A LINK, A HELPING HAND.......

http://perfectly4med.co.uk This is the blog of a mature student at Leicester College where he displays some of his works from his course and, I suspect, artworks from non-college theatres. Having ended one major career he is now embarking on a second, creative career. He is very talented and I wish him luck. Why not go to his blog right now!! My cousin Val has arrived back in UK from her home in France today. She and her husband Ken travelled in their car so that they can visit some people while they are here over the Yuletide period. I do hope I get to see her. It would mean a lot. I used to stay at her and Kens home when I was young and it was while I was there that I probably read all of the Famous Five books ! Well, nothing much else to remark on, but do go see Neil's work on his blogsite, and remember to love all and hurt none. Be positive in thought and deed, but walk in soft shoes.

UPDATES ON A RAINY DECEMBER DAY

So, the top picture of how my little studio space currently looks. We now have central heating in the studios, fed by gas bottles .......... bet that wont be cheap !? The next two pictures are of my most recent paintings; BOA'S and BOOZE, and VENUS FLY TRAP. The latter was completed in just a couple of hours. I really got into the groove Ive been trying to find for some time now. Keeping it loose, mixing the colours on the canvas, basically getting back to what I touched on many years ago, but now with more knowledge, insight, and a vast supply of imagery just waiting to be captured on canvas. Its almost Christmas, the prezzies are wrapped, the days are dark but I keep the light in my mind at full luminescence, just in case the "black dog" tries to make an appearance, hahaha. So my mateys, think and live positively but walk in soft shoes.

MAID SEDUCED BY A CHAIR.wmv

Love all, hurt none, walk your life in soft shoes.

STATIC MOTION PICTURES

Love all, hurt none. Let your inner peace fly outward.

POR FIN, COMPLETA!!! (plus POTATO BIRD)

Starting with the POTATO BIRD. My Mum found this potato and just had to add to it a tail and a beak! And yes, it really does look like a bird. "Will be a shame to eat it" she said (but of course she will). And she always says she has no artistry in her soul...........I beg to differ. Whilst on the painting side................................this painting is now FINISHED ! the title is "Maid being seduced by a chair" and its oil on canvas. £392 plus delivery, should anyone want to own it?............................................... I wont hold my breath, then. Lol.

With the weather turning cold Im having to force myself out of the door, so the studio seems such a long way off. Im thinking I should seek somewhere nearer home or even buy a very large shed to use as a studio in my garden. Dont know what to do just yet. Plus, have you seen your home energy bill lately? In February I was paying £61 per month; this month they took £114 off me and during the summer there was no central heating on!! thats almost double !! We all have to do something about this, but Im not sure what really.

In the meantime, love all , hurt none, and allow expression to the peace which resided within.

Check out the new specs! Just call me Clarke Kent ! Now, where was the phone box?The painting now has a title (subject to change, naturally), which is, "Maid Seduced by her Master's Chair". There seems to be a theme building here; that of the involvement of chairs. Still need to titilate the dress, which needs some crimson adding to it here and there, but just about finished and I have to say I STILL like it. When I sign it, that will be the end of it; a full stop, and I can save up to buy more canvas and paints and do some more. My only problem is what do I do with them all? I need an agent....................if you know of one, please let me know. In the meantime, love all and hurt none; allow the peace that resides within to express itself without.

Back to the future.

I am part way through my latest painting. I am being comfortable with a style of painting which takes me back several years, long before art education, and I am feeling goooood about it. All that rubbish I put myself through and I wind up returning to what I am, actually, quite good at. I suppose I needed to experiment and I gained that honours degree in the end so it wasnt wasted time, just time spent. Having gone through it, cant go back, so must go forward into the past, but with more skills now and perhaps better ideas.

the paper catalogue, compiled by Rick and Guy of KLA, becomes a video.

Love all, hurt none. Its the best way. Its the only way. Release your inner peace and infect the world.

DRAWINGS OF LIFE 0001

A short collection of some of my life drawings just for your pleasure.

Had good news today, a young friend seems to be feeling a little better. She knows who I mean, enough said.

Peace lives within, let it out and change your world. Love all and hurt none, its the zen path to happiness

OLD VID, FINISHED PIC.

http://youtu.be/6EU1Pz9dWt8

Hope you enjoyed this old video. I made it while at Uni in 2006 and then forgot about it. Discovered it this evening and thought, what the heck, it isnt bad really.

The photograph shows the completed painting titled; "MAN BEING DEVOURED BY A CHAIR", oil on canvass.

My chum Maz is not feeling well at the moment, bad case of blackdog, so please send some good thoughts for her through the ether. I know they will reach her because thoughts are living things. Thats why I always say to think positive thoughts , to love all and to hurt none. Find the peace that lives within.

NEW BEGINING PART 2

I spent a couple of hours in the studio this afternoon and very almost completed this painting. Its strange how the lighting alters how the work looks when photographed, isnt it? Its more greeen than beige, truth be told. Havent decided on a title yet, but then it isnt completely finished yet so there is time but Im thinking something along the lines of "Green Man Entwined With Chair". Let me know what you think and let me know if you have a better title.

In the meantime, love all and hurt none. Seek the peace that lies within and change your world for good.

KLA annual exhibition

not the best video Ive ever made but, still, its a record of an exhibition Im involved in.

Love all, hurt none. Leave life as you found it.

TIME SPENT AND A NEW BEGINNING

Agnes and Molly man the stall at the Fabrika Artists and Craft Fair today. Not such a great day though. The room was cold, there was hardly any footfall, they opened up late without even apologising, it cost me £20 plus food and hot drinks and we made no sales. We did meet up with other creatives though, which was a plus. I discovered that the young lady on the table next to us was in fact a "friend" of mine on the old Facebook thingy ! Agnes enjoyed it though..................all those strangers to talk to ! She was in Heaven ! lol !

the drawing above.........why has the text gone blue and underlined? Dont understand..............anyway, the above drawing is the start of my next painting. No title as yet. All title ideas are welcomed and who knows, I may adopt your suggestion guys!

In the meantime, remember to love all and hurt none. Seek the peace within and all will be well in your world.

KLA Annual Exhibition 2011

just a quick peek at the private view evening. Hope you enjoy. Love all and hurt none, peace is within us all.

Kla Annual Exhibition 2011 Slideshow: Steve’s trip from Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom to Leicester was created by TripAdvisor. See another Leicester slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

EXTERMINATE !!

I forgot to show you this. OK, its not exactly art but................maybe it is.............and I wonder about copyright infringement (I just had to do that didnt I? Couldnt just enjoy the moment..........wouldnt let it luy.......... !).

Hinckley carnival, a couple of weeks ago now, was invaded by............................... D A L E K S ! ! There was no sign of the Doctor so they just ran rampant.

Seriously cool they were. You could get inside them and make them move using a remote control from a computer game. Terific engineering. Apparently the guy in the beard (see photo) made them in his back garden. I was expecting to see some cardboard glued together but no, these were really well made. I WANT ONE FOR CHRISTMAS, if Santa is reading this.

OK, gotta go and make last minute touchups to my part of the KLA Annual Exhibition which opens on October 5th and ends on the 18th. Our P.V. is on the 6th, 6.30 to 8.30 p.m., and you are all invited.................bring your smiles, your kind words, and your wallets ! lol.

Remember to love not hate, and tune in to positivity. Peace be with you.

Ashes

Yesterday we finally scattered Dad's ashes. Having investigated race circuits without success Mum plumped to return to the crematorium and to scatter him in the garden. We chose a piece of ground in the centre of a ring of young trees. Scott did the honours. He spent many months "living" in his garage surrounded by his tools, which he would have loved but all things have to come to an end eventually. We have now finally let go of Dad and we have to move on. So I now have two paintings to show you.

The first is based loosely on my old chumette, Dianne, who had a mastectomy but who continued to be a life model until now the telephone has stopped ringing for her. Well, she is now turned 60 so maybe she should just hang up her robe and have lots of holidays......................... oh , yes, trust me ,she has LOTS of holidays !!! hahahahaha. Love her to bits!

The second, which isnt totally finished but its only got a little tampering to go before it is, is of a Spanish girl who I met at Uni, called Cristina Hidalgo Jaen. She is a bit of a trooper as well as being a great painter. She performs musically under the name of VIOLETA CHISNASKY, so the painting bears that title. Both paintings are acrylic on canvass. Dianne is 64 x 64 centimeters and Violeta is 20 x 20 inches. Both are for sale at 10p per square centimetre plus postage.....................in case you should be interested !

Having now completely run out of canvas and money its back to the taxi tomorrow for me! In the meantime, remember to think positive thoughts to get positive outcomes. Love all, hurt none, and find Peace where it lives deep inside you.

KLA OPEN STUDIO 2011

This video of KLA open studio, sept 4, 2011 shows the guys putting up the work, Satta gave us birthday food and Molly demonstrates just how paranoid she is by constantly walking up and down the stairs checking that Agnes and myself were still there. She was exhausted by the end of the day and didnt recover until Monday morning. We had a good day networking . Sadly this shoot can only show a glimpse of the event. In october we have our annual exhibition held, this year, at Leicester's LCB gallery and we may be hosting our second BIG DRAW event in the studio too in the same month. It's all go isn't it? !

OK, hope you enjoy, remember to love all and hurt none. Your future is created in your mind with your own thoughts. Peace is found within.

ok, last picture first; Its on its side cos I dont know how to turn it. Anyway, its the KLA annual exhibition. If you are around at the time then why not come along, look, and purchase.

Just had to tinker some more with this painting and, for once, I have improved it. Just a few strokes to the face and now it looks more human and I love it. Its now for sale. Its 64 x 64 cm, acrylic on canvass.

And finally, the important piece, the first picture last. This is my tidied up little studio space ready for the OPEN STUDIO day today. It went quite well, good footfall and of course I made a short video of the day which will eventually find its way onto YOUTUBE and via that to this blogspot!

Hope you are all feeling well having had a good summer, about to enjoy the autumn and all those lovely colours emanating from the leaves as they change and head for the floor, and of course having one eye to the winter and the lovely time of Christmas and New Year. YES ! I have changed so much and its all sooooo good.

Well, thats all for now. remember to love all and hurt none and create a better world by starting from within. Peace.

NEW BEGINNING CONT.

This went through a bart simpson phase, when the torso was mostly yellow. I liked it, but just had to tinker and now its like this........................................................................I like this version too. Its loosely based on my old chumette, Dianne. This is my ouvre now, figures, clothed or not, and portraits, which are mostly the same really. None of my work is meant to resemble the subject completely, but to render something of the sitter, in this case a melancholic mood and only one breast (did you notice that?)..............................................at uni somebody two years above me said that his works were abstracts that just happened to look like people. I love that idea and so this is how I am describing my works from now; abstracts that happen to resemble people................................Love it ! Just look at the chair, fabulous, and one of my tutors doubted my painting ability, cheeky woman! Im clearly a genius.

.............................................................

On another note, The Brown Shawl Project is officially dead but, having relooked at the works there is clearly something about me which is close to OCD. Soooooooooooooooo the project is now renamed and reinvigorated as "OCD". I shall now submit an application to show it all at a small Leicester gallery. Wish me luck. ...............................................and now, its bank holiday monday, celebrated 35 years of marriage to Agnes yesterday, so Im chillin' and not living on the computer. Remember to love all and hurt none everybody, and recognise that the thoughts in your mind helped to create where you are now. Be careful what you think.

GREENMAN

I started growing veg this year. The pots were ok. This is my complete crop of peas, which is a little disapointing. However........................ let it be art !!!!!

Hope you all like it.

love all and hurt none, its the answer to the worlds problems.

NEW BEGINING

So, a very good afternoon in the studio today. Recycled an old University canvass. Am concentrating on what I love to do, what Im good at, what makes me feel like myself. In being true to myself I hope that people will recognise my worth and love my work as much I will. I have spent too much time trying to justify my art by making stuff that I hope other people/artists/tutors will like and forgot just what it is that makes me tick. It is the figure that rings my bell so Im sticking to it, so there ! hahahaha. I feel soooo good now. I feel like Im starting again. I AM starting again, and this time there is no going back. I met another artist, Bali Sangha-Jenkins, who has the confidence to do just that. She has her style, she sticks to it, and it works for her. Thats me now. Gosh, it feels good just to say that.

On another , more personal note, Sis-in-law Linda has gone home having stopped with us for a week. Think it did her good. Know it did wife good.

Its good to do good. Just remember that folks, that doing good you recieve good. Its a manifestation of creating your world with your thoughts. Love all, hurt none, and dig deep for the peace that resides within.

Today in the Studio and other things.

Today I decided that , since Mr Satta Hassam, who will be taking over two studio spaces in September, has decided to put one of his large canvases on the stair wall before he even pays any rent, I would also put one of my larger paintings on the stair wall too! Its an old one, but I still like it and I want all the hourdes of visitors to the studio to see an example of my more surrealist work. So sue me! lol.

I also have been mostly varnishing some paintings and setting them up to dry on my patented painting drying enabler, otherwise known as an old clothes airer. There are no bounds to my genius!

Regarding the other thing;

I went to bed at half one this morning, the dog was in the lounge. At 3.00 a.m. we were woken by son number three (yes aged 21 he ran to his mummy! lol) because he thought someone was trying to get in the front door. I could see nobody. Went downstairs. Couldnt find the dog. Yep, you guessed it, she was outside pounding on the door trying to get back in. But how did she get out in the first place?! Spooky or what ?

Well, enough for now. Gotta go and watch a tv prog about Lucien Frued (r.i.p.) so remember to love all, hurt none, and seek inner peace.

"DISCARDED" discarded.

The painting previously shown called "DISCARDED" has now been........discarded! I just wasnt happy with it at all. So boring, so stilted, so forced. I went mad today in the studio and in just an hour turned it into this. I have placed two photographs of it as the light caused me problems. It is a dark painting, but perhaps not as dark as the photo suggests, and not as light as the other photo would have you believe. This just serves to show that the camera does indeed lie ! Anyway, its called, I think, FADED MEMORY. The image captures an old memory of a friend of mine who modelled for a living but is now retired (Dianne). so it comes from my memory. I just attacked the canvass, not caring too much, confident in my figure drawing skills and it worked. This marks the start of the rest of my painting career and the end of THE BROWN SHAWL PROJECT. I feel so relieved having made this decision. It is the right decision for me. Anyway, enjoy or not, let me know what you really think and then live your life productively. Love all, hurt none, and find all of your answers deep within yourself.

BITESIZE FAME GAME

http://www.artsinleicestershire.co.uk/visualarts01.htm

I get a short mention in this on-line magazine. Scroll down to BRIXTON URBAN ART FAIR to read.

exhaust pipe dropped off my scooter this evening...........made a lovely deep throaty noise, turned heads, wow...........where can i find a new one though?

Just a quickie so take care, love all and hurt none. Peace lives within yourselves; let it out.

so this is almost completed and the title is going to be "Discarded", which could allude to the state of the person , or just that the Brown Shawl is now discarded and he feels he can face the world comfortable with who he is, at last. Maybe the way you view it is how it sits with your own life. Anyway, it still has a little work needed on it, but its part of The Brown Shawl Project and I need to start seeking a venue to exhibit the show. The other pic is a detail of the painting. Please let me know what you think of it so far, I would be very interested in your feedback. The studio had other occupants this afternoon, Tom Cleaver was there working on, I believe, his sculpture project for Leicesters New Walk Musuem, and a new member, Tim Fowler was also working on one of his city paintings. You should look him up on the internet, Im sure he has a website. As I left another new member arrived, Adam, who seems very much a portraitist.

We had a walk around Fosse Meadows today with the dog, and tomorrow afternoon we are hoping to have a picnic somewhere. Life is getting quite nice: if only I could earn more money. Im seriously looking at my own taxi again as that would make me more flexible in working hours plus, my idea is to ..................ha ha, now that would be telling wouldnt it?!

OK, so its time to go. Remember to love all and hurt none folks, the thoughts you regularly live with create your future, so be conscious of your thoughts. Peace be with you all.

BRIXTON, BIRTHDAYS AND VEG.

Hope you enjoyed the short video of my time in the Brixton Urban Art Fair 2011. It poured down with rain until 2.00 p.m. and then the sun came out and it ended up being really nice. Many people stopped to have a really good luck at my small paintings so maybe things are getting better.

It was also Sam's birthday on Monday (number two son) and we all went to the Harvester for a celebratory meal. His present from me and his mum was this magnificent telescope. He has always been a stargazer so hopefully this bit of kit will help him to see the night sky just a little bit better.

Finally, today I dug up my first crop of spuds and the peas are doing nicely too. However, it has taken so long for these vegetables to become ready that Im now thinking it maybe isnt more viable than buying them in the market! Still, its nice to feel your own.

It seems that an old Uni chum, Nick , is off to live in Spain. Am I jealous? Of course I am, what did you think?!!!! hahahaha. Good luck Nick.

Oh, son number three, Lewis, had an interview to go on the next series of The Apprentice. Sadly he didnt make it through to the next stage, but there is always next year.

Well, thats all for now folks. Remember to love all and hurt none and discover the peace within yourself. Change the world starting with you.

The Brown Shawl Project takes a turn

Work in progress for "Truth and Other Myths; The Brown Shawl Project". The original image is replicated on the background wall like the flying ducks of yesteryear domiciles and he has divested himself of the shawl. He has come to terms with life and his own limitations and has removed his disguise so that the world can see clearly who he really is, and he is proud of himself. This is the first male image from this project and needed to be made so that the project spoke to both genders rather than focusing on the female (who in real life began germinated this idea with her behaviour) who, as we all know, usually presents a completely false image of herself to the world via makeup, false breasts, etc., etc. But enough of the artists statement.................... this is a work in progress and will change over the coming weeks, but essentially stay focused on this image. Tweeking is always necessary. In the meantime, Love all and hurt none, seek peace from within. Bye for now !!

TASTE OF BRIXTON ART FAIR.

Brixton Urban Art Fair 2011 Slideshow: Steve’s trip from Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom to London was created by TripAdvisor. See another London slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

Just a taster. Proper short video to upload as soon as I have edited it. Love all, hurt none, seek peace from within.

Blackpool ; Old but Getting Younger

Blackpool Weekend; Old But Getting Younger Slideshow: Steve’s trip from Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom to Blackpool was created by TripAdvisor. See another Blackpool slideshow. Create your own stunning slideshow with our free photo slideshow maker.

Had a much needed long weekend in exotic Blackpool ; me, Agnes, Linda & Charles (sis and brother-in-law). Had a good laugh,got some sun believe it or not,and feel ready to face the slog for another few months.

Hope you enjoy the images that have added to my 'artbeat and remember; love all, hurt none and seek peace withing yourselves.

RESSURECTION

Should there be one or two s' in that title word? Either way looks wrong to me. Anyway, I did fall out of love with the BROWN SHAWL PROJECT, in fact I started a downer on all things but quickly recognised BLACK DOG and put it firmly into the dog house, visited the studio for a couple of hours having not been there for two weeks and now the B.S.PROJECT is back on. I have crystalised and focused my thoughts on the thing and now am continuing with it and it, I KNOW, is leading into future works, and where I want to be with my ART. Im starting to feel better again, although I cant make the studio at all this week as garden fence needs treating and Thursday evening we are off for a free long weekend in glamerous BLACKPOOL. Long story.

In the studio I played around with some collage and have recycled an old canvass (no doubt in a hundred years time, when Im totally famous................stop laughing!................x-rays will reveal the two paintings beneath). This painting demonstrates how the B.S.Project is going to lead me back to my first love..............the figure. Its early days with this work and its going to take quite a while but Im not in a hurry anymore. Personal update; I think I might have broken my toe, but cant be sure. Its taken three weeks so far for the pain to die away but it is still swollen. Note to self; always wear footwear.

Blackpool is not one of my favourite resorts, but Im so looking forward to having three days away that I dont care. My sister-in-law, who had a stroke whilst we were in the cinema, has a sister who owns a small hotel in Blackpool and who has invited us to stay. She is going away,the hotel will be vacant (no paying guests) while she has a little holiday somewhere else. Apparently July is not peak time in Blackpool. Who knew? Suppose its because the lights extend the season up there. I would have loved a B&B when I was younger but it wasnt to be. Oh, Lewis , my youngest, has applied to be a contestant on The Apprentice! Fingers crossed !!!!

Well, Ive rambled on long enough now so just remember to love all and hurt none and seek peace within to bring peace without.

PICTURE BOOK

Brown Shawl Project Slideshow: Steve’s trip from Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom to 3 cities Leicester, Loughborough and Nuneaton was created by TripAdvisor. See another United Kingdom slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.

Love all , hurt none, peace is found within.

Its only for forever

Its taken a while as I have been making a longer dvd to give to family, and of course Gareth & Rebecca, but its here now; The Wedding of the Year. The title on youtube is a link to a remark the vicar made when Rebecca got emotional whilst saying her vows....." its only for a lifetime...", which i have altered somewhat but it has the same taste, if you see what i mean. I must stop talking in metaphors. Apologies for the shakyness in parts, which is due to me holding the camera rather than using a tripod. The zoom feature also serves to exagerate the hand trembling along with picture size. Too late now, its history. A toast to the happy couple, may they always have each other. I visited the DMU degree show yesterday and will post about it later, but for now remember to love all and hurt none. Peace is found within.

Diary

Well, had an auction with KLA where work was purchased and left the building, not mine I hasten to add..........Im going to start giving mine away just to make room for new stuff!) This Friday is the DMU degree show where I "go compare....go compare !" and hopefully meet up with some of my old uni mates...........although they are not old, just me. Not sure when Loughborough Uni degree show is this year, hopefully it doesnt clash with DMU as that is the one to look at really, always super art on show. July I have a half pitch at the Brixton Urban Art Fair for one day, following on from last years good day there. My own Urban Art Fair in Hinckley was a non-starter as no artists bothered to fill in application forms. I put it down to two things; 1, apathy, 2, my own lack of focus this year. My dad passed away in February, mum is constantly on my mind as I feel awful that she is on her own now so I visit almost every day, and then wife (Agnes) had a little stroke and she hasnt been herself since really. 7 days out of 10 she looks like she is suffering so she makes the most of her good days. All this leads to a lack of motivation in myself. I need somebody to kick me up the rear ! Ah well, have to go, so remember to judge none, hurt none and love all. Its the only religion you really need. Oh, I have put Gareth and Rebeccas wedding onto DVD if anyone is interested. Free to any who asks.

VERY SHORT VID.

Val, of VALS ART DIARY, on YOUTUBE asked some of us to provide videos of some of our work relating to Mothers Day (apparently its that special day today over the pond, in the colonies) so I quickly cobbled this together. She says she will use all videos so Im looking forward to being part of VALS ART DIARY! YAYYYYY! Anyway, thought you might like to be distracted for a very very short space of time. Think right, live right, love all, and hurt none. Peace to everyone.

ILLUSTRATION

Well, what can I say. Today I was commissioned to illustrate a small book aimed at Sikh's who have had a child die. I met Dr.Surinder Bahkshi in Birmingham, in his home and he said he chose me because he "felt" I was the right candidate. How cool is that? Also, there is a possibility, if this goes well, that he will use me again for other books he has planned. Im not charging much, probably far too little really, but its for charity and Im not exactly a star in the world of illustration. But this feels good and scary at the same time. He was a lovely man, retired, and he explained that God has given him plenty so now he is giving some back, and each day he and his wife go to the temple to serve food to the elderly..............He also explained about some of the Seikh symbols. Had a good day today. Finished the afternoon by taking Molly to the woods where her nose had an amazing adventure! Oh, and yesterday I had a phone call from my friend Maz who I met at University. So nice to hear her voice. I thought that when I left University all of these young people would naturally forget about me but no, the opposite seems to be true. I feel blessed. So folks, its time to go, and like me, please remember to love all and hurt none, and offer only positive thoughts to those around you. Peace to you all.

The Other Wedding

Well, saturday saw my eldest son usurping the Prince as he finally married his long term girlfriend, Rebecca, in a delightful little church down in Chineham, or was it Somewhere-on-Luddern, or something like that. Not far from Basingstoke. It was such a wonderful day. The weather was glorious, the service was nice (if a little unusual to my mind....but I like the unusual so thats good), the bride cried whilst saying her vows.......not once, but twice.......and the reception was wonderful, held in the hotel/conference centre where Gareth works so basically, his work mates were serving us. Couldnt go wrong could it? Nope,it was perfect. The brides dress was better than that Catherine womans the day before and, I have to say, ALL of my three sons brushed up rather nicely in their tail suits. I think Agnes and I were very proud of them all and of course already love Rebecca as part of the family. I have to thank all who had anything to do with this wedding , it was a perfect day for a perfectly suited couple. I did take some video shots during the wedding but its hard when you are also one of the congregation. I shall be editing it over the next few days and if its any good I shall put it on youtube for the world to see and on this blog for you special people. Naturally, there will also be a hard copy for Gareth & Becca to add to the thousands of photos taken by the professional photographer on the day (who worked so hard ....a husband and wife team.....taking informal photos prior the wedding, after the wedding before and during the reception as well as the normal group photos. I cant wait to see the resutant images. Well, gotta go and start editing, hope you all had a great weekend, and that you loved all and hurt none, now just remember to think positively about the things you want in your life. Peace to you all.

GOOOOOOOGLE !!!!

I just typed ARTCELL into google and guess what? My website was at number one !! Im top of the pops !! Have now got paypal buttons on all the items I have for sale on my website and have revived the guest book so please feel free to leave comments there. KLA auction has been postponed once more.........will it ever take place? I have to say I have now lost interest in it. I will let you all know if it actually happens. Agnes is having more problems with words than I first thought so perhaps the stroke has done more damage than at first thought, but it could have been a whole lot worse. Just two more days to the wedding of son number one down in Basingstoke. This has caused so much stress, indirectly, so will be good when the happy event is all over and we can all get back to normal lives once more. Just heard that Ken, husband of cousin Val, is not having a great time with his health over in France. My thoughts are with him today. On a lighter note have been allocated my half pitch number for the Brixton Urban Art Fayre in July, but my own attempt to create something similar in Hinckley is falling on deaf ears for some reason, maybe the Universe doesnt want me to do it? Still intend to start a life drawing course in Hinckley and, if succesful, also do one in Leicester somewhere. Small steps. Of course, having been distracted with so many things lately I have done nothing towards making this a reality, but after the wedding there will be no more fences in my way, so watch this space. Well, thats about all for now folks. Keep smiling, lend a helping hand to those who need it, love all, and hurt none. Peace be upon us all.

WEBSITE NEWS 2

Updating of the newlook website ( www.art-cell.com ) continues , albeit slowly. Now you can purchase t-shirts via paypal from my website, plus some of my paintings are available via the same merchant account. This facility will eventually find its way onto my other art products thus enabling people to purchase direct from myself and cutting out the middle man and his extortionate commission fees. The countdown is well underway now for the wedding...........no, not that one......my eldest is getting married this saturday, the 30th April. We have not been involved in any way with organising etc., but just the travel arrangements, as some of us dont have transport and others "vant to be alone", have caused stress to Agnes who always wants to manage everything. Im sure it was a trigger in her stroke episode the other week and Im having to come the heavy hand to stop her getting stressed again. that was a scary time and i dont wish to repeat it. Anyway, hope to get into studio this week as Ive started on a new painting, recycling old painting (Mrs Jones). I dont like waste and Mrs Jones was a not so great painting from my degree show. Im sure that the new painting, which will incorporate a couple of parts of the original, will be so much better as it will be more in my language. It just remains for me to wish Amy Mulford a Happy Birthday for today, and to offer the usual advice to everyone; Love all, hurt none, and be careful what you wish for. xx

MORE WEBSITE NEWS

Website............... www.art-cell.com ........... has now had major surgery. Its not complete but its getting there and so if anyone would like to take a peek and offer constructive criticism, suggestions on improvements etc., I would be grateful. You can link directly to this blog from a page there called........... BLOG........what else? There will also be a page to take you directly to my YOUTUBE channel eventually, and another to take you to the KLA website. Meanwhile..................... Love all and hurt none, and remember that the notion of God resides in all matter. And it does all matter. Peace.

STROKE

Last weekend the other half of my sky looked really awful. 2.00 a.m. she woke in great pain, and numbness in her left arm, leg and face. I called 999 and the paramedic who lives next door attended her (how embarrasing). She was then taken off to hospital in the ambulance. After a lot of physical testing the doctor allowed her home. Her last words to my wife were, "Have you had a stroke before?". This puzzled us. The doctor, up to that point, had only discussed Agnes' history of fibromyalgia. Anyway, a few days later and she is almost right as rain, no pains at all, not even her usual aches. She looks quite spritely in fact. Then she bumps into our paramedic neighbour, chats, and he says, "But Agnes, you were having a stroke!". So why did nobody tell us that at the time? It would be so much better to not be left in limbo. Anyway, no extra medications prescribed over this, but just three days prior she was put on beta blockers due to extremely high blood pressure. I just wonder if it is all linked together. Well, its all fine now, thankfully so......................... remember to love all and hurt none, even when it gets really hard to do so. Life is a long game not a short one.

WEBSITE NEWS.

Hi everyone, no images or videos to display here at the moment, but I have been making changes to my website, www.art-cell.com , which I thought was worth letting you know about. Its a work in progress as you will see if you look at it, but Im changing it to reflect the road Im now walking. I have knocked the arts in education thing on the head as, what with funding cuts etc.,, ........... so Im concentrating on the important thing.........important to me anyway.........of making art. KLA news; it seems I am now the treasurer. We are supposed to be having an auction of the groups artworks on May 7, 2011, at the studio premises. You are all invited but if you do come please remember to bring some money ! Dad news; I have emailed a race circuit to scatter Dad's ashes, then I phoned them and was told they had already replied (not in my email account though!) and was told to email again (why, when I was already speaking to them on the phone? beats me!) so I have and now, almost a week later, still no reply. So, maybe Dad is telling us to do something else with his remains. We sold his car, which means the garage is now empty and feels strange. Mum is coming to terms with her loss. I see her almost every day and in fact, last saturday we had her at our home so she could laugh at my efforts to build a little greenhouse. It took a while, we all had a laugh, but it got built and it works! Well, please take a peek at the website, let me know what you think, and let love into your life. Love all, hurt none, its the only way to live in peace.

Its a PUPPET !!

Hope you all smiled at this latest video. Nothing much else to say, except................................ Love all and hurt none, keep the faith !

Benny Hill Who?

so here is another offering on the moving digital format. But before that I have to say I bumped into Nick Jones the other day at the Musician pub, Leicester, where he was on the sound desk. Good to see another playmate from university. Anyway, enough said, on with the show................................................ (if there is no visible screen to click on , please just click on the link and, hopefully, you will be taken to YOUTUBE). They dont seem to have a direct access to FACEBOOK any more, which is awkward. Anybody know why? Well, as usual, l ask you to love all and hurt none, thinking especially of my mum who is coming to terms with her loss, and of Wing Production House who have apparently gone bust and whose demise will affect a few people. Love all, hurt none, and be careful what you think. You might just get what you wish for.

Moving on

I would just like to thank all of those who passed on their kind thoughts over the passing of my dad. The funeral was wednesday last, the 2nd of March, and was very well attended. There were just a few flowers at the crematorium as Mum prefered that people make donations to the Myoloma (his form of cancer, which attacks the bones themselves)charity and to this end I can confirm that £300 was received by mum to forward on and an unknown amount may have been sent direct to the charity. We thank everyone for that response and Im sure the charity will spend it wisely. Scott, my eldest step brother, made the first eulogy which was very good,serious yet with a little humour thrown in (such as dad will have stopped on his way through the pearly gates in order to oil the hinges !, haha, so true), and my eldest son, Gareth, made a short speech with his two brothers by his side, regarding dads character. Scotts daughter, Harriet, sang "over the rainbow", as she had done at dads 80th birthday bash. She was marvellous but couldnt make it to the end before her emotions overtook her, bless her. We exited the crematorium to the sound of Charles Aznavor singing "Dance in the Old Fashioned way", as he and mum spent many happy years dancing. Once again, thankyou all for your kind words. They were much appreciated. Now we have to move on.

Time, a Lifetime.

If you could write a story of a man who had a pet monkey when he was a child, who always wanted to work with mechanical and electrical things, who learned how to plaster a wall just so he could do his own; if you could write a story of a man who learned to play poker whilst sailing on a ship called HMS EMPIRE ANVIL on his way to war, who was a 17/21st Lancer ( a Desert Rat ) and who returned safe to, with a partner, set up Park Auto Services repairing and servicing and, yes, making cars (he once re-constructed an MG sports car by panel beating all of the body parts) and who drove an f2 racing car until his own rear wheel sped past him in one race; If you could write a story of a man who had two sons and then took on somebody elses son, whose interest in electronics, mechanics of all kinds....cars, boats, aeroplanes,....who made an engine that ran on heat, all during his retirement years and was planning for the future even just a few days before his energy was transformed into another kind of energy,then you would have written the story of Kenneth, who was known to all of his friends as John, and to others as Pops, Dad, Grandad and Husband. Yesterday evening (saturday 12th February),at approximately 9.45 p.m., the man that story would have been written about passed from this world into another. We will all miss him, but we are all thankful for his not lingering in the pain of cancer and for going out in his sleep. I hope, once he has rested, he goes on to have ever more adventures. Three green lights, dad !

ARTCELL brings you ART@THE PARK, the first (to my knowledge) open air gallery in Hinckley, for ONE DAY only. Grab Your Pitch NOW ! Date; June 11, 2008 Venue; Shakespeare Drive,Hinckley, Leicestershire. Organiser; ARTCELL So,do what STEVE says and email artcell@hotmail.co.uk for application form. Be amongst the first to participate in the annual event which coincides with Proms in the Park. Good atmosphere, good footfall, good luck. What have you got to lose?

TIME

My artbeat and my heartbeat have stuttered today. We were told by the district nurse that she believes my dad has only days left on this planet. Although I was expecting this, still, it brings one down to earth and causes one to question what this is all about. But I find I come back to the ideas that I have formed through years of seeking and have found in Buddhism, Hinduism, Zen, Spritualism, etc.. This is all an illusion through which we learn for future life. We are energy at our core, which is released at the demise of the corporeal vehicle and becomes free to exist as it is, or to seek new adventures in other corporeal forms, or if advanced enough , to re-merge with the greater whole. So, in one way, today has made me very sad, but also content in the knowledge that this is part of the norm. life is too short to be serious and too long to be frivolous, so love all and hurt none. Peace is within us all. Peace be with you.

STRICTLY ENTERTAINING

Christmas saw our youngest son purchase two tickets for us to attend the STRICTLY COME DANCEING live show at the LG ARENA in Birmingham.......and what a great show it was. A really good entertaining evening. Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. OK, it maybe isnt about my art or my artbeat, and yet I find Im inspired by the colour changes of the set, by the movements of the dancers, especially those in the Argentine Tango, and simply by the energy felt in the venue, and will take some of those "aromas" into my studio and therefore into my artworks. Thats my outlook on it anyway, but maybe I just wanted to share with you a pic of my wife laughing. Remember to love all and hurt none everybody. Peace be within you.

Trailer Park

Ive now completed a very short trailer for the Musician public house in Leicester. Hope they like it. Hope you like it. I love it. Love all, hurt none. Think your future into being. Forgive those who have damaged you.

A Night Out with the Mrs, and a camcorder !

Well, had a night out, an acoustic night at The Musician pub, which was part of the audition process for Leicesters Summer Sundae event later in the year. Then I was asked if I would video the event, and then I was asked to make a four minute trailer. Well, this isnt it; its my just over seven minute rendition. The trailer is the next thing on my list, and then I might make shorts dedicated to a couple of the bands I loved. The Leicester Film Society were also there filming, but they chose what proved later to be a poor spot as the crowd enlarged to such an extent that the poor cameragirl couldnt see the stage and so she left. I , on the other hand, had a prime spot in the sound booth. Im sure that I need better equipment if I intend to further this as a late career change option, but I do really enjoy the whole process. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little condensed version of a good evenings entertainment and good luck to all of the participants. Look out for the four minute trailer being posted soon and remember to think only positive thoughts as they will lead you to a positive future. Love all, hurt none; this is the road to Peace.

SPEED SCREEN (PRINT)

Hi everyone, today Im posting a short video of Rick Newham,screen printer at KLA, printing my design onto a t-shirt. Youtube contains the original instructional video that Rick wanted, in two parts, but its too long, and not really suitable for this blog, so I cut and cut and cut, speeded it up, added music,added myself .....................................and hey presto, we have a completely diferent animal...................more in keeping with my inner self. Im producing other designs soon,but in the meantime if you want to purchase one of these shirts, let me know the size (small,medium, large),any colour you want as long as its black (!) and if you are in UK the postage will be free. They cost £15, are good quality and I will only print 50 of them to ensure their exclusivity. Just think, you could be one of only a 50 people in the world to own one of these pieces of wearable art!..........................................and now.........on with the show........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Many thanks to Rick whose idea this was. Go take a look at my other youtube videos (ARTCELLproductions channel) and then maybe subscribe to it? In the meantime, remember to tell the Universe exactly what you want and be consistant. Love all and hurt none, it will bring peace to the world. Peace upon you all.

Design, camera, action ! thats a print folks !

Hi all, I produced a design for Rick of KLA to print onto a couple of t-shirts with the idea of this being an income stream for me in the future. So I made this video of Rick sharing his skills and knowledge of screen printing, which is , of course, a feature of being part of a cooperative group. This is part one as youtube only accept ten minute videos, so part two will be arriving in the next couple of days.........as soon as Ive edited and uploaded it. while you wait for part two, and the actual printing of the t-shirt, just remember to lova all and hurt none as its the only way to peace on earth. Peace to you.

Outtakes out of time

Hi, everyone, just realised I havent posted the last video of 2010 yet, so here it is. Its just outakes. So its now out of sync with life, but then thats probably a place where a lot of artists live isnt it? Hope you enjoyed that little mockery of myself. Hope you enjoy the rest of your year. Hope you think carefully before the Universe gives you what you asked for and lets remember to love all and hurt none. Peace !

First Video/Painting of 2011

Hi everyone.......... hope you enjoy this. Its becoming a very nice habit, these video excursions....at least I think so and so I hope you do too. Have a good week, and remember to love all and hurt none whilst focusing on what you really want in life. The Universe listens and your deep soul attracts.

It has come.......

.... to my attention, (I discovered this cos I put myself on my blogspot mailing list), that my blogs with videos in cause email servers to become very suspicious, but let me reassure you..........its only my blog with a video in it. Please open. It wont hurt you. I forgot to say in my last blog.......about two minutes ago.....that we should be careful what we think as it tends to become our future reality. Our thoughts act like magnets so that that which we think about a lot becomes drawn to us. For instance if we tell the Universe that we want to be this or that, but at the same time say that it probably wont happen, then it definitely wont because the universe thinks we really dont want it to happen. Good, positive thoughts attract good positive actions. Love all and hurt none, it leads to a better life.

If at first you dont succeed............

I tried again with the MAZ(IC) painting video. If this doesnt work I shall adopt my late father-in-law's attitude; "If at first you dont succeed...........give up!", hahahahaa