Well Christmas is almost with us and the big question as ever is, "Are you ready" and the answer as always is, "I am, but I doubt if Liz would agree". I wonder if Mary was ready! The above is an Israeli reconstruction of a house from Jesus time and is probably much likes Jesus's home; this rebuilt village is on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee and we visited it some years ago.

So I wish you all a marvelous Christmas, Have fun, Jesus would like that.

Painting is ongoing, I am working on an old beech tree at the moment, its all about very soft lines. It looks good so far, can I keep it up, or will I be told to put my painting away and help with the Christmas preparations.

See you all soon

Duncan

At last Christmas is almost with us and many things apart from Christmas preparations are slowing down. Apart from MIND all my other commitments have stopped for two weeks; a rest; well that is the theory.

The Hebrew boat is coming on nicely, it is now assembled and is in the paint shop. Half of the decking has been left of deliberately, as the scene is going to be a repair shop and this way the boats inner construction is shown. The painting is a lengthy process  of many uneven and thin coats which are applied in what looks like a slapdash manner. But seeing many layers of paint through each other will give a surprising aged look to the vessel when completed. A few odds and ends (such as chests and tools) are receiving the same process at the same time.

Well its time to relax now, maybe a dvd.

Sometimes in life events happen which are encouraging and to be honest are good for you. One of those events happened on Thursday. It was the opening preview evening for my latest exhibition at Clyde & Co solicitors with Guildford Arts Notwithstanding that selling a piece is always uplifting, what really boosted me were the words of encouragement from the visitors who were viewing. So a good evening; I felt uplifted.

One of the conversation points of the evening was about painting in the open. Personally, I like people contact when painting; I enjoy the process of conversation banter and chit chat. But another aspect is the work produced.

The accuracy and artistic fineness of studio work will never be attained in the open air. But where the fineness is lost, certainly a looseness and freedom to express is gained, which makes the work exceedingly valid. Attached is a a ketch from near Cromer in Norfolk to illustrate this.

In previous postings I have also discussed using a scanner as a dark room camera.  We also discussed this aspect of my work during the evening.  Take look back in the blog to see some of those images.

See you soon.

An unusual picture to blog, maybe but read on. Several of you who have seen my work over the years have seen the finished products of my maritime sculptures which are made from scrap paper/ Well the plan is to make one of these creations over the next few weeks/months and post progress pictures every now and then.

The ship of which the beginnings are above, is a representation of a 1st. cent AD Hebrew fishing boat of the type used on the Sea of Galilee in Jesus time. One of these boats was dug out of the mud on the seas shore some years ago and is now in a museum just south of Magdela at a place called Yigal Allon. I spent some time examining the preserved remains and reading about this amazing find. Hopefully in not to long a time you will see what they probably looked like. The boat will be made from scrap paper, pva glue and acrylic paint, with a few small odds and ends which are lying around thrown in. It dosnt look very impressive at the moment, just wait a day or so!

Don't forget the 5th of December if you are around. An invitation to the exhibition is a few blogs back.

Duncan

We just returned last night from Sidmouth in Devon, we had a friend with us Jean and we met a chap called Tony whilst down there. It is important if you lead a busy life to have a place you can go to and just relax. Sidmouth is like that for us; we have been there many time and know the place inside out. We do the same things every time and do them without thinking and chill for a while. One of our favourites is going to Beer (a small fishing village), and having a supper in the pub and a walk on the shingle beach. Just a nice thing to do.

The weather wasn't very good this time, so sketching outside was not really a possibility, although I did do one or two; rained off for number one and blown off for number two. So a photo this time,the hotel we stayed in was in the centre of the white block of buildings. I took work with me and spent many relaxing hours talking to other guests and drawing in the sitting room. Very pleasant indeed.

Just a reminder the open night of my latest exhibition on the 5th. of December. An invitation is a couple of blogs back

Well it is Sunday morning and to be honest I am a little sleepy. The good reason is that I slept very well indeed. So today is little more restful than usual. Church then friends for lunch followed by the Bolshoi ballet performing Le Corsair. So a rather splendid day.

Art wise, well the exhibition at Clyde and Co. is up and running, I do hope that some of you will be able to be there on the 5th of December, invite and instructions on last weeks blog.

As for my painting and drawing, well I am not slacking, see above which is on the banks of the Wey Navigation about 3/4 of a mile south of Guildford on the west bank. Ink work is exciting; I am trying harder and harder to get away from proper crisp and clean lines and rely more on broken lineage, almost using scratches, the above drawing is showing this process. However the experimentation and work goes on.

Will write soon. 

Good morning to all my followers and thank you all for the ongoing support, it is important to me.

Those of you who are able, are invited to a private  viewing of my work at the above on the 5th of December, at Clyde and Co. in Stoke Road Guildford. I will be there as will the other eight who are exhibiting. This is exciting because I did not apply to exhibit here; I was invited. If some of you are 

able to be there, I would love to see you.

1. .

Above is a copy of one of the exhibition pieces.