Spent this Bank Holiday in the garden although I did do some sketch book drawings during the evening.  I am still working on a book of drawings which combine landscape with figure elaborations.

I did the charcoal drawing stage of seven works.  Two "new style" landscapes, (provisionally) titled: A LANDSCAPE YOU CAN DANCE TO and A LANDSCAPE THAT CAN BE PLAYED AS MUSIC - both have vague sub-titles alluding (as does much of my current work) to childhood memories.

I also drew four very small "condensed" landscapes; which I have temporarily forgotten the generic title for, and an improvisational (and none too serious) work called FLIES BUZZING AROUND EXCREMENT.  The latter I subsequently redefined in water soluble oils.

Later in the day I painted over the charcoal lines of the three FLOWER SPIRIT paintings (again in water soluble oils).

I was out yesterday.  Today, I initially painted over the charcoal lines of the four very small landscapes and then completed FLIES BUZZING AROUND EXCREMENT.

I am starting to sort out work for a forthcoming solo show.

I worked on all three FLOWER SPIRIT paintings.  I completed the painting stage of two works and almost completed the other.  Unfortunately, I am unlikely to have time to finish it tomorrow.

A very unproductive Sunday!  Although, I did finish the main painting of the third FLOWER SPIRIT work.  I need to add the imagery and repaint some of the lines for all three pictures.

A not a particulary productive Monday!!  I painted two and a bit of the MICRO LANDSCAPES and belatedly did some paperwork.

I finished the MICRO LANDSCAPES by noon and then started work again on MISCELLANEOUS PEOPLE HIDDEN IN A LANDSCAPE - painting in the picture in rather a hurry.  I am out tomorrow but hope to complete the work on Thursday.

Finished painting MISCELLANEOUS PEOPLE HIDDEN IN A LANDSCAPE - however, some of the linear elements need touching up and thematic material has to be added to the foreground blocks.

In the early afternoon I started to paint THE PLACE WHERE CHANGES ARE MADE  (THE PLACE WHERE FRED THE GHOST BECAME FRED THE ARTIST).  With luck I will finish the main part of it tomorrow.

My New Year resolution was to be more proactive promoting my work (as it was last year!).  I plan to browse the web for opportunites on Sunday.  I am always full of good intentions which are not taken further - although, it has to be said, the priority should always be developing your work (and ability) rather than boosting your career.

I finished the main painting stage of  THE PLACE WHERE CHANGES ARE MADE.  This took all day. 

I went over the lines (again!) of MISCELLANEOUS PEOPLE HIDDEN IN A LANDSCAPE with thick oil paint.  I slao started the same procedure on THE PLACE WHERE CHANGES ARE MADE but didn't quite finish it before having to go out.

I finished going over the lines of  THE PLACE WHERE CHANGES ARE MADE by midday.

I then retouched part of the three FLOWER SPIRIT paintings - changing plan and introducing green in small areas to reinforce the landscape associations.  After this I put a thin oil wash on the three works based on aerial views of Wiltshire.

Finally I started work again on MISCELLANEOUS PEOPLE HIDDEN IN A LANDSCAPE by adding symbols to the foreground blocks.

I finished MISCELLANEOUS PEOPLE HIDDEN IN A LANDSCAPE (although this took longer than expected).

I  then finished THE PLACE WHERE CHANGES ARE MADE.  I was not confident I concentrated enough on this latter work so I made some amendments later, after a period of reflection.

I did not have time to work yesterday and today wasn't massively productive.  I decided to partially repaint the lines in SELF PORTRAIT AS THE WOLFMAN.

I then had an extremely brief spell working on THIS IS WHERE I MET THE ELEPHANT HEADED MAN and then started work painting TIME LOOPS IN A LANDSCAPE.

I had to go to a funeral today.  However, I did spend the evening discussing (with myself and others!) Future developments in my art and career.  I have long divided my output into four categories - further divided into styles and sub styles - but I am considering a pronounced bipolar approach to promoting my work: with the more approachable and appealing work sequestered off and sold through various commercial mechanisms and my serious work becoming more so.

A decidedly domestic day - with a multitude of calamities to overcome.  I did, though, manage more work on TIME LOOPS IN A LANDSCAPE.

A marginally better day.  I finished the main painting stage of TIME LOOPS IN A LANDSCAPE.

I then started painting AN INFINITE NUMBER OF PLACES WHERE AN INFINITE NUMBER OF THINGS HAPPEN AT ONCE. I will probably finish this stage tomorrow - although I should try and finish some works for my show next week (and also actually prepare work for the show!).

I spent a large part of the day adding symbols and other images to THIS IS WHERE I MET THE ELEPHANT HEADED MAN - although I don't seem to have much to show for it.  I spent a small part of the day messing around on the computer.

I also started getting work ready (rather belatedly) for my exhibition next week.

Another day with too much time on the computer (I have just bought a notebook and I am transferring files, installing programs etc.) and too little time painting.  I continue to work on THIS IS WHERE I MET THE ELEPHANT HEADED MAN,  although I am not certain I will finish it in time for my show.

There was no time to work yesterday and I was a bit late getting into my studio today.  I completed THIS IS WHERE I MET THE ELEPHANT HEADED MAN - although I suspect it will still be wet on Monday.  I didn't get round to working on any other paintings - nor did I get any more pictures framed!

I had to spend a large of today (finally!) Getting work ready for the show tomorrow.  I still hadn't quite finished by the time I had to go out.

I hung my solo exhibition in the morning; everything went more or less to plan!  Although containing my more approachable (so less serious) work, I was reasonably pleased with how it looked.

After a bit of a hiatus I started work again in the afternoon on AN INFINITE NUMBER OF PLACES WHERE AN INFINITE NUMBER OF THINGS HAPPEN AT ONCE - I still haven't finished this first stage however.  I am going shopping with June tomorrow so may not finish it then either.

I was out most of the day but I did manage to finish the first painting stage of AN INFINITE NUMBER OF PLACES WHERE AN INFINITE NUMBER OF THINGS HAPPEN AT ONCE.  I then started painting THE BRAIN WITHIN A LANDSCAPE but didn't get very far before having to start long delayed paper work.

 I had to go to the dentist which disrupted the day badly.  I only had a few hours to paint and continued with THE BRAIN WITHIN A LANDSCAPE.

I was out in the morning but I was able to work all afternoon.  I carried on with THE BRAIN WITHIN A LANDSCAPE, but still did not quite complete the main painting stage.

I completed the primary stage of THE BRAIN WITHIN A LANDSCAPE.  I then returned to TIME LOOPS IN A LANDSCAPE: touching up the main paint layer.

I also did the graphite pencil stage of 8 small pictures: VASE OF FLOWERS FLOATING ON A HEAD, YOUNG GIRL IN A SHOE, STILL LIFE ON A PIN HEAD and THE SOCK OR STILL LIFE ON A GIRL'S HEAD (all on 7x5 canvas boards) plus LANDSCAPE IN A LANDSCAPE, LANDSCAPE IN A STILL LIFE, GIRL IN A FLOWER BED and GIRL IN A FLOWER GARDEN (all on 8x10 boards)

At the end of the day I started (and more or less completed) the charcoal drawing stage of two small deep edge canvases: BOOK IN A LANDSCAPE and VARIATIONS ON A BOTTLE OF MILK IN A LANDSCAPE.  All of these are working titles.

I didn't do much work this Sunday - it was spent in gardening or just general pottering around.  However, I did do most of the charcoal stage of two more deep edge canvases (slightly larger ones this time): SOCK IN A LANDSCAPE  and TREE IN A BOX.

I finished the drawing stage of TREE IN A BOX, I then painted over the lines with oil paint and started painting it in immediately.  I did not quite finish it by close of play.

Like yesterday, I completed the drawing stage of SOCK IN A LANDSCAPE, painted over the lines and commenced painting in straight away.  Again I did not complete the work.

I also unstretched a very large canvas (primed but not painted) that I had kept in the shed since 1998.

I finished TREE IN A BOX and SOCK IN A LANDSCAPE - painting the edge of this type of canvas gives one even more opportunities to make a mess! - by dinner.

I then went over the charcoal lines with acrylic medium of SIX VARIATIONS ON A BOTTLE OF MILK IN A LANDSCAPE, BOOK (ABOUT TREES) IN A LANDSCAPE, A LANDSCAPE YOU CAN DANCE TO and A LANDSCAPE THAT CAN BE PLAYED AS MUSIC.

I also unstretched the final two large unpainted canvases kept in the shed.

A late start today but I more or less finished SIX VARIATIONS ON A BOTTLE OF MILK IN A LANDSCAPE, BOOK (ABOUT TREES) IN A LANDSCAPE.  Some of the lines need to be tidied up and the bottom edge still needs painting - I may have to repaint some sections too.  We will have to see.

I (badly) framed one painting for hanging this week.  I then completed the main painting stage of SIX VARIATIONS ON A BOTTLE OF MILK IN A LANDSCAPE, BOOK (ABOUT TREES) IN A LANDSCAPE - I hope to redefine some of the lines tomorrow.  The rest, of what time I had at home, was spent photographing a small selection of paintings for sending away and working on the computer.

I had an early start and hung an exhibition of mainly new work in the Hearn & Scott Gallery.  This took most of the morning - by the time I got back and into my studio it was early afternoon.  I then completed the main painting stage of A LANDSCAPE THAT CAN BE PLAYED AS MUSIC.  I didn't have time for very much else.

I spent a lot of the morning in the garden.  When finally settled in my studio I completed the main painting stage of A LANDSCAPE YOU CAN DANCE TO.  Like the work immediately above, it has an experimental palette.

I then partially repainted SOCK IN A LANDSCAPE - lightening the ground colour; and after that returned to SILLY GARDEN (which I actually completed last year), changing my basic concept, I added symbols and other imagery to the structures based on vegetation.  I may work on it further.

No time to work yesterday but I spent all day today painting.  I redefined the lines of MILK BOTTLE VARIATIONS IN A LANDSCAPE (amended title) and BOOK IN A LANDSCAPE with oil paint.

After this I finished the extra detailing on SILLY GARDEN.  I have resolved not to return to this work again!

I then added a few extra details (I meant to do more but changed my mind) to A SERIAL REPRESENTATION OF THE TEMPLE OF APOLLO AT STOURHEAD INTERMIXED WITH THE PAINTING "ION SUNRISE".

At the end of the afternoon I went over the acrylic lines of A LANDSCAPE THAT CAN BE PLAYED AS MUSIC with raw umber oil paint.

I went over the acrylic lines of A LANDSCAPE YOU CAN DANCE TO.

I then went back to the postcard landscapes (most of which were completes in 2004) and repainted the lines in darker colours.  I plan to change the majority of these works.

Similarly, I repainted the perimeter (in blue) and the the lines of a related work which was painted earler on a small deep edge canvas.

Spent a large part of the day going over the lines in more "Postcard Landscapes".  I will probably continue tomorrow - and, with luck, make a start on more small landscapes.

I had to go out suddenly so all my plans for the day evaporated.  No time to work tomorrow either.

All of the day was spent redoing the lines of the "Postcard Landscapes".

Again all day spent redoing the lines of the remaining "Postcard Landscapes".  I have now finished them.

Unusually I had a morning home today.  I started work on a new series of landscapes.  Most are small works with varying degrees of complexity.  I mainly did the pencil stage of two works today.  One is provisionally called THE VILLAGE and the other THE INVITATION.

I did four more pencil stages for paintings today.  Twp very small canvas boards with the general title of STATIC GARDEN and two slightly larger works - both without firm titles at the moment.

Not an especially productive day.  I redid the pencil lines of the two middle sized canvas board works - still without titles and then one of the small ones.

A late start so I didn't get as much done as I hoped.  I went over the pencil lines of the remaining small work with oil paint.  I decided against  redefining the lines of THE VILLAGE and THE INVITATION.  As an experiment I will add the lines last - this is the procedure I always used to adopt.  All the works will have a brown wash added before painting commences.

After this I partially repainted (for the second time) MYSTERIOUS LANDSCAPE - INVESTIGATION ONE.  I think I have finally brought it to a stage where I can leave it.

Towards the end of the day I started preparing a number of hardboard panels in readiness for priming - after this it was an evening of paperwork.

Very little time to work now until Saturday - for various domestic reasons.

Out all day: However, I did start a new sketch book of pencil drawings.  These are spontaneous compositions combining figure and still life imagery.

Although not feeling that energetic, I was in my studio all day.  I put a brown wash of water soluble oil on the 6 small landscapes I started earlier in the week.

I then did the pencil stage of four more landscapes.  Bye and large, all unnamed at the moment.

Finally I did the charcoal drawing stage of THE GATE YOU ONLY GO THROUGH ONCE TO THE PATH THAT LEADS NOWHERE.  As the name suggests this is a reworking of two earlier paintings.

Sunday: I meant to spend the day painting but used up most of it working on the computer making changes to my website.

I only had the afternoon and early evening free to paint.  I went over the charcoal lines of  THE GATE YOU ONLY GO THROUGH ONCE TO THE PATH THAT LEADS NOWHERE with acrylic medium.

I then started painting in the two versions of STATIC GARDEN.  Then back to working on the website!

I completed the two pictures entitled STATIC GARDEN (save signing them - I am hoping they wont need any more tweaking).

I also, more or less, completed one of the 10x8 landscapes (still untitled - which is unusual for me as I would normally have a dozen possible titles by now).

I was out yesterday and will be out (unexpectedly) tomorrow.  Today, I  completed almost all of the second 10x8 landscape.  This one is now entitled CAGED LIGHT (THE WATERFALL); the previous work is entitled THE POOL THAT ECHOES LIFE.

A rather lazy day.  I totally finished the two versions of STATIC GARDEN plus CAGED LIGHT (THE WATERFALL) and THE POOL THAT ECHOES LIFE.  Which didn't take long!

I then started painting THE INVITATION.  Hard work this, as I couldn't see the lines of the original drawing very clearly.

I meant to spend the whole of this Sunday painting but went out into the garden early and didn't get back indoors until the evening.  I did manage to finish the latest issue of the Free Painters & Sculptors newsletter which I currently edit and produce.

I painted most of the day.  I almost, but not quite, finished THE INVITATION.  Unusually for me, these works do not have painted lines defining the shapes.

I finished (I think!) THE INVITATION and then started THE VILLAGE.  This work differs from it's pendant by having lines added after the shapes have been painted.  I am out tomorrow but hopefully I will complete this on Thursday.

Out all morning (spending money!) But, as expected, I finished THE VILLAGE.

I then started painting THE GATE YOU ONLY GO THROUGH ONCE TO THE PATH THAT LEADS NOWHERE - however I am not too happy with what I did!

I completed THE GATE YOU ONLY GO THROUGH ONCE TO THE PATH THAT LEADS NOWHERE - it is not too bad now it is (ostensibly) finished.

After this I did the drawing stage - initially in pencil and then in water soluble oil paint - of two new works: GOLDFISH and THROUGH THE GARDEN IN A BLINK OF AN EYE.  I will lay in a sienna wash before I paint these.  However, it is probably back to landscapes tomorrow.

I spent the morning repainting THE INVITATION, I am more happy with it now but it may still flawed.

I spent the afternoon painting FIGURES ON A CLIFF TOP (this is one of four 10x12 landscapes I started at the beginning of the month.  There is no preliminary sienna wash and the lines have only been partially painted in.  It has had the provisional titles of "Soldiers On A Cliff Top" and "Soul Soldiers On A Cliff Top".

I worked mainly on the computer today but did find some time to work more on FIGURES ON A CLIFF TOP.  It was a nice day so I should have been in the garden!
 

I started work (painting in) on LANDSCAPE WITH SOMETHING HAPPENING OVER THE HORIZON - this is the second 10x12 landscape.  Like the first work, the lines are only partially painted in and I am painting directly on the primed canvas (which tends to be my standard practice these days).

I finished FIGURES ON A CLIFF TOP and LANDSCAPE WITH SOMETHING HAPPENING OVER THE HORIZON.

I also added some extra detailing to THE GATE YOU ONLY GO THROUGH ONCE TO THE PATH THAT LEADS NOWHERE.  I don't envisage ever having to return to this work.

I was out yesterday and will be out tomorrow.  I managed to paint all afternoon today.  I started the two other 10x12 landscapes - getting just over a quarter done on each.  Neither has titles at the moment.

I added some fine detailing to THE VILLAGE.  The rest of the work done was in my head.

I spent part of Sunday afternoon painting.  I filled in all the main areas of one of the small landscapes but didn't have time to start on the other.  This is going to be a strange week as I will only have a couple of full days to paint.

A very late start but also a relatively late finish.  I completed the main painting stage of the fourth small landscape and then worked more on the third one.   They have the working titles of THE THREE BOATS AT THE RIVER'S EDGE and AMENDED BAY respectively.  I doubt if I will pick up a paint brush again before Friday - all being well, I will then have clear run until Wednesday week.

A much disrupted day.  I finished off  the last small landscape: THREE BOATS AT THE RIVER'S EDGE.  I also painted the perimeter of four small pictures started at the end of last year and still at the pencil stage (GIRL IN A MEADOW).