30 08 2023

moving slowly on - done in my wrists and back, so today will change easel hights, stool height and use wrist and back supports - erm, thats it really. Except its good to be challenged. In little ways, stroke by stroke.

Very happy that AB has accepted some drawings for her book! More on that with her permission. 

And the mystery portrait, again unusable until the whole project finished and then with permission, is hanging upside down until the due delivery day, if I haven't slashed it by then. (This on account of the dodgy painting, not for lack of love of the sitter)

 

 

27 08 2023

 - back at work, nothing to show but brain cleared and stuff happening.

Baffling and difficult but normal!

21 08 2023

 Hot, like all of France - just under 40 - very restricting but manageable. Think the mystery portrait is finished, nearly anyway. I stab at it between times. 

Otherwise all the art generated here is in my head.

11 08 2023

 Getting glib... but he and his mother leave today so thats OK. 

As a by-product, fiddling with portrait of X, seem to have turned a corner. Will see when the paint settles. Be glad to have it out of the studio.

 

10 08 2023

 Against my better judgement, allowed Theophile into the studio - but he was into drawing, was focused and engaged and despite not enjoying being looked at (at first) I was able to use him as a model. We'll have another go today.

Realise now - at last - why all those guys like endlessly to paint pretty girls. It's a real pleasure being able to study a beautiful young man.

06 08 2023

 Having gardening leave. Tending my garden = tiding the study and reviewing the projects untouched for years.

All my thinking concerns either films, installations or sculptures. Revulsion from paint. Weird. In no hurry to do anything so allowing myself whatever is needful.

01 08 2023

 Sleepless night with only one conclusion for the Tree of Death and I don't like it nor want to do it.

-But I guess I will. I mean, nowhere else to take it now. Its ferked anyway so if this ferks it more, hardly matters.