yipe!

Goodbye & Hello

2011-04-05T23:58:00.003+01:00

For those of you still following my occasional outpourings here, thank you!

I've started a blog to feature just my artistic endeavours: vivowen.wordpress.com

Hope you'll all pop over sometime (general intermittent ramblings interspersed with pet photos may continue here)

Pontefract Liquorice Festival

2010-07-08T23:19:00.002+01:00

Will be in Ponte for the next three days:
Crafty Collages: Friday & Saturday with DIVA: http://www.diva-arts.org.uk/
Liquoricious! on Sunday with Colour Out of Space : http://www.colouroutofspace.co.uk/

Second Sight - Show preview tomorrow

2010-06-03T23:19:00.001+01:00

Second Sight

5 - 27 June

Unit 9 Gallery
South Square
Thornton

Marathon

2010-04-02T14:35:00.003+01:00

Life drawing sessions that is, not running of course (or erstwhile Snickers come to think of it)

A few recent workshops

2010-03-01T12:58:00.003Z

Here's a rew recent activities I've been working on:

Solo Show - Cafe Ollo, The Media Centre

2010-01-13T02:46:00.002Z

If you're braving the snow in Huddersfield, pop into the Media Centre's excellent cafe, Cafe Ollo.

The show has been extended til 10 February 2010

More snow

2010-01-07T02:16:00.001Z

Another day snowed off, but the chores must be done...

Snow!

2010-01-06T01:15:00.004Z

As you're no doubt aware, we've had a bit of snow here. This is the view from the kitchen window around lunchtime:

All plans for everything on hold at the moment (including school). Fun to have a bit of extra holiday, & an excuse to make rhubarb crumble.

2 shows

2009-12-05T02:20:00.003Z

Cafe Ollo solo show has been extended, & group show at Unit 9 gets underway tonight

Spectrum

2009-08-12T13:42:00.003+01:00

'Balcony' (from the 'Autochromes' series). Now showing at Unit 9

I refined my working method slightly for this one. See if you can guess how. (answers here, not on a postcard).

Is it Safe? - no

2009-06-30T23:18:00.002+01:00

The dentist has given me a lovely new filling to replace my broken one... but also a suction-tube-induced love bite on my lip! I look like I've been in a punch up (or got a bad cold sore).

Bee

2009-06-29T23:30:00.006+01:00

This evening's washing-up made even more exciting than usual by surprise appearance of disorientated bee from under the bowl! Grams: girlish shriek, angry buzzing from inside a hastily-applied pint glass (amplifed nicely by stainless steel sink), palpable sighs of relief all round as bee released unharmed into the hedge (human & bee. I'd never heard a bee sigh before)

Showdown

2009-06-09T12:27:00.000+01:00

vote for me!

(please)

Another Chance to See...

2009-06-06T23:55:00.002+01:00

Statement

Created by the careful observation of existing images,
this exhibition features work with two sources of inspiration.

The ‘Autochromes’ series was inspired by access to
some rarely seen personal pieces. Autochromes were the
earliest true colour photographs,taken in
the Edwardian era. The examples used are now archived in the
National Media Museum.

The ‘Track’ series was created from mass-broadcast
recent TV drama. Viewed by millions as part of a series,
they are fragmented here, then translated into paint.

The exhibition gives the viewer another chance to see...
to look at vintage and contemporary images in a new context.
In the gallery the rare and precious sit with the
everyday and disposable,and both are given equal
status in a hand-made permanence never dreamt of
in their original forms.

Another Chance to See...

2009-06-04T23:14:00.001+01:00

As Yet Untitled

2009-05-27T02:20:00.003+01:00

Latest paintings that will be featured in my show at Unit 9 gallery, South Square starting in June. I might have thought of a title for the show by then! Any suggestions gratefully received (but not necessarily taken-up-upon)

Autochromes

2009-04-14T01:29:00.003+01:00

Inspired by autochromes (2nd series)

2009-03-23T20:21:00.000Z

"In Yer Face"

2009-03-13T01:30:00.004Z

"In Yer Face"
Retrospective exhibition
Starting Wednesday 25 March 5 - 9 pm
as part of
Wakefield Art Walk
at The Coach House Gallery,
Andrew Street,
Wakefield

Autochromes

2008-11-25T11:22:00.003Z

Goodness, I didn't realise I'd been away so long!
Here's some of the pieces I've been working on.
They're based on autochromes: Edwardian colour photographs. (See previous posts for more info- it's all done with potatoes!). I'm pleased with suitably grainy effect I got by using oil pastel.

Look me in the eye & say that...

2008-08-23T12:11:00.005+01:00

Just a short observation on a new trend, which I find rather irritating.

Factual TV presenters now look at a point off camera, as if they are talking to an interviewer. Even when there is no interviewer. I'm not sure why this is supposed to be more appealing than the more usual 'looking at ' the viewer. I find it distracting: as if I'm eavesdropping on a conversation, instead of watching content that was made for me!

Bookkeeping

2008-08-11T02:08:00.002+01:00

...another interesting word*, but a much less appealing subject.
Anyway, at least I have finally got the ball rolling. Now I know how Sisyphus felt!

*Look at the letter pattern if you don't believe me

Phalanges

2008-08-07T01:02:00.003+01:00

Nice word isn't it? Here are several of them, in interesting arrangements. Courtesy of Rose & life drawing facilities at Atom Studios.

There'll be a gallery up on my main website soon*. If you're interested in doing some yourself have a look here

*You know what I mean by soon.

Back to Life

2008-08-03T20:17:00.007+01:00

...Drawing that is. Now I'm back at the very wonderful

I'm finally doing some more life drawing. Here's a spread from my sketchbook.

There'll be more soon.

Addressing the issues

2008-06-27T01:17:00.007+01:00

I've been at 'See You Outside' & little else recently. I'm delighted to report it all went swimmingly. The big celebration event will be on Friday 11 July at Impressions gallery.

In other news, there will soon be no need to type out the frustratingly lengthy web addresses: we're going to be allowed to suffix them with whatever we want. so no more .com domain names, it can be dot whatever.

For reasons that will be obvious to regular readers, I'd like to be 'Ellipsis.dotdot'

Beyond the pale

2008-05-12T00:56:00.002+01:00

The Spring seems to have decided not to appear after all, & gone straight into Summer!

This has been good news for the latest phase of 'See You Outside' & also meant a trip to the seaside last week (photos to follow: isn't it amazing that although digital photography has cut out the need for developing, I still never seem to have them to hand?)

The bad news is that it's been so uncommonly hot, I'm wearing summer clothes, & my tan looks to be straight from a bottle. A milk bottle.

Intelligence

2008-04-29T11:28:00.003+01:00

Despite the superficially encouraging title of the latest album by Mariah Carey, I worry about the state of scientific knowledge in this country.
I'm going to have to boycott my usual bookshop, because despite having room for six bays of 'mind, body spirit' books (Discover Your Inner Tree, that sort of thing) they have removed the physics section & put it in a single bay under 'maths & science'!

See You Outside

2008-04-15T21:56:00.002+01:00

The big art project See You Outside is now underway.
So if I'm not about, I'm likely to be doing something around here

What's my motivation?

2008-03-26T01:45:00.003Z

Well, strictly speaking, it's what Tony Hancock said on 'Face To Face' which was repeated on BBC Four last night (from 196-). The interviewer said 'You've made enough money, why don't you stop doing your job?'
I wish I could describe Hancock's expression, but you'll be able to picture it from his reply (which I'm adopting as my new motto):
"Because it absolutely fascinates me, because I love it, & it is my entire life"

I am not a number...

2008-03-20T01:17:00.002Z

If you're familiar with this most unlikely of catchphrases, or if not, I recommend spending half an hour of your time listening to this week's edition of 'Britain in a Box' over on BBC radio 4 via their website.

The best overview of 'The Prisoner' by a long shot, it'll have new arrivals searching Youtube & the rest of us taking down the box sets once more.

Tasteless joke

2008-03-17T00:55:00.001Z

Really it's one of those coincidences that I find hilarious, but don't worry if you don't, I often find it's just me...

I was watching engrossing TV detective Lewis & the lady pathologist was examining a body in a kitchen.
Lewis asks 'If he's been strangled, where did all the blood come from?'
& she says 'There's no nice way of putting this... he's been castrated!'
Dramatic music!
Fade to ad break & immediate cut to sponsor (Sainsbury's supermarkets): nice close-up of juicy pieces of meat being put into a sandwich.

Pixel Dust

2008-03-12T01:55:00.002Z

View it here

The 28th??

2008-02-28T19:53:00.003Z

Already we're at the arse-end of February, & narry a post in site.
What in the blue blazes happened to this month?

Anyroadup, at least we have an extra day tomorrow.

New: month coming shortly, with added posting for a change.
News: about my solo show Pixel Dust
Newstopia: has returned in triumph! & visit BrokenTV for some extremely helpful advice, as well as interesting reading in general

Park life

2008-02-02T00:36:00.000Z

A few images from my recent visit to a breathtakingly bright, blustery & beautiful Temple Newsham.

No photos of the snow capped moors today, can't really do that whilst driving (unlike the Sheffield policeman who drove past the speed cameras at 78 mph with both thumbs up... twice).

The riddle of the sphinx:
My sphinx's got no nose. How does she smell?
Yes she has, you can see it in the picture
(awkward silence with intermittent coughing ensues)

A River Runs Through It...

2008-01-22T02:09:00.000Z

... all of it.
It was West Yorkshire's turn for the floods to hit today.

Although we managed to get to Hebden Bridge by going over the very top of t'moors instead of along the usual A road, we still got a free tyre wash for most of the way. (The canal had flooded the A road). Even some of the 4X4 drivers were looking a bit nervous.

The good news: it won't rain overnight. The bad news: temperatures are set to 'plummet'. Better go & eBay myself some ice skates...

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T04:18:00.000Z

Let's hope for a wonderful 2008.
There will be no list appearing here of things from last year, nor resolutions for the forthcoming one.
Such things are merely depressing.
Instead, imagine a nice sentence that sums up your hopes for the next twelve months & insert it here:
*

*You can write it in if you like, just don't use permanent marker.

... Peace & Goodwill

2007-12-29T00:46:00.000Z

sadly not.

Merry Christmas*

2007-12-24T11:38:00.001Z

... & that's about it really.
Peace & Goodwill & too many chocolates to you all!

*I'm not wishing you a Happy New Year as I should be back before then. Plus I'm a curmudgeon.

Comedy Gene-ius

2007-12-23T01:47:00.000Z

Some highly unorthordox research claims that testosterone is the reason men make more jokes than we shy retiring girls!

Professor Shuster (yes it's his real name, he's not actually Groucho Marx) displayed a near-insane quantity of bravado, & unicycled through the streets of Newcastle. He noted that more men than women jeered him.

One of his colleagues supports him: 'He suggested men might respond aggressively because they see the other unicycling man as a threat, attracting female attention away from themselves.'

So there you have it lads, what we ladies really look for in a bloke is a unicycle. I suppose at least he'd be a balanced individual.

A spokesman for bycycling awareness was unable to help with my unicycle-related questions because he was too tired.

Surely that's enough bad puns to saddle the professor with...

word power

2007-12-09T18:58:00.000Z

Have been away from the reassuring glow of my computer for a while, work, Chrimbelmas shopping & helping a friend move house certainly take it out of you!

Anyway, I have found the perfect diversion. Something as addictive as 'The Neverending movie quiz' yet more satisfying as it's all in a good cause.

It's called Free Rice (& is probably old news to many of you). Tuck in!

RGB ... what's that about then?

2007-12-02T19:19:00.000Z

Want to find out what happens when you propose a mysterious title & get artists to compete to respond to it? No effort necessary on your part, it's already been done!

I deliberately put in this very small photo of my resultant painting, so that you have to go to my website to look at it properly*.

Art is a profession of feast or famine. Which explains why I'm also exhibiting in another show called Secret Santa. Have a look to find out why Landseer or fans of Scottish wildlife might be slightly offended (& gourmets had better cover their eyes).

*Dastardly behaviour!

String theory unravelling...

2007-11-22T20:32:00.000Z

... according to this guy anyway.
No wonder I found the Spiragraph such an interesting toy!

Doom & Gloom...

2007-11-21T11:28:00.000Z

...well certainly the latter!
Never mind 'mists & mellow fruitfull-ness' more like 'thick fog & no daylight'.
I usually like winter: when it's cold & bright. In fact, 3 weeks ago I had to buy some sunglasses because the early morning sun was getting in my eyes whilst driving!
Not much chance of that at the moment. Oh well, better pop down the shops for some night-vision goggles...

An epic 35 years in the making!!!

2007-11-17T19:09:00.000Z

... well, not exactly, they have been doing other stuff in the meantime.
However, it was well worth the wait! What was?
Pour L'Amour Des Chiens
Probably the only music CD I've got that made me laugh out loud (resulting in strange looks from other drivers at the traffic lights). Well, apart from the other Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band CDs I own that is.

T'internet

2007-11-11T20:36:00.000Z

Another exhibition space update: Liberte de Expression

Gimme a(n Art)break

2007-11-08T20:10:00.000Z

Artbreak. It's a rather exciting new art website
(OK I'm on it, but so is lots of other exciting work)

Buy One Get One Tree

2007-10-28T22:29:00.000Z

OK so I'm a sucker for a pun. I also like smoothies, particularly Innocent ones. Hence the shiny new graphic to the right of your screen.

The Big Draw - Penny Black

2007-10-20T00:24:00.000+01:00

Haven't been in here for a while as have been doing prep for our Big Draw event next week, Monday to Friday at Tolson Museum, Huddersfield.
Sample picture, more soon.

Light Night

2007-10-13T14:57:00.000+01:00

I saw the light in Leeds yesterday evening.
I went to church! It was an art event of course.
Simon Warner was Laveter:
inventor of silhouettes, physiognomy & apparently photography too.
In a day & age where everybody had a camera on them (most likely on their mobile phone), he managed to make the portrait photograph seem miraculous.
Fascinating & amusing. I'd recommend it, but unfortunately you've missed it.

NEWStopia is here!

2007-10-10T16:49:00.000+01:00

Quite literally!
Watch it now on SBS website
I love my internet (soppy grin smiley)
Now I promise not to bang on about it anymore.
UPDATE: I'm breaking my promise, but only to save you a wasted trip!
If you're outside Australia, the site has now been geo-blocked. Grrr!

Tendrils spreading across the interwebnet

2007-10-06T00:40:00.000+01:00

...or something very like it.
My roundabout way of saying here's a new website for your perusal!
Colour Out Of Space

NEWStopia

2007-09-30T20:44:00.000+01:00

Is nearly here!*
If this programme were any more hotly anticipated, there'd be some sort of thermonuclear reaction...

*'Here' referring to Australia. So it's 'there' really.

Cobblers!

2007-09-28T00:35:00.000+01:00

In both the literal & swearing senses of the word.
This is terrible news. Amazon have started selling shoes!
So now I'll be on there at all hours of the day & night looking at not only books & films, but also footwear!
(It's probably a good thing that I can't get Acupuncture trainers any more, otherwise I'd be totally penniless).

Rich and Strange ...

2007-09-19T23:42:00.000+01:00

... is the new exhibition due to open shortly.
Find out more here Flock Gallery
or get a sneak peek into my book The Encyclopedia of Bad Taste
(no photos on this post. I don't want to offend any delicate sensibilities!)

Sniff!

2007-09-18T23:09:00.000+01:00

That's about all you'll get out of me at the minute, as I'm full of a cold.
Some news that's not to be sniffed at is however at:
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2007/09/airdate-newstopia.html

Haircut!

2007-09-13T02:02:00.001+01:00

Short (& sweet) isn't it?
(Just like this post in fact!)

Greetings From Sun-Drenched Yorkshire

2007-09-04T01:24:00.000+01:00

Well it's officially Autumn, but that hasn't held the sun back at all. Spent most of today in the great outdoors with my mate, art materials & some comestibles.
Can't really beat that for a grand day out!

Drawings to follow (at some point after I've scanned them).

(It's Widdop reservoir for Google Earth people)

Rich & Strange

2007-08-28T00:50:00.000+01:00

Is the exhibition. I've just finished my input. Phew! To paraphrase Douglas Adams I love deadlines. The whizzing sound they make as they rush towards you so invigorating. There'll be a proper section on my website shortly, until then, feast your eyes (but nothing else) on this.

Fairly Stories

2007-08-24T01:48:00.000+01:00

Went to the Paula Rego exhibition on Tuesday.
As usual with her work I admired her great drawing skills & the disturbing, yet somehow amusing subject matter.
Yesterday went to collect my own work from another gallery, & tomorrow I'm going to get started making some more.

Tasty!

2007-08-21T01:13:00.000+01:00

Nearing completion of my piece for the 'Rich & Strange' project.
Defunct library books have been distributed to artists to be rejuvenated & recirculated.
With the title I got, it seemed that a bumper deluxe edition was required...

Postcards from the edge (of the UK)

2007-08-18T02:42:00.000+01:00

The Eastern-most edge that is. Didn't make it to the East Pole, but we did brave the elements, which were surprisingly kind for some of it.

Now back to reality (whatever that is) & finding sand in just about everything (including the camera).

Bon Soir

2007-08-05T15:41:00.000+01:00

Went to the pictures* to see Moliere at Pictureville.

Hugely enjoyable, funny & moving. See it if you can.
For anyone averse to subtitles, there's plenty of visual comedy, including horse impressions.

*Does anyone call it that anymore, or must I say cinema?

There are Llamas!

2007-08-01T01:01:00.000+01:00

Went to Ponderosa today which is a sort of petting zoo/rare breeds farm. Saw lots of unusual creatures including a snoozing tapir, some disgruntled owls*, toothy, spitting llamas & various snakes at a distance too close for comfort. After our picnic in the totally unprecedented sunshine, I sat with my friends watching our respective offspring exhaust themselves on the climbing frame, slide etc. Strangely enough, we seem to be just as tired from merely spectating...

*I imagine them to be disgruntled, seeing as they were out in the noonday sun & they're nocturnal

Sunshine!

2007-07-31T00:31:00.000+01:00

Something of a novelty this year, 4 days without rain! Hence I've been outside instead of updating this.
Well, not entirely true, we did go to the park Saturday & yesterday I cut the front hedge.
Otherwise have been wrestling with paperwork. The score is currently two falls, & I'm holding out for a submission.

In Living Colour

2007-07-25T22:42:00.001+01:00

Saw this beautiful photo at the National Media Museum

Good isn't it? Particularly amazing considering when it was taken: 1913*.
The thing that really dates it is the photographer's name: Mervyn Joseph Pius O'Gorman.

There are lots of stunning images in the exhibition. It's on til September, & it's also got a really good website

*The year, not just after ten past seven at night.

Allsorts!

2007-07-21T23:43:00.000+01:00

More pics from Pontefract Liquorice Festival (the last two not having any input from myself, just representative of what goes on)

Darton Project

2007-07-19T00:56:00.000+01:00

The Darton Project finished today. Will have some more photos on my website shortly.

Allsorts of Badges

2007-07-15T22:47:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everybody for braving the rain today!

The Dazzling Dalmatian Dog Rose

2007-07-12T13:41:00.000+01:00

It's a rare chance to get so many puns into art form!
(see previous post for more info)

Aniplant or Plantimal?

2007-07-10T01:44:00.000+01:00

The Fabled Forget-Me-Newt of Finistere...

One of Professor Thingumajig's specimens.

More to be seen & discovered at
Pontefract Liquorice Festival

Saturday 14 July 2007

Sticks & Stones

2007-07-06T23:13:00.000+01:00

Some photos of some of the artwork produced at Gibson Mill with members of the public.
Part of the "July Project"
Square Chapel Centre for the Arts

Pontefract Liquorice Festival

2007-07-05T00:25:00.000+01:00

This is a bit of what we'll be doing there on Saturday 14th July.
(We'll be doing something completely different on the Sunday)
More info later, or if you can't wait visit the festival website

Trouble at t'Mill

2007-07-01T21:38:00.000+01:00

Well, not really, just a lot of rain!
As Gibson Mill is an old water mill, & they now use it to generate electricity, it was quite handy really.
Intermittent sun allowed me to get these pics of the exterior.
(Pics of the artwork from the workshop will be forthcoming tomorrow).

Hey! That's My Art

2007-06-30T22:53:00.000+01:00

Appreciative thanks to all those (fool??)hardy souls who ventured through the deluge to visit the show today.
For those who couldn't, here is a photo of some work with it's creator (the saturated rat look was definitely 'in' today).

London Calling

2007-06-28T23:43:00.000+01:00

Well, I answered, anyway.
If you're in 'the smoke' as the locals call it, why not pop in?

Show Off!

2007-06-27T17:30:00.000+01:00

Hebden Bridge Arts Festival
gets underway this weekend.
So I'll be chucking out the chocolate wrappers & having a bit of a tidy up ready to greet any members of the public who wander in to our Open Studios.
If you're not going to be able to make it, don't worry, try looking at the online gallery instead. (You'll miss meeting me, but you'll avoid the rain).

Lucky Dip

2007-06-24T00:50:00.000+01:00

Chatting to one of my internet mates today, I was most amused to discover that the small birthday pressie I posted him had been intercepted by customs as a suspicious package!
It was a small packet of white powder, so fair enough I suppose.
Although I doubt international drug cartels operate in such footling amounts...
Examine the evidence
Read what happened

Taking a line for a sit down

2007-06-20T21:18:00.001+01:00

Went with my mate to look round our old alma mater, & the current degree show. Some interesting things going on, one of which was this 'interactive drawing' in the cafe. Hence my 20 second 'likeness' (the black line)
This inspired me to take the students out around Saltaire doing observational drawings for the afternoon, & also to get back in the habit with my sketchbook.
More later...

Oops! Didn't intend it to be so much later! Spent the past few evenings on a new drawing. I'm very pleased with it, but it isn't ready for sharing yet. Here instead are some pages from my sketchbook (Saltaire, as above). Amazing that I can stick them up here without glue isn't it?

2007-06-16T01:38:00.001+01:00

The obligatory photo, which should have appeared yesterday.
Three-year old wanted to make 'Homers & hollies like at Christmas' (I suppose the weather is almost festive)
We also made some 'traditional' gingerbread men, with raisins for eyes not Smarties! This is a hideous practice which I utterly condemn on the grounds that you can very nearly break your teeth by trying to bite through them simultaneously.

Flaming June!

2007-06-14T15:10:00.000+01:00

That's how this month used to be referenced. 'Chucking-it- down June' would be more accurate at the moment. So trips out to the park have been forcibly curtailed. Instead we made gingerbread yesterday. Just as satisfying as far as three-year old was concerned, but again not doing my 'diet' any favours.
Having no internet for the past few days, I used my time constructively: I've been catching up on all the CSI episodes I missed! (& doing minimal work). I think it might be time for a mid-years resolution...

Return from the Dark Ages!

2007-06-13T14:07:00.000+01:00

Back online after an enforced absence.
Feels strange!
'Is this thing on??'

Unreal!

2007-06-07T01:17:00.000+01:00

Mindboggling

Poison

2007-06-02T20:47:00.000+01:00

Went to my mate's Exhibition Opening last night, fantastic! (It's called 'Poison'). I've been following it's creation on line, but it's even better in the flesh (so to speak):

If you can't get there, I suggest you go visit the website instead.

Afterwards we went for ice cream, which was also impressive, but in a more calorific & much less intellectually stimulating way:

The latest things

2007-05-30T22:53:00.000+01:00

Half term = fun at the playgym, shopping, tidying up etc etc.
I also found time to change my hair (again). Result on my profile...

Saltaire

2007-05-25T00:55:00.000+01:00

It's a world heritage site you know! During lunch break I decided a wander along the canal would be interesting. The football pitch is the famous Barnstoneworth ground. The small magpie almost landed on my head, having dropped from above. Otherwise, it was a fairly uneventful lunch break...

Mi tube

2007-05-24T01:45:00.000+01:00

Oh dear. Sitting in front of the computer was getting me away from the television. (Sitting behind the computer was getting me nowhere, so I gave that up fairly quickly). Instead it's now feeding my nostalgic wallowings in comedy of yesteryear, namely Absolutely
If you don't know what I'm on about, why not follow this handy link for some samples?*
http://www.youtube.com/vivityviv
Fortunately it's even better than I remembered.
There's some older & some newer & some even funnier stuff on there too... I'll let you work out the rankings for yourselves as I hate to cause controversy ;)

*This question is purely rhetorical. No correspondence will be entered into. Well, actually it will. Feel free to comment. Go on, show me you're not a spammer...

Mars Attacks!

2007-05-21T21:50:00.000+01:00

Depending on how much of a conspiracy theorist you are, Mars have either climbed down in the face of public pressure, or staged the whole thing as a massive publicity stunt. Either way, Mars= veggie, I get to eat them. Which is good news!*
*but not for my diet. Hey ho.

Masterfoods use of rennet derived from an animal source Petition

2007-05-16T20:16:00.000+01:00

Masterfoods use of rennet derived from an animal source Petition

Mars? Bah!!!

2007-05-15T22:33:00.000+01:00

Well that's it. Since I was weaned, one of my favourite edibles has been the Mars Bar. Bounty, Twix & Snickers (Marathon!) were good too. In recent years I'd become a big fan of ice cream Mars bars.
As of today, I won't be eating any. Masterfoods has decided to start the prehistoric practice of using calf stomach juice (otherwise known as rennet) instead of the plant based alternatives.
For those who doubt I can give up any chocolate, whatever the motivation, I haven't eaten any Nestle product since they took over Rowntree's in 1985...

Masterfoods are idiots. Don't take my word for it, read their own comment:

"If the customer is an extremely strict vegetarian, then we are sorry the products are no longer suitable, but a less strict vegetarian should enjoy our chocolate," said Paul Goalby, corporate affairs manager for Masterfoods.

That'll be all the 'less strict' vegetarians who eat meat then...

News just in (thanks Alison!) http://www.petitiononline.com/MarsWhey/petition.html

Today's extremely peculiar shopping list

2007-05-15T01:21:00.000+01:00

OK, I promise it's completely true, in order of purchase:
Dental Fillings, Video tapes, Beach towel, Sheet, Fuses, Holiday Deposit, Public Liability Insurance, Dating Site Subscription... beat that if you can!

I have been promised after market researching this post that it will provoke 'not scorn! (but) Mild amusement!'
I'll hold you to that reader...

The pictures which should have gone with the previous post...

2007-05-14T21:54:00.000+01:00

Today Yorkshire, tomorrow...more of Yorkshire!

2007-05-10T00:38:00.000+01:00

I beat my own personal record: I got 3 paintings accepted into the Bradford Open exhibition! (previous record 2, & that was some time ago now).
Meanwhile, in another part of Yorkshire (south), the Darton project nears completion.
It's great to have a positive post for once instead of whinging!

Links for the above are in the right hand column

Fresh air! Exercise!

2007-05-06T23:17:00.000+01:00

Yes I know it sounds unlike me, but that's what I spent most of the day doing!* Daughter decided chasing/being chased by/ having piggyback from myself & her Auntie were the best ways to spend the day. She took some time out to see the ducklings too.

*Well, apart from putting some work** in an exhibition here** too, & retreating to a cafe afterwards to undo all the good work...

**You can see it here: http://www.minigalleryworld.com/Viv_Owen/room3/

***Ogden Water for newcomers to my ramblings

Moorooka: so good they named it once

2007-05-06T01:20:00.000+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJHP4ny3eT8
Excellent work from my good mate in Brisbane!

The Good, the bad & the .... bemused

2007-05-03T23:37:00.000+01:00

I was carrying some work to the cafe to hang today, & I passed a couple of young lads sat on a bench. One said to the other: 'That's a BAD painting!' I don't know the current slang well enough, but from the way he said it, it sounded like he meant it was actually good. Any of the younger contingent out there able to enlighten me??

In the meanwhilst, here are two bits of stuff from my sketchbook ( I knew I wouldn't be able to keep to one drawing per day!):

Vaguely Interesting

2007-05-03T00:17:00.000+01:00

Mid-phone conversation, my mate asked me what time it was '22.52' I replied.
She chidded me for using 24 hour clock, so I converted it, but what I actually said (bear with me, this is the relevant bit!) was: 'it's just gone ten to eleven'
Which made me realise that's probably why digital watches have practically died out. Even when mine used to read 11.53 I'd only say it's nearly noon.
Accuracy is just too impersonal: vagueness is human!
(Our conversations are riveting really, honest)

The Consolations of Nature*

2007-04-30T22:15:00.000+01:00

As it was the last afternoon where I'm likely to be in the vicinity, I wandered around the sculpture park again. Everywhere the view was either green on blue, or blue on green. Oh & the art was good too...

* not Nietsche

animal magic

2007-04-27T21:47:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was lucky enough to be off in the afternoon so accompanied my pal to Cartwright Hall to see local artist make good at big venue: Ruth Fettis is her name, & I strongly you suggest you visit www.bradfordmuseums.org

Also had a close encounter with a 15 foot patchwork giraffe, which stares at you beseechingly with it's absence of eyes. Sadly (s)he's far too big to adopt as a pet.

The Emperor's Terrapin is more portable, but protected by a glass case (& I imagine very heavy being solid jade).

Mumblings

2007-04-25T23:23:00.000+01:00

Literally a bit 'down in the mouth'; I spent an 'interesting' morning at the dentists having 2 fillings done. I'll spare you the gory details, but this one is harmless: there's been a change in fashion since I last went: the mouthwash is back to traditional aqua blue instead of strawberry pink.

Tecknolergie

2007-04-23T02:55:00.000+01:00

Blimey, there's so much of it! I got a new dongly thing* so I can get the photos off my phone onto the PC (unlike the last lot which were forever banished to the ether when my old phone refused to co-operate any longer).

This one's called 'Greetings from Shepherd's Bush' & at the time I sent it to my only mate who has a mobile that can receive photos!

How amazingly useful that I can share it with you now...

*TM Douglas Adams