Where do we come from, why are we here, & where are we going?
One young man in the above painting gazes into a screen. The other stands outside near a tree with faces. An angel & large face hover above the house. I don't know why I painted this, but in 2000 it felt meaningful. Humans are creative, destructive & self destructive. I see all these in my own life & art. In the search for clarity of style & content, I often go round in circles, overwork & often overthink too much.
But I do know that until recently, in art the human body was seen as heroic, idealised, to be marvelled at. What has reduced us to insecurity, confusion & drowning in shallow convenience. Is it politicians, big business & tech?
The Drawing Below
In the drawing below is a bunch if mobile phones surrounded by all manner of things including many tiny people reaching upwards, why, where are they from & what are they reaching for?
The Invisible Effect
What most affects us is invisible. We can't see happiness, despair, love, hate, rage, but we can feel them inside ourselves & see them in the facial or bodily expressions of others. And in the physical expression of love & violence.
Social media gives everyone access to more art than ever before. The advance of AI is concerning but I suggest artists not to feel as threatened by it as is suggested. After all, it's Artificial, not real!
While drawing I often trying not to think & let the pen or pencil go where it will. I suspect the unconscious plays a greater role in all aspects of life, not just in creativity, like if we speak without thinking, in embarrassing moments which happen to us all at some time, or when we have thoughts we wish we didn't! The artworld has changed so much in just twenty five years, but I think it's going to take longer for another to emerge. In the meantime artists have to find a way to keep going, however hard it is. However much or little you do matters, even if you think it doesn't. But however hard the going is, never give up on love & romance. The couple below haven't!
People can delight, make you think, feel, dance & love, make mischief & music & so much more! They can both please & provoke. Art can do the same.
the above slide bar has photographs of the students at the bagni di lucca free class & of those on the course at Casale di clio
Courses
2026 at Casale di Clio, Tuscany, Italy.
29th May-6th June. 29th Aug-5thSept. Courses fully booked.
Art Barn Week - June 29 2026
We start with pen & ink, it helps focus on what to draw & can enhance eye, brain coordination. We question, talk about art history, copying, what does the word 'like' mean. Individuals in a group. Expectations were exceeded.
Pen & Ink Class
For three years, 2024,5,6 I've held a Free class in pen & ink drawing at the Bibliotecca in Bagni di Lucca, in the picture. Many people have discovered & developed a skill they can build on for life.
Discovering an unexpected skill in drawing houses.
Below - people drawing at the Bibliotecca 2024,5,6
Last but not least, Maggie Malton with her book 'An English Village Fairy Tale' for which I was honoured to do the illustrations.
