JUNE 2024

Saturday 1.6.24

First of June today when our official summer begins and the sun does peep out from time to time whilst we are working in my studio garden. Richard is cutting the grass with shears and me battling with the convolvulus which although beautiful when in flower has a tendency to entwine itself around all the plants in the garden. So amongst those I rescued  were roses, day lilies and peonies, the damson tree and several shrubs such as the ceonothus. It is prolific as if in an attempt to stifle and strangulate the cultivated with its wild intensity. Even though I pulled up arm fulls it makes little impression though Richard’s grass cutting does enhance greatly.

Then it’s up to the studio where yesterday I started a third small painting on the same theme towards my October exhibition.

Sunday 2.6.24

Beautiful June summer’s day so I’m able to have brunch in the garden. Richard’s still in process of cutting the studio grass.  I spend some time watering the pelargoniums, fuscia and young fruit trees before going up to the studio, working on the box-like frame that I recommenced on Thursday. Although I’ve got the main protagonists painted in, I still need to create an environment in which to house them that is both inside and out. Often the characters fall into place with ease but the composition around them takes more time and manouvering.

Nathan rings. He’s just back from Prague where he went to the most amazing glass blowing workshop which had a fascinating timeless look with it’s old wooden moulds etc. Prior to that he was in New Mexico where he visited Georgia O’Keefe’s house Ghost Ranch near Santa Fe. He swam in the Rio Grande and also visited Taos where there is an artists’ colony founded in the 1930s and beautiful pueblo indian houses.  He’s off to film in Norway later this month before which he gives a talk at BAFTA

Henrietta rings shortly after. Isaac has now finished his A levels and is going to be working for a couple of weeks as a runner for a post production film company before he gets his results in August. Samuel still has several of his GCSEs to take; his last maths exam is tomorrow with history on Tuesday and biology on Thursday

Monday 3.6.24

‘Phone call from Paul at Cleeve Picture Frames to say my latest batch are ready and he tells Richard that he is buying a van so that he can do transportation of paintings etc. with his redundancy money when Sam closes the business later this month so that he can pursue other interests. But they have got time to make me some more frames before the event.

Working on the box-like frame painting on the backdrop which starts to make it feel like a whole.

Ellie’s waiting for the title and an image for the Exhibition so she can begin to organise publicity etc.

Tuesday 4.6.24

Richard brings back eight beautiful frames from Cleeve Picture Framing, two miniature, two small, two slightly larger and two medium. The six bigger ones are ‘spoon’ shape in a lovely mellow golden natural obechi. They tell me they still have time to make another batch before they close later in June so I work out some more sizes in the two different widths.

Work into the smallest of the three paintings that I’m currently working on towards the October exhibition but decide to start a fourth, the smallest so far, to try and maintain the momentum. It can be a risky process as although one has four in progress none of them are finished!

Wednesday 5.6.24

Thus I continue with the small piece adding more and more until it begins to feel it is on the way to being resolved.

Also roughly work out what I want to say at tomorrow’s AGM of the Friends of the Wilson. Wallace has sent through an impressive cv and statement which we forward to Connie the chair and three members of the Friends’ Trustees whose e mails addresses we have..

Thursday 6.6.24

We set out at about 4.40 to Cheltenham and Richard drops me outside The Wilson whilst he goes to park the car. Connie comes to greet me  and then introduces me to Mike the new chair of the Cheltenham Trust in which the Wilson is included with the Town Hall, Pump Rooms, Prince of Wales Stadium and some car parks. Wallace comes over and I introduce him to them then I see my friend Peta Hoyle waving at me so I go round the bar to meet her. She is wearing three rather magnificent badges I think to do with SSAFA - she’s just spent all day in prison as a lot of ex servicemen end up in prison. She’s amazing and spends her time not just visiting prisons etc but also does a lot of voluntary work in the hospitals but tonight she will be lighting two beacons to commemorate D Day. In my welcome I mention the moving Frozen Continent exhibition. I also refer to the fact that it’s Volunteer Week, tell them about the service especially for volunteers at the Cathedral on Saturday, to encourage people to stand up and volunteer.  I thank Ro and then Connie. After the AGM has finished Lisa gives a presentation on the work they have been doing to renovate the Victorian galleries. There’s a bit of heated discussion as to whether a couple of the before photographs that she shows were accurate as they were described by staff and members as being taken during the period when the galleries were closed. Also the man behind me suggests that it would be really good to have a museum shop where people could buy merchandise but Lisa tells us when they did have a shop it didn’t make a profit but he persists until eventually Connie tells him if he wants to have more input he should become a member of the board of the Friends Trustees.  Afterwards Martin Horwood comes and gives me a hug; he is now the council member responsible for arts and culture. When we first met him he was the Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham. He’s always worked in the charity sector and married to a very clever doctor and they have two beautiful children the youngest, Sami, still at University and his daughter works for Bloomberg. After chatting to him and others we go up to the gallery to see the exhibition that is currently on - the collection of a Hungarian refugee who gradually reached prominence in the Bloomsbury set accruing this magnificent body of paintings and prints including Picasso’s, Modigliani & Alfred Wallace.  Wallace comes back home to join us for fish pie arriving independently on the doorstep bearing roses & sweet scented stocks lus a bottle of wine. We sit over this supper putting the world to rights for two or three hours.

Friday 7.6.24

Good to be back in the studio painting on Pauls commissions. Whilst I’m working I hear Jeffrey Boakye’s radio 4 programme ‘Add to Playlist where they connect often very different pieces of music by the similarity of a phrase or notation and this week they were linking Muddy Water’s Mannish Boy which is incredibly powerful and you can see how he inspired the Rolling Stones who even named themselves after a line in Mannish Boy. Boy was a name that men were often called whilst they were enslaved which makes it all the more meaningful. Interestingly the next piece was the Passacaglia from Britten’s Peter Grimes which was one of the first serious music concerts I went to as a student. After I’d graduated I saw Muddy Waters and other older black blues musicians play in Bristol.

Saturday 8.6.24

Although the weather is changeable, still manage to  sit in the garden for brunch where we also do e mail correspondence on the laptop.

In the studio I start a fifth painting on the box-like angled frame. I had already blocked in background colours a few weeks ago so struggle about trying to construct a setting that will be both pleasing and plausible as a composition. When you’re working entirely from your own psyche, memory and imagination it does enable you to play with and move elements around. I should really be finishing the other four but want to keep the momentum going.

Sunday 9.6.24

Since Thursday we’ve been tuning into the news to hear if Dr Michael Mosley the brilliant television and radio doctor who created a series called ‘Just One Thing’ that will help you extend your life. He disappeared on a walk on the Greek island of Symi. On returning to their holiday accommodation his wife Clare who is also a doctor, discovered his ‘phone was still there which would have been one way they could have tracked his movements. Images had been captured of him on cctv passing through a village and a marina heading towards a path over the rather treacherous rocky mountainous area. Divers drones boats and helicopters had not been able to locate him but it seems that film made by a Greek television cameraman which he was analysing before sending it onto Athens was where he spotted Michael Mosley’s body near the beach at the bottom of a cliff which suggests perhaps he might have fallen. The heat was at 40 which is extreme so I guess whilst holding his umbrella he might have lost his balance or suffered heat stroke. So very sad for his wife Clare and their four children who travelled there to help in the search. She paid a tribute to him saying he was wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant.

Henrietta rang. Do an hour in the garden before going up to the studio where I continue on the work started yesterday. Nathan rings early evening followed by a call from Henrietta who just got back from a weekend in Paris with ‘Becca to visit their friend Katrina; all three were students together. Katrina took them to see the newly renovated Notre Dame, the Grande Palais and lots of other parts of Paris - they walked twelve miles yesterday ! Then it was back up to the studio to continue work until Dinner time when Richard served curry.

Thursday 13.6.24

In the evening we drive over to Owlpen Manor as tonight is the culmination of a four day residency of ten artists organised by the Colab. It enables artists to enjoy four days of intensive life drawing in the beautiful grounds of Owlen. Often the model changes pose and moves on running to a different place at rapid intervals so that the artists have to work quickly and think in a different way.  But today they collaborated in pairs on very large drawings, sometimes working on opposite sides and sometime both working on all of it together especially as one pair I spoke to where one normally tends towards abstraction and the other towards figuration so these collaborations stretch them in different directions too.  I think there’s a lot of bonding and exchange of ideas over the evening conversations over dinner whilst having the joy of working in these beautiful surroundings.

Friday 14,6,24

Busy painting in the studio on Paul my Australian collectors two large commissions.

Saturday 15.6.24

Off to Huntley Manor. Mixed weather as we drive with rain but sunny spell by the time we reach Huntley. As we park the car in the field we can hear the sound of children’s voices ; the running to and fro across the grass in the bright sunshine having great fun as it’s Percy’s  sixth birthday. The hanger s full of bouncy castle, star wars films and other amusements for the children and adults are sat under the open-sided marquees, enjoying the barbeque lunch or quiche and salads etc. We’re greeted with hugs from Dorianne and Venetia. I sit next to Karen, who I’ve known from the Hon Co and other events here at Huntley and her husband who was an Olympic Gold medalist for cross country skiing, then get up to watch the children around the birthday cake cutting which they eat with great relish. Percy, the birthday boy, Venetia and Ben’s eldest son is carrying a wonderful golden 6 balloon which at some stage escapes his grasp and floats high above us and over the trees, which seems rather fitting with the Star Wars music emanating from the hanger. His younger brother Manfred is also similarly dressed as a white storm trooper and I think Percy’s costume was Luke Skywalker. All the children and their parents leave promptly at 1.30. Later Venetia asks if we would like to see the beautiful new cottage conversion and to see how they have hung my paintings. She drives us up in the little open golf buggy which is a very exciting experience up over the hilly lawns past the manor and up their drive. Ben shows us around whilst Venetia goes to collect the two little boys. . It’s a superb combination of old and new . The Tango Tea Dance hangs over the piano between two decorative dressers/bookcases and it looks remarkably well. The highlight is seeing the totally new build living room  with a huge triangular glass window at one end over a kitchen and to the other end a living space with a wood burning stove and my owl painting Nocturne hung high on the wall, where it looks grand.

We then drive back to Cheltenham to the Gardens Gallery where I am helping to judge the plein air exhibition. The artists have been working all day in and around Imperial Gardens. There are several categories including ‘contemporary’ ‘urban’ ‘illustration’ etc. The artists have bee amazing working out in both the sunshine and the rain, which was quite a downpour. I’m amazed how competent and how complete many of the works are, one even has a frame. It’s always hard to judge but I am guided by Nicky and Conrad who have been there for much of the day looking at the artists as they worked in their different conditions of choice.

Sunday 16.6.24

Working on Pauls commissions

Monday 17.6.24

continue working on Pauls two commissions

Tuesday 18.6.24

We drive over to Little Buckland Manor, Arabella and John Kiszley’s. It’s a beautiful setting with a long table in the conservatory. The garden is beautiful, lots of rambling roses and high yew hedges and the conservatory’s full of beautiful pelagoniums with a grape vine growing above us. I’m sat next to John who was deputy Chief of the Defense staff and before that Colonel of the Scots Guards. He recently finished writing a new biography of General Ismay, Churchill’s wartime chief of the defence staff and tells me that there was a huge amount of research to do. I say I think it is really good to always be learning and he asks if I think I’m still learning and I say absolutely. Most days I seem to learn something new. To my left I have Malcolm who used to be the Director of the Boston Museum in the USA. He and his partner, who is chair of the Broadway Festival, live in a large historic house in Broadway where many famous artists have lived including Sargent, who painted the wonderful painting ‘Carnation, Lily, lily rose’ with the girls with Japanese lanterns, in the Tate, in the garden there. I see him looking for the wine bottle as he’s finished his glass so I discretely pass him mine which he replaces with his empty glass so that when John comes round again with the bottle he refills it so I’m still in the same position. We’ve had the vichisois each bowl looking rather like one of Arabella’s beautiful abstract paintings, then the salmon with green beans etc followed by a fruit - I think stewed plum and apple - with ice cream and a macaroon. John comes round again this time with the last bottle of his favourite Sauternes. I think Malcolm’s a little disappointed that I actually drink this, it’s a beautiful golden colour and very rich pudding wine.

We adjourn to the sitting room where I have mint and ginger tea and chat to Arabella.

Before we go we’re allowed a look in Arabella’s gallery where the paintings are beautifully hung setting off the ceramics and jewellery that are exquisitely placed. There’s a very lively repartee with two of her collectors who ask about the availability of John’s new book so I also request a copy. As usual we are the last to leave

Thursday 20.6.24

E mail from Connie to say that the Friends of The Wilson have selected Wallace to be their treasurer and could I send his e mail address please. We are so please and excited as we feel it’s a tailor made position for him. So after sending that to her we write to congratulate him.

Working on the frames of Badger & Hedgehog for Paul

Friday 21.6.24

I’ve started another new horizontal painting towards the exhibition. Not sure whether I want to keep it with two ideas but I’ll contemplate it over the next few days whilst refining the other works in progress particularly the smaller punt.

Saturday 22.6.24

Back on the punt, filling in with detail and refining the figures both in the foreground and background.

Sunday 23.6.24

Back on the Library a box-like construction painting, giving more definition and structure to the inner and the outer spaces.

Nathan goes to Norway to film

Monday 24.6.24

Back on the canal refining and giving more definition

Tuesday 25.6.24

We’ve been doing a lot in the garden in the afternoons and Richard has been buying me several bourgonvillia and bergonias, lobellias amd others which I have been busily planting mainly into pots.

In the evening back in the studio

Wednesday 26.6.24

Parcel from Wallace with a particularly beautiful three dimensional cut-out birthday card and a lovely tea cloth with the cross and the lady on the white horse both we suspect he bought from Banbury Museum Shop.

Thursday 27.6.24

Statement from Bridgeman Art Library for last month’s royalties show that the German Football Museum have used both Armchair Supporters and The Adoration in a book “In Motion Art & Football” so we send for a copy.

Friday 28.6.24

Richard brings up some exquisite flowers from Nathan as today is my birthday and a parcel all the way from Estonia which R said actually arrived yesterday. Such exquisite timing for a gift that had travelled so very far, a beautiful silk scarf, quite surreal in its design. And a beautiful birthday card  with the touching words from my dear friends Margus and Tiina. Another parcel (from dearest Janet and David - Janet and I were art students together. She is a very talented ) contains a fabulous draw-string sequined bag with a black silk draw string wrapped so beautifully with a red silk tulip adorning it and a delightful card and letter with news update on family and friends.

Richard has made me a beautiful drawing on water colour paper of the summer house he built for a birthday some twenty or more years ago and The Science Behind The Fable of Aesop’s Animals which I’m looking forward to hearing once we’ve finished the big Byron biography that he reads to me most evening. There’s a also a witty card from dear John with a couple of older ladies looking at Valasquez’s portrait of Pope Innocent X.

After having brunch in the garden we spot the robin again in our living room so we’re just letting him out when the doorbell rings and there is John with two beautiful frames, the large one for Margus’s commission and the smaller one of which I will probably use in my forthcoming exhibition plus four miniature frames that he had made by recycling timber, also a little carrier bag containing chocolates. It’s always such a joy to see him and he has purposely timed this with the present of those delightful little frames for today. We chatter over tea.

Shortly after John leaves we depart for Bristol to a special farewell to the wonderful Alison Bevan who has so brilliantly steered the Academy, helping it to achieve its new Inspiration and Light redevelopment and upgrading of the galleries. Her enthusiasm has been infectious and she has managed to achieve what might have seemed impossible to others. We also see Jenny Scarbro who generously volunteers with her friends to help keep the Academy running. Also Patrons Tim and Judith and Fiona the current President.

On our way home Henrietta rings to say Happy Birthday and Isaac and Kev do the same. After eating supper Nathan calls with his greeting from Norway where he is working on a film.

Saturday 29.6.24

Richard collects Henrietta from the train station. She has come down from London to celebrate my birthday. It’s such a joy to see her. Gill arrives shortly afterwards having driven all the way from Blunham in Bedfordshire. She bought me three large plants which we carry through the gate to the drive up the steps over the terrace and down into the little courtyard where we place them among other potted plants. One of them is a rather sculptural Echinop and the other two beautiful sea hollies. We sit out there sipping Prosecco in the sunshine. Richard joins us too in between preparing the meal. Gill and I walk around the back garden and she comments on the rose of Sharron that originally came from Mummy’s garden as did the elephant’s ears some of which are in bloom again. Richard calls us in to lunch; he’s prepared gravadlax, pomegranate salad and jacket potatoes followed by fresh fruit salad served in pineapple halves after which Henrietta presents me with her present, a beautiful straw handbag in black and cream stripes (I get all my handbags from Henrietta or Nathan). It’s beautiful and will as Henrietta says, be just right for our forthcoming summer holiday There’s another parcel from the boys which is a slightly oversized waistcoat and a beautiful card that she has made inscribed inside by Kev using his perspective lettering and little inscriptions by Isaac & Samuel. I have such a lovely time with them both and Richard. Gill leaves late afternoon for her long drive back.

Sunday 30.6.24

After Richard has run Henrietta to the train station we set out for Garsington Opera where we will be the guests of Professor Tim and his lovely wife Dorianne, (whose birthday it is tomorrow), their beautiful daughter Venetia and husband Ben. For a performance of the French Baroque composer Rameau’s opera Platée. We miss the turning  and then when we’re on the long estate drive down to the opera house take another wrong drive but when we get back onto it the young womam directing us says we will find someone standing on the road who will direct us so we won’t take another wrong turning - little did she know!! Anyway we eventually found the tent that is the box office which I think must be the gift shop when R spots Tim waiting with the other guest, Martin (also a professor economics) patiently waiting for us. We walk a little further up the hill to join his wife Di, Dorianne, Venetia ad Ben who are all enjoying a glass of champagne. Venetia and Dorianne looking elegant in their long dresses and all the men have black bow ties and dinner jackets. All part of the enjoyment. We’re actually in a box.

It’s an interesting set on two levels, the costume design was very modern too and seemed to be based at ITV3. parts of it I think inspired by or made reference to Love Island but I’ve never seen it so who knows. The music was exquisitely played and sung; Platée although a female character was sung by a male counter tenor who amazed the audience in one scene walking across the stage on her hands. The dancing was superb and as Venetia commented, made reference to Lady Gaga.

At the dinner during the interval in a large marquee I’m surprised when I’ recognised by another couple of collectors from that region who, like the Congdon’s, have the other large ‘owl in the city’ painting and also a large interior called Poem.  I tell Jilly how touching it was that two of her friends after seeing my work in their home, bought my self portrait from Trinity House. and that I met the wife and their son Bill at my last London opening. Bill has just completed his three year course at Goldsmiths and Henrietta, who lectures there to postgraduates, purposefully went to find his work in the degree show and found it brilliant.  I think both sets are Patrons of Garsington. The second half is perhaps more stunning than the first, the costumes drawing more on animal forms and Greek mythology. It is certainly in the most glorious setting with its lake and acres of parkland. The opera house itself cost about a million and a half pounds but they have recently built studios for youngsters, school children and students to experience opportunities from music to set design  and had to raise fourteen million which they did with the support of their patrons etc. We chatter about it all the way home.