VALENTINE

So it's St.Valentine's day once more. I don't normally make a great deal of effort for this because, after all, it is supposed to be about letting someone know that you are their secret admirer. My wife is not a secret. However, all things considered, what with Dad passing, our time passing , I did go overboard. I booked two tickets to see "The Stomp" at Birmingham Hippodrome this Friday (more sensible than a Tuesday but it is still for my Valentine and its the matinee performance so we can travel on the train, I can have a drink without the worry of driving home, and we can look around the shops ( thats how we suffer for our cause, lads) and we can dine too. A full day. The special card for my special half was made by me and I left it in situ for Agnes to discover in the morning. Aint I romantic?

I started by mentioning my dad, my step dad actually but that never made a diference, and so I will end with the coincidental information that his father was an immigrant from Germany who's surname, before changing it to Wakefield, was, I believe, Valentin. I hope all of you lovers out there found each other today, but above all, remember to love all, hurt none, and walk in soft shoes.

A YEAR GOES BY

It is with sadness that today, I am forced to look back a whole year. Today is the first anniversary of Dad's passing away and what makes it worse is that it has just flown by! We didn't go to the crematorium where his ashes are scattered; there didn't seem much point. I don't believe he is there. I believe he is fully active somewhere else, spreading his knowledge, and just occasionally, maybe, looking in on Mum. Im going to hold an open night at the new studio (if I'm permitted) when I've moved in and Dad would have been so good at helping me to arrange the unit into a workable space. Never mind. Still thinking of you Dad ! Remember, folks, to be positive, to hurt none and love all, and above all try to walk in soft shoes.

MOVING NEWS

The decision; I have today handed in my notice at Knighton Lane Artist's Studios. I shall be moving in to a more secure, warmer, private studio unit, which is most importantly in Hinckley so I can walk there if I want to. Thus saving money on travel etc.. So thats the big secret. I know Im going to be happier there although it isnt an artist colony, just a lot of units within an old factory. There is one other artist in the complex but I doubt I will see anyone else. Bliss ! I shall of course complete my treasury duties and may even continue in that role as would like to continue being part of the group, but as an associate rather than a studio member..

thats all for now, love all, hurt none and walk in soft shoes.

OMG !

I entered three paintings into the Hinckley Themed Open Exhibition, "Loved Ones".

I've never been so dissappointed ! £15 it cost me to enter ; NO PRIVATE VIEW, NO PRESS INVOLVEMENT and, by the look of it, hardly any art either! I think there were ten paintings/drawings and three of them are mine! I am seriously considering asking for my money back...........and look how they installed my work. Just because one of them is very small is no reason to put underneath another.

I find it so disrespectful.

Anyway, if anyone out there is reading this and they find themselves near Hinckley you should pop into the library and have a look at my work and let me know what you think.

Well, deep breath, keep calm and carry on. Love all and hurt none ( I never said it would be easy) and walk in soft shoes.