In The Courtyard Of The Guard

 

There is something about work that brings comfort, and invokes a restlessness when away. The periods of block, rarely steer in any direction but the forest of doubting.

 Here abiding and awaiting an eventual release ...

Whirling On

 

From the sketchbook... San Francisco - earlier this month.

On The Way Back To

 

Just returning from San Francisco and a pleasant diversion into the wilds of Yosemite, in the Republic of California. Some sketches from the streets, spires and rooftops of SF, however the created grandeur and elevation of paradise rendered me speechless and sketch-less in Yosemite. 
 Thirsting to get back to canvas. The fire burns. I'll meet you at the train...

Above - a foggy glimpse of something to come...

A Horse Opera

 

Recordings have temporarily diverted me from the easel, but I am coming back for more. A sketch, detailed above, for a large canvas beckoning...

"If time were the wicked sheriff in a horse opera, I'd pay for riding lessons and take his gun away. "

 

W.H. Auden

Hope Sees The Hidden Things

 

More carving and cutting than brush wielding this week, running prints to post to Caledonia. The days are full, and evening hours have been invested in the assiduous refining of new recordings, while awaiting the stirring that will "push the boat out " on some large canvas, beckoning commencement.
The above lino-cuts are from a forthcoming project on the book of Jeremiah...

The Whole Of It

Sedately navigating the backwaters of January, a few panels nearing completion. The ignitable optimism that comes with the new calendar is a roseate companion of my toils.

Some leaving on the horizon, missionary visit to Addis, always humbling and proving...

Above- from the sketchbook, a visitor who returns daily with Swiss-watch punctuality to the garden outside my studio window. The lashings of pecans have made for a hoggish festival for the red squirrels for the last four months...

 

The Last Tram

 

Approaching the last stop at the end of the 2012 line, looking ahead to work and ideas awaiting. December has been a stagnant month- extensive study for a book project I have been  formulating for some time. And what emerges is a need to study more and cultivate deeper convictions about what I commit/ omit from the blocks/plates.
           As seems to be a pattern, I am in various stages of completion with 3 new paintings, and bouncing back and forth between a recording I have neglected that beckons completion. Sedulity is occasionally rewarded, but at some points busy is an antipode to true progress.
 

Not Fit For Man Or Beast

 

Have recently returned from a very damp Glasgow, somewhat recharged. Above - street sketches from one of the few days of extended dryness. Stirling, and Killermont Street ...

My deepest gratitude to those who attended, and to those who purchased work from the recent  Orphans exhibition in Fort Worth , Texas. 'Twas a delight to meet so many new faces at the opening .
 

Ivy, Red Brick And Rain

A grey morning increases the backwards glances, and I am heartened by the lasting visions of the Arcadian autumns of my youth. There is no future in a memory, but I will linger there briefly this morning. Not an unduly prolonged stay,  as I continue study and research on a forthcoming project- a series of prints on the book of Jeremiah , which I am hoping to assemble and publish in the next year.
The Orphans gallery exhibition continues @ FWCAC until the end of October...
 

Dismount And Settle

For a large portion of the past  calendar year I have been working on paintings, and prints for this exhibition. In the next few weeks before the opening, between the prayers and perspiration,sleeplessness and second guessing, I will have hopefully completed in the range of 30+ new paintings and 5-10 new prints.
The opening reception will be on Friday 5, October. Alight on us and "'bide a wee while"...

 

(click on image to enlarge)

Nearer

Working on the remaining pieces for October's exhibition @ FWCAC . Reserving the last month for running prints. 

Will post details on opening - times, date etc., in the next week or so.

( Above detail from work in progress)

 

A Tender Fervor

The Collier (detail)

Sun setting, and the cicadas project a cacophony in all directions. Resolute in the efforts to complete no less than 30 new paintings for October's exhibition, the heat, as they say, is on...

The painter's equivalent to writer's block that chased me like a bloodhound through June and early July has lost the scent, and fresh ideas are returning.