Music alphabet.

 

I didn't complete the alphabet. But what on earth was I thinking? Sometimes I reckon art is just a therapy. Something to keep occupied no matter how little the worth.

All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Alternative Skegness 1. Plastic Pollution.

 

 Top: First drawing from 2018.

Below: “And Then the Jolly Fisherman Was Not So Jolly”, due to plastic pollution. Oils on canvas, 46cm x 56cm. 

In reality Skegness is a very well maintained resort and, as is apparent from my blog, a place I have much enjoyed on day-trips. No derogatory implications are intended when using the resort's famous mascot as a setting for imagined plastic pollution.

All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

House and home and a neighbour's opinion.

 

New curtains for bedroom and lounge.
Two new chairs for lounge.
New bed.
New rugs.
Re-arranged paintings through the house.
Clean and tidy.

I think I'm settling back in, reclaiming my house. Lots of things are still in boxes since my attempted house move of a couple of years ago. Lots of things I disposed of have never been replaced. (I have one office chair in the lounge to sit on). At present I paint most days. Finding it difficult, as always, but the recent sale boosted motivation. I must take care not to miss out on Summer this year, being stuck inside here. 

A few days ago, I showed my neighbour my latest painting. She’s an old woman, totally content with her life of “Corrie” (a UK TV soap), brandy, and football, none of which I could begin to hold a conversation about, but we manage. She’s always easily impressed with my paintings, pleased I show them to her, and this particular time was no exception. However, as I was walking away, she said “What are you going to do with it now?”

THAT is what I call a reality check.

All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

C is for coffee.

 

 

All artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

A day at the gallery.

Went to see my “Pub Cat” in the Harley Gallery Open Exhibition.

Then fish and chips at the Big Fish, Ollerton Roundabout.

 

 All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Sunrise, sunset.

 

As viewed from my bedroom window. Same view at sunrise and sunset.

All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Accepted & Sold.

 

I don’t think I’ve had anything accepted for exhibition since June, 2014, although there’s certainly been a year or two since then that I haven’t bothered trying. This particular one (a digital print from the original drawing) was even rejected in May 2018 by the Patchings Gallery, and was originally drawn way back in 2012. The Harley Gallery is new territory for me.

Update: Sold! I expected no prize for my little sketch but had a sneaking suspicion that if it did get accepted it stood a good chance of being sold. Which it has! Only £70, which means I get my money back on the framing and printing rather than any profit (let alone my time). But it’s good to get a public sale.

 
 All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Power of Attorney.

 

Suffice to say, it took a toll...

All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Christmas is coming!

 

See the video made on this night of carol singing on THIS LINK.

Alternative Nottingham 2.

 

Above: Both Nottingham Arboretum and the pubs along Mansfield Road seem far less inviting to me than they did a few years ago.

Above: On the day I collected resources for these works the Market Square was filled with people staring fixedly at their smart phones, as profuse in number as the pigeons.

Above: The coal mines, Robin Hoods Tree, Nottingham Forest, Crusaders, Raleigh bicycles, the factories. All make reference to Nottingham's past history.

All artworks copyright Ian G Craig.

Alternative Nottingham. Left Lion, Right Lion.

 

For people who actually live in Nottingham the two lions situated either side of the Council House steps are perhaps the most well know landmarks in the city. “Meet me by the left lion” was a popular phrase when arranging dates. Maybe it still is.

The old market square is now a barren, ugly site most days. Depending on your point of view.

All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Outdoor sketching.

All artwork copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Clumber Park experimental.

 

 

Top: I started by cutting up a road map showing the directions to Clumber Park from my house. Nine sections. Then painted over it quite freely.

Below: Following the same nine sections rule, then placing objects we' taken there.

Video can be seen on THIS LINK.

All text, pros, poetry & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

Random photography.

  All text, pros, poetry & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig

Drawing & Deer, Victoria Embankment, Nottingham.

 

Warm enough today to go sit beside the River Trent for some sketching. It proved eventful. I had no idea there are actual deer living in the City of Nottingham. Couldn’t believe my eyes until I got home and checked with the internet. Got in touch with Nottingham Wildlife, via Twitter. Then at their request filled out the following report:

Species:
Small deer. Looked like a Muntjac.

Date:
19th April, 2018. c.11.30a.m.

OS grid reference:

SK570381
Latitude: 52.937889 / Longitude: -1.1529979

Location name:
Victoria Embankment, NG2 2JS

How identified:
I was sat sketching on Victoria Embankment, about 80m east of Wilford Toll Bridge. The animal suddenly sprang from (or dashed through) a cluster of Daffodils behind me and ran at great speed, heading west, down to the riverside steps, dashing under the bridge and, keeping to the steps parallel to Riverside Way, didn't drop the pace until it was soon out of sight beyond the bend. I identified it as a small deer from the way it ran. (I grew up in Thoresby Park). The short legs looked very much like the pictures of a Muntjac. It was certainly not a dog or a cat.

How many did you see?
One.

All text & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.

#thedailysketch on Twitter.

 

Sketchbook pieces for the Twitter hashtags have been my only art activity of late. The mixed media / collage approach to these sees them also function as a pictorial journal.

 All text, pros, poetry, photos & artwork, copyright Ian Gordon Craig.