Eloise O'Hare

Portrait of a painter

2012-01-30T02:52:00.004Z

Last weekend I went along to have my photo taken at the Castle pub in Norwich. Antonella Muscat a Maltese photographer living on the East coast of Norfolk has collaborated on a project with Shelly Telly. The project is called Inside out, which is part of an International project. All over the world people have the photos taken and then have them made really big and put up in random places. The photos should tell a story about the person and the life they have lived. Shelly has made the project be part of pride and in the small time frame she took Antonella to the places that Pride people might hang out. Like the local radio station for Pride live. Antonella took some great photos of everyone and then made them Black and white. I took a few props along and so she took an extra photo of me being an artist. Which is the colour photo above. The black and white photo will be on the Inside out website with hundreds of other photos from around the world and there will soon be a large print out, which will be put up somewhere in Norwich.

Chauncy Maples hospital ship fundraising

2012-01-25T23:59:00.005Z

The stop junk mail campaign is also fundraising for charity's. Last year raising money for SOS children's villages. A charity that does not produce junk mail and just sends the cash straight to cause. I have friends in Java that help out at the SOS children's villages in Java and they are children's villages where orphan children live together. They need money for food, health housing and clothes.

Currently Stop junk mail is raising cash for the Chauncy Maples hospital ship restoration, on lake Malawi, Monkey Bay in Africa, also this charity does not produce junk mail. My Auntie Janie Hampton's project she has been doing for a few years and the ship is very near completion. Once the ship is completed, it will move around the lake visiting villages and helping people with little or no access to health care. One million pounds is still needed for this project. If you buy No Junk Mail signs from the Stop junk mail website we will give 10 per cent of profits to help finish the restoration of the ship.

Junk mail is over.

2011-11-15T03:12:00.002Z

This month has been mega for junk mail there has been some major changes. Which will help the rainforest's breath again. You can find out more by going to the stop junk mail website.

Throughout the campaign I have been helping with art. These are just a few of my cartoons that are on the stop junk mail website.

The rainforest that get cut for wood chip for your fitted formica kitchens, toilet paper and junkmail paper, there are loads of different types of trees and millions of insects, animals, birds, plants that have not even been identified before, they get bludgeoned to death and pulped.

Trees are not the only thing that is devastated its the communities, animals, insects and the forests that help the planet breath.

Stop junk mail has still more to do there is a petition to try change the law involving op out boxes.

If you feel like you dont believe it, unless you see statistics, there is plenty of that on the website. On the website there is also links to the stop junk mail blog and diary.

Bands and Flowers at the NNUH solo show

2011-11-13T02:42:00.000Z

Here I am with my exhibition of bands and flowers. Not only did I put up my exhibition on the 3rd floor, central block at the NNUH. I also put up my Mothers on the 2nd floor and 4 exhibitions on the 1st floor. My mothers work had to be mounted and named this took me a week to do as there was so much to sort threw. I am a volunteer at the hospital working for the hospital arts project, for nearly 10 years. I do what ever I can do at the time. This year I had a big ear operation so I had to have a break from doing as I didnt want to spend to much time in the hospital after the op, so that I could recover properly. We had to cancel a fashion show in the summer which would have been a great fundraiser.

These poppy's I painted when I was recovering from my ear operation and sitting in the garden. The first poppy of the year came out then the next day was the 2nd. they are the giant poppys that my mother planted 40 years ago. I remember having my photo taken with one when I was a small child and the flower was as big as my head.

I kept drawing the garden, with no intention of exhibiting them it was more for recording the garden as it grew and for my own therapy to try and get back into the world. The flowers were first exhibited in the summer in St. Margarets church in Norwich for the Pride without Prejudice show.

This is some rainbows that were also from the Pride summer show. The City hall picture was commission by Shelly Telly for Pride and smaller prints, mugs and fridge magnets are all for sale to raise money for Pride if you would like any please get in touch.

Emma Jarvis hospital arts coordinator helping with the exhibitions on the 1st floor. We halved the time and put them up together.

Marian O'Hare 1st Solo Show at the NNUH hospital 2011

2011-11-13T01:52:00.005Z

Marian O'Hare first solo show at the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital, central block on the 2nd floor.

Marian was born in 1941 and grew up in London during the 2nd World war with her 3 sisters and brother and Mother Verily Anderson and Father Donald Anderson who were both writers.

Marians father died when she hit her teens and her Mother had to survive with 5 kids. Marian got a bursary to go to Hastings Art school, where she had a wild and exciting life that her sister wrote about in a book and Marian illustrated in that 50's pen and ink style we all know today.

Marian went on to study theatre and costume design at central art college.

Marian did various theatre jobs while at Art college, her first job after leaving college was at the Old Vic theatre in Bristol where she worked as a Props mistress. She also worked at the famous Glyndebourne Opera house. She moved to Ireland and then worked for the Lambert Puppet theatre illustrating there programmes for there shows.

She moved to Ireland with her husband Jim O'Hare who she met at art college and he became a set designer for Irish film and television. In Ireland they raised 3 children and one foster child. They now have 6 grandchildren.

Marian went to many evening classes and learnt lots of different crafts while bringing up children. She also was know as the water rat as she cleaned out her local canal. She also done voluntary work one of which was driving wheelchair people to day centres. She worked on designs for a lighter wheel chair and helped get ramps around Dublin.

Her latest book is about Allotments in Norfolk and Marian is a keen gardener and flower arranger. Currently she is illustrating a book for disabled children.

Marian is also about to go on a trip to Australia where she will be drawing and painting the wildlife.

This is a picture of her drawing with her friends in North Norfolk. She has a few groups of people that she likes to do art with and exhibit as a group.

This was a lithograph she has done in 1970. Marians work spans for 60 years.

This is a small part of her collection of art she has done over the years.

There is 35 pictures in the show and they are all for sale. She hopes to sell some work to pay for more materials and opportunities to show her work. Contact me if you would like to buy her work. If you are unable to see her work at the hospital and would like to see more then I can send small images to view via email. The hospital has complete wheelchair access and buses run from the Norwich city centre. Parking at the hospital costs a small fee.

The exhibition is free and supported by the hospital arts project, which is a project run by charitable donations.

Emma Jarvis the hospital arts coordinator helping document Marians art work.

Photos of Tullynally castle Platform Gallery middling exhibition tea party

2011-08-25T18:51:00.003Z

Haray! I made it in the end the success I was looking for, a show in a castle in Ireland. The show has been extended so get yourself to the Tullynally castle this weekend.

Here I am arriving at the castle after a weekend with my friends from youth, of growing up in Dublin. None of us has changed much over the decades. Had a lot of catching up to do.

Everyone was out swimming in the morning of the middling, which I didnt attend due to my newly designed ear, that does not take a drop of water.

Vera came back first and we headed off in cross country using an android phone to find the way.

Here I am at the gatehouse about to embark on the long leafy drive to the castle.

Lilly and Muireann in a piggy back race.

Here we are in the foyer of the Platform gallery with a Senator David Norris illustration watercolour of him cooking Dublin Rock recipe.

Aoife modeling the hand craft felt bags and hats.

Tea, coffee, tea and cake with the artist in the courtyard.

Arrangements on the tables in the tearoom.

Photo by Rebecca Allen.

Local cheese and foreign wine for the middling.

Standing by the extended season sign and a sea of glasses shortly before the opening.

The middling in the evening the locals come out to play at the castle.

Rebeccas famous irish gate photos.

Matt Gardner on whistle and Hilary Gaffney on fiddle. Starting off with a great duo that turned into an orchestra by the end of the night. Photo by Rebecca Allen.

Eloise creating a new recipe picture in Rebecca's kitchen at her farm house. This ones called feeding a large irish family lunch. Photo by Vera Quinlan.

Trapped in the corner of the courtyard some groovy parking.

Women's peace camp.

Photo by Vera Quinlan

The crazy three neighbours.

Freshly squeezed apple juice caught in the windfall of it all.

Photo by Vera quinlan

Tullynally castle platform gallery, castlepollard, West Meath, Ireland. Hazel playing the head sculpture of a sphinx. Photo by Helen O'Niell

Muireann the stone sphinx sculpture. Photo by Helen O'Niell

Dry stone wall for small children to walk on top of, very thoughtful of farmers to build them everywhere in Ireland. Photo by Rebecca Allen.

The lads from RTE John and Des, tasting the local cheese and crackers at the middling exhibition opening at the castle.

I hadnt seen these lads for a long time.

A herd of stable friends, Helen, Vera, Nicola, Rebecca, Muireann, Lilly and Ruairi

The dancing girls outside my exhibition at the castle. photo by Helen O'Niell

Cat and a carriage on her way to my exhibition.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

Fountain of youth in the gardens of Tullynally castle.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

Well, well, well, a Lama having a drama in the gardens of Tullynally.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

The side of the castle.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

Rebecca and Matt having a chat with a couple of Lamas.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

They are now growing cats in the Tullynally kitchen garden.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

Eloise in a hurry to get back to her middling evening cheese and wine party at the platform gallery.

An amazing catalog made by Nicola Lane of my paintings at the Platform Gallery at the castle.

A hole in the hedge.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

On the way up the long drive.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

The walled garden.

The gardens at Tullynally castle.

The Mount Temple school girls.

Photo by Karl Somers.

Rooftop of the castle.

Photo by Helen O'Niell

Middling speech with everyone gathered round.

Ladys chatting about art at the middling.

The girls that met when they were two years old. Reunion decades later.

A portrait of the Artist.

By Rebecca Allen

The calm before the Ceilidh, a view of the gallery through to the tearooms. On the right wall a portrait of Senator David Norris.

Karl Somers and Nicola Lane organised a marvellous exhibition of my work at there gallery and tearooms at the Tullynally castle. Karl gets his guitar out and jams with the guests while Nicola tops up the wine and makes a great host.

Tea at the Tullynally castle tearooms out in the courtyard.

Muireann, Lilly and Aoife all drinking from the fountain of youth.

View of the Tullynally castle from the gardens.

Liquorice all sorts skirt designed and made for me by me. A lovely brick floor of the gallery.

Secret Garden Party life drawing sketches 2011

2011-08-09T02:08:00.000Z

At the Secret garden party, my Auntie Alex and I went straight for the nude life drawing big top.

It was all a new experience, the public life drawing. We squeezed in and found a spot. There were boards and paper, pens, charcoal for anyone to join in.

The models followed orders from the teacher, of positions to stand or sit in. There were a lot of quick poses. This one is shapes

This one above is several movements on one page.

Squiggly opposite hand.
Nude in the Darkness
Quickly not looking at page

The male model from the S and Empathy tent next door, he had been busy giving people electric shocks, before modelling for us.

Posing on the Chaise-long
Late at night we went to the nude life drawing tent and there was live music and models.

The other hand not looking.

The picture before the class started of model waiting on a chaise long chair.
pen and ink pen

Secret garden party sketches 2011

2011-08-07T21:49:00.000Z

Some of these drawings are on sale at St.Margaret's art church on St.Benedict's street in Norwich.

Secret garden party, thanks to the Bowbeaubells band, I got in as an artist. I should really get my self a agent who can book me into festivals, but who needs an agent when I have cousins in show biz. I caught a train to my Auntie Alex's house then we drove into the depts of Huntington to try and find the Secret garden Party. It certainly is a secret as there were no signs anywhere for it. We drove on into an enormous field of cars that were growing in the hot sun. Luckily I brought my Granny trolley and Alex took her golfing trolley. We loaded up and went on in. As we looked like a pair of old sober Granny's they let us through the bag search. We were met by Alex's friends who helped us with bags and then we put up our giant tent and then went out for coffees made by a wooden coffee machine. I love festivals that have new ethical inventions.

Through out the festival I carried my artist bag round on a trolley and sketched the performers. Martha Reeves and the Vandella's, were great performers and I got to stand right up the front on the railing. Using a bottle of ink in one hand and the pen in the other I dipped and scratched on paper. Due to the dark and large crowds I accidentally smudged the ink and got it everywhere. I got some brilliant sketches and all due to a great show the music was wild.

Putting down the ink, I have now opted for the old fashioned pencil.

Backing dancers were a hoot and they waved and blew kisses to me.

Very powerful performance from the ladies and all the musicians.

My friends had secured a spot at the top of the hill with a blanket on the grass and there was no telling there age they were all rocking out like in there teens again.

Martha's favourite drummer in the whole world.

This is my favourite sketch of Martha Reeves.

Earl Okin comedian playing on the main stage in the early afternoon, people were still asleep then

Then on came David Rodigan doing Raggae.

David Rodigan give me a signal.

Rumple the fool, performing near in the feast of fools open out door stage with a door. This was the first time I seem him since Byron bay markets 20 years ago in Australia. He has been living in Las Vegas, America. Driving around in a golden goose mobile and a Beetle lady bird being a fool and entertaining the rich, poor and famous.

Rumple the foolish kangaroo is going to perform, a record breaking 48 hour show at the European juggling convention 2011, in the Olympic Park in Munich.

Rumple and I performed together in a pop video called Dead Circus for Nick Freedman, filmed at the Silo's in Newtown, Sydney. I did the costumes as well, thankfully Rumple came as himself, fully costumed and talented.

This is a big Human catapult that shot someone across the lake.

After a while of technicals in red leotards, the catapult flung someone in the air attached to a car seat.

Dance off stage. People get up and have a dance off competition.

The Beaubowbells performed at the Soul fire restaurant at the festival, which is booked up months in advance. I raced to get there as soon as Blondie had finished, I found my roots were fully embedded into the side of a hill where I had been drawing a crowd scene and Blondie. I put my knitted alien mask back on and I carefully stood up with out falling over many teddy bears, rainbows and bees, I had stuck a battery powered spot light to my suitcase and wove my way down the hill and through the crowd that was looking out over the lake at the giant dragonfly that was burning and fireworks were going off. It was such a nice dragon fly, why burn it I asked myself, there is enough ciggy smoke in the air anyways. Lights were flashing past me and I went towards the big wheel. I saw everyone coming out of the restaurant tent to see the fireworks. Uncle Eddie went whizzing past with Woody the dog and then went into the restaurant, where he was refused entry because of the dog. Eddie tried to hide out the back with Woody away from the fireworks. I took my alien mask off went and had a coffee at the motorbike powered coffee machine and then snuck into the Sol fire tent and got Bertie to come out and see the doggy.

I found a suitable place at the side of the stage to draw and the Bowbeaubells went on straight away.

Evie on the right playing cello and her sister Bertie second one in from left.

more Beaubowbells at the Soul fire restaurant.

The right side of the Blondie Audience sketch drawing with dragonfly on the lake.

Blondie can you see her, she is behind the tree. I drew her whole audience, everyone was in crazy costumes and constantly milling about. This is the left side of the sketching drawing connecting to drawing above.

The never never land stage with the Bojangles playing with dancing cello.

Woody the wonder dog in the hippy healing area.

Bojangles with there dancing fiddles.

Blondie phoning up the audience for cheers of joy.

Sketches of Norwich Pride 2011

2011-08-05T12:12:00.000Z

Norwich Pride is now in its 3rd year. The Norwich Pride is a festival open for everyone to join in who support LGBT people. It is family and disability friendly too. This year I was on the arts team, but became a lame duck in the middle of meetings due to a big ear operation. Part of the recovery was getting exhibitions together. I have a big solo show at Henry's cafe bar in Norwich. Also entered the portrait competition at St. Gregory's and for the next few weeks I am part of Pride without Prejudice show at St.Margaret's on St. Benedict's. Also at St. Margaret's I have some sketches of the Pride day on the wall of Pride. Which is a wall anyone can add there Pride pictures too. Since my ear operation my hearing has improved tremendously and I can hear music now. So it gave me great pleasure watching all the musical shows at Norwich Pride. These sketches are original live drawings that take a couple minutes to draw, they get very smudgy from carrying them around and getting ink, charcoal and pencil on my hands. They are all draw on white paper, the photo of the sketch makes the colour of paper change.

Norwich Pride 3, Magnet man performing on the main stage.

Lee Bennett performing on main stage

People getting ready for the parade in Chapelfield gardens.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell debate in the BBC fusion room with Chloe Smith conservative MP, Mike Stonard from Norfolk future radio Julie Bremner Chair of Norwich Pride. In the front row of the Audience is Annabel, Vince laws performer campaigner and Peter Haylett.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell

Sean Seraphim

Tatiana a super star from Poland performs in an amazing peacock dress.

Titti T-rash comparing the whole day.

Dugald's cup cake wonderland, this sketch would look far better coloured in.

A giant scenic set was built and painted and completely covered in matching cupcakes made by his Auntie. He sent people completely nuts with excitement.

Here is his Aunt with all the cup cakes and a little girl dressed as a bunny and boy as a fireman.

Eileen Mascoll paid tribute to Amy Winehouse.

Town cryer with Pequlia Bigtopp and Fanny jam performing on the bandstand live on future radio.

Pride Portrait competition cocktail launch

2011-07-02T21:41:00.007Z

Rosamond and her assistant cocktail maker at St. Gregory's arts centre, Pottergate, Norwich.

Pride Portrait competition. Go to St. Gregory's and vote for the best portrait, the show is up till the 30th July. Also Rosamond makes a great cup of tea and slice of cake.

Hand shaken Margaritas.

Vince, Dan and Dugald deciding which portrait to vote for.

Di Cunningham who has a show Pride Live on Future radio in Norwich with her portrait painting that I made before the show.

Eloise with her self portrait called "I had an ear operation", which my friend Mick said I should call shriek.

Kay looking at the cake.

Robert with his portrait of himself on facebook.

Mick enjoying a margarita.

Guests enjoying the show.

My self portrait, Ruski's photos of Pride last year and Portrait of Robert.

Shelly Telly on Guitar and Di Cunningham on Margaritas.

The lads in front of the mini me's Pride Banner.

Vince Laws talking about work.

One of the windows from st. Gregory's church.

Di Cunningham.

Di Cunningham, Peter Tatchell and David Norris portraits.

Alex

Pride Banner with me on it, beside football mini banner.

The Pride Portrait gallery

2011-06-29T20:35:00.002Z

5pm on Friday 1st of July is Pride portrait gallery competition cocktail launch party at st. Gregory's Arts centre church in Norwich. The public can vote for the best portrait. I will be entering this competition but also my Mona eloisa self portrait is on the poster.

Coming home exhibition at Tullynally castle in Ireland

2011-06-25T14:57:00.001Z

Exhibition starts on the 4th August and runs to the 14th August. Open from Thursday to Sunday and from 1pm to 6pm. Around the 14th of August I am hoping to have "a meet the artist tea and cake". Get in touch if you are interested in meeting up. I plan to meet lots of old friends and make some new ones. This exhibition is very exciting as it is my first Irish solo show and 25 years since I seen a lot of my friends from Ireland, where I grew up.

The castle tearooms and Gallery is run by my old school friend Nicola Lane and her fella Karl Somers. They are both fabulous all round artist, musicians and chefs. We have had some very long phone conversations over the last few months, getting the arrangements ready for the show and catching up after many years.

I have also put up a facebook event page for the exhibition and very excited that friends will be going to visit Ireland to see the show. Irish tourism has just been boosted, by the exhibition.

I will be in Scotland before the exhibition, staying with my ceramic friend Alex Johannsen, she is going to help me make some ceramic pieces, then we are both going over from Scotland by ferry to Belfast, then travel down by bus. Which I thought might be a nice way to get there, the ferry being only a few hours. If I fail to make the booking we will row across in a small boat.

Javanese Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet) Workshop

2011-06-23T19:59:00.003Z

On Wednesday the 20 July 2011 at 4pm till 6 pm there will be a Javanese Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet) Workshop). This going to be held either in the lovely outside area or inside upstairs, depending on the weather. The puppet in the photo is a self portrait done in the style of the Javanese puppets. When I was in Java at the Mata day air festival I saw Javas best puppet performers, they were very good. That has inspired me to give it ago.

Eloise's Summer pride show at Henry's bar, Norwich!!!

2011-06-23T16:49:00.003Z

Come on down to Henrys Bar from the 4th July to 14th August 2011. For Eloise's Summer solo Pride exhibition upstairs at Henrys bar. Also meet the artist from 5pm on Monday 11th July and first come, first served gets a free Pimms!

Cromer Pier hospital fundraisor

2011-02-01T17:01:00.003Z

Variety returns to Cromer when the “Best of Norfolk” hits the stage at the Pavilion Theatre on Saturday 19^th March bringing laughter, dance, cabaret, music and magic.

All of this and much more at this special fundraiser to provide artworks for the new Cromer and District Hospital.

Join us for a very special evening compered by long-standing Norfolk and Pavilion favourite Olly Day bringing hilarious humour and cabaret throughout the evening.

The star studded line up also includes Norfolk’s favourite raconteur Keith Skipper, to tickle you with high jinks and many a Norfolk Yarn. Marlene’s School of Dance, Norfolk’s premier dance school, will take to the floor with a lively variety of dance styles, The Stillhouettes will delight you with their luscious blues, soul and jazz harmonies and FAME, Norfolk’s highly talented emerging string quartet, will sweep you off your feet with beautiful style.

This truly star studded evening will be topped by Norfolk’s very own Elvis and the Bluesueders ensuring you head home tapping your feet and with a smile on your face.

Hospital Arts Coordinator Emma Jarvis said: “The Best of Norfolk will be staged at Cromer’s picturesque Pavilion Theatre. It will be great fun for all the family, while at the same time providing us with a unique opportunity to celebrate North Norfolk’s beautiful environment within Cromer Hospital.”

The show commences at 7.30pm and tickets are now on sale from the Pavilion Theatre Box Office on 01263 512495.

Tickets: £14.50 / £13.50 concession

The Norwich Dandies New year

2011-01-26T18:46:00.003Z

This week the Norwich Dandies met up for tea and cakes. We all decided that we would like to continue the successful Dandie public performance art. Which gets the public painting and posing for paintings. We will be taking our Gazebo studio, chaise long, costumes for people to wear and easels and fun to festivals, party's and events all over the country. If you have an event needs creativity please do book us now. We will soon have a Norwich Dandies website with regular updates and photos of events. More about the Norwich Dandies is on Vince's website.

Creative holiday cottage

2011-01-10T19:53:00.002Z

I have another survey that covers the Creative cottage holidays. This will help to find out if people really like the idea of a holiday and learning something new. If you have 30 seconds give it a whirl. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B6LWBCF

Holiday Cottage

2011-01-09T22:08:00.004Z

This week I am on a business course at NWES in Norwich. I have decided to run a holiday cottage with my family and hopefully to have off peak season specialist art courses. I want to run the holiday cottage properly to avoid problems along the way. So the NWES course is great, with free business advise. The course I have been put on is for women only, which is strange in this equal world, but I don't mind at all. I have met some interesting women on the course who have brilliant business ideas and talents.

Part of the course I have to find people to fill out a survey for market research. This will tell me whether it is worth going a head with the business.

If you have a minute to spare at ticking boxes please do take part.

Click here to take survey

Hospital Children's Unit photography

2010-10-31T18:07:00.002Z

The children's Unit at the NNUS hospital was installed last year. I found these photos today of a photographer called Mike Robinson who has photographed the unit and my Eel PSi station. The photos are very good so here is a link: http://www.mrobinsonphotography.co.uk/buildings/nnuh.htm?detectflash=false&

Norwich Dandies at the "Well being festival"

2010-10-13T23:20:00.001Z

The "Well being festival" at the Forum library in Norwich was a great success today. The Norwich Dandies took care of the creative spirit with lots of art and poetry informal workshops to choose from. Vince Laws went up to every person at the festival and asked them to think of what well being meant to them. He then created a painting of words. There was creative poetry in the tent and plastic waste chandeliers to be made. The favourite was the dressing up box wardrobe, dressing like a Norwich Dandie and posing for a random artist from the audience to paint or draw. In this photo some Norwich teens gave a whirl at drawing a young model in a crazy wig and pink jacket.

If you would like to hire the "Norwich Dandies" for your festival, to do public art workshops, please do get in touch.

Here the talented Norwich teens and young girl who modelled for them, with there fabulous painting which looks very Manga style.

Norwich Dandie Dugald posed in tails and bunny ears as an Alice in wonderland favourite for this talented young artist to draw.

The Norwich Dandies watch a young master at work painting her sister.

Here the young Norwich Dandie sisters show off the amazing painting.

The sisters swap roles and the artist becomes the model.

This is me with my keep sketch of Norwich Dandie Dugald posing on the chaise longue

A group of talented Norwich teens with there group drawing.

More talented teens with there group painting.

Music Album cover

2010-10-12T22:41:00.002Z

More work I cannot publish till its been published, but I just finished a music album cover for my cousin who is a great musician. He was so pleased with it and I was too. I will be making more images for the Album. Having spent a life time drawing bands, this is the way forward and very exciting. I am really looking forward to holding the album in my hand and playing the music in the air.

Stop Junk Mail stickers

2010-10-10T21:36:00.003Z

Stop junk mail the non-profit organisation that spends everyday trying to figure out how to stop junk mail coming through your door, which I support whole heartily and give them cartoons to use for there cause. Has come up with a new "Door sticker" design that would appeal to everyone. They spent months working on the design and it is now for sale on there website and blog. I would recommend everyone get one and get a few to give to your neighbours or to your colleagues at work. They also appeal to older people who may have trouble bending down to pick up the junk mail from the door mat or think there might be someone at the door every ten minutes every time the junk mailer hits the flap or comes up the garden path. The stickers are only available at "Stop junk mail" on the internet, so get one for someone you know who is on the net. There also getting calls from neighbourhood watch groups who are very interested in getting the stickers for there groups.

Also they sell eco envelope reuse labels, return to sender labels and have stacks of information and help on the website. Please support the cause for the price of a raffle ticket. Go to www.stopjunkmail.org.uk

Shelly Telly

2010-10-09T22:09:00.004Z

Today I was at the "Well being festival" at the Norwich forum, doing art with the "Norwich Dandies". It was a great success and I will be posting some photos soon from the event. I bumped into Shelly Telly who I had made lots of drawings for her this summer to use in a film she was making so they could be animated. I was very pleased to hear from Shelly that the film has been edited and I will soon to be getting a copy. I really enjoyed doing the animation drawings and look forward to more work. Telly Shelly makes fantastic community based films, you can check out what she gets up to on her website.

50th year reunion Central School of Art and Crafts

2010-09-23T17:33:00.001Z

On the 1st of November this year past pupils that studied theatre and costume design at the Central School of Art and Crafts in the late 1950's and early 1960's will be holding a reunion in London. My parents met each other at the college and were studying the came course. It was the time of rock and roll and beatnik's. My Mothers feet still hurt from wearing winkle picker shoes for the sake of rock and roll. She has the photos to prove it and many photo albums from there time at the college. They will be taking them along to the reunion. If your parents or friends were studying theatre and costume design at the college at this time please do get in touch. You can leave a message in the comments box or join the facebook group. The art school is now called Central Saint Martins college.

NNUH hospital Fete

2010-09-22T17:51:00.003Z

This Saturday at the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital there will a fundraiser fete, raising money for the Neonatal unit. Starting at 11am going on till 4.30pm. Please do come along. The stalls will be in the car park, so catch a bus there. Many stalls, a car boot sale, games and the hospital arts project will have lots of art inspiring creations for all ages to make.

Government fund the arts

2010-09-17T18:20:00.004Z

The time we are in is when the industrial machine age is nearly over. Fossil fuels are running out and according to people in the industry it will run out completely in the next 5 to 10 years. This means there will be even less jobs.

My plan of action is the government backs the arts even more then ever. People will then learn how to use there imagination, the use of there hands, learn craft and traditional skills. There is so little funding in the arts in recent decades I have never seen a penny from it. If I lived in Holland or France I would be given a weekly wage and a pat on the back. In the UK, I volunteer my time as an artist nearly 50 weeks of the year. I make two weeks pay last me a whole year. When the Bishop that came to visit the UK said that the UK was like a third world country I was pleased he said that, because for most of us it is. The divide between rich and poor is enormous. There may be an illusion that poor people are rich because they have a car or TV, but this is just an illusion they took out a loan to pay for it and have become even poorer from the loan gaining interest.

One would hope that the government puts more money towards the arts to get a greater return in jobs and happiness. If not then the richest people in the country should be forced by the government to put some cash into the arts, after all the rich people not long ago use to commission artists to do portraits and murals, plays, music and performance.

If you think the government should at least talk about it. Then please sign the petition here

Archaos Circus Band sketches

2010-09-13T14:48:00.007Z

Archaos Band playing on a boat on the Thames for the Archaos crew reunion. The drawing is signed by the band.

20 year reunion of the world famous Archaos circus at the OXO tower on the Thames in London where there was a large exhibition of photographs, films and press cuttings. Plus nearly all the people that were involved with the circus were there in person, excited as the public to be back together. There were no chainsaws being juggled which the nanny state were in, feared so much by the pen pushers. The circus was never about juggling chainsaws, it was much more then that it was a collective of creative talent from all over the world that brought about a social change. No longer was circus about taming wild animals, it was about letting humans go wild with expression and freedom. The circus was together for only two years, but is still talked about as if they are still happening and the circus had so much impact on anyone that saw the show, it triggered people to go out and show there talent.

I met up with Annabel lines and Chris Axelsen who had flown in especially from Australia to be with there Archaotic family once again. Annabel had not changed in twenty years, she still kept her beauty and glamour. Annabel has kept up her performing since she left the circus and still retains the highest level of talent. Everything she does becomes inspirational for others to copy. The hoola hoop toy business should give her 50 percent of there profits. She has twirled for many years and even toured with Peaches round the world. She has done so many different types of performance that she designed herself, it makes lady Gaga look like she is a child that has been messing around with Annabel's dressing up box.

Chris Axelsen may not be a human cockroach getting running over by motorbikes. He has done many entertaining theatrical shows since Archaos, including helping with the running Sydney CarriageWorks arts centre.

The Archaos band played all the circus tunes and went for it more then any band I have ever seen. The crowd rocked out and danced the night away and screamed "More" so loud, the whole of London would have heard.

Dan on saxophone. Dan is in his own band called the Spanner Jazz punk.

Tony the lead singer.

The Band altogether playing.

NNUH east, third floor, "Cartoon cabernet cabaret corridor, art show!"

2010-08-12T20:31:00.001Z

NNUH east, third floor Beach board, to remind people to go to the beach this summer. Good old summer sea breeze fresh air.

This summer I got asked to show my work voluntarily, along the corridor at the hospital.. Paintings of the Norfolk coast from memory, sketches of local bands, political cartoons.

A wall of musicians

More beach paintings lets splash out and sea more.

Sketches of musicians playing live, like Jont, Kirstin Hurst and Josh Weller.

Norwich Paintings and newspaper articles and magazine publications.

The theatres hospital band playing at the Norwich arts centre.

Cartoons kept under glass .

Cartoon cabernet cabaret corridor.

St. Gregory's Group pride show 2010

2010-08-11T02:52:00.002Z

St Gregorys in pottergate, Norwich a fine church with a group show for a whole month for Pride. I am reflecting upon my work.

Here I am with a mirrored plinth on which my work sits in the church.

Vince Laws melting into his painting, its hard to tell them apart.

Vince Laws reading his poetry at the alter.

Fashion designer Ruth and Dugald the artist/actor.

Helen Simpson-Slapp pride knitting star and also photographer with Dugald.

My St.Patricks day paintings with snakes.

Rosamond the St.Gregorys arts centre director.

Photographer Rod Penn and artist/Warhol thrash party organiser/Pride arts team Noam

The entrance to St. Gregory's

Candlelit art gallery.

St.Gregory's also serves Tea and cake.

Badger the artist dog posing in his chair installation.

Tea and cake Vicar.

My Super solo Show at the Tea Lounge

2010-08-10T00:05:00.001Z

Super solo show at the tea lounge on Ber street in Norwich. My poster I designed sitting in the window.

Ber Street tea lounge next to a barber and restaurant.

Inside the tea lounge my St.Patricks day paintings hung above the arch.

The cartoon and drawing corner.

Sold painting of Norwich City hall clock.

Miffy painting and outta space painting.

Self harming planet, fish and shit and crop circle water colour paintings.

The tea lounge tea cup collection.

Pride tea party poster I draw for the pride.

Marilyn from Melbourne loving my recipe paintings.

Marilyn having her last cuppa tea and slice of cake before she heads off down under.

Opening Tea lounge exhibition on Ber Street

2010-08-09T22:34:00.002Z

Eloise's super solo show at the Tea lounge on Ber St, opening night on the 8th of July 2010. The show was opened by Hospital arts coordinator Emma Jarvis. Emma wrote a long speech that caught the hearts of the people at the opening. It was like being handed a book on the show this is your life. I done some much work I should have retired decades ago. But having no money or pension fund is one of the dilemmas of retiring. One project pays for the next. Emma is fabulous and works very hard at the N+N on heaps of projects.

Emma Jarvis cutting the ribbon.

Cousin Sang came along with his friends from the stepping stone project. Sang works at the cathedral and forget me not cafe and does tons of charity work all over the city.

Mike Read International chess master came along to my show. He also made a special effort to come to my show in London last year.

Bass Guitarist Heather Engid Wells from Bright spark the Band, Mick hardy and the Norwich Dandies Christine and Dugald at the Tea lounge opening bar of home made stout beer and lemonade.

Elspeth talking to film and TV set designer Jim O'Hare

Richard the Norwich famous painter hiding out with his mobile and Emma Jarvis and actor Sam Terry.

Mick Hardy enjoying my polenta cakes

Robert Rijkhoff from Stop junk mail looking suprized.

Illustrator Kate Green and photographer Andy Midgley talking with Heather.

The studio Gallery "The Norwich Dandies"

2010-08-08T16:18:00.005Z

The Norwich Dandies at the Studio Gallery show in July. Vince Law's window display of his poetry that is made into paintings and installations.

A map of all our art exhitions all over the city was made into an art trail for Norwich Pride. This is the map stand at the side of the front of the gallery.

The Norwich Dandies A sign Vince Laws made out of old postcards.

The gallery is in view of city hall in the sky line.

The Studio gallery is on a little boutique street that has deli's and house interior shops and gallerys and famous bands live here too.

My series of dogs snorkling under water

Batique willy paintings.

Art in a can and in the back round Hare on the moon.

The corner of the room with my puppets, paintings and detail drawings and on the right is the artist Christina Violet Sabberton pictures.

Constant crucifixion close up of sculpture.

Vince Laws poetical window display "If you dont bat for us you can admire our balls!"

Artist Gina's fake Mondrian painting and my little ones in the window. The cat painting was done to find a home for the stray cat in the painting. Gina's fish, which we had to keep alive while he was away.

The outside of the gallery.

The Studio Gallery opening "The Norwich Dandies"

2010-08-07T03:07:00.003Z

Vince Laws artist/poem/blogger and Dugald standing outside The Studio Gallery on upper St.Giles, for the Norwich Dandies 2nd show that ran for three weeks. Gina who owns the studio gallery, kindly lent it to us while he went on holiday to France. Gina was also a special guest exhibitor in the Norwich Dandies show.

My Crucifix sculpture I made for the show, the sculpture was made of reused fabric and wood and had negative words that I have been told repeatedly throughout my life. Someone described them as very victorian words. The sculpture was interactive and people could type up there own words and add them with a pin to the female crucifix. I called it constant crucifixion because although Jesus spent a few days on the cross being crucified, women spend there entire lives being crucified.

The Studio Gallery is very small so we took it in turns on the opening night to be inside.

Last years Mayor came to the opening and people from all over Norwich.

My musician friend Mick Hardy chatting about a stray cat that needs a home.

The typewriter used for typing up the words was of great interest to people as it is a complete Bygone with the computers that took over the world.

My friend Fergie who came along to the opening.

The pinning on of words to crucifix.

Group shot of opening after my life long friend Marilyn from Australia arrived by train from Rome.

Me standing outside The Studio Gallery

A month of art in Norwich

2010-06-30T13:39:00.004Z

"Eloise, to sell work these days means your a successful artist". Says art critic Leon from London art blog. Well some say talent has something to do with it, but I recon its complete and utter dedication, which means giving up just about most of the cake and working day and night for 28 years, while seeing everything, talking to everyone and along the way taking any awful job that pays some cash towards to paints and frames. For the past year I have given the art the all and not taken on any jobs to pay for the paints. Which has thrown me in deeper to the art world and taken me to so many places I would have never thought of going to. From furniture design, murals, book illustration, animation, environmental festivals, sculpture, different country's. Last month I got launched into my own city with the New Dandies group show. Which led to sales and 4 more exhibitions in Norwich.

The first one went up the same day I took the Dandies down and his lining the corridor of the NNUH hospital on the 3rd floor, east wing in glass cases and will be on show for several months.

Then on friday the 2nd July, 6pm is the opening of the Proud exhibition at St. Gregory's arts centre in Pottergate, a group show of proud artists from all over Norfolk this show is on for a whole month and the Proud show will also be holding lots of arts events in that month.

On the 8th is my Solo show opening at the Tea lounge at 6pm on Ber St, up from John Lewis. Which will be up from the 2nd to the 31st of July.

Then at the Studio Gallery on upper St. Giles, the 2nd Dandies show opening night on the 13th of July and this show will be up for 3 weeks.

The Tea Lounge Super Solo Show

2010-06-17T19:42:00.004Z

The Tea Lounge on Ber street, just up the road from John Lewis. I will be having a super solo show, new paintings. From the 2nd of July to the 31st of July. There will be around 40 pictures to see and to buy or to be inspired. The Tea lounge also has yummy homemade cakes and a big patio garden out the back to sit out in the summer sun. 141-143 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.

The Norwich Dandies exhibition St.Margarets church

2010-06-16T00:20:00.007Z

The Dandies Exhibition went off in Norwich!! It was a great success all round. It really caught peoples attention from all over the city and some people came from the other side of England and others from abroad came in that were on holiday. People that lived in the same area as the church had not even noticed there was church there till they saw the art work hanging outside. Even the landlord turned up with vicars to see what was going on and two Popes were ordained. Instead of a christening we had a wishing well, which was the first time there was some water in the building. Its a real church with no running water.

As seen in the photo instead of a boring catalog of work, we had an event guide and held many new types of events like human library, poetry readings, travellers picnic, art school student face paintings, out 140, film making, meetings for new events.

We pulled back the wall partitions and made the space really big so people could stand back and see the paintings and to fit the 1042 people who came in to see the work.

This the view of the entrance from where I was sitting so I could see people coming in and look at the bunting flowing in the wind.

Outside Vince Laws paintings with poetry.

The way in through the porch which we covered in cushions and Vince put his poetry books so people could sit and read poems.

My anti war sheets dirty linen found a great home hanging in the garden. Very hard to clean up after a war, the sheets never get clean and peoples memories are ruined with horrible nightmares. Lets hope the new government stops sending young men to be slaughtered soon. So women dont have to have fatherless children and be labeled a widow. It would also save on the prison which has a lot of disturbed x-soldiers.

The board outside with list of events.

St. Margarets Church on St. Benidicts street in Norwich one of 52 churches in Norwich.

The only gallery for contemporary Norwich artistic residence.

My new friend Robert, who does a great job working for the homeless in Norwich. He liked my pictures because they were unique and had something to say.

The Dandies photos and statements, Badger the dog was very popular to with his unmade bed.

The church was a great place for him to meet new doggy friends who admired his work.

Vince curated the show and mixed all the work together which seemed to go very well.

I would have liked to help with the curation but I was seeing off my artist friend Claire who emigrated back to Australia. Claire is going to the centre of Australia which has miraculously turned green from a river breaking free. Claire is an amazing artist and also weaves from natural materials like grass.

My art in a can stack with amazing ceramic pieces by Grant de Jonge on the tomb.

My cartoons mixed in with Vince's poetry and silver body skins that were made in an event workshop.

The rose window made from paper, in the belfry.

A view from above on one of the pillars Christina Violet Sabberton's jelly body prints, on the right Vince's mirror poetry.

A long view from the belfry.

Holly Goldberg and Angela Szczypka final year art students face painting outside in the sunshine garden.

Curious people reading the board and wondering whats going on.

Any age for the face painting. The garden attracted a lot of sun bathing picnic people.

The Norwich Dandies
Visitors’ Comments May 24- June 5, 2010
Best show I’ve seen in St Margaret’s – well done the Dandies!
Love the Norwich paintings by Eloise.
Just what Norwich needs! Marie
Congratulations on a unique show. Stephen Bumfrey, BBC Radio Norfolk
Totally anarchic queer fun! (love the animation of St Benedict’s too) Keiran x [About the posters, bunting, artwork outside]
Paintings are amazing thanks! Love Keren and Alison
Better than the 20 group! (But don’t tell them I said so).
Excellent. The puppets are really scary but cool.
Hi! Laura L. (Thanks for the wrap : ) Here’s to further collaborations. [Musician who played at the launch]
Nice to see something different in Norwich – all good.
Some really powerful work. SA
Excellent to see some conceptual/contemporary work in Norwich. (quiknik101@hotmail.com >mailing list!!)
Wow! Saint Patrick paintings [Eloise] are amazing + perfect. I will buy them all. Naomi [liar! She didn’t buy any!]
The Art in a Can [Eloise] makes a perfect birthday present for my friend. Thanks, Shelly
Loved the work, the humour, keeping it real. Fran
Well good need more of this Thanks.
Great vigour and colour. I like all the different things used. The fastest thing in Norwich this year – good luck! Mike Chapman
Last time I came I described your exhibition as good. WHAT A CRAP ADJECTIVE. When I left I felt really bad because this exhibition is kick ass ace. I loved all the work. If I was rich I would buy It’s a Boy [Grant] and Sports Flowers 8 [Dugald]. Thank you for inspiring me to be creative productive.
I like that Eloise O’Hare
I love the juxtaposition of ceramics [Grant] next to the cherubs [church].
I would use the ‘interesting’ word but think I better steer clear of that one!
A good range of work, right across the spectrum. Very energetic – well curated! Fun too. LC
Excellent use of the space – always too bitty in here – look at the stained glass window – I’ve never noticed it before.
V good. Particularly like small Grant Dejonge paintings on the back wall [8 x twisted scenes]
It’s interesting to see a collection of work based purely on Pride – normally we focus on pride being a bad thing so it’s good to see something different. [there’s one Norwich Pride banner on the railings!]
Fabulous. If I had money I would have spent it. Ruth x
Such a brilliant show – great to see such a range of pieces. Really adds something to our fine city. Nick O’B
Interesting. Brilliant display of humane beings coming together in warmth + love. Very innovating. Paul. Smile [he came first to the Human Library, borrowed 2 books, came back for poetry readings, and again to vote in new Popes]
Something changed today… change is good – thank you xxxxxx
Great display, love the crop circle. [Mark’s piece]
Thanks very much for the HIV poem. [Vince performed Human for this visitor]
Most original + thought provoking. JG
We had a good visit. Thanks Dandies. [Artists Gaia Shaw & Sam Epps, changing spaces, they drew on a huge sheet of paper unrolled in the church for 2 days]
I think what you’ve done is really brilliant. Lucy [She came in to Human Library. Came back in week to ask about holding HL in Yarmouth, and to ask Vince to perform there]
A great display, much thought provoking interesting different a quiet location with time to think Steve
Very many thanks Michael Wingate
Thought provoking art and very child friendly [Shelly Telly film day]
Love the sun Pippa Croft
Very interesting, esp medication box messages [Vince’s poem Human]
The most colourful + filled exhibition I have every seen in this building.
Grant. Excellent unique art + sculptures. You’re really talented. Wonderful + creative. V e Smit
Very nice stuff, very inventive - Chelsea Morgan and Mary Messenger [The 12 yr old child on the mobile in heels]
Very good - Loved the Wedding album! Cat Mara X
I did not know what to expect but was surprised by it all [In a good way] - SEC
Hi Vince, Pope Philippa came into wish you good luck with your performance tonight.
Came across the exhibition by accident. Found Vince's work very thought provoking. I wish you luck - and to everyone involved - Jen
I enjoy the show and busyness however I don't think this busyness works with all the work. The works that use text I find brave and I love the ceramic works at the back. Good luck. - 'The Nine'
Liked the scissor sculpture in the corner. The fuck it. [Grant’s]
Loving the vibrant colours, the spiderman, superman/ woman, The castle and flowers bluebells - very well put together. Fabulous!
The colours are splendid everything is brought alive especially the spiderman, the bishop and I love Lynda Carter the wonderwoman. A most impressive display.
Amazing thank you for putting on such a great show! Hope you can do it again soon!

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital exhibition

2010-06-14T15:32:00.000Z

A new exhibition at the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital is up and along the corridor of the third floor, East block. My art work stretches along the walls and has many styles and themes and three of my giant detailed drawings can keep people amused for hours. The show will be up for three months, but I may swap work around at the end of June. So I can put some of the work in other exhibitions in Norwich. But hope to have lots of new paintings finished by then. I am now in the middle of painting a mural that will go up in ENT waiting room, which is the department that gave me a new ear so I can hear.

If you would like to buy any work at the hospital please contact me directly as the hospital staff are very busy. All funds go towards me being able to do more volunteer time there.

Cromer Crab and Lobster festival auction on the Pier

2010-06-13T14:30:00.007Z

Rain, hale, sunshine and a storm still people came from all over the countryside to bid for the Crabs and Lobsters that were being actioned off for charity.

Marian O'Hare in all weather gear ready to bid for many lobsters, even bidding for her Australian grand daughters.

My Lobster Sweet 16, looking up at everyone arriving and the Hotel de Paris, wondering who is going to be her new owner

John holding up Vince Laws the poem, lobster that was living at the Wellington pub.

Aunty Alex Walker my fan from Bristol that came to the auction with her grand daughter Bobelle landlady of the Pheasant pub in Keyston in Huntingdon. Bobelle was camera shy.

Uncle Gray Walker from Bristol, with Sweet 16 lobster.

Cousin Catherine Metcalf with me and Sweet 16 lobster. Catherine helped organise the festival and discovered me, to paint the lobster.

Two town criers one from Cromer and one from Sheringham, a historic moment as the two seaside towns join forces to raise money for the lifeboats and the heroes.

Harry Potters magic stick raises the prices on the bidding at the auction.

This little girl picked out my lobster, she liked it. As the lobster had my childhood memory's of being on the beach at Cromer she could relate to the Lobster.

The lobsters have taken over the pier. Here they are all lined up and ready to be auctioned off.

My Lobster sitting waving at people with the view of the waves and theatre behind. The Lobster is placed next to the cafe that I got my first job at in Norfolk, 50p an hour more then I get paid now as an artist. Both jobs working at the cafe and painting the lobster could not be done in the rain.

The Auctioneer in the middle on a ladder came all the way from Alysham auction house to help sell of the lobsters for charity. Raising thousands of pounds. Thanks to Cromer carpets for sponsoring my Lobster at the beginning of the festival. Thanks to all the publicity in the Cromer Times, Cromer crabline, the map, the festival programme. I will be in Cromer doing a giant mural this summer so get your brushes out if you would like to join in.

The Norwich Dandies Tuesday events drawing and poets

2010-06-01T21:18:00.003Z

On the floor Gaia Shaw and Sam Epps doing the mile long drawing that started at the Sainsbury's centre and has continued here and will go on to 4 other events. They chat and draw together for hours, collecting inspiration from the show.
A young poet.
Another young poet.
Caroline Gilfilin with her musical spoken word from her new collection YES.

Jean Clark reads her poetry out for the second time in her life. Her books sold well after her performance.
Jean Clark a poetry from the credit crunch to volcanic ash.

Tomorrow the 2nd June there will be a fun face painting with fine art students doing the face painting and film making with Shelly Telly making 12 second film.

The Norwich Dandies first art opening

2010-06-01T20:47:00.005Z

The opening night on the 24th May 2010 of the Norwich Dandies art group. Here the group is being tied up by Pequilia Bigtopp, the start of the group is me, Vince Laws, Grant Dejonge, Christina, Sabberton, Mark Scott Wood, Dugald Ferguson, Ole Skauge and badger the dog.

Opening speech by Marcus Dickey Horley the Tate Gallery curator.

Marcus Dickey Horley cuts the red ribbon and opens the show. He also kindly help me hang the last few pictures on the walls and said he loved my work.

Mirror above my Poo peril jewellery, so people can try the prize jewels on.

Poo perils in display cabernet.

Stained glass window in St. Margaret's church where the exhibition is held.

Punch and Judy puppets hanging out in the window.

St.Patrick's painting's up in a crucifix fashion.

Outside the church my anti war dirty linen and Vince Laws paintings. The For Sale sign stirred up the landlord of the church. Who came marching in to see the show after seeing the sign.

A wishing well to collect donations to the show, that make wishes come true. Peoples comments have been very postitive so far, one person said the show changed there life and lots of people bellow out laughter as they walk around the show. So if your need cheering up plenty of work here to keep you happy. Show is up till the 5th of June. Open 10 till 5pm daily.

Sunday 30th May Cromer lobster auction

2010-05-29T15:53:00.003Z

My Lobster that has been sitting outside Cromer since April will be finding a new home on Sunday the 30th May. There will be an auction on the end of the Pier of all the crabs and Lobsters from the festival. Anyone can come and bid for them at 4pm. Carpets

All the money goes to charity. It has been a great event that has given Cromer and Sheringham a new kind of magic.

Also if you can not make it to Cromer tomorrow there will be a travelers picnic at St.Margaret's church where The Dandies Exhibition is on in Norwich. My art there is selling like hot fairy cakes and is getting great reviews from people. I just got a text message from a stranger who said they really enjoyed my work and got a buzz from seeing it.

News flash: My painting I had stolen was found by a big issue seller who went back to where he had seen it and brought it in for me. Which was very kind of him to do so. I thought it had gone forever.

The Norwich Dandies art thief stole paintings

2010-05-25T22:55:00.003Z

Art opening at St. Margaret's church for The Norwich Dandies show, went well last night and we had a big turn out of people, I sold a few paintings. I will put up pictures soon, if your in Norwich come and check out show. But while the opening night was on a few paintings got stolen Vince Laws had his Union Jack painting with a poem written on stolen and I had one of my anti war paintings stolen from collection. The photo above is of the stolen works called emotional. A soldier with a bed wetting problem caused by the war and conflict. If you see the paintings anywhere please let me know.

Norwich Dandies update launch

2010-05-22T15:18:00.004Z

The Norwich Dandies, a group of contemporary artists, poets and performers are taking over St Margaret’s Church on St Benedict’s Street, Norwich, for two weeks and filling it with art, poetry, performance and community projects. There will be a Human Library, Spoken Word Open Mike, T-shirt Printing, OUT140, crowning of the Norwich Pope (with a hand-knitted mitre!), Badger the dog, and a spectacular Launch Party on Monday 24 May from 6pm prompt – don’t miss it! Plus the Small Blue Ball, signed by artist Kurt Perschke, the man behind the big Red Ball, will be squished and squashed into various places around the church over the 2 weeks!

Artists include Vince Laws who takes poetry off the page into paintings, performance and installations; Norwegian painter Ole Skauge who creates dazzling geometrical illusions; homeboy Dugald Ferguson with his illuminated bunches of sportsmen-clad blossom; Christina Sabberton who creates exaggerated stereotypes inspired by what she observes in the world around her; Grant Dejonge, Painter and Ceramicist; Eloise O’Hare who makes Alice in Wonderland look dowdy; and Mark Scott Wood who makes curious installations. Badger the Dog will be displaying his unmade bed.

Others taking part include Shelly Telly, community film maker and the chair of Norwich Pride; poet and UEA lecturer Caroline Gilfillan; writer and comedian Paul Knight; humanist celebrant Georgina Wragg; musician and singer Maddie Cassell; photographer Paul John Bayfield; artist Jacqui Jones; the newly formed Norwich Pride Choir; flag waver Neville Holyoake; artists Gaia Shaw and Sam Epps; poet and octogenarian Jean Clark; final year art students Holly Goldberg and Angela Szczypka; Oz Osbourne from Rethink; comedian Hillary Koe; and the one and only Pequlia Bigtop;

The Norwich Dandies runs from 24 May - 5 June 2010, at St Margaret’s Church, St Benedict’s Street, Norwich, and is open daily from 10am-5pm, plus later for certain events. The Launch Party is on Monday 24 May at 6pm prompt, with Tate Curator Marcus Dickey Horley cutting the Red Ribbon at 6.30pm, followed by live performances, including The Small Frayed Knot by Vince Laws.

Contact vincelaws@gmail.com for a Launch Party invite, to get involved, or for more information.

Norwich Dandys

2010-05-16T06:40:00.000Z

Photo credit: Paul John Bayfield

The Norwich Dandies, a group of contemporary artists, poets and performers are taking over St Margaret’s Church on St Benedict’s Street, Norwich, for two weeks and filling it with art, ideas and performance. There will be a Human Library, a Lunchtime Soapbox, T-shirt Printing, OUT140, Human Chess, an Alternative Pope, and Badger the dog.

Pop in and see my puppets, paintings, jewellery and cartoons.

Artists include Vince Laws who takes poetry off the page into paintings, performance and installations; Norwegian painter Ole Skauge who creates dazzling geometrical illusions; homeboy Dugald Ferguson with his illuminated bunches of sportsmen-clad blossom; and christina creates exaggerated steriotypes inspired by what she observes from the world around her for next PR. Badger the Dog will be displaying his unmade bed.

The Norwich Dandies, St Margaret’s Church, St Benedict’s Street, Norwich, 24 May - 5 June 2010, open daily from 10am-5pm, Free. The Launch Party is on Monday 24 May at 6pm with live performances. Contact vincelaws@gmail.com for a Launch Party invite, to get involved, or for more information.

Norwich bid for culture

2010-05-13T08:08:00.005Z

Norwich the city of culture had a big meeting last week at the Open (old Barclay's bank). The meeting had over a hundred people at it. All from different aspects of the city from music, writing and the arts. It was the longest meeting I had ever been to starting at 9am and finishing 6pm. It was a nice event with tea and coffee on arrival and familiar people, networking before the meeting even started. I thought I might be on my own for the meeting but I got approached straight away by a lady called Shelly Telly saying "hey you were the winner of the Warhol competition". It was so early in the morning, I was trying to think back to whether I was at Andy Warhol's warehouse in the 60's which I knew so much about and had lived in so many warehouses I could have almost been there. Then she reminded me, I was the winner of the Warhol rejects costume competition last year. So I had a friend now to sit with in a large daunting meeting. We all sat in a circle, then had to write down all the things we were passionate about and topics we thought should be brought up and stick them on the wall. Which took a while to make sense. Then we had to chair small meetings at different times. I had none to chair at that time so I went in and sat in someone else's meeting. Which I was attracted to the name of and thought I might be able to have input on. More people joined the are group and it grew. Then I went and joined a meeting about artists space, which was one of my topics. I met a painter who knew my family and had heard all about me. We tried to come up with what we actually wanted. Then lunch broke out and we had a big feed. Then I went for a tour of the building which was usually for the youth of Norwich. It was the best equipped youth club one could not even imagine the great equipment and rooms, services they got at 'OPEN'.

Then after lunch we continued meetings and then typed up all our notes and put them on the wall. So before the next meeting, we had to do one thing to help towards the next meeting. So I put my work on the Norwich city of culture website.

Sweet 16, Cromer Crab line newspaper front cover

2010-04-23T16:27:00.004Z

What a wonderful surprise I am on the front cover of the Cromer crab line newspaper and on page 6 and page 11. Famous at last! The whole of North Norfolk will be talking about my work. Go and take a look for yourself at Cromer carpets next to the Tourist information centre at the big car park. There is also 82 other lobsters and crabs painted by artists and community groups around Cromer and Sheringham, pick up a map and try and find them all and check out the festival on the 21 to 23 of May.

Remember to look out for my Lobster called sweet 16.

Cromer Crab and Lobster festival

2010-04-10T16:06:00.005Z

Friday morning I headed down to the gangway at Cromer beach to see all the giant hand painted crabs and lobsters for the Cromer and Sheringham Crab and lobster festival that will be held on from the 21 to 23 of May. There will be lots of bands, concerts, children's activity's, comedy and food demonstrations. This photo was taken by my Uncle Eddie Anderson who has just finished a film for the Chauncy Maples hospital ship, a ship, that needs restoring on lake Malawi in Africa so it can be a floating hospital for the people on the lake. Uncle Eddie came down to the gangway to see all the action. In this picture is the Chris Taylor studio taking really nice pictures of the event. If you click on the link above the first picture in his website you get more pictures of the lobsters and crabs and a couple of nice pictures of me.

I spent a month painting my lobster in the back garden, dodging the rain that seemed to never give me a break. It is covered in flying ice creams, sting rays, strawberry's, star fish, and is a camouflage design in sea colours. On the 30th of May at Cromer Pier 4pm there will be a charity auction and the 80 lobsters and crabs will be sold off to lots of happy people. The fundraising from the auction will go to lifeboats and the help for the heroes. Personally I would like the funding to go to the lifeboats, who are on call day and night saving people from the sea.

On a arriving at the gangway I met John Morgan who was carrying all the heavy sculptures down to beach. John has been helping organise this event and has kept me informed of everything going on. I have spoken to him many times on the phone and through email and it was great to see him in real life.

My Mother Marian O'Hare who came down to see all the fun. She was going to help paint a crab with the West Runton art group but she put her back out mid project. Very keen to be involved she came and helped me varnish the lobster outside Cromer carpet shop, who sponsored my lobster and a crab. The carpet shop was a hive of activity there was a crab in the front of the shop being airbrushed by Mark Wootten his crab will be going on display in Sheringham as a mark of a new era with Cromer and Sheringham now becoming friends. The carpet shop had lots of carpets and floor lino and they were friendly and laughing, joking and made us a cuppa tea. We set to work and painted the varnish on and lots of people came up to embrace the lobster as if it were there long lost lover. It was hard work keeping them off the lobster, but some I didn't manage to and they went a way with varnished hands. The Cromer Crab line newspaper reporter Philip Keddell was hanging out in the shop too and having a laugh with the owner and my sponsor Graham Burdett. If your looking for my lobster its on Louden Road, opposite the car park and tourist information. If your really stuck as to where it is give the carpet shop a call on 01263 514065.

Here I am being interviewed by top East Anglia reporter Natalie Gray who said kind words about my lobster, which I recon she liked. David is on camera. He got some nice cutaway close up shots of my lobster. This interview should be on About Anglia on Sunday night 6pm ITV but I am not really sure.

There is also a 2 minute film festival at the Crab and lobster festival that I will be entering. They will take the best films and make them into a DVD to raise money for the RNLI. So if you like making little films in your spare time this is where you can show one off.

The group shout shot at Cromer beach. A nice English tradition of the town crier with his bell lets the public know of the good news in town. The sponsors, artists and two Lord Mayors were present. The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Sheringham stood by my lobster and asked me "If I was famous" and shook my hand. I told my Lord Mayor Noel Gant, "Yes I am famous" and whispered "Now!" afterwards.

Here I am with a few of the lobsters that will be around Cromer and Sheringham. I am wearing a red fisherman's top which my Dad gave to me. It is a tradition for artists to wear fisherman's tops while painting. This was the first time I broke mine in to paint the lobster, which got me into the spirit of the sea and kept me warm while painting outside.

Cromer crab festival

2010-03-30T17:34:00.002Z

My cousin Catherine Metcalf from Cromer, contacted me months ago asking me to paint a crab for Cromer crab festival which starts on Friday the 21st May. I told her I was off to India for a month, so she would have to deliver it while I was away. I arrive home to find a giant lobster in my garden that is far to big to fit through the front door. So I spent weeks and weeks deciding what on earth to paint on it and came up with so many ideas I could fill a book with them and had my friend Emma round to help workshop ideas. After my artist friend Kate Green pointed out it will take a long time to paint so best enjoy doing it. So in the end after deciding that all these art projects always have a theme which I have to work to and this project is voluntary. I would just paint with out any thought in mind and see where it takes me. Like a walk on the beach with out a care in the world.

This is stage two, stage one was two layers of expensive undercoat. Which was the last of my bread and butter money. Now I am down to old house paints mixed with some acrylic paints.

I was going to try and get someone to give me gazebo of giant tent for my 40th birthday so I could paint it inside the tent, but thought that is a big ask. I have been waiting and waiting for a good string of nice days to paint it and then they came, but then I could see a black cloud on the horizon and then began to take the pegs off the washing line and peg up the plastic cover that the lobster came in and any plastic bag that I could get my hands on. It all looked like a scene from a slum but looked like it could keep the water off my lobster. Then the next day I went in to the garden to find there was a swimming pool dangling like a big bubble over the lobster and about to burst. So I got a large stick to hold it up in the middle.

I tried to go out and paint the last few days but I have been in a bit of shock to find out one of my artist friends had died in a freak accident. So difficult to make happy art when under the weather. Sunshine please come out, so I can paint my Lobster.

The Lobsters will be on display around Cromer and you can follow a trail to find them. Then they will be auctioned off for charity.

Protest against Uranium mining!

2010-03-29T14:42:00.002Z

Were not on the planet for long and why should we mess it up while we are here. Uranium mining is happening in Australia and just like war nobody wants it, apart from two people who started it. For thousands of years the Australians have past down through word of mouth not to dig up Uranium and then the Europeans come along and don't listen and dig it up. As seen in the this video link the uranium is taken by public transport on the train to several locations. It will also be taken by boat to the rest of the world. No one on the planet wants a passing train of uranium.

There are alternatives to Uranium and there is a electric company doing something about it called ecotricty. If you have any great alternative ways of creating electric that you might have thought of while doing daily chores, don't hold them back. Tell ecotricty who are investing in these ideas.

Green Gas!

2010-03-25T19:04:00.003Z

Ecotricity have done it again and are about to build a green gas machine. Made from organic vegetable waste. The UK wastes tons of food every year and this is a great way of reducing landfill. I know how much waste can come out of a vegetarian cafe as I worked in one and composted the waste for a year to make soil for my garden, which was 6 bins a day. This was just peelings from vegetables.

St.Patricks day painting

2010-03-16T23:54:00.003Z

St.Patrick at the supermarket checkout. A series of 11 paintings, I have painted of St.Patrick doing everyday things in Ireland, that were shown at the Menier Gallery in London last year. Happy St.Patrick day.

Bundi

2010-03-08T12:29:00.001Z

A post box in Bundi. Unfortunately I did not find any postcards to send, but imagine the photos of Bundi I have taken are the cards I posted to you I put in this post box.

I like this postbox because it shows there is trust in the community. The postbox's in the UK are built like a castle to stop people stealing the mail.

Pre-T-shirt this is a cotton shop and the lady is putting them in a machine. The air was so filled with cotton fluff the photo barely came out. Just to put a depressing point about the clothing industry, nearly all people who make clothes die of cancer from the tiny particles that float in the air, even in the sewing houses and also the coloured dyes used for printing. When I was screening printing at art college the teacher use to bleach are hands so the dye would not give us cancer. So next time you buy a piece of clothes find one with natural dyes and natural fibres. There is some great new natural fibre fabrics made out of bamboo, which do not need pesticides in the growing process.

The puppet Queen at the palace. The palace is filled with stone carvings and paintings.

Boy waiting with his mother at the ironing shop.

View of Bundi from the roof top at the palace. The houses are painted blue to keep away mosquitoes.

Monkey at the tombs. This was taken dangerously close.

Tombs made of marble carved with beautiful pictures.

The Queen inside her Palace.

Gutters at the side of buildings that everything gets thrown into. One would hope that one day they would start composting or feed vegetable waste straight to the cows and goats.

Entrance gates to the palace.

Paintings on walls of the streets in Bundi.

Music shop for the brass bands that play at the weddings.

Tailor doing his ironing.

The entrance to the tailor shop.

Shop in front of music shop.

Shrine at the police station, police station is painted pink not much use for police in this town because everyone is happy.

Two happy children playing outside a shop.

Two more happy children. There is a smelly men's toilet in the background.

Standing on a roof top looking down.

Washing from the roof top.

The peeping-through window.

Stall holders cart.

This cow must belong to this house as its horns are painted the same green.

Clothes shop at the entrance to the palace wall. I bought a little outfit that might fit a puppet.

Mr Kippling's house the author of Jungle book. His house looks out over a large lake.

Elephant painting.

Monkey business.

The milkman and the brass band getting ready to play.

Vegetable stall holders sit on their stalls.

Painting in the hotel which was jam packed full of paintings.

Peeping girl through window.

Cow saying Hello.

Silver maker shop.

Topa village and people

2010-03-07T12:01:00.005Z

Me dancing to traditional music at the village gathering. Photo taken by Anand from the roof top.

Cooker made by the women in the village.

Roast chickpeas made by the village chief as a snack before our dinner.

Bread in ball shapes being cooked on the open fire, dried out cow dung is used for fire fuel. The bread is then put in the ashes and cooked more. When cooked, ashes are wiped off and it is broken up and oil is put all over the bread, before its served. Yummy!

Giant pan that was especially bought for our arrival. This has a special sweet in it that is eaten before the meal.

Girl taking her goats for a walk.

Children playing near wheat crop.

Flicking marbles.

Children's hands.

Cow dung which is used for everything, fertilizer, fuel and building houses. It is collected up with straw every morning and made into this shape.

Topa village people and Bundi India

2010-03-06T15:14:00.004Z

A taxi passing on the road to the Topa tribe.

The front of the amazing taxi, which looked like a large insect.

Child in the Topa village with a wheat crop.

Cows disrupting a good game of marbles.

Girl collecting water from the pump. This was early in the morning I was have a wander around and this family invited me into there home.

Children of the Topa tribe. The children liked me because I seem to be good at Mime and so it was easy to communicate. They followed me all over the village and wanted to see every photo I had taken. Very happy and smart kids with lots of freedom to run around the countryside.

This is me taking over the role as tribe chief. His turban was very colourful and light on the head to wear.

My New Indian wife who danced with me the night before at the music evening under the stars.

Bundi village the wife was very shy.

Chickpeas one or two peas to a pod. I ate them raw and fed the village goats. One goat caught me unaware and pulled at my chickpea plant. I thought I was being mugged.

Rock Paintings near Bundi

2010-03-05T13:43:00.001Z

View from on top of the cliff, the green is the jungle below.

On top of a large rock below it is a rock painting. Photo taken by Kukki who would make a great film director.

On my way to finding 20 thousand year old rock paintings with Kukki who found them in 2003. This is a tree with Monkeys in. There is no one living in this area so monkeys live in there natural habitat.

A beautiful waterfall, if I had another day there I would have climbed down there and had a swim it looked very tempting on such a hot day. This is winter so imagine the area would be greener and there would be more water after some rain.

Kukki showing telling us the history of the area and how he spent his entire life looking for these rock paintings. While looking for them by on foot he made friends with people in a 60 mile radius of Bundi and discovered lots of other beautiful areas of beauty.

Me and Kukki with his rock paintings in a cave down the side of a cliff. The paintings have been preserved by a natural layer on them. H says there would be more all over the area but they would got washed away with time and the rock also disintegrates.

A very good painting considering it was done so long ago.
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A view of the whole rock painting.

Kukki's home

2010-03-04T14:02:00.002Z

After a day out with Kukki showing us all Bundi and the palace and tombs, shrines and all sorts. He invited us round to his home where is family had made us chai and potato dish and sweet carrot. I signed his visitors book and drew a quick sketch of him and his rock paintings. A few days later he took me and Mira to see the real rock paintings. At this stage I couldn't believe I was going as I had never seen rock paintings before.

Spear head kukki had found, he has also found early stone spear heads.

Funny to see he had found so many ancient beads. I had spent so much time with Anand in Mumbai looking for bead so this size for the eyes of my claymation models, we didn't find any and I had to make some smaller ones bigger.

Kukki showing us sparks made with a rock and shell like stone.

Showing other ancient carvings.

Beads these would have really weighed the Lady's down.

maybe things for stamping.

This is a camel head which would have maybe had a soft body and be a child's toy.

His large collection of fossils and rocks.

Bracelets.

Rock painting demonstration with the pigment rock they use. A simple line rock painting is an earlier painting 10,000 years before they filled in the painting.

The variety of colours from different rocks.

He gave me a few bits of pigment, so I can now try and mix them and make a fresco Italian style painting.

Train from Mumbai to Bundi

2010-03-02T11:46:00.000Z

Life away from life photography trip to Bundi. Sitting here is some of the photographers that came on the trip. It is the morning and we have all woken up from sleeping in the sleeper carriage on these bunk beds. There is 8 beds to a section. The two men near the window are not in the photography group they work for the ministry of health. The guy in the red shirt is playing with a Psi game and is a symbol to human health today and looks no different to an NHS worker. Charades is a favourite game in India. With my lack of knowledge of Bollywood films I decided to play with my camera instead.

My carriage of beds and fans. If was nice that there was water from the sink at the end. So I could have a wash in the morning.

This is the train stopping at a signal light, a kind gentleman helped me off and on the train so I could take photographs. Which was very exciting. The Man running has just delivered a bit of bush to a lover in a window further down the train. I got told off for jumping off the train by my group, as the trains do not always go by the signal lights and it could have taken off before it turned green and left me stranded in the middle of India with no belongings.

I should have read this sign before I jumped off the train. Safety is up to the individual. Traveling at high speed with the door open is up to you whether you want to stay on the train while it is moving. It felt like being on a sailing boat and made it more fun. I did enjoy being away from Britain's boring Nanny state where you cant do anything because of health and safety laws. My host thought I was going to be abducted, mugged, raped, run over or lost pretty much most of the time, so kept a watchful eye on me. I tried to think back to when I have actually been lost in my life and it was when I was three years old and my mother lost me in Dublin city centre. I was picked up by a lady who looked after me till I was found. I also got lost in the mangroves in the Australian rainforest's at sunset. Which is a very bad time to be lost as the crocodiles come out and the tide comes in from the sea. I soon heard the sound of electric generator that started up and found my way out. Since then I have had training in the Tasmanian forest when I was staying in my friends tree house, to find my way through the Forrest in the dark. Bark on the trees is like Braille and you can feel the bark and memorize with your fingers. Feet have eyes too and you can use your bare feet to judge the ground.

A train sink.

If only people put there rubbish in the bin, where they are provided. I do like old trains they have more character and they have a rhythm which is could for composing music and poetry.

Kala Ghoda Festival Mumbai 2010

2010-03-01T11:11:00.002Z

Women keep the tradition of long hair and wearing traditional clothes, but have lost the tradition of having a wealth of animals. These animals are all sculpture's made by an artist Pramod Kamble he says that Indian has replaced its tall tree jungle with tall concrete building jungle. People in India like living in tall buildings and shopping. I find the idea of living in a tall building is disconnecting with the earth and very depressing.

Britain use to be covered in Forest's from one end to the other, now there is little patches of trees. I have a row of big beautiful trees beside my house that have a preservation order on them and they must not be chopped down. A land lady of a pub spontaneously had half of them chopped down, in court the judge asked her why she chopped them down. She said because they were big and they were ugly. The courtroom full of peoples hearts sank. Her husband suddenly died a few months later at 42 years old. In Ireland I talked to a fairy man when I was child that my Uncle was interviewing for a TV show called Bygones. The man said when the last tree dies on his land, the last family member will die. He was the last family member and he had one tree propped up.

If your looking for an elephant in India, you will only find a sculpture of one. Elephants need large amounts of Jungle to feed on. Humans have chopped down this jungle for paper and concrete buildings.

Foetus tree

Paper Lantern

Indian feminine man with his tiger.

Indian Lady with her Rhino. Everyone has a favourite animal, I photographed this one for my Cousin Rhalou who loves Rhino's.

Kala Ghoda Festival Mumbai 2010

2010-02-28T10:48:00.001Z

Trees have eyes!

A day out at Kala Ghoda festival. I was only there during the day, so missed the films and plays.

I got the train home int he women's carriage which was an interesting experience, a women told me to get off at the wrong stop because she wanted my standing space on the train. All the other women screamed at me to get back on again. Thankfully they all new where I was getting off. The trains travel with the doors open which makes a breeze through the train. Lots of people and children selling things from baskets on there heads in the Lady's carriage. Mumbai has a enormous amount of children begging on the streets. Maybe they should change the adoption and foster laws. It isn't easy to cross the road in Mumbai. Cars seem to think they own the road and there isn't enough pavements to walk on. look forward to seeing the underground railway service opening soon, to free up the traffic.

Twig horse

Wire nest

Save water!

Plastic bottles leek chemicals into your drink and have fire retardant's in them, plastic has never been tested for human consumption and if you feed your baby from a plastic bottle you will give it brain damage. Free yourself from plastic waste and stop using it.

Animals in India

2010-02-27T21:38:00.004Z

Is it a dog or something else, when I zoomed in it has long back legs, half a tail and big ears that stand up.

The white marks on the cliff are vulture poo, so vulture live here.

Three week old goat, very hot but gets a drink every two hours.

Birds nests in the biggest well, I have ever seen at the Topa tribes home in Rajasthan

Antelopes in the distance. These are half goat and a horse.

Vultures in India

2010-02-25T21:23:00.001Z

Vultures that I saw on the way back from rock paintings a few hours from Bundi in Rajasthan, India. This apparently a very rare sight as 95 percent of the population of vultures were killed off in India because of the widespread use of a chemical called diclofeni used to treat cows throughout India. This is another reason to give up eating cows and animals and let them roam freely like all life on earth should.

My only reasoning why these vultures have survived is because there is less humans in this area and these birds could be eating antelope which is in the area.

This a sight when I wished I had a zoom lens for my camera.

This area was most lightly jungle before humans got there hands on the trees.

Turkey Airport sketches

2010-02-24T16:26:00.006Z

Boring boarding lounge in Turkey airport, I decide to draw the aeroplanes. On the way to India the plane couldn't land because of snow and ice. I missed my connection and hung out with several people who demanded a transfer, so I flew business class with emirates to Dubai and then India. Business class has large chairs that can be moved around with remote control. They offer champagne just as you sit down. Head phones are really large so they block out the sound of the engine. The meals are served on real plates. Why on earth do they waste the planet with throw away containers for 2nd class. There is also space to conduct work. 2nd class people would also like to do work, but have no space.

I got bitten by flees in 2nd class turkey airline on my way home, which made me very itchy.

3rd floor outdoor smoking area in Turkey airport. Everyone was very friendly and chatty. I talked to An American oil man, he said at the demand for oil we are having we are going to run out and we should find alternative energy very fast.

There were a lot of men in the smoking area and they were all from country's east of Turkey all going to other country's to work.

This man was from Bosnia and he asked if I would sketch him. He was sitting so close the perspective is strange.

Topa near Bundi India music sketches

2010-02-23T10:50:00.004Z

The organizer from Life away from Life playing his guitar, the only light is the one on his head. I drew in the dark till I borrowed his torch later on.

A guy from the Village playing guitar around the cooker fire that was designed and made from cow dung by the women in the village laid in the courtyard of house.

A musician playing his Harmonium. One hand plays the keys and the other pumps air at the back.

All the musicians playing together from the Topa village.

Mr. Eugene Lambert

2010-02-23T10:08:00.004Z

Mr Eugene Lambert Ireland's leading puppeteer past away last night. Sincere condolences to his family from Jim, Marian and family. He will be greatly missed by everyone all over the world.

Topa village near Bundi India

2010-02-22T10:38:00.007Z

This is me sketching tribal musicians playing amazing music with great passion in a village a few hours from Bundi. The organisers of the trip Life away from life had a friend in the village who let us stay the night here. The Topa tribe are normally nomadic but have built amazing houses and have great healthy crops and livestock. The tribe treated us very well.

The villagers all came in the evening to listen to the music and dance. They are all seating in a row on there amazing hand made seats that are woven with rubber tyres or rope.

This is a continuation of the tribe seating in a row left of the last picture.

The women all got up and danced there tradition dance to the music and looked very elegant.

This man is a great dancer, who really enjoyed himself dancing.

Web censorship!!!!!

2010-02-21T13:24:00.002Z

I was amazed that my blog has had parts of it censored where I have written in Hindi. Very strange. What is the point of this? Taping up mouths is a human rights violation. We learnt to talk to communicate with each other. Join as many anti censorship groups as you can. This is like the burning of the books in the Nazi period.

Sketches in Mumbai

2010-02-21T10:30:00.008Z

Mumbai street scene right half of page. Muslim lady and security guard for the cafe, I was drawing in. India is the most heavily guarded place I have ever been too. Even the army are in crowds outside cinemas because of controversial film. Every where feels like an airport x-ray place. If only the Americans had free rehab for there population then there would be peace in Afghanistan, which would make the rest of the world peaceful.

Left side of page to first page, these are people going about there daily jobs.

Nice to see lots of recycling going on in Mumbai, this guy had paper and metal on his cart. He stood and posed for me when he saw me drawing outside a cafe in Bandra. In Mumbai residence get paid to have there paper taken away. Maybe this might be an incentive that could be used in the rest of the world to encourage recycling. Best to create less rubbish sign up to Junk buster today.

Moter rickshaws everywhere in Mumbai. When you really want one you cant get one and then when you don't want one there is hundreds. This one is looking out for business, its 30 minutes before school finishes, when school finishes you cant get one. There is so much happening in India you can stand still and watch everything like a movie.

Animation xpress India sketching over lunch

2010-01-25T13:59:00.002Z

This morning I jumped in a rickshaw in Bandra, Mumbai with Anand, he was going to drop me off at the seaside at Candy's cafe where they have a huge selection of cakes and a nice cafe teared raised garden, but it was closed on a Monday. Anand said why don't you come to work with me to Animation xpress. At Animation xpress on the 3 and 1/2 floor, it was packed full of young talented journalists and marketeers, with animation awards on the tables. I flicked through an animation magazine sent from the Canada animation festival to Anand. Then went outside and drew a sketch of view out side, surrounded by Mumbai.
I went back into the office and Anand said we were all going out for lunch. We all got in several rickshaws and headed out. Landing eventually at a restaurant playing Bob Dylan music and the menus were in English. It was an employee leaving party, everyone was jolly. I ate my lunch very quickly and then started a sketch that went around the table, getting everyone in. The waiters stood over and watched.
We then headed back to the office in a Mumbai traffic dust storm and the Sketch was scanned by Chaitra for facebook.