This is what its about.

I am always saying that art is not exclusive, for the clever, nor for the middle class peoples. Art must be for everybody at every level of ability whether artistic or intellect or age. There is a right place for excellence in art, but not as a way of exclusivity; rather for fun expression and involving all in the fun. Today in church was a good example of this in action.

It was mother's day and the plan was for a big thank you to all the mothers in our church; so I was asked to help produce a painting during the service, looking at the sun and everything lovely on this earth. About 10 children and I think 3 adults took part. I did very little painting, instead giving children brush's and paints then making suggestions and encouraging. Things like, I like that, more blue there and how about some flowers there. Amazingly there was no spilt paint (well not much) and the idea of painting each other did not arise; at the end of about 20 minuets the above was created by us all.

Very worthwhile and what art is all about.

Well at last the exhibition is up and running at St Columba's. It runs until the 3rd. of June and comprises of 24 images, in ink, watercolor and mixed media.

It is looking around the British coasts and all the small inshore vessels which operate therein. In the past and still today, when a small boat has ceased to have any practical use, often they were simply abandoned and left for nature to recycle. These images are looking at the boats and their transition from usefulness to utter uselessness, or in other words watching them become rotting hulks. However looking at this process is wonderful; rotting, flaking and rusting. It sounds crazy, but there is great beauty in the whole process. The project took about a year and involves work produced during many treks over the years; it was all such good fun.

The picture on the invite is of a coble (small northern fishing craft) abandoned on a beach on the Northumbrian coast, that was a magical afternoon even if it was a tad bleak and wind swept.

Remember the sensitive work done at St Columba's, so phone before you visit. Thanks.

Charles