April is the Cruellest Month

Well, if you are thinking of a title about something which is April, and its about an old ash tree, and thoughts of ash die-back, then April is the Cruellest Month is not a bad title. I have always been a bit over-awed by T.S.Elliot..
Last week, we went to the opening of Wilhelm Sasnal at Lismore Castle Arts near Cork, where I met the great man, and was thrilled to see some of his new work.  Influential in the different brush stokes he uses, and his very limited use of colour, almost as if he were colour-blind.

April is the Cruellest Month 2014, oil on canvas 163x131cms

'Half the Seed of Europe, One By One'

Resurrection, Remembering 1914 and Stanley Spencer. I have been thinking about my Godney Resurrection picture, and realise that it must say more, work harder, and so it changes.  This year is 100 since The First World War, WW1. I have been thinking of Stanley Spencer's work, of course, and the line, 'half the seed of Europe, one by one' from Britten's War Requiem.  I have been arguing with myself as to the inclusion of figures, a first for this series, and have come to the conclusion, even if it is a one-off, that they are necessary here to tell the story - you read a novel, a child is born in the 1890's (A.S.Byatt for instance, or Kate Atkinson's 'Life after Life')) and you know what the story will be about. Oh the arrogance of those of us who have not experienced war, and the dread we have for our sons and grandsons!

The flowers at the front are now Remembrance Day poppies. the painting is making more sense

'Half the Seed of Europe, One By One'  2014 oil on linen 163x131cms

Back in England, back to work

Somerset is beautiful and invigorating:  I have started a new regime of finding images, walking in the early morning or evening, and have started on a couple. I have been working on the image below, one of the many abandoned and dilapidated sheds around here Currently I have work on exhibition at StrodeTheatre,  www.strodetheatre.org.uk/‎ and the Sheppey Inn, thesheppey.co.uk/‎

Tripps Drove - Falling Shed 2014 oil on linen 163x131cm

I am in Florence

I have been here for nearly 4 weeks, and I am still enjoying things and the city very much.

The Square at Santa Croce

New Years Day 2014

Foul all day, the rain and wind are ceasing now towards evening as I finish this picture.

New Year's Day Weather 2014 oil on calico on board 120x100cms

Christmas 2013

The light was fading on Christmas Eve as I went into Glastonbury, and thought possibly that my car would not get through the floods.  So I started this yesterday and seem to be 'there' today.

Christmas Floods on East and West Waste 2013
oil on calico on board 120x100cms

Floods at Upper Crannell early 2013

I have been thinking about this period earlier in 2013 when the area was inundated - the original islands emerged, and God's Island was visible (thats what Godney means, ney means island). This painting now seems to be done.

Upper Crannell 2013 oil on linen 150x120cms