Man Reading on a Bench in Bruges, large oil

I’ve just completed this large oil on canvas piece. I stopped earlier than I normally would as I sometimes overdo things! This is my new policy. A piece is never really ‘finished’ you just stop at an interesting point! This follows on from my ‘Solitary Figure’ investigations made from my trip to Bruges at Spring Bank holiday. I wanted to evoke the memory of the man complete and content in his own solitude in this wonderful place. I have been relishing the peace and quiet to paint. However, the old folks bungalows are being retiled opposite our house and the noise as the tiles are taken off the roofs has been incredible in my little studio. So you never really achieve peace. I managed to see a kind of beauty in it all though. The tiles made rippling waves as they fell off each roof. There’s a message in all this. Once I accepted the intrusion I could find it had it’s own fascination even though I hadn’t asked for it. We’re never really alone are we? Maybe this man was for a little while. Except he wasn’t was he! I’d noticed him and this is the result! You can see the prep work on this blog and I’ll post the stages of the painting as it developed next.Man reading on a bench in Bruges large oil comlete cropMan reading on a bench in Bruges large oil comlete crop

Norse Myth Poster for exhibition with Artipeeps

Here’s the poster for the exhibition coming up in September with Artipeeps based on the Nine Realms in Norse Myth. I made my painting ‘Freyjr’s Disappearing Necklace’ in response to the Vanaheim realm. You can see part of it on the poster. Can you spot it? The exhibition is a collaborative venture with poets, musicians and artists responding to the realms. You can read all about it on the posters. Don’t forget to click to enlarge!Norse myth posterNorse myth flyer

Freyjr’s Disappearing Necklace, framed and ready

Here are some shots of the necklace painting ready and waiting for exhibiton for Artipeeps Norsefreyjr's disappearing necklace framed in shop myth show at Hanse House Kings Lynn Norfolk England on 12th September and for the days following. I was really pleased with the frame it looks like dull polished leather. There’s a shot of it in the picture-framers and one on the wall at home.freyjr's disappearing necklace framed on wall in our house