I made this further exploration of a man reading on a bench in Bruges last Sunday as a development of this idea and after seeing the man on my holiday to that fair city at half term. This time I used a large soft brush and gave myself the rule to only use that and no pencil. Not sure why I said this to myself as it was quite difficult painting the impression of the man on the bench with such a large brush. I think I wanted homogeneity in this piece so that’s why I said this to myself. I often give instructions like this if it feels the right thing to do. Here is an image of the whole piece and a crop. Do click on the images to enlarge. More studies to come I feel, watch this space!

I made this study of the man reading today that I previously made an ink drawing of shared on this blog. I’ve been thinking that this may become a painting so decided to play with a bit of colour and then draw in pencil on top.  The image of the man and the way he was so totally absorbed in his reading has stayed with me way beyond the holiday. I feel this is an image of solitude when you are totally at peace and happy in your own company. The context of Bruges marries perfectly with this sensibility. I feel the man had very deliberately chosen the bench, and it has a certain ‘Genuis locii’ as one of my twitter followers Lydia Stuasberg observed.

I saw this man sitting reading engrossed in his book last week when we were in Bruges. I love saying that after having watched the film. He was completely absorbed and at peace. I suppose these solitary figures are creeping into my awareness after looking at Peter Doigs painting ‘Blotter’ again, and thinking a lot about introversion and being complete in one’s own solitude. This man certainly was. He didn’t look up as I went past or when I looked back at him from the bridge. There’s a photo of him too for you to see. Do click on the images to enlarge and see marks and detail. Real life. Here’s the Peter Doig painting ‘Blotter’ that won the John Moore’s painting prize all those years ago and inspired my current responses to some extent. Oil on canvas 1993

I’m very excited as I recently heard that I have been accepted by the committee as an Associate Member from my recent application. The artists work on there is great, and chimes with me in so many ways. I was on the phone to them and look forward meeting fellow artists, to attending shows and seeing the studios.I’ll also be able to share work on their website and potentially contribute to shows at their gallery. It feels like just the beginning! Here’s the link to their website if you’d like to take a look neoartists.co.uk

Here are some images of Brussels as I wandered around, got in trouble for being selfish and slow!

Just got back after a great break in Brussels and Bruges. I stumbled upon a wonderful little Picasso exhibition of the master’s drawings and prints which I found inspirational especially as I’ve been massively influenced by him recently, no change there! Here are a couple of sketches and some other shots. Don’t forget to click on the images to enlarge.

I made this study last Tuesday as I have come to a natural pause in my Norse exploration as my Freyja drawing responses seem to be done. This may not be a permanent state of affairs as I seem to be listening to Swedish singer/songwriters still which is interesting, so not quite sure what is going on there! Just staying open. The single figure was made before we reached our target for the Indiegogo campaign for our collaborative venture with Artipeeps on Tuesday. I suppose I was feeling a little fearful and isolated and wondering if we could actually pull together as a collective and do this thing. We did, and it certainly felt good! It kind of tied in with my thoughts and feelings on community as I’ve been exploring the Norse realm of Vanaheim. Anyway, here’s the drawing. Don’t forget to click on the image to see the marks in close-up.

The two Picasso pieces above are, ‘Hommes et femmes nus’ 1967, first piece and

‘Suzanne et les Vieillards 1’ 1967, print.

I made this study on Tuesday after a period of studying Picasso monochrome prints on Artstack. One of Suzanne and the elders particularly drew me as it seemed very in keeping with my Freyja explorations. The male figures looked like dwarves as they stare voyeuristically upon Suzanne who is surprised. Picasso may not seem the obvious choice for a piece based on Norse myth. However, his unabashed depiction of more intimate moments between men and women seemed fitting. He explores sexuality and sensuality like no one else and I’ve always been a great fan. I kept looking at images all week and decided to take one of his seated nudes and transform her into Freyja wearing this necklace. The first stage was pencil, then ink and wash. Do click the images to see the marks more clearly. I’ve also added the inspirational Picasso pieces. Whenever you bring Picasso energy into work it changes the dynamic completely. His nudes are not conventionally beautiful. He created his own rulebook. I love to see his work in the flesh as it were!

I made this third follow up study last Tuesday in response to the painting I made of the same title that I have recently shared on this blog. It was for the challenge of interpreting the Vanaheim realm for the Norse myth collaboration for Artipeeps arts group from Cambridge England. This recent study really explains itself, and has become a somewhat darker response to the story of Freyjr’s greed for the necklace and her need to have it at all costs. It has also become something of a metaphor for feminine sexuality and sensuality. It has a universal quality that all can relate to which is what makes the story so compelling. Do click on the image to see the marks and colour more clearly. I’m not sure if this is the end of this series, we’ll see. However, I do want to go back to Eskdale to draw another Viking cross at Irton near the church. So watch this space!

I made this follow up study last Tuesday as another response to my large A1 painting in response to the collaboration on Norse myth with Artipeeps that I have recently shared on this blog. It happened very quickly in the late afternoon, as so much of my work seems to do! I seem to need the day to let ideas mergle away with me. I may do another painting responding to the Viking presence in Cumbria all those centuries ago. This time it would be for myself and would require another field trip to Eskdale so watch this space folks! Do click on the image to see marks and colour more closely!