Thursday, 1 April 2021

AND THEN THE SETTING SUN

yo!.. surf's up...innit!

 

 

so carrying on from yesterday..

I was swimmin inna sea of oil paint..

big brush in hand..

an what did I sea..

a sundown moment in the history of art..

thought I would share this with you..


 

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

OIL AND WATER

yo!.. ocean view ...innit! 
 
 
sometimes when you are painting..

there has to be a change of plan..

and what you thought you were painting..

is not going to happen any more..

because something else has occurred to you..
 
 
A LITTLE MORE PACIFIC IF YOU PLEASE 


the ocean has made it's appearance..

complete with swimmer and sail boat/windsurfer..

the carpet from the souk..

has become the sun..

you have to pause..

and look carefully..

and before you know it..

you are unemployed..

there is nothing more you can do..

the ocean has trumped the souk..

all you can do is look and learn..
 
 
ON THE BEACH WITH EUGENE BOUDIN
 

mr turner and mister rothko..

are on the beach..

abstract impressionists..

take a bow..

Friday, 19 March 2021

TRIPTYCH

THREE FIGURES

 

FIGURES IN A SOUK


is really all just the one painting..

each is part of a whole..

one work of art..

one painting in a hundred parts..

some are lighter and some are darker..

but they are all one work..

best seen together..
 
it's context..
 
innit!

 




Wednesday, 17 March 2021

ALL ONE PAINTING

 yo!.. heart onna sleeve... innit! 

 


 

here in palookaville..

there is the studio..

an everything else..

all the bollox is out there..

inna media, onna telly..

only in palookaville can one person remain..

an artist, a painter and a believer..

we try to be sincere and stay sane..

it's not easy..

but we try..


IN THE SOUK THERE ARE MANY PAINTINGS


it occurs to me today as I sit..

with banana and wholemeal sourdough toast, coffee..

that the many canvases that make up..


FIGURES IN A SOUK


are really all just the one painting..

each is part of a whole..

one work of art..

one painting in a hundred parts..

some are lighter and some are darker..

but they are all one work..

who knows this may be my mature style..

magnum opus..

whatever..

 




Friday, 1 January 2021

THAT GREAT DAY HAS GONE

 yo!.. nostalgic... innit!


on a cold but fresh first day back at school..

in january 1966..

the fresh snow lay melting in the road..

as docile and bruin and I..

took the number 39 bus from middleton boulevard..

to denman street in radford, nottingham..

it was during the long school lunch break that we set off..

to find rare old marvel comics..

in the junk shops there..


the old shop keeper had a pile of old american comics in the window..

and we would divide it up and rifle through..

to be the first to find a rare comic..

I found the incredible hulk no.6 that day..

cover by stevie ditto..

price 3 old pennies..



after that we went into the old man and woman's chip shop..

and bought fish, chips and peas for one shilling and sixpence..


the day was cold but the snow was white..

the air was pure and clear..

I was 13 years old..

we had no money then..

but we were wealthy..

OH YEAH !


Saturday, 26 December 2020

AN ANGEL IN THE MEDINA

yo!.. Christmas present... innit!
out here in the cold.. 

 in the artist's winter studio.. 

I'm wondering why there is an angel.. 

 hiding in plain sight.. 

 on a canvas.. 

 in the rain.. 


 NOBODY MUST KNOW 


these days you cannot have an angel in a painting.. 

 it's bad enough you paint at all.. 

 but angels are not modern.. 

 not post-modern.. 

 not even contemporary.. 

 it's OK for balloon dogs.. 

 tins of artist's shit.. 

 plaster casts of house interiors.. 

interventions.. 

 installations.. 

 but angels? no way.. 

 maybe that's why it's so cold out here..



 
can you see the angel?

click on the pic for a larger image..


 NOBODY SETS OUT TO PAINT ANGELS 


 that there is an angel in my painting.. 

 is not my fault.. 

 I blame the past.. 

 and claim immunity.. 

 and plead the fifth..

Sunday, 20 December 2020

BREXIT MUTATES

 yo!.. pear shaped innit!


as we speak..

here in palookaville..

things are changing fast..


LOCKED DOWN AND LOCKED OUT


don't panic..

it's only the flu..

thank fuck El Duce is on his way out..

because we need real leadership here..


DEAL OR NO DEAL


the euro union has pulled the plug..

the airports are closing..

the Chunnel is shutting..

freight is stoping..

roads are blocking..

people are opening presents early..

and on the railway platforms..

the msm are up in arms..

how can they cancel Christmas?.

and happy a hanukkah to yous all..


THAT WAS THE BREXIT THAT WAS


a new strain of the Brexit virus..

has come out of the south east..

and infected London and all the pubs..

time has been called on Christmas festivities..

and we must all stay home and watch tv..

except for the panic buying..


THIS IS AN EMERGENCY POST


we must all now got to bed..

to lie awake..

and dream of Christmas past..


to be continued....









Friday, 18 December 2020

THE EUROPEAN THEATRE

 yo!.. pantomime... innit?


here in palookaville..

tis the season to rejoice..

tis the season of goodwill..

to one an all..


an every year at this time..

we feel the need..

to put on make-up..

an dress as women..

or dress women as men..

put the pussy in boots..

an take the piss..


 A CHRISTMAS LIKE NO OTHER


this year in a bid to out do our competitors..

we have arranged everything just so..

the covid is spreading hard and fast..

the king is in his counting house..

the Brexit deal is bubbling up..

the pubs are shut..

the music's over..

the sport has had an early bath..


THE MAKE-UP ITCHES


nerves are on display..

back stage..

 fright and flight fight..

plenty of villains..

no shortage of suspects..


BUT THE COSTUMES FIT


the fruits de mare..

are up for grabs..

the autos blaring horns are loud..

the wine an cheese are warming up..

the audience is all agog..


EL REY PESCADORE


is playing in the pit..

scrooge is fighting with the ghosts..

Christmas past and presents..

but what of the future?


ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES


Humpty Dumpty has had a great fall..

little jack Horner..

must stand in the corner..

little bo peep..

has lost her sheep..

it's widow twankey in the study with a crowbar..


clueless in Seattle..

the foreigners look on in disbelief..

he's beeehiiiind you..

they call as with one voice..

loud an clear..

oh no he's not..

replies the slapstick lead..

I'm on my bleedin own out here..


IT'S NO GO THE FOREIGN HOLIDAY


please make it all go away..

call the crowds..

oh please lets us go away..

we did not mean it all at all..


IT WAS THEM WOT DUNNIT


the blame game has never stopped..

I guess it never will..

but whoever is to blame..

will it ring the bleedin till?.


ONCE MORE OUT OF THE LIMELIGHT


as the curtains come down..

the cast must all hold hands..

to bow and fac..

the audience..

to get the clap..

they so richly deserve..







Sunday, 13 December 2020

OUR IAN

this is our ian on the right with ronnie at the oars in dumore east.. and this is pat, willum, ian, granny, ronnie and paulie outside paulie's..

 
on William street

in carrick-on suir, co. tipperary, ireland..

circa 1968

ian was mad for his cousins..

see the bags of spuds..

we used to think carrick was heaven..

OUR FRIENDS IN BRUSSELS

 yo!.. an they friends here... innit!


here in palookaville..

we may not know shit from sugar..

but we know the sound of old farts..


THE BACK STABBERS ARE BACK

the loyal thatcher colleagues..

are being wheeled out by the msm..

to rail against the folly..

of the disunited kingdom..

trying to leave the European cartel..


WE'RE ALL DOOMED


the bollox is on full volume..

the ports will be blocked..

we can't go on holiday..

our currency will crash..

socks will fall..

investors will run..

covid will reach new peaks..

the army will shrink..

the sky fall in..

it will rain every day..

and the earth will grow hot..

the weather will change..

pubs will stay shut..


FEAR IS THE KEY


we must be stopped at all costs..

nobody leaves the union..

it cannot be allowed to unravel..

make an example of the palookas..

'shoot one - scare 10,000'


WHO BUYS MOST STUFF FROM WHOM


after brexit new deals will be made..

they have to move their shit..

we will still be here in europe..

just not in the cartel..

an the rest of the world will go on..


yes it will suck for a while..

but will it suck forever..

probably not..







Friday, 11 December 2020

IT'S THE SOVEREIGNTY STUPID

yo!.. party time again... innit!


here in palookaville..

all is not what it seems..

the bollox about a trade deal..

gets louder..

as it always does..

to drown out the truth..


IF NOT NOW, WHEN?


this was always about getting out from under..

this is not about economics or trade..

this is about..

who governs Britain..


I VOTED IN


in 1975 I voted to join the common market..

I was 23 and liked the idea of passport free travel..

I did not vote for ever closer union..

not for a superstate..

not for assimilation..


NOBODY ASKED THE COMMONWEALTH


we already had  world-wide trading partners..

the old empire had seen to that..

but we just ignored it..

or were we just ignorant..


TOO LATE TO STOP NOW


things will go pear shaped..

get used to it..

it's already fucked up now anyway..

but if we are going to go through this..

we should get on with it properly..

and not be cowed..

back under the euro thumb..


IT'S FRANCIS DRAKE AGAIN


freebooting, swashbuckling, fleet of foot..

you can laugh at that..

or you can cry..

fat's inna fire..


it's not the money..

it's not the jobs..

it's the future..


SO


here we are..

from near and far..

together again we meet..

to see our dear old pals again..

it surely is a treat..

we've made this jolly party guys..

so what more can we do..

we'll keep the music going..

and leave the rest to you..


so do as you please..

up with your knees..

it's party time again..




Wednesday, 9 December 2020

THE MAN WHO TOLD THE WAVES

 yo!.. wipe out... innit!


 

ex-president in waiting..

the mighty quiff..

orders tide..

to stop rolling in..

but waves don't listen..


FOULING THE NEST


it must be tough..

looking out over the water..

and seeing all of your..

admired dictators..

in north korea and russia and china..

still strutting their stuff..

while you have to walk..


IT'S DEMOCRACY STUPID


playing the sad, bad loser..

is not the american way..

but if you don't give a fuck about the American way..

then you aren't going to play..

are you..

 


nobody expected a tsunami..

but then they expected their president..

to prioritise saving american lives..

not to look after himself and his election agenda..



oppositions don't win elections..

governments lose them..

and he lost..

but is he big enough to admit it..


https://www.saatchiart.com/art-collection/Tsunami/31203/370995/view


Saturday, 5 December 2020

ALWAYS FIGURES FOR ME

 

yo!.. from a heart... innit!



become yourself..

graham Sutherland said that..




here in the souk..

the sun is heading home..

and still..

the figures come..

it's all a light show really..

reflect and wonder..





Saturday, 14 November 2020

THREE RED PAINTINGS

most of the time..
 
I am looking..
reflecting and leaving well alone..
 
If a painting sits around long enough..
it will be painted over..
 
or altered,changed..
usually for the better..
 
but no guarantees..
 
these three have all been around the block a few times..
I am happy with them now..
 
for now..


 
 
 
here is a closer view of one..
 
click on any picture for a larger view..
 
 
 

Friday, 13 November 2020

THE EYE OF THE STORM

yo!.. they think it's all over... innit? 


here in palookaville..

folks alla watchin a msm...

but it ain't news..

itta distraction..

it's called hazing..

get an keep yo attention..

wiv daft stuff..

lak trump an bollox lak at..


FAT LADY NOT SINGIN YET


Virus Growth Uncontrolled

On November 2st the U.S. had a 44% increase in daily COVID-19 to 93,581. The chart below indicates the second wave of infections did not decline to the first wave low. Thus, experts forecast a third winter wave peak of cases will be higher than the second spring wave peak...

Economic Activity Contracts


Unemployment Rises


Personal Income Falls


Consumers Miss Rent and Home Mortgage Payments


Rent and Mortgage Moratoriums Fail


Consumers Use Credit Cards To Make Payments


Small Business Landlords Default on Mortgages


Home Owners Default on Mortgages


Consumer Spending Dives


..For investors, this is the time to prepare for a possible severe economic storm coming this winter. Scott Minerd, Global CIO at Guggenheim, observes that we have a pause now giving us time to prepare for an economic whirlwind:

the relative calm  we feel in the markets right now isn’t the end of the storm, it is just the eye, it may seem like there is no storm at all…yet the worst is yet to come.

check out the full article..


and this..

https://slopeofhope.com/2020/11/pfuck-pfizer.html


an don't forget..

this is all just my own opinions..

based upon articles from the www..

so don't go doin stuff..

this is all just fo fun...

read the disclaimer..


and this comment from mish's site..

12 hrs

Here are the daily case:death numbers for November (USA)

so far, 

from worldometer..

Nov 1 Su 71,321:399

Nov 2 M 88,905:522

Nov 3 T 94,463:1199

Nov 4 W 108,352:1200

Nov 5 Th 118,204:1125

Nov 6 F 132,540:1248

Nov 7 Sa 127,894:1035

Nov 8 Su 109,659:544

Nov 9 M 127,316:641

Nov 10 T 135,653:1346

Nov 11 W 142,808:1478

Nov 12 Th 151,033:1090 (so far today)

The trend of new cases is exploding in the US. One only has to compare numbers to a week earlier. Every single day this week the case numbers increased by over 30k compared to 7 days earlier. Hospitalizations are increasing several thousand per day as well. If hospitals fill up like they did during the first wave, the US is going to see some ugly death numbers again.

Trump is still in charge until inauguration day. What is he doing about it? Tweeting, golfing, having tantrums, and firing people.

Worst President ever.

Realist
Realist


Tuesday, 10 November 2020

HERE COMES THE NIGHT

what if the night..
 
looks back in anger.. some paintings are darker.. 
 
that's just the way of it.. 
 
nobody plans to create the dark..
 
it's just sometimes..
 
the walk is on the wild side.. 

we should always look away from the abyss..

follow the sun..
 
anyway..
 
I hope you like this..
 
let's hope it gets people's attention..
 
there is much here to look at..
 
and think about.. 



Tuesday, 27 October 2020

THE ART OF CHAOS

In 2003 I made this movie/painting..

CHAOS 

it became popular on youtube and was shown on classicFM tv..

Branka parlić was kind enough to give her permission..

for me to use her recording of..

Gnossienne No.1 by Erik Satie..

to use as the sound track..

it was broadcast several times on classic FM tv and is on youtube..

people think that it is a music video and that my film is just incidental to the music..

which may be so now..

but it was conceived originally as a visual piece..

 


I had initially filmed in focus but the result was not interesting..

only when the shooting was out of focus was chaos born..

ADVENTURES IN CYBERSPACE

in the year 2000 I was using video to paint with.. 

it was not high definition but was the best quality I could afford at the time.. 

I wanted to make a movie/painting of the goose fair.. 

an annual event here in nottingham.. 

in this next series of posts.. 

I should like to share with you some of the fruits of my.. 

painting with light..

VENICE : Look Now

don't look now..

this is a 'figures in a souk' painting.. 
 
but it relates to venice italy..
 
there is a movie also
  don't expect a plot..it's more a painting than a regular movie..



 
click pic to enlarge..
 

Saturday, 24 October 2020

FIGURES IN A SOUK

 
'figures in a souk' 
is an ongoing project..
 
it's a developing style..
a mature style.. the genesis is 68 years and counting..
rembrandt, rothko and turner..
 
others too..
but these three specifically.

I have learned also from cole porter..