nice ad actually. Good for Jaguar - keeping it classic.

 Check out the 'iCut'

Apparently this is some kind of 'Before and After'.  Apart from that it gets a bit confusing. I assume it's '73 corporate right-wing America telling the stinking hippies to shape up.  Also, Isn't that Steve Jobs?

 Stepford Couples

 For some reason this 'creeps' me out.  It seems to be that weird couple down the road who do everything together in coordinating anoraks.

Make a statement this Friday night

 

 I assume it is best to move fast if going into town wearing this.  Possibly breaking into a run.  Funnily enough, the hat is the least of his problems.

 Lost for words

So just who was the target customer the ad agency had in mind when they were working on this? Or perhaps they were all high/drunk/on a different planet.  Setting aside the layout, the fonts and general style etc, what the hell is going on with those trous?  Yeah, yeah, I know that it's a Golf thing, but c'mon on! - Look at them!

 Jerry and Tarquin's Day Out

Quite mild in comparison to some of the other ads. It's almost as if the art director thought just one pure white suit wouldn't be camp enough.  And then the photographer told them to stand closer together.  And then they quietly started holding hands.

 Chicks in nets

 Fairly straight forward pitch going on here. Get your lovely handmade hammock from B&H. Not sure why the model has to have a 'bent' cigarette though.  Oh, Ha! Just got it; "Take a Break"

Jeezuz fking christ. Did someone really get paid for that?

 Brokeback Mountain

Hank is a'hankering for his buddy.  Silver is a feeling a bit lonesome.

 Bearing Off (as they say in Backgammon)

A man with a psycho stalker apparently, who will later that night burst into his room and stab him, for letting that blonde finger his shoulder.

 Animal magic

 Two old friends taking a weekend break of walking, talking and drunken angry sex. And their owners might do the same.

 The 'Rappers Man' part 2. (A-Hoy matey)

 Oh yeah, now we're cooking. 

"He's sure of himself. He Knows what he wants and can afford to pay for it." The Rappers Man is back and this time is in nautical mood.  Carefully choosing his slacks to compliment his pal's shirt, he strikes a casual figure on deck.  He send the womenfolk off to slice the mainbrace while he stands proudly aft and fingers his ring, wondering what that uncomfortable itching is.

 "Rash?, What sort of rash?"

Squatting in the woods; always a good scenario for a classy ad. And the depressing expressions indicate that 'difficult' conversation.

Well I'm convinced to choose Puerto Rican rum based on that.

 Deliverence

 Errrr...WTF?

 The Man on Dawn Patrol

Fashion from previous decades is always an easy target but it's not so much the styles as the Ad Agency BS that I find so funny in all these ads.

I've really no idea whether this jacket looked 'cool' or not to most guys in '73 but regardless of all that I feel that 'an exclusive blend of Dacron and Polyester' in that pattern, with that tie, that haircut, in a field with a vintage plane is worth commenting on.

Good job it's for 'The Suave and the Sophisticated", otherwise I might not have appreciated it.

YAYYY 1973 !

Art and Commerce | William Blake

Painting weekend

Most of last weekend I was working on a painting for my business partner's daughter Miren.  It's great to sink myself into such a lot of indulgent creative fun.  Guess I spend too much time over-thinking paintings normally but this project is running on pure visual, decorative techniques which is a pleasure.

I've bought a box of goodies like glitter glue and sparkly gems (ideal for my 13 yer old client) and I'm creating the work of four square canvases so she can re-configure them in different ways in her room.

As the work has progressed, it has almost taken on a mandala feel with elements of Klimt-like surface decoration.  Hmmm, interesting. 

Anyway, here are some work in progress images.

Close up of painting surface

Edge House Illustration in progress

Here we are with the further development of Edge House.  Gradually fleshing out the structure and finding my way into its history and feeling.

Agatha Christie's ghost

I've many paintings, drawings and photos I've taken of Agatha Christie's Devon home 'Greenways' but this one has given me a bit of a shock and thought I'd share it here.

I was in the grounds very early in the morning and looking for good views to sit and paint and, as I often do, a grab some photos to use as reference when I get back to my studio and to help me think about the framing/proportions of the painting.  I know for sure that when I was taking the picture, there was no figure in the window. I had been particularly attentive to the fact that I could see straight through the two windows and I was excited by the idea of the 'frame within a frame' concept.

I took the picture and instantly saw there was a figure standing looking at me. My camera-phone was still held up in front of me so I could see the view right next to the image. There was definitely no one in the room. I even quickly walked up to the window and peered in to see if there was anyone in the room; there wasn't.

Frankly, I don't believe in ghosts, and I'm assuming that maybe one of the staff had very briefly walked in and out of shot and left the room.  However, it's still a great mystery photo for the queen of mystery!

Brilliant Downs Syndrome Awareness creation

Such a wonderful, simple, engaging idea...
http://www.b-landau.de/fun/inspiring/