Gordon Setter.

I have been busy working on Easter artwork and a couple of commissioned pieces, none of which I can show you yet. This piece is something I did to illustrate a poem by Robert Burn’s; it was published by Kingfisher and appeared in “A Little Book of Dogs”. I am not entirely sure if the dog in question was actually a Gordon Setter but that was what I was instructed to paint by the editor at the time.

On Friday I hope to take it over to Chester where I will meet up with “Books Illustrated”, and so, in preparation for handing over the original I had the image scanned at my local repro house where they have a wonderful drum scanner. The repro house used to serve many of the local pottery companies; it is a sad sign of the times that in the last six months I was the only artist who used this facility. I dread to think what will happen if this scanner fails, it will be too expensive to repair and I have been unable to find another in my area. Of course I have a scanner here but there is no comparison in image quality. Before the world went digital I used to have my artwork photographed and put onto three inch by five inch transparencies, the problem now is the photographer cannot find suppliers of large format film. It is all very worrying and very sad, especially as I have to drive past so many closed down factories in what used to be the very heart of our pottery industry, poor old Stoke-on Trent!

On A Dog Of Lord Eglinton’s

I never barked when out of season,
I never bit without a reason;
I ne'er insulted weaker brother,
Nor wronged by force or fraud another.
We brutes are placed a rank below;
Happy for man could he say so.

Robert Burns

When life gets me down I find great solace in dogs especially my own little Jack Russell Ted. He makes me smile without fail; he lifts my spirits and keeps me fit. He gives me unconditional love and devotion and asks nothing in return except his keep. A dog that belonged to Lord Eglinton inspired this poem by Robert Burns but I think it will strike a chord with many dog owners.

For Auld Lang Syne.

At the stroke of midnight we sang a few verses of “Auld lang syne” and raised a glass to friends and family, old and new, near and far, in this world and beyond. Sadly now, so many in the later category, however, one of my New Years resolutions is “Do not dwell on the negative”, so instead will remember our many blessings, not least hearing our grandson chuckle when we pulled crackers on Boxing day. Another resolution is “Try to waste less”. I do not have a very good track record for keeping such intentions but I can but try!

So I hope that you will join me in a toast to The New Year, and drink a cup o’kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

England's green and pleasant land.

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountain green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

William Blake


Did England ever look more lovely than she does now in the week that we that we celebrate Shakespeare and St George?

An Irish Blessing

"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Robert Burns

Will you be eating haggis or perhaps partaking of a cup of kindness on Burns night?

I associate Robert Burns’ poetry with parties, and family celebrations, I don’t think New Years Eve would be quite so celebratory without “Auld Lang Syne”. His poetry seems to me to be full of viguor and energy, sometimes amusing as in “Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie”, and sometimes gentle and romantic as in “ O My Love”, which is your favourite?

O my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve!
And fare-thee-weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!

Don’t you just love “Till a' the seas gang dry”, so much more lyrical than “Till all the seas run dry”?

January "Illuminations of Nature"

Here is my illustration for January, inspired by the soundless flight of a barn owl, clear and still moonlit nights, crystal snowflakes and snowdrops. I have used some of the illustrations in a little artist book entitled "Silent flight". It has been a joy to create several of these and experiment with variations for the cover design, each book will be slightly different. I have also used some of the elements in the design in my calendar.

Calling all poets.

I have come across a rather beautiful quote which has been attributed to Shakespeare; "When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew". However , despite many searches I cannot find where exactly this came from. Now I know that there are many of you who are more knowledgeable than I on literary matters and wondered if anyone could help me track down the play, sonnet or source?

September Illuminations of Nature

Here is the September piece from my Illuminations of Nature. If you click on the artwork you will see it in more detail. It was inspired by a piece of poetry by the American poet Danske Dandridge.

The Spirit of the Fall By Danske Dandridge

Come, on thy swaying feet,

Wild Spirit of the Fall!

With wind-blown skirts, loose hair of russet-brown,

Crowned with berries of the bitter-sweet.

August "Illuminations of Nature"

On either side the river lie

Long fields of barley and of rye,

That clothe the world and meet the sky;

And thro' the field the road runs by

                  To many- tower'd Camelot;

And up and down the people go,

Gazing where the lilies blow

Round an island there below,

                 The lady of Shalott.

This decorative illustration of mine was inspired by the poem "The Lady Of Shalott" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. This poet also inspired many of the Pre-Raphaelites, maybe that is why I like it so much. It is part of a series of twelve paintings, one for each month. I completed the work over several years in between commissions. (I can't paint as fast as I can blog!)

If you click on the illustration you will see it more clearly.

The Nightingale

The sunrise wakes the lark to sing,

The moonrise wakes the nightingale.

Come darkness, moonrise, everything

That is so silent, sweet and pale,

Come, so ye wake the nightingale.

Christina Rossetti.

I have to confess I have never seen a Nightingale, let alone had the pleasure of hearing one sing in Berkeley Square but I live in hope, I find the idea so enchanting.

This design has been especially created to decorate a small card and enclosure. I took my inspiration for the structure of the enclosure from a Japanese design. I love the way the Japanese wrap objects, not in a tight hermetic seal but in a gentle, folded or wrapped parcel. This is the art of "gentle concealment" which is central to Japanese culture.

The more I learn about Japan, the more I want to visit that extraordinary country, it's next on my list after I have heard the Nightingale sing....