Stephen Hall Art Blog

And the truth never frays a good yarn...

2011-10-01T07:48:00.000+01:00

I started painting this some years ago, it was from some sketches and photos in the cafe at Pickering Station on the North Yorkshire steam railway. It's run by volunteers and this chap sat down opposite with his brew. After painting it I put it away and dug it out every now and again to see if there was anything I could do with the window. It was flat and didn't 'do' anything. Finally hit on the idea of condensation and created that little space where the window has been wiped too see out of. I'm hoping it works better now...

Choo's life

2011-09-12T21:10:00.001+01:00

Oooh! Bad song link! A friend is moving on, how best to wish the best for the future than to celebrate the wonderful shoes she has worn to bring joy and envy to the team. Not me, i'm not spending more than thirty quid unless I have to, they have to be comfortable and last at least three years and then i'll buy another pair. I have a period of around two weeks where I own two pairs... who needs more than that???

Tea in the park ...

2011-08-27T09:38:00.000+01:00

I was in London last weekend and in Kensington Gardens, I popped over to see Liz and Phil, you know them, she's the one who likes bling and he's the one who keeps putting his foot in it at parties... you do..live in the big house... never mind. I called in at the Serpentine Gallery and coming back out found this wonderful tea shop, Just what I needed, a brew!

When the memories seem to fade..

2011-08-08T20:11:00.000+01:00

Have you ever forgot you did a painting? A friend found this in her loft, it's been there over twenty years... I say friend, thanks for storing it safely!!! It made me smile :-)

Fate, up against your will…

2011-07-07T20:39:00.001+01:00

Ian McCulloch from Echo and the Bunnymen, the only good thing to come out of Liverpool other than the M62…

It's going to rain soon ...

2011-06-27T17:33:00.000+01:00

But I want nothing this society's got …

2011-06-19T08:39:00.001+01:00

I’m working on building up my sketching time and worked on some quick sketches and photo’s from London a couple of months back. I’m struggling to find some theme to my work, any ideas peeps???

I say chaps...

2011-06-11T14:03:00.000+01:00

It's my Father-in-laws' birthday today. He must be getting fed up of scenes from Lincolnshire airfields by now and praying for socks next year!

Build a rocket boys ...

2011-06-02T23:09:00.005+01:00

..when I were a lad we 'ad nowt. We made our own entertainment. Spent a small fortune this week on computer games, books, ice cream... kids back at school next week, OH HAPPY DAY!!!

paintbrush is working again...

2011-03-02T20:35:00.003Z

I shook and shook and finally a painting fell out of my brush... happy days :-)

Shaking off the heavy one ...

2011-01-14T21:07:00.003Z

Sunday lunch after a heavy session on the Saturday night... it's like falling off a horse, you just have to get back on it again! A fabulous weekend away with the best of friends, organised by Phil for Sharon's 40th. Just been out for the biggest meal to celebrate his big day, Happy Birthday Phil!

But they haven't got their mittens on...

2010-12-01T08:10:00.003Z

Oh my! No schools open, can't get out of the village - I'll pop a log on the fire and have a brew instead!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T09:23:00.002Z

Not overly happy with pagan rituals and stuff but we love Halloween in our house, we can be creative and eat lots of sweets - kids love it! (and me :-))

Sit with me a while and let me listen ...

2010-09-12T20:57:00.002+01:00

I was looking for some textured paper to do a pen and ink drawing on, found some old cardboard off a box and sketched instead...

Fresh for you daily ...

2010-08-08T22:30:00.003+01:00

I found this tiny ice cream van (trailer!) in York the other week. It is really retro! Loved it...

A photograph for a change...

2010-07-27T20:17:00.003+01:00

It's impossible not to paint the woods I live in. An old Edward Hopper quote... paint your surroundings. I have spent so long trying to work out what to paint and gave in and just painted what is outside my front door...

I swear, when I look in your eyes I can see your soul...

2010-07-18T22:31:00.002+01:00

I have been working on this for ages and learnt so much... one thing is to keep going and going, then, keep going. I wish I knew when the moment arrives when you can say OK i'm there time and then stop. I stopped because I needed a nice cup of tea and a sit down...

Dance like nobody is watching...

2010-07-10T10:17:00.002+01:00

A little bit of sunshine for you! Just so you know I do have bright colours in my paintbox...

Pass in Time...

2010-06-19T20:02:00.002+01:00

I'm back in the woods again, working with acrylic on canvas this time. There is paint all over the place! I like splattering it on the canvas but for some reason it goes in other places too?!

God knows what is hiding, in that world of little consequence ...

2010-06-13T19:07:00.002+01:00

The best pictures are the ones that come and find you, rather than the ones you go looking for don't you think? I have found a new place to people watch - Whisby Nature Reserve. I swear, I have no idea what these people spend an age looking at. It must have been good, they had all the necessary equipment for recording their sightings... Me? pen, bit of paper... and a rather nice Latte :-)

Sigh no more ...

2010-06-09T08:01:00.002+01:00

I'm back after a break that was way too long! Happily painting again.

Carholme Road, Lincoln

2010-03-23T21:21:00.004Z

I got up early one morning, frosty, but a strong low sun. On the road into Lincoln is the old racecourse which has a row of trees running down both sides, I had been meaning to paint this scene for ages and will go back and do this one again, it lacks something ...

When I get home ...

2010-03-16T20:13:00.002Z

I'm not sure I have shared this painting... it might look familiar as I used some of it for my site logo. I used bathroom tile adhesive mixed with acylic paint to create a bit of texture, it's not fell off the canvas yet!

Take a man of an impressionable age ...

2010-03-07T09:38:00.002Z

There is a crescent of fabulous buildings at the front of Lincoln Cathedral, if you approach it from the side you miss out all the newer buidings within your eyeline and it is like walking back in time. Drop a sprinkle of snow and it becomes Dickensian. I went out with friends one night before Christmas, as it began snowing heavily I set off walking up the hill to collect my car. I was passing the floodlit Cathedral as people were coming out from a late carol service. I have never seen anything so festive in my days. It is now March and minus five degrees. Now I'm no sceptic but if we are entering a period of global warming, why am I so bloody cold!!!! Love the snow, also love the sun, more of that please! I was in London the other weekend and called at my favourite art shop and picked up some new pens, a set of Letraset promarkers all varoius shades of cool grey. Had a wonderful time with them in my Moley. I'm going back to get a set of warm orange pens ready for the scorching summer that our political people insist we are contributing to.

Walking out of stride...

2010-02-07T20:23:00.003Z

Still not painting and sketching like I know I should be. I found some charcoal in my studio, an old piece of sponge and an eraser and played around for a bit. I took some photos on the North Yorkshire Moors and dug those out to work with. It's messy but fun!

You're twistin' my melon man, you know you talk so hip man ...

2010-01-30T19:05:00.003Z

A happy 21st birthday to this painting i did of Portland St in Manchester. I worked over the road in Minshull Street and loved this row of mismatched buildings, happy days!

Give me something to believe in ...

2010-01-19T21:58:00.003Z

2010 is turning out to be a toughie! I'll keep sketching while it gets better.

If you love the life you live ...

2010-01-09T19:48:00.002Z

I'm working in my new Moleskine and pretending its not an object of desire that can't be tarnished with bad art. I like the way that the paper 'cockles' when you put water on it - not so perfect now are you, hmmm?... Beth has gone to Max's birthday party with all his mates, she won't be staying for the sleepover................

You took my dreams from me ...

2010-01-03T16:09:00.002Z

Well that's Christmas stuffed back in the loft for another year! I saw the pile of boxes and thought a drawing would delay the climb up the ladder... I'm not scared of lofts, no siree... I fall off ladders. Did it in the summer pruning the climber on the wall above the kitchen window... spent the rest of the week walking around like an old man. Well an old man with a sore butt, I normally walk round like an old man. The boxes are safely in the loft, I'm now having a nice sit down and a cup of tea.

Winter winds ...

2009-12-26T13:37:00.002Z

Merry Christmas one and all! I am so full and hung over... I made the biggest bowl of sprouts with Christmas dinner, I swear there were more left over than I started with. I put them on to boil around October and they were still hard when I served them up. Funny little fellas they are... who decided they would be good to eat at Christmas? All the very best to you during the festive hols, I'm off for a lie down...

Live as you dream ...

2009-12-16T00:48:00.002Z

I'm listening to Beth Orton tonight, good stuff to paint to. I should be asleep but there is too much in my head. I need a memory stick that i can plug in to my brain and store data. About 2 mb should cover it...! I wish I could 'forget' all the stuff I know which is totally useless and learn some fantastic new things!

Above you, below me ...

2009-12-07T20:55:00.003Z

It's wet and rainy here, the ponds in Sudbrooke woods are filling with water.

The paths are all boggy and suck your wellingtons off your feet. Fudge the dog doesn't seem to mind though, nor the aroma she gives off as she dries out in front of the fire. Yuk!

Just making memories ...

2009-11-30T17:50:00.003Z

I'm still working on this series of paintings of Sudbrooke woods, I walk through them with Fudge the dog and the children so often it has left an imprint. Its in my skin. It changes daily depending on the weather, the light, the time of year. Moving to rural Lincolnshire from urban Manchester was the biggest change I ever faced. Not as dramatic in the old city centre, although in Manchester they liked to change the direction of the one way system, always good for a laugh!

When these memories fade, in my ripe old age ...

2009-11-29T13:59:00.003Z

Having one of those pottering around days today, with a mooch thrown in when i fancy a change. The weather is doing the same, a bit of rain, some sun, nothing too challenging... I'd take the dog for a walk but shes asleep in her basket. A perfect Sunday.

Pull me through ...

2009-11-22T17:36:00.002Z

I've not had chance to draw recently but have been tidying up my art studio in readiness (honest!) I've also let my journal lapse a little too, and dug it out ready to begin again in earnest. On the very first page I did this sketch from the opposite bank on Derwentwater in the Lake District. I felt it was appropriate to post it, in view of torrential rainfall in Cumbria and the many roads and houses flooded out. I love the place, especially in the rain but Lordy! not that much!!! Ironically, this is the very same journal that suffered rain damage at the bottom of my back during a storm whilst in London. Bit of a water theme going on here...

never go west when you know you should be headin' south ...

2009-11-08T14:44:00.004Z

Another lovely VW... meet Flo! I dropped William off at school the other week and saw this wonderful piece of culture in the car park, hope Ms Toyne likes it :-)

All will be revealed ...

2009-10-03T15:55:00.007+01:00

Here is the second ink drawing I did of Sudbrooke woods, this one was on handmade A1 size watercolour paper so I had to photograph it and didn't quite get the light right. I took a second photo of the detail underneath

In my dreams, I'm always strong.

2009-09-26T15:15:00.005+01:00

I was listening to Mercury Rev and still get blown away by 'The Dark is Rising' It made me paint for the first time in ages. I've been down to the woods, just a few yards from the front door. There are some wonderful places in there with fantastic light and shade - I may stay with some woodland paintings for a little while, what do you think?

The sun is high up in the sky and I'm in my car ...

2009-07-21T20:22:00.002+01:00

I was having a coffee in the sunshine outside Alexanders when this beauty pulled up, I took some photos to work from - not enough time to sketch it there and then! I want it!!!!

Back in the land of ink ...

2009-07-13T18:36:00.002+01:00

I've not posted anything for ages! The warm weather has made me do all those garden and outdoor jobs I've put off for sooo long! Been out and about too... took William to a cafe for breakfast and he chose croissants with lots of jam! I had eggs, bacon, the whole nine yards! Didn't eat again all day! My favourite weekend food, yum!

Bless His ever-loving heart ...

2009-06-19T20:30:00.003+01:00

I think I have finished Jesee's painting of his mum. He took some photos of her on his phone last time he went home to show friends where he used to live and how his mum cooked. It was too good an opportunity to miss so I asked if he would let me do a painting of her - he can take all the credit for the composition. Not only a good photographer, he also built her a new house! (I hope my mother doesn't read this and get big ideas). The house looks fantastic! He tells me his mum is reluctant to move into it, being set in her ways, what a gifted and truly wonderful person he is!!!

31/31 - This is the end, my friend ...

2009-06-01T14:11:00.003+01:00

A day later, but I did (almost) post 31 days in May. It was the best of times! The work I posted out there, everything and anything (some of it was truly pants!) I would do it again. It stopped me getting all 'arty' and posting just the good stuff, it made me stick to involving art into every day of my life instead of when I have time -I made time, I stole it, I pinched it off the kids and my wife. The feedback you gave was inspirational, the feedback you didn't give was developmental, my thanks to you all. I'll keep posting as often as I can and a big thank you to my family for being patient, especially Sarah - driven nuts by my constant blogging - I am not a computer nerd!!! A means to an end , thats all!

30/31 - A quick sketch # 2 ...

2009-06-01T14:05:00.002+01:00

I've been looking at a way of incorporating the detail of ink pen with something a bit more sketchy, I've tried marker pens but it doesn't work for me. I found a really nice soft black pencil that smudges nicely without going haywire like charcoal does! I love playing with pens and stuff :-)

29/31 - We've laid the cables and the wires ...

2009-05-29T23:07:00.004+01:00

I used to have a phone like this on my desk at work - seriously! It only had one ring tone, it couldn't take photographs, you couldn't surf the net, or download music nor text or play games on it. Useless bloody thing!

28/31 - Green Eyes 2 ...

2009-05-29T16:03:00.002+01:00

A glorious sunny day here in Lincoln! The light is fantastic.

27/31 - Just like a bird that sings up the sun ...

2009-05-27T18:43:00.003+01:00

Beth is off school this week, she has done two birthday parties and will be off camping with Brownies tomorrow until Sunday, then back to school on Monday - I need a social life!!!!

26/31 - When I get home ...

2009-05-27T10:25:00.004+01:00

A quick sketch for you, There is a windmill out in Kirton-in-Lindsay, Lincolnshire that still grinds flour, a great place to stop by for a brew, pick up a bag of flour and on a rainy day like this, stay in and make bread and soup.

25/31 - See the little cloud up in the sky ...

2009-05-25T15:14:00.001+01:00

The sun has gone and a big black cloud has took it's place ... summer is over.

24/31 - Here I sleep the morning through ...

2009-05-24T14:53:00.002+01:00

I've been out in the garden, sketching since around seven this morning, came in to post something on the blog, and this. I might just pop out now for a doze on the sunbed ...

23/31 - Work in progress ...

2009-05-24T08:39:00.002+01:00

I'm playing catch up with my Every Day in May postings, I'm a day behind which i will remedy by this evening! I thought I would show you where I am up to with a canvas I am doing for a friend. I am using a different approach than i normally use (my usual drawing shapes and colouring them in!) I'm 'building' the painting starting with a Yellow Ochre wash on the canvas, rough positioning of elements and then adding light, dark and then building the colour and highlights in. I need to leave it a couple of days now to live with it before putting some detail in - I'll post the results (plus the wonderful story that goes with it!) I think i'm happiest, splashing paint all over the place, when I'm using pen and ink I concentrate too hard and get a headache!

22/31 - Use me ...

2009-05-23T08:47:00.002+01:00

Life is full of surprizes isn't it? You spend it trying to find the right words and there they are on your shopping bag! Funny old world ...

21/31 - In a cold way ...

2009-05-21T22:27:00.002+01:00

I very nearly lit a fire this evening. Not cold enough to have the central heating on but chilly enough to chuck some logs on the burner. Opted for a jumper instead!

20/31 - Long time man ...

2009-05-20T20:08:00.003+01:00

I love working on canvas, and I love people in my work, this guy works for North Yorkshire railways as a volunteer, he sat in the window with his brew - i snook a photo of him without flash and had to paint it, a bit more nostalgia I'm afraid AJ!

19/31 - Someday it'll rain ...

2009-05-19T20:30:00.003+01:00

You would not believe the colour of the fields around these parts, there are lots of fields with rape seed growing, when you get poppies coming through the colour is really strong, when it rains it gets even more vibrant and the scent is really strong. Not good for hay fever sufferers but an amazing thing to see.

18/31 - I sing myself to sleep, a song from the darkest hour ...

2009-05-18T21:08:00.003+01:00

The first lines from songs are getting a bit obscure now! Although anyone from Manchester will get it straight away, which brings me to William's hat, back in the Madchester years you had to have one. I have been out of Manchester for fifteen years but still have the accent and proud of it - 'sorted'... ( I tone it down in work, when I can) William picks up some of it now and again and it makes me smile. Big up :-)

17/31 - Nothing sweet about me ...

2009-05-17T15:26:00.006+01:00

Sarah bought the children some sweets, she's working away this week and thought they might like them as a treat - she left at lunchtime and they are all gone! They were supposed to last all week!!! I am in so much trouble now when she phones in later - they won't be able to keep that one quiet! I'll make up for it by demonstrating my ecological skills, tonight I'll bathe the children and the dog, tomorrow I'll chuck a few clothes in with them - I refuse to bathe the children with crockery - that's so unhygenic!!!!

16/31 - I read the news today, oh boy ...

2009-05-16T15:33:00.002+01:00

I'm in the middle of a canvas painting and not ready to share it yet. I've been working on it over a few days now and really enjoying it. I really hope I can keep with it and do the subject matter justice. We get a local paper delivered every now and again which I use to help stop the paint from dripping on the wooden floor and getting me into real bother! (Like that hasn't happened a few times!) It's printed on a wonderful glossy paper, so I sketched my brush on it - how lazy is that?! The paper holds the pigment from my pen really well!

15/31 - Through the windswept costal trees ...

2009-05-15T20:02:00.002+01:00

It rained... and rained! It poured down today like someone up there turned on a very big tap, then emptied a bucket and then turned the big tap on again - and I seemed to pick the wrong moments because I got it every time! It has the aroma of wet coats and, unfortunatley, wet dog in this house!

14/31 - round, like a circle in a spiral ...

2009-05-15T19:55:00.002+01:00

Always good to come back to Lincolnshire and the wonderful windmills peppered around - make you feel good inside! You may wonder why my journal is a bit blotchy on the edges.. It was in my suitcase, I was in London and got caught in the worst downpour known to man - my journal wasn't the only casualty, my shirts and suit go it worse - not a very waterproof case! Spent the evening trying to dry my clothes with a hairdryer and an iron for the next day.. lovely!

13/31 - Hey little train! We are all jumping on ...

2009-05-15T19:52:00.002+01:00

I found this while looking through my journal, I did it as a preliminary sketch for a painting of some children watching for a train ...

12/31 - I hope you're sitting comfortably ...

2009-05-15T19:42:00.004+01:00

The joys of spending your life on the motorways of this Sceptred isle... I enjoyed (!?!) the time spent parked on the M25 ring road around London, just the five hours instead of three and a half. You arrive at your destination crumpled and tired - a good job really, you don't notice how awful the hotel is when you crash on the bed!

11/31 - Barking at the moon ...

2009-05-15T19:37:00.002+01:00

I'm back from my travels and thought I would share some images out of my very personal journal, not usually for sharing but carefully cropped it won't do any harm! It's Fudge the dog again ... It has bi polar tendancies, you never know what you are dealing with!

10/31 - Studio time!

2009-05-10T15:19:00.003+01:00

I have decided that it's time to go back to painting on canvas. I've not done one for many, many, months now and have a wonderful picture to work on which I will be doing over the next few weeks. I have spent the day creating a 'studio' in a quiet corner of the house and ready to go... slight drawback in that I'm away most of the week. I promise to keep drawing/sketching daily but will have to post them when i get back!

Brothers in arms ...

2009-05-09T15:17:00.003+01:00

I had to admit defeat and start again with a slightly different pose. I had overworked the previous one and there was no going back! I think this one flows better, what do you think?

9/31 - It's up in the morning and on the downs ...

2009-05-09T08:48:00.003+01:00

Its poppy time in Lincoln! We have hundreds in the garden and they are all over the fields and the hedgerows. They are not up to their full capacity yet but the colour they put into the landscape is awesome!

8/31 - Come sail your ships around me ...

2009-05-08T17:28:00.002+01:00

This is Ullswater in the Cumbrian Lake District, the brown sails are a tradition around those parts - you should read Arthur Ransomes 'Swallows and Amazons' if you ever go there, it brings the book to life.

7/31 - Work in progress ...

2009-05-07T21:33:00.002+01:00

I'm still working on this commission. I've some work to do on bringing in some depth. This is my second attampt at this, the first one was in pencil but it became smudgy. Sometimes it's better to stop and start again, I'll keep at this one for a little while longer.

6/31 - You went looking for me, dear ...

2009-05-06T23:08:00.003+01:00

That Stephenie Meyer and her 'Twilight' books ... I'm a real advocate for reading and stuff but someone told Sarah they were a ripping good read. I've not really held a proper conversation with her since. She was sat outside next to the river in Scotland, at a wonderful patio set made out of reclaimed wood - something you would just love to have in your garden. It seemed to grow out of the ground ...

5/31 - Through the woods, and frosted moors ...

2009-05-05T21:10:00.004+01:00

While in Scotland we walked for miles in the mountains and forests. We came to this place where the trees thinned out and I took this photograph looking directly up... there is nothing in the world which grounds you more than standing underneath a bloody big tree! If you have a bad day, go find the biggest tree, look at it and feel small and insignificant for ten minutes. You can spend a fortune getting the same result from a psychologist! :-)

4/31 - No time to draw ...

2009-05-04T20:24:00.004+01:00

... so I drew time instead! William's watch, which is always on the side in the bathroom or on the table or elsewhere. Never on his wrist. I've not had a watch for years and get by somehow. I hate being late for anything and would rather turn up early and wait. I find it less stressful.

3/31 - I can't stand the rain ...

2009-05-03T16:46:00.002+01:00

Fudge the Terrier, who knows no fear, can challenge the biggest dog, relentlessly pursue anything that is faster than she, won't go out of the door if it's raining... She got up this morning, I opened the door and she sat there, looking at me and the rain and went back to bed. I'm 6ft 4in, I look stupid dragging this carnivorous, rat catching, rabbit chasing, hound from hell out for a walk, she spent the morning looking out of the window - shame on her!

2/31 Burn, baby, burn ...

2009-05-02T19:18:00.002+01:00

Just got back from the first ( and maybe the last) BBQ of the season! Kids enjoyed the bouncy castle, wife enjoyed chatting and the one glass of wine, I say one glass, the host kept topping it up. She's now asleep on the sofa. I was the nominated driver, have you ever had barbeque food without beer? Really doesn't work at all. I've done all my jobs today so tomorrow I can start on a canvas, Wey hey!

1/31 - You can't give me the dreams that are mine anyway

2009-05-01T17:20:00.004+01:00

So here we are. I am starting my 'Every day in May' challenge. I'm happy to share the journey with you and I'm going to use the opportunity to work through the backlog of work I have and share a bit about me. There will be work that I have to do, work I should do and (the best bit) work I really want to do - which sometimes is way down on the list of priorities! I'm not telling you which is which...

I'm starting this by excluding many of you, my apologies!, a piccie of Jim Royle from the TV series The Royle Family. I could be Jim, the series is based in my home town, Manchester. I know lots of Jims, life goes on around him, he has his seat in front of the TV and is fully conversant with the ways of the world, and happy to share his opinion on them, he's a spectator. That bit scares me, I could be too! Hence the challenge... time to get out there and be bold. Stay with me and share this journey - could get bumpy!!

Every day in May

2009-04-25T09:16:00.003+01:00

I must have a screw missing ... Like i'm not busy enough as it is!

I blame Karen Blados, I asked Karen how she finds the time to post material as often as she does and she posts a link to a fabulous site French Toast Girl (Elena Nazzaro)
Here's how it works:
Commit to create something every day in the month of May. 31 separate paintings, or take 31 photos, make collages, or write a page of your novel every day.

Yes I am a busy person, but sometimes not busy doing the things I love to do, so a little self indulgence from me...

And I will walk 500 miles...

2009-04-19T17:48:00.003+01:00

... and I will walk 500 more... Just got back from Scotland. A week in a fabulous place (Thank you Hannah and David). 30 feet from the river Leny, window open at night and all you can hear is the water over the rocks, slept like a log but up early for a pee (only so much sound of water can the bladder take). Walked for miles in the forests and mountains, William at the back discovering 'stuff' so it took twice as long as planned. Happy days :-)

I have a dream ...

2009-03-24T18:36:00.002Z

My son Dan and his partner Will were not aware of the risk involved in falling asleep on my sofa. Stay there too long and you get sketched! We had a great weekend - the best of times!

There she goes, my beautiful world

2009-02-22T19:29:00.003Z

Iv'e not posted anything for an age. Something to do with murky weather I think! Here are my two girls Natalie and Beth, the Nintendo obsession speads, It makes for fascinating studies though!

Why don't l like Marmite?

2009-02-07T14:11:00.002Z

It could possibly be an EDM challenge, draw something that tastes disgusting but some people like. I keep trying to like it but it just isn't happening!

Fifteen feet of pure white snow ...

2009-02-03T23:19:00.002Z

I got stuck in traffic yesterday on the way into work, there was a blizzard as the snow came down heavy and the wind blew it up from the surrounding fields. I watched a van slip off the road and into a ditch. Today, nothing... seriously nothing. It was as if it never happened! Funny thing weather, glad I don't live in London - It is so bad there they may have to drop Red Cross parcels, apparently.

And the winner is... (paws for dramatic effect!)

2009-02-01T08:56:00.003Z

Thank you to all those that entered the great cat picture giveaway and those amazing stories you posted on my site. The winners were drawn by my son William who can't read my writing so it is completely fair!
Without further ado...
Into my arms ... Shelley
Thinking ... Angie in AZ
Duvet, no it's Christmas time Lynn Feudner
I'll pop these in the post as soon as possible ( If the winners would like to go into my profile, pick up my email address and send me their addresses I'll get onto it as soon as possible).
Now.. back to some artwork.

Just like a king

2009-01-24T12:23:00.003Z

I watched an hour of the best TV in a long time. BBC4 showed an hour of Seasick Steve! It was wonderful. So I got up this morning (sounds like the opening of a blues song!) and painted. Not the best painting ever but it made me get my paints out and do something so thank you Seasick!

Lost in space ...

2009-01-19T21:28:00.005Z

There are times when the children are around and all of a sudden you realise they are quiet, no requests for biscuits, lunch, drinks, sweets ... the joy of Nintendo DS. I would like to buy the person who invented it a drink - I know... they shouldn't have their heads in games all day long but now and again - blissful peace :-)

Into my arms ...

2009-01-10T22:16:00.000Z

Thinking ...

2009-01-10T22:13:00.001Z

Duvet - No it's Christmas time

2009-01-10T22:11:00.000Z

Such a purrfect day ..

2009-01-10T21:42:00.002Z

It's a tidy up evening tonight, and I've been looking through some old folders, blowing the dust off and found a series of sketches I did for an exhibition I had with a friend that supported a local animal charity. These sketches were done from photographs taken by the people who work for the charity - Cats Protection. The thing that hit home for me was the vunrability (scuse speling) that these cats demonstrated. These cats had all been mistreated or abandoned. A big problem here in rural Lincolnshire, that hit home for me. I have a fifteen year old feral cat called Homer, he won't come in the house but happy to be fed on the doorstep or steal from other local cats. Seems he is quite at home next door with his friend Charlie the cat and not adverse to calling in local premises for a warm now and again. (If only Fudge would - but that's another story). In the spirit of great giveaways - for cat lovers only I must add!!! Let me know if you would like one of these sketches and I'll put your name into a hat, if drawn, send it off at the end of January. I'll post each one seperate and you can choose which one you might like - I'll leave it up to you!

I was just a boy when I sat down ...

2009-01-10T18:03:00.002Z

There is a narrative in this picture that I didn't realise until I finished sketching it. Not the best in terms of technical ability, but then I have little anyway. I like the stories that you can bring to mind when you look at it and it never ceases to make me smile. Feel free to suggest a caption!

Leaving out the details ...

2008-12-26T21:17:00.002Z

I find that I constantly strive to get everything into a sketch. I took the children and that darned dog, Fudge out in the fog and the wet - I was determined to try and sketch from some photos I took and resist putting the detail in - nearly killed me!

I got a toy for Christmas!

2008-12-26T21:08:00.005Z

I have a new scanner - no longer shall I have to scan on my old machine, drop it onto a floppy disk ( yes I know sooo eighties), upload onto new computer and format in photoshop. This is a painting using acrylic paint on a piece of wood that I found.

Something old ...

2008-12-18T21:49:00.005Z

I painted this when Beth was four, she was creative then and will always be I guess. I found this picture by accident and it occured to me, it is part of the thread that runs through my work - should have been a teacher!

Forget about Winter for a moment ...

2008-12-09T17:27:00.002Z

I finally got round to painting the children on the jetty catching crabs. It was strange to do a warm painting after all that snow! It is timely though, I'm going back to Runswick Bay this weekend, staying in a cottage with friends. Wine and log fires, nice.

Afternoon tea ...

2008-12-07T09:56:00.003Z

Sarah and I went Christmas shopping on Friday. Not the usual pushing and jostling and irate people in queues and surly shop assistants. There was an air of calm and - wait for it - I actually enjoyed myself!! We stopped off for a coffee and these two wonderful ladies were enjoying an afternoon tea and scones, how lovely.

I 'm updating my blog because I feel like a fraud - I sneaked a photo with my phone and worked on that at home. It's pen and ink in my moley, took me a couple of hours I wish i could draw that fast!

Let it snow!

2008-12-06T13:35:00.002Z

I've just finished a commission for Rebecca. It's acrylic on canvas 36"x24". I took the red letter box idea from my previous post to add a dash of colour. Hope she likes it!

The best of times ...

2008-12-04T21:15:00.002Z

It's been snowing here in Lincoln, but not like this!! I took this photo outside a cottage we stayed in over the New Year o5/06. The pub brews it's own beer and is fab! The drive up to Scotland took an eternity, the weather got worse and worse. We put the car on the drive and it didn't move for three days. We built snowmen walked in the mountains, obviously walked over to the pub, we were worried about their customers not getting through so it was more of a public service really :-) and staggered and slipped back! Happy but chilly times!

I hurt myself today ...

2008-12-03T20:33:00.004Z

I miss the talent of Johnny Cash. I found a series of photos of him in his later years, this painting is mine. I'll never part with it, it's my homage to a real talent (profuse apologies to the photographer who took it), I painted this when I had a really bad day and today was another one. They happen, but it's what you do tomorrow, and tomorrow is going to be awesome! Yay!

He loves me, he loves me not ...

2008-11-29T17:40:00.002Z

This is my daughters painting. She's nine and wanted to do something big. I bought her a canvas 24" x 24" and sat with her and talked as she painted. I promise I had nothing to do with her choice of content the text she put on it or what she wanted to achieve. How proud can a dad be?

Green eyes

2008-11-25T21:47:00.005Z

I've had this picture in my mind for a long time, Beth's green eyes. Shes an artist aged nine, and has a wonderful talent - trying hard not to be a pushy dad!

As if butter wouldn't melt ...

2008-11-23T07:24:00.002Z

Here is Fudge. I had to work from photographs for this one. I took some after one of her moments of sheer madness and she needed to rest - for five minutes before the next one. She's a cross between a Poodle and a Fox Terrier - a Foodle, although, as she's tee total, I think a Perrier is more appropriate. (did you see what I did there?) I have lost count of the last warnings she's been on. It's snowing here in Lincoln, the dog has now pinched the best place in front of the fire and, although smelly, rather adorable.

A little piece of Lincolnshire

2008-11-22T14:33:00.004Z

I finished Andrea and Rob's painting. I said I wouldn't put too much green into it but it turned out green. Well that plan didn't work too well! It's Lucys birthday today, so, Happy Birthday Lucy!

Ive been tagged!!!!

2008-11-22T13:32:00.004Z

Freebird has 'tagged' me to share six random things about myself. I wouldn't normally play these kind of 'games' but as she has caught me in the middle of a large procrastination, here goes:
I once fell out of a cubicle in a shop while trying on a new pair of jeans - I was sixteen and embarrassed. (is this random enough?)

I get serious withdrawl symptoms if I don't paint. It is an inner demon sometimes, whilst being creative it is also destructive - you never match the painting you have in your head.
I love old trains - no i'm so not a spotter!!!

I lived in Malta as a child but grew up in Manchester - not much difference there! Now I live in Lincolnshire and love the place.
I have a dog called Fudge which, if she doesn't start behaving soon, I may have to leave home with ( I wish I hadn't said - if she goes, I go!)

I have four wonderful children which I am very proud of and don't spend enough time with.

Now I am to list the rules and pass on the tag to others who might want to play along.

The rules:

1. Link to the person or persons who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.

4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.

5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

I hope you don't mind freebird, I'm not going to 'tag' six people, I don't know six people!

Great fun though!