ARTIST………………………………………………………
Just a few samples of a little fantasy cartoon strip created for children in 1990.
Imagine (just for a second) in another galaxy, millions of light years away…another world. Planet Chutney is home to a little colony of plantimals, the Ghurkins, whose existence is threatened by their ever-decreasing resources. Toby, Breznev and their leader Abednigo decide to voyage to planet Earth in search of a new life……
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A few years ago I wrote a memoir on my Navy days and adorned it with a few little humorous sketches. These ones are from my training days in September/October 1971. Although the training in reality was extremely tough I can (looking back) see it all in a far more funny way, partly I think because throughout difficult times in my life I have always found humour to be such an antidote to harsh realities. Click one the first image to scroll through the gallery.
Often on Newcastle quayside buskers can be heard entertaining the masses, particularly on Sunday mornings when the famous market is in full swing. Having been a busker in the past I know how much it means when people take the time to stop and listen, more so if rewarded with a coin or two. These days as passer-by I always stop and have a listen, and find a few coins to contribute because I know full well the work they have put in behind the scenes to master their craft.
About 10 years ago I developed arthritic hands and wrists which over the years has become steadily worse. It appears it is quite common with people as they get older and, short of surgery, needs to be managed with pain killers or a variety of compression straps. In my case, as both an artist and a musician it could be argued it wasn’t helped by repetitive use. As a musician I no longer perform live but when I do choose to play I often use a keyboard instead of a guitar. Creating visual images now takes me longer to paint or draw as (due to pain) I take longer breaks. However, I have found digital art quite a good substitute as a creative outlet albeit I have a lot to learn before I can give my work more detail.
In this piece of digital art I have tried to show the pain experienced those with a similar condition to mine.
Although I’m probably mainly a folk singer with guitar and harmonica I do have quite a love of classical music, opera and other genres. I forget the year but the first time I came across Nigel Kennedy was one night when I was watching Last Night at the Proms. When he played I was absolutely enchanted but it wasn’t the music that caught my eye so much as his mohican haircut and Doc Martin bovver boots. He looked as though he had just come in from a skinhead meet in Brighton and something about that struck a note with me. Wonderful !!
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