Eynsham Gods

I have continued with the small paintings but have now added a portrait of a Morris Dancer. Dave has agreed to model for a number of live sessions. At the next session the film camera will be there as a local film maker wants to document the process of the painting. I have enough of an ego to say yes to the filming but have invited a couple of other local artists to join me on the session to take the pressure off me.

So why the small size of the canvases in this series?

I think the main reason is that I have arthritis in my back. Small canvases are easier for me to cope with as holding my arms up can cause me pain.

Pragmatically it is easier to sell the the smaller size as they are not expensive.

Talking to older folk they tell me how this village has changed generally but it is the small changes like door design/colours and windows etc that have been lost. In my time I have seen windows replaced, shops closed etc. The small size allows me to look at detail of ‘my time’ with out getting lost in the bigger picture.

However, I hope, to exhibit them as a whole.

I had an encouraging email from Andrew Bryant, the Artists talking Online Editor, encouraging me to continue by blog. I must confess a lack of confidence talking here as my style of work is definately figurative. The contemporary art scene does not share my values.

However … I know that for my work to develop I need to think a lot harder about where my work is going. I live in a world that does not want to hear my ‘art’s bollocks’ . So here goes and please bear with the baby steps. Starting straight into my present project … a series of small 18.0 x 12.0 cm oils on coarse canvas (forces me to forget detail) looking the part of my village I call ‘home’.

Here is an initial sketch showing The Bartholomew Rooms. It is a small medieval building which only has small windows on the ground floor which makes it very claustrophobic. I saw this view when sitting at pub tables opposite and liked the way that figures both blocked my view in but also attracted my eye in …