Ceilidh Dancers

paper, acrylics 19cm x 28cm. working from phone photo from ceilidh we were at last winter. muddy washes and masking fluid for a couple of layers.

enjoyed doing the shoes!

Everyone loves Highland Cows

Heres the cow I posted progress pictures of yesterday. Not too impressed with this canvas, prefer the flow I get on paper. This is one of the beasts over on Applecross Estate, the calves are very cute but look like silly teddy bear cow things. Box canvas, acrylic 24cm x 30cm.

Next....

Coire na Ba

Okay that's that one finished, 23cm x 30cm. People who saw the film 'Stardust' may recognize the site of Ricky Gervaise's shop atop this hill. I called the painting after the Coire rather than the Buttress, which is unpronounceable. Its a weird hill, from certain angles it looks like a friendly scramble and calls to me - from a distance it becomes apparent that its thousands of feet of slippery vertical death, even for someone with fully functioning knees and feet.

meanwhile I'm working on some small paintings for Tore Gallery Christmas Show. There is the Highland Cow, ceilidh dancers, spinning ladies- to save confusion I've decided to put progress pictures up one painting at a time. The coo is nearly there, stand by...

Buttress and Coo work in progress

Acrylics on thick paper, building up the layers. Another view from The road to Applecross, a bread & butter painting, trying to get the sombre light without making it all too dark. This technique means a lot of waiting about between wet paint layers, so I have a few paintings on the go at once. Its not ideal as I'd prefer to immerse myself in one at a time. My poor attention span craves to stop multi tasking for once !

So this is the other painting, the obligatory Hairy Coo, this is a small box canvas and I'm finding the surface laborious with my wet layering approach. we'll see what they look like tomorrow. Then there's also the spinning wheel ladies I've just started...

Turning Tiger

So Richmond has a new comic coming out with Renegade Arts Entertainment. Issue 2 has a variant cover drawn by the wonderful Simon Coleby, and Lo! It was coloured by me.

I can now announce that one of the comic strips I was working on this summer was for this ; http://mistycomic.co.uk/Mistycomic_Special_2009.html more details to follow.

Meanwhile I haven't got much art done recently as I've been working hard on funding applications for 'Hi Ex - The Highlands International Comic Expo' that we run. We have also just got back from BICS, the Comic Show in Birmingham, where we had a great time catching up with the great & good of the UK comics scene, we also bought some great artwork & a tonne of comic books. The weekend before we were in Northern Ireland.. all of which has left us exhausted, ill & behind with my art work ... but thats what tomorrows are for.

Comic Cover art.

Here's the cover Art I did a wee while ago for Something Wicked #5, by Future Quake Press. Their main site has been devoured by Thrill suckers but you can buy the comics at their blog.

My Partner Rich has been writing a new comic called Turning Tiger published by Renegade Arts Entertainment. There will be a variant cover by one of my favorite artists.... I'll tell you who later when its officially announced... However I had the great honour of doing the colouring on it .

meanwhile painting will resume as soon as I can stop playing task tennis. ThWACK!

Russel Burn

Here's the finished painting, Russel burn- as seen in the evening light on Sunday. Enjoyed doing this, frustrated how everything else impinges on painting time.
There are technical things which I want to work through, the work seems to be getting more & more representational, which I'm not sure about. I want to capture the light, textures, colours, movement, contrasts in things; but I want to do so in a lively, expressive manner, minimum brush work & layers, I want to avoid muddying, overworking, labouring over detail. I also want to avoid the techniques used by other local artists painting the same mountains - as plagiarism drives me mad! I'm not looking to recreate photographs. Someone today was talking about trying to paint in an impressionist style, I don't think one should aim for a particular style but just intuitively find one's own. Curious then that my work seems to be wandering off on a completely different tangent from me.

Paint woman !

enough with all the workshops, meetings, admin, courses, openings, photo calls, schmoozing and hoop jumping! Its time I got some painting done... heres what I'm working on this is a painting for a wedding present commission, a bit bigger than A3;
Russel Burn by the road to applecross, September. drawn in loose colour washes, cover that paper. start the endless mucking about with the hills.

looking forward to getting stuck into the water, rocks & foreground next.

Politics & Art?!

Now many years ago I burnt out on Politics, as you do. Family life is hard work, and local level politics ( Community Council ) is a complete and utter waste of time, unless you like long meetings moaning about everything with self serving bigots.

marketing the area for tourism? "No we don't want more people here."
tackling local charity corruption & mismanagement? "Nothing to do with us."
dealing with homelessness of local firefighter? ( not me this time ) "Not our area."
direct threats to local businesses? "Not our problem."

Play area for local children? "No point, there won't be any young children in a few years."
supporting a sporting Cycling challenge? "No, they get in the way on the road "
recycling banks? " remove them from village as they're unattractive"

Youth cafe, " Nope, will encourage teenagers to hang about the village hall"
Firefighters travelling to a fire being held up by sheep & stubborn shepherd!? complained to police and fire service about us speeding.... and so on.

This along with a general cynicism that has swept the nation led to me deciding that I would only take on work related projects and NOT voluntary jobs for the greater good, or committee work. However, begrudgingly I found myself standing up to be our Fire stations Union Rep. There were so many issues coming down from top management, it could only help our crew if we got more active and started challenging all the pressures heaping upon us. Union activity can be career suicide in the fire service, but rural retained firefighters are in a complete dead end job anyway, so I had nothing to loose.

However once I went on my first union reps course I was convinced and re-energised, the unity, the family, the supportive structure, the warmth and non-judgemental acceptance in all the activists. Also being part of a wider social movement for change, swept away all the tabloid fueled doubts that had crept in in the 25 years since I naively but enthusiastically stood on Miners Picket lines & marched against Thatcher, War, apartheid and everything else.

So this week I went to Glasgow for a three day FBU "Engaging with Politics" course, The mere word politics had put off some of our reps, I was a little sceptical ' I don't need telling what's what' - however it was a fantastically stimulating chance to really chew over & thrash out all sorts of issues with good people. The point was "Engaging" as we all feel removed from the work of politicians these days, less empowered, hence voter apathy. But all humans are political animals, we should not be afraid to be active in protecting our families & communities. Another important point for me was that the FBU is not just about Fire fighters jobs & work conditions, its about making our communities safer- all communities. So I don't need to wear a different hat to campaign about education, environment, the developing world... they are all part of what trade unionism is about, a fairer safer better world for EVERYBODY.

whats this got to do with Art ? well nothing at all, although I am also a member or the Scottish Artists Union, and I recommend other artists join up as there are huge changes sweeping through parliament at the moment with the 'Creative Scotland' Bill.

But lo & behold everything in my life has a weird way of fitting in. The FBU wanted one of my paintings to present to our mystery guest speaker. last minute we found out the mystery speaker was First Minister Alex Salmon. Now if that isn't good for my Art 'career' I don't know what is !

And as for what he talked about & what we questioned him on.. that's another long story !

End of summer

after a non stop busy busy exhausting couple of months, I've had a couple of days to catch up with myself . I need to get some more painting done, but these things can't be rushed, I like to sort, tidy, rearrange & 'footer' about between work chapters. De cluttering home & head to clear space before throwing myself into next project.

Also, the rowans are red the heather is purple, the chantrells are out, theres a colder edge in the wind - Summers over, our brief autumn and a long long wild wet winter is a coming. Which flips the craft switch in the brain- textile time! So I've been using up cones & cones of spare lambswool by making these wool & rag boas. addictive to do !

I've also been playing with words and colours, these should turn into driftwood hanger things when I'm finished.

crafts conflict

Thursday 20th & Friday 21st August, 2 day craft fair in Church hall, Lochcarron. Generally at these, one never makes a fortune - or in fact a days wage, but that is the heady world of crafts for you. It would be folly to expect a decent wage for doing your favorite hobby out in the shires, in a city designer gallery yes. They are usually pleasant sociable days out where we catch up with our fellow makers. Here's the wee painting I did to pass time on day 1.
There is a fine line in crafts and art, especially crafts, ideas sort of migrate, we are influenced by the workers that we are surrounded by, the creative meme- but where do we draw the line between this and downright plagiarism? It has driven me nuts for years, I lie awake at nights working out a clever way of making a) into b), then other people turn up at the next sale selling their version of my groovy idea. This undermines my work, so I've had to keep chopping and changing to try & keep ahead of the pack. At least with 'Art' & painting its mine, distinct, they can copy all they like, good luck with that - but a glass shard mosaic, or calligraphy hanger, or book marker, or mobile, or lino prints, or collage, or hand made paper, or rag crocheting or, or , or...they're not things I can hang onto. At least I can do this, But one of my colleagues utilises a specific skill, and someone else time & time again copies the colour mixes, the designs, even selling at the exact same price. This day person 2, even took person 1's pitch. Person 1 blew a gasket, which is something rarely seen in polite 'jam and Jerusalem' crafty circles. Its just not cricket though, in a small village one should side step to not tread on other peoples businesses, not blatantly copy. I think I should employ a similarly open & honest approach next time I am copied instead of quietly seething to myself.

Some innovate, some emulate.

Here's the stag & cat I painted on day 2.

Pearl Jam at the o2, London. 18th AugustNormally I try & reserve this blog for art & craft related activities. But Pearl Jam are allowed a mention as much of my work is accompanied by Eddie and the boys, their music is hardwired into my brain. This concert was my first time of seeing them, it wasn't easy getting there, the third ticket I bought didnt turn up - NEVER EVER buy from theonlineticketshop or onlineticketexchange or any of their other ticket fraud businesses - So sadly just myself and youngest daughter Iseabail headed down, two instead of three.

However we had the time of our lives, queued for 6 hours with other fan club members to get in early, got a place in second row, only feet from our heroes. The mosh pit crush was INTENSE so despite being within ( literal ) spitting distance, couldnt take photos of this incredible performance.

managed to get some crowd & queue photos which I may turn into paintings...we'll see. So until the next tour, its back to work- village life always seems rather flat and claustrophobic after something as exciting as this. Rock & Roll baby.

Mind Body & Spirit fair-Dingwall August 15th

on Friday I made a load of wee mosaics for this fair. I'm thinking towards little Christmassy gifts, yes the public are already buying for Christmas.

Heres Rich manning the table. The crafts side of the fair was organised by Jackie from Achnasheen who wins the prize for the best craft fair organising, she always has everything covered, plies us with tea & biscuits and definately deserves a link

The fair was well attended but was still relaxed enough to give me time to do a wee fairy painting.

and here's it touched up a bit in Photoshop.

Lochcarron Sketching

I've mostly been chained to the computer recently drawing comic strips, but on Tuesday I snuck off to do some sketching at a popular tourist viewpoint - spurred on by the vague hope of boosting the ailing coffers with a spur of the moment sale or two. Sadly no luck, folks politely tip toe up to watch me work, take photos & chat a wee bit, but its definately not a good spot to art 'busk'. Always nice to take time out to paint though !

current comic project

Heres a couple of tasters of the comic strip I'm working flat out on at the moment... Normal service painting will resume as soon as possible.

Comic strip for 'Something Wicked'.

so when I havent been teaching everyday I've been on a comic strip marathon. I hope the small spoiler free taster image above won't incur the wrath of lovely Editor 'Bolt-01'. This Strip will appear in the next edition of FutureQuake publication's Horror Comic , 'Something Wicked' .
I've been trying a new technique, looser, more painterly, mostly done in Photoshop over scanned in rough layouts. I can't tell if its worked or not, let the readers be the judges of that !

Next project an altogether different style strip for a certain famous girls comic of the 70's.

Monday 3rd Aug, Mosaics- Gairloch

Dragon scale mosiacs, to tie into the libraries summer reading theme of Quest Seekers. found objects, treasure, recycling- Another well attended messy session with some great results.

Saturday 1st. Comic signing Kircaldy

Travelled down to Davids new shop in Kirkaldy, Kingdom of adventure, games and comic shop. Saturday 1st was a signing & sketching day with Al Ewing & Colin MacNeil. It was lovely to catch up with everyone & Gordon Rennie popped along for the afternoon too, he & Gary Erskine will be signing there next week. Colin was producing some incredible full colour sketches with wax crayons..yes wax crayons, incredible! ( photo above ) I treated myself to another page of comics lovely artwork from 'Insurrection' recently published in the Judge Dredd Megazine. We also snagged a copy of Al's book ' El Sombre' which looks very entertaining, a clockwork nazi town in mexico?? Sold!

Here's Mr Clements, casting a fatherly eye over the young people and their gaming antics, which we also got pulling into, my first ever dice role playing game. I found it all too numbery but it was good fun playing at being a Judge in Megacity, typically I played it straight by the 'LAW'.. whereas over at the other table with Rich and Al, corrupt judges were rife.

Had a meal & drink which was cut short by stupidly loud music in pub " but it's a Saturday night" shrugged the bar boy when we requested they turn it down so peoples meals didnt shake off the tables. So we headed into the northern sunset looking for a place to camp, until we arrived at home at 1am. A lovely geek-happy day out !

ooo link to Hi Ex Interview on FP & Down the tubes.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday..

Ullapool library, how to draw comics/manga, with some of the very entertaining children that dropped in & out through the three days. some great comics started; the mean princess, 52 ways to kill a character, the kind octopus...

Dingwall library- How to draw Comics & Manga, 4th Dingwall session. This was a keen & quiet group, the 18 or so in the morning were a prolific & quiet lot. Ullapool yesterday they were all keen readers with a great grasp of storytelling techniques ... every session completely different !

Back to Ullapool the next two days. Looking forward to some spare days mid august to get on with my own looming deadlines.

Applecross Mosaic workshop- Monday 27th

18 children aged 2 to 12, 1 bucket of sea shells, 2 packs of glass nuggets, 1 old mirror, 1 gallon of glue, 1 bucket of grout, 4 plastic sheets, 1 lot of fun , 1 BIG mess.

You Are

You Are

This broken wheel is coming undone

And the roads exploding
But you're keeping me strong
Rolling along with you,...

Love is a tower
And you're the key
Leading me higher
When you let me in

Keeping us close,... so close
On down the line

Sometimes I burn like a dot on the sun
With no one knowing
But you're keeping me strong
Rolling along with you

You are a tower of
Strength to me
The darkening hour
Sees light again

Ooh wah, ooh wah, ooh wah, ooh wah, ooh wah
Ooh wah, ooh wah, you are... you are

Love is a tower
Of strength to me
I am the shoreline
But you're the sea

You are.

Artist: Pearl Jam
Composer: Vedder/Cameron

painting by Me.

Given to flyHe could’ve tuned in, tuned in
But he tuned out
A bad time, nothing could save him
Alone in a corridor, waiting, locked out
He got up outta there, ran for hundreds of miles
He made it to the ocean, had a smoke in a tree
The wind rose up, set him down on his knee

A wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw
Delivered him wings, "Hey, look at him now"
Arms wide open with the sea as his floor
Oh, power, oh

He's.. flying
Whole…
High.. wide, oh

He floated back down 'cause he wanted to share
His key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere
But first he was stripped and then he was stabbed
By faceless men, well, fuckers
He still stands

And he still gives his love, he just gives it away
The love he receives is the love that is saved
And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky
A human being that was given to fly

High.. flying
Oh, oh
High.. flying
Oh, oh
He’s…flying
Oh, oh

lyrics by Pearl Jam. painting by me. 8 x 10 canvas board . acrylic.

(The Pearl Jam - GIVEN TO FLY LYRICS are the property of the respective authors, artists and labels)

Three Swans

latest Lochcarron view.

Breakerfall

"Ah.

There's a girl on a ledge who's got nowhere to turn.
Cause all the love that she had was just wood that she burned.
Now her life is on fire it's no ones concern.
She can blame the world or prey till dawn.
But only love can break her fall.
Break her fall.

Yeah, only love can break her fall. Fall.
It's like she lost her invitation to the party on earth
And she's standing outside hating everyone here.

Yeah, she's her own disease,
crying to her doll.

But only love can break her fall.
Break her fall.
Only love can break her fall.
Yeah.Yeah fall.
The world is her fall.
Break her fall.Love, love,
love can break her fall. Who?
Now only love can break her fall.
Love, love, love can break her fall. Fall.
Love, love can break her fall.
Only love can break her."

Breakerfall by Pearl Jam ( The BREAKERFALL LYRICS are the property of the respective authors, artists and labels, ).
Painting on 8 x 10 canvas board for Pearl Jam competition by Me. This is a very sad subject matter for me. two more songs to follow.

Review of Inchmore exhibition

HERE from the Hi-Arts site by Georgina Coburn.

meanwhile I'm up to eyes in work, either tied to a flip chart teaching comics/ manga or attempting to beat deadlines. Will post up work as soon as I can.

Inchmore Gallery Exhibition Opening

Saturday 18th was yet another double booked day; The Highlight of the local calender the Lochcarron Highland Games was on, plus the opening of the Art Exhibition At Inchmore Gallery near Inverness, which features some of my Firefighter paintings. This followed on from a two day craft fair in Lochcarron, busy busy !

First we set up a minimal stand at the Games with just cards, prints and art, none of the usual crafty bits and bobs to make it simpler for my Mum & Sister to kindly run & pack up for me. The Games seemed quieter than usual despite its 15 seconds of fame on 'Monty Halls Great Escape' last year. A quick once around the field to catch up with everyone, folks asking if I was exited about the Opening ? I shrug, 'nah too busy', I don't often do 'getting excited', preferring a pragmatic emotional equilibrium- I say hello goodbye to my Fire colleagues on duty for the day, then booked myself 'off the run' ( off emergency call ) and away we headed east coast.

We were greeted by Mark from Inverness college who's wine tray and helpful comments were a savior! Whilst others had expected me to be exited, what I hadn't expected was the nerves! ...surprised at myself when the crushing artistic neurosis kicked in, where was a comfort zone? where was a corner to hide in? It turns out I wasn't the only artist to feel like this so I took comfort in that and braved it out.

The Opening was pretty busy & bizarrely Rich & I found ourselves talking mostly about comics and Hi Ex. I find it odd how all the different elements of my work; teaching comic art, painting firefighters, folklore fascination- somehow always seem to fit together. Its very stimulating for me to get to talk about Art & meet other artists, something that very rarely happens in day to day life.

Towards the end, the first magical red dot of the event appeared - Hurrah !

and so shell shocked, tired & dazed-We survived my first proper gallery opening, met some jolly nice people, and talked more people into attending Hi Ex. I now nervously await the Review/s of the exhibition & cross-fingers for more red dots.

page 7 & 8

page 5 & 6-

Exhibition at Inchmore Gallery 18th July.