Friday 07. 07. 17 Nearly finished these two. Off to a weekend retreat at the Buddhist monastery just north of Lodève.
A6
Friday 30. 06. 17 This one is when I was just about to leave for Canada in 1965.
With writing
Monday 19. 06. 17 Have now added the script to these two and have started on the drawing of A6.
A4 & A5
Tuesday 13. 06. 17 These two are coming along. Not easy to shoot as can’t get far enough from them!
How things have changed
Tuesday 13. 06. 17 Another hot day on the beach at Meze. Yesterday I worked on Autoportraits 4 & 5 and have also been reading The Descent of Man by Grayson Perry – a tract on masculinity. This morning on the beach in my speedos I remember my Dad and Grandad on east coast beaches in England, Dad in shorts, Grandad in trousers and a waistcoat. How things have changed!
More autoportraits
Sunday 04. 06. 17 I have been working on these on and off all week. They are not finished but they are on their way.
Autoportrait 2
Friday 26. 05. 17 Back into the studio today. Working on the second autoportrait.
First swim
Friday 26. 05. 17 Rode over to Meze yesterday morning as it was hot and sunny and had my first swim of the year. The water was surprisingly warm!
La Transition
Tuesday 23. 05. 17 Just back from a great weekend in Bordeaux. I was invited to Olivier’s retirement party which we celebrated at Le Prieuré an old priory in Castres sur Gironde just outside Bordeaux. A wonderfully French weekend with lots of good food, including 2 roasted pigs, good conversation and good wine. Happily we could also stay the night there. I gave Olivier this painting to mark the occasion.
Moving along
Thursday 18. 05. 17 Worked more on this today. All of the portraits will have the gold ‘frame’ and some writing on them. Now I just have to finish the actual painting but I’m happy with it so far.