I've been thinking about this question. Do I have any favourite babies? Out of all the work I've created, both art and music, do I have any which I'm particularly proud of? It's a difficult question to answer, because sometimes a painting or a composition can caouse great pain in it's gestation, and when I've … Continue reading Do I have Favourites? 4 that I can think of!
creativity
Decolourising Education
I've had to go back to teaching this year, mainly because of the rising cost of living. I've been working in two different schools, and in one of them, in common with the school I last taught at, display boards are being denuded of colour. Instead, children will be able to bask in the glory … Continue reading Decolourising Education
A John Williams Score for every year of my life: 1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
John Williams composed three scores in 1989, the year I turned 19. One of them was the searing score for "Born on the Fourth of July", for director Oliver Stone. This was the first score Williams would provide for a Stone film, and he would follow it up with two further scores in the early … Continue reading A John Williams Score for every year of my life: 1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Work… for Pleasure
"Some of us paint for pleasure" I spoke at the monthly meeting of a local art group recently, and I spent some time talking through my experiences of selling artwork and other income streams I use to pay the bills. I'm fortunate in being able to spend so much of my working week creating, whether … Continue reading Work… for Pleasure
Anyone can learn Art
I'm sure many people would disagree with me on this statement. They might see themselves as not owning a single artistic bone in their body. But I truly believe that anyone can learn to draw, and to paint. However, just as some athletic sorts will always have a head-start on us lesser mortals, I do … Continue reading Anyone can learn Art
Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings
Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings I released this, my 5th album, last week. It's been a very long time coming. I actually began working on some of the pieces on this album way back in about 1989, (always a Tolkien nut!) Then, when I heard that Peter Jackson was making the Lord of … Continue reading Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings
News! Read All About It!
I hope those of you who read my blog on all things artistic and musical find it insightful and interesting (at least on the odd occasion!) I never thought I'd enjoy writing a blog as much as I do. It's not always clear when I start an entry what it will be about - I … Continue reading News! Read All About It!
The Dark Crystal – a Triumph of Design
This is not a film review. This is purely my response as an artist to the artistry at work in the design of the film, which in my view is absolutely second-to-none. Much of the film's design is down to the excellent and unique work of Brian Froud. His imaginative and organic designs are an … Continue reading The Dark Crystal – a Triumph of Design
The Gifts of the Pandemic
I was asked this morning what I consider to be the gifts to myself of the pandemic and resultant lockdowns this year. A strange question, to be sure. But not a ridiculous one. Many of us have found something important this year - maybe something we'd forgotten, or lost, has been rediscovered - like a … Continue reading The Gifts of the Pandemic
A John Williams Work for Every Year of my Life 5 – 1974 Earthquake
For this post I want to zoom in on one part of the score to Earthquake which struck me as soon as I heard it some years ago - the main theme. It encapsulates so much of the time, with upbeat funky additions to the mix, and that wonderful soaring John Williams horn melody. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRQ19CKA21U&list=PLpN8xN3JSwkSyeJsW_gFkqqqNmlWFLorI … Continue reading A John Williams Work for Every Year of my Life 5 – 1974 Earthquake
Where did it all start? And where is it going?
My son asked me the other day (because even at 15 he seems to mistakenly think that I am a fount of all wisdom - until I ask him to do something of course!) when humans started to write. I answered that even the cavepeople drew on the walls - imbuing their drawings with meaning. … Continue reading Where did it all start? And where is it going?
Leaving my Mark
I always thought I'd be rich and famous by the time I was 30. I thought I'd be "discovered". And here I am, entering my second half century, and still not there. Yes, I make some money out of my paintings, out of my music. But not enough to pay the mortgage. Not enough to … Continue reading Leaving my Mark