familiar objects

This sketch on too thin paper, in coloured aquarelle pencils, is something I will treasure if we ever have to move from here. Not because it is any good, but each object means something, the glass oil jar, old green glass ink pot, small stone jar, glass bottle stopper, miniature pewter mug, old glass salt cellar, a pot (more of which later) and a bowl.

They are in the kitchen on some green shelves and serve absolutely no practical purpose, but beauty is more important to me, and I love the way the light falls, and the spaces between.

Maybe I will become like Morandi, and just keep painting, drawing, photographing the same few objects.The painting from this drawing is here:

The white pot has the following written on it:

CLARKES

MIRACULOUS SALVE

FOR THE CURE OF ULCERATED BAD LEGS, BOILS, ABSCESSES

FISTULAS, BAD BREASTS & GATHERING OF ALL KINDS

Price 1/11, 2/9 & 4.6 Per Pot

PREPARED ONLY BY THE PROPRIETORS

THE LINCOLN & MIDLAND COUNTIES DRUG CO. LINCOLN

It is cracked and shabby, but a favourite treasure. Objects can give great pleasure without being valuable.

Looking back

Years ago, I painted this from a photograph. It is the farmhouse at Charleston, although you would be forgiven for not recognising it.

Next year, I intend to be more creative and try to adapt rather than copy. Exercising the imagination should be entirely pleasurable, absolutely crazy and free of rules. For someone like me, whose dreams are elaborate, vivid and often completely barmy, this should be easy. I used to think there was not an original thought in my head; now I'm beginning to wonder.

The transformation has been mostly as a result of attempting creative writing for the first time since school. I find it immensely pleasurable to do something entirely for its own sake, not to make money or reputation. How many authors have the freedom to work this way? Great pressure would be imposed by the need to earn, and while earning would be a bonus I neither want or expect that by painting or writing. Maybe all authors should try to work within the framework of a selfish enterpise, somehow forgetting their efforts are necessary to put food on the table. Maybe a lot do that already.

Meanwhile, I shall return to the OU coursework and paints, inks, brushes and glue (don't forget the glue) for the sheer pleasure of escaping into the world of my imagination, with my eyes open.

Power of the smile

Quentin Blake is a delightful person, at least I feel sure he must be, judging by his work on show at Compton Verney in Warwickshire. Appropriately the exhibition is called As Large as Life, partly because they are large watercolours.

This short video clip shows his technique.


Each room has a themed series of works that have been commissioned by various health facilities, such as the St Vincent clinic for eating disorders in London or this Fire Eater for a hospital. The following has been taken from the Compton Verney website.

 
"Friends in the circus series - Ellington Ward in Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow.
This is an older adults’ mental health ward for which Quentin has made a series of pictures on a circus theme. The series of circus characters – jugglers, tightrope-walkers, fire-eaters and clowns – all of an older age group, forms a display which can be seen as celebrating the lifelong persistence of well-practised talents."

These works were commissioned by The Nightingale Project who aim to cheer up mental health facilities. I feel sure these wonderful circus pictures do exactly that.

And the most noticeable thing was the way everyone looking at the pictures was smiling. Hopefully those struggling with the despair of mental illness feel happier when they see these enchanting images.