Sometimes I like to draw out the ideas beforehand and then grid the drawing to transfer to the canvas. Sometimes I work directly onto the canvas and think it out there. I aim to combine these two attitudes to create an impulsive composition.
Original drawing
A grid for transfer
Finished piece:
Broken string
Acrylic on canvas
Today 6th May 2008 Laughin’ boy
7th April 2008 Garry at the beach
When working on a lot of canvases for an exhibition, I keep a sketchbook open to mop all the other ideas and shit that the painting doesn’t require but still float around my head. As they say round here - better out than in.
August 2007
Drawing your friends is an incredible way of containing what was going on in your life at that particular moment. A graphite and paper memory-capsule. I like to do as much life drawing as I can - it keeps me sharp and helps render what I see in my head, it’s necessary, compulsive and pleasurable.
David - Graphite
David is what you call a “top bloke”. In fact I was having a few beers with him on Saturday night- we were once partners in incredible feats of consumption.
Douglas - Graphite
Last time I saw Doug he needed to put on a few pounds but according to his brother , he’s down Cornwall now so I’m sure he’s caning the pasties after the surf.
Here are some of my sketchbook drawings from a recent trip to my Uncles pub in West Wales.
We have a few beers, rock to Jimi Hendrix on the jukebox and hang out with the local crew who, after twelve years of visits, are my adopted hometown crew. Jim is a 68 year old gent. He was the toughest kid in town and boxed in many fights licensed and unlicensed. Jim puts his high agility in the ring down to his “sinews being flexible due to lifting and turning so much working on the farm.”
El Condor Pasa are a band from Bridgend, South Wales. They make good noise and have the potential to be the last great rock n roll band…after all the other last great rock n roll bands. They have great fans.
…of which I am one.
Hi guys
I’ll post a bit more often now.
This is:
Songs Of Defeat And Victory - The Reclamation
It’s based on a local folk tale where a local landlord raised rent on his tenant’s land during a drought. The tenant’s had no crops, so food was scarce and payments were barely met. The raise in rent meant the landlord was found dead in the river.
I would like to add I enjoy a very good relationship with my landlord.
Here’s some images of paintings I’ve finished for a show in The Washington Gallery, Penarth, S. Wales. In the listings in Art Galleries mag it’s described as recent work…how about very recent? In fact wet.
Chocolate Camden Town punks
I went to visit my brother in London and stopped off in Camden for a beer in that pub opposite the Tube. Met a nice Aussie lady in there. After a couple I saw these guys…
Wassup Rockers
Rockers detail…
Rockers detail…
Tito In Brazil
Dancing at The Trojan Records Disco
Tower
Tower detail
Late night admissions at the Elvis festival, Porthcawl
Late night…detail
Carl, Brian and Dennis
I’ve listened to Surf’s Up alot this last six months ,I skip Student Demonstration Time - kinda kills it for me otherwise, and felt a painting for The Beach Boys was required…
Carl
Brian
and Dennis . There you have the perfect three facets of the Beach Boys.
