02 May 2012

Prelude To Summer


Returning from Baltimore, and the funeral of a man for whom 50 headstones would not be enough to hold a fitting epitaph, Roscoe Levi Adams. I opened the page of a Spurgeon devotional this morning, and was reminded that our earthly journey is needful for others, even when the walk seems unendurable for us to continue. "Leave Him to say when it is enough ."

Work is progressing on medium sized panels. Sketching out some new ideas eventually bound for canvas.

Above is a detail view of The Samaritans . . .

18 April 2012

Out Of Our Few Days


 The days evanesce. Moving back and forth between one gigantic canvas and a few modest panels.

 Winter fled without a sound. The tornadoes came close. All manner of things shall be well...

A few random sketches: Addis Ababa, Dunfermline, Fort Worth. . .
  

13 March 2012

There Are No Maps


Settling in, sifting and digesting the whole story of the return to Addis Ababa. Massive changes coming, and very hard to see how it will benefit those who have fallen beneath the wheels of progress. Amid the smoke and dust and filth of the city there are emerging signs of life, undeterred by the limits of mankind, a faith strengthened and honed by the battlefield of the living.

The above drawing is from my sketchbook.

17 February 2012

From The Shade Into The Sun

Work in progress, on the easel where it shall remain unfinished for the next 15 days . It's off to Ethiopia. . .

        "Afflictions are often the black foils in which God sets the jewels of His children's graces, to make them shine brighter ." - C.H.Spurgeon 


14 February 2012

Tune The Harp


Leaving for Addis Ababa this week, a return to the blessed and the scorned, always a time for self-examination and a sobering reminder of how little we know of suffering. Time permitting, I will fill the sketchbook with what captures the eye, or rents the heart.

The above print is a recent proof from earlier in the month . . .

23 January 2012

Tarry For The Night


Finished recent canvas on the Biblical tale of Jonah ( see blurred detail above ) . It's mostly ink and paper the rest of the week as I press to run some block prints before this month expires. Faint not . . .

16 January 2012

How Little Is Known

                                                                                                                                 

Into the days, fully armed and prepared to wrestle with the distinctive battles that come with every new canvas, blank page, sheet of linoleum, block of wood. The joy in the struggle is often overshadowed in the struggle to convey.

Thankful for the time. . . 

26 December 2011

This Is My Father's World


All creation singing, and preening in the garden outside my studio window this morning. These birds won't be ignored.

 A block print to be run- (this restive horse doesn't want to yield to the preoccupying canvas on my easel at the moment ).

12 December 2011

The Arrow That Flies By Day


From a window on the garden I watch God bring down the curtains on autumn.

 Some progress,albeit small, on new recording. Also, some new lino cuts in the offing. Making an effort to return more to prints in the forthcoming year.

 The worker does his work . . .

28 November 2011

What Has Taken Place



 Back in the studio this week, itching to begin working after a European journey consuming most of November. The rich offerings of masterworks in Venice and Florence , and even Milan made for an immersing diversion. And ... warm days for a Glasgow November. Blessed, it's true.


Many thanks to all of those who attended, and purchased work from "The Deserters " exhibition last month. I was truly stirred by the many kind remarks and remain grateful for your patronage. The reception was a warm welcome to a northerner, unfamiliar with the charms of Fort Worth and it's community.

( featured sketches from : Edinburgh, Florence and Glasgow ... )

12 September 2011

Abiding


Counting off the remainder of days before the opening of "The Deserters" exhibition in Fort Worth,Texas. Work to be done - press, invitations, framing...
 Other projects in the offing - a print series and book on the book of Lamentations .The return to two postponed recordings, and a few exhibitions pending.