Mar 23rd 2013PeterJournal & London & Shows
Saturday 23. 03. 13 Just back from a whirlwind trip to London. Highlights: Art of the Ice Age at the British Museum, Phantom Ride by Simon Starling at Tate Britain and George Bellows at the RA. Also explored the Tanks at the Tate Modern. Got caught in snow storm in Luton en route back today.
Nov 27th 2012PeterJournal & London & Painting
Tuesday 27. 11. 12 Just back from a weekend in London. Saw several shows including Richard Hamilton at the National, Death at the Wellcome, Bronzes at the RA and Contemporary Russian at Saatchi. The Bronzes and the Russian were both impressive.
Feb 25th 2012PeterJournal & London & Shows
Saturday 25. 02. 12 Just got back from my short trip to London where I met up with Polly, Maryann and Alan & Lea. Saw several expos, the first with Maryann was the Picasso and Modern British Art – an excellent well-curated show showing works of Duncan Grant, Francis Bacon, David Hockney etc. On Thursday went with Alan & Lea to see the Hockney show at the RA in the morning and the Freud at the NPG in the afternoon. The Hockney was luminous and spectacular in scope and size, perhaps the best show I have ever seen. The Freud was also good but I was disturbed by what seemed to be his exploitation of his models. He was such an aggressive painter exposing their vulnerability. On Friday we went south of the river to the new White Cube in Bermondsey. A Great exhibition space which showed off Keifer’s work brilliantly. Much food for thought.
Nov 1st 2011PeterJournal & London & Painting
Tuesday 01. 11. 11 Yesterday started a new white van painting and also did this monoprint of the Thames Barrier. Today did a small portrait of Poppy but scraped it all off as it wasn’t really working. Hopefully better luck tomorrow.
Sep 13th 2011PeterLondon & Shows & Travel
Tuesday 13. 09. 11 Just back from a long weekend in London where I met Julia and stayed at Maryann’s. We had a great time and managed to get to some galleries. Saw a disturbing installation in Hoxton by Ryan Gander called Locked Room Scenario set in an old disused factory, the Poussin/ Twombly show at the Dulwich which was a disappointment – too cramped to really work. On Saturday we went to an interesting installation by Michelangelo Pistoletto at the Serpentine plus the Pavillion had a wonderful wildlife garden designed by Piet Oudolf. On Monday just managed to catch the Lautrec with Jane Avril show at the Courtauld before flying back here
Jun 5th 2011PeterJournal & London & Painting
Sunday 05. 06. 11 It has been a busy week in the studio. I have been working on some monoprints based on my recent trip to London. Instead of train stations I worked on Tube stations and the river.
May 23rd 2011PeterJournal & London & Painting
Monday 23. 05. 11 Just back from our fast trip to London. Managed to see the Watercolour and Joan Miro show at both Tates with a boat trip in between and also took in the Tracey Emin show at the Hayward. All shows very worth while and all for completely different reasons. Visited the London Museum and the London Docklands Museum – both excellent. Shot some photos of the tube and also the Thames Barrier as possible sources of new monoprint series. Friday evening had dinner with Laurie and Erich who just happened to be in town.
Nov 14th 2010PeterJournal & London & Shows
Sunday 14. 11. 10 Got back from London yesterday afternoon. Great week. Met up with Carole, Julia and Daisy. Saw Polly and Monica. Spent a day with Lawrence and Diane sampling L’s various French wines. Saw the Gauguin show at the Tate (crowded) and a wonderful small show of Cezanne’s card players at the Courtauld. Discovered the Saatchi gallery on the King’s Road and went to the new Mike Leigh film Another Year. Heard a choral service at St Paul’s and visited several of Susan Philipsz sound sculptures in the City. A pretty busy week!
Jul 17th 2010PeterJournal & London & Painting & Shows
Saturday 17. 07. 10 Spent the morning in the studio whilst Carole and Daisy were at Pezenas market. Finished a couple of small paintings for the London show in November. Tonight up to George and Laurene”s for a swim and dinner.
May 18th 2010PeterJournal & London & Shows & Travel
Tuesday 18. 05. 10 Got back safely at noon today on time despite the volcanic cloud. Saw the Magnificent Maps exhibition at the British Library, climbed the Monument and took a tour of Tower Bridge. The Monument has 311 steps up this narrow circular stairway and has some interesting views of the city from the top. The height is based on the distance from the source of the Great Fire of London in Pudding Lane to the site of the monument itself. After tower bridge we also wandered around Butler’s Wharf and even went to the Design Museum. Monday morning shot some reference photos for my proposed series of monoprints of London stations (very convenient having Jason here shooting all this stuff!). Afterwards we went on a London walking tour around Mayfair – surprisingly good and not at all touristy. After pub lunch caught Greenline back to Luton. Stayed at the Days Inn, bland but functional. Tried to find somewhere to eat in Luton but not successful. The town centre is quite run-down and depressed with many places closed or for rent. Had to return to hotel for dinner. Up early this morning to get the 8.15 to Beziers. Drove home on the scooter via Decathlon where Jason found some ballet slippers for Poppy.