Friday 06. 01 12 Just back from a few days visiting Martin and Beryl. Had a wonderful visit as usual full of good food, laughs and good conversation. Had my annual visit to Costco and felt the bite of winter again.
Journal
Grand girls
31. 12. 11 Saturday Took my two grandaughters out to dinner last night. It has been a busy season so far. Besides the usual festivities I have managed to catch The Guard, The Artist, Tintin and Tinker, Tailor plus the Chagall show at the AGO and the Jack Chambers and an expo of 19th century Industrial photos.
Back in TO
Friday 16. 12. 11 I have been back here nearly a week now. As usual it has been busy catching up with everybody and today I went to Poppy’s Christmas Carol Concert and tomorrow Julia, Carole and Daisy move into their new house.
Poppy
Thursday 08. 12. 11 Above is Poppy’s portrait of Chagall from the exhibition that she saw at the AGO in Toronto and my portrait of Poppy which is for her Dad for Christmas. Also sold another couple of fish today which means # 2, 5, 6 and 12 are sold.
Sète
Tuesday 06. 12. 11 Have just spent a wonderful day in Sète with Claire. We started with the Agnés Varda show at the Musée Paul Valéry and then went on to MIAM where we saw a show called My Winnipeg featuring 70 artists from Winnipeg. The Varda show is magnificent – everything she does has a depth, a diversity and an integrity, well worth the visit. The Winnipeg show, not so much. In between we had lunch at the Bistrot de l’Horloge excellent food at amazing prices, 3 courses including glass of sangria for 9.90 euros.
Christmas Presents
Sunday 04. 12. 11 It has been a busy week completing various projects before Christmas and also finishing Christmas presents. This year I have been painting mirrors from Ikea. They are perfect as the ‘frame’ around the mirror is so large.
Busy day
Monday 28. 11. 11 Whilst I was in London I visited Peter Spens and amongst many things we discussed monoprints. He always uses oil based ink whilst I have used water based. Today I have been experimenting with oil based and this is one of the monoprints. I haven’t got any black ink so have been using sepia. I’ll pick up some black when I’m in Toronto over Christmas but I think I will end up using both depending on the subject.
Something different
Monday 28. 11. 11 This one is for Torontonians. I was interested in painting artificial light and I liked the couple who I think were father and daughter.
London
Saturday 26. 11. 11 Just got back from 4 days in London. Had a great time catching with various friends and going to galleries. Highlights were the Grayson Perry show at the British Museum, Royal Manuscripts at the British Library and the Richter show at the Tate Modern. Also re connected with my old friend from a previous sojourn in France, Peter Spens.
Christmas present
Friday 18. 11. 11 Did this monoprint this afternoon as a Christmas present to be printed on a T shirt.