Spaniels

What music I could write if I had you with me always. (Elgar)

The Painting is by Fragonard and can be seen in the Wallace Collection in London

(Quote below slightly amended.)

A young girl, carves her initial on the bark of a tree, while observed by her pet spaniel, the symbol of her fidelity to her love. The theme reflects the increasing sensibilité of the second half of the eighteenth century. Its scale and careful technique also show Fragonard varying his style to echo the contemporary taste for the ‘little masters’ of seventeenth-century Holland, although he continued to animate such stylistic references with his own inimitable theatrical lighting, delicate draughtsmanship and calligraphic traceries of hair and foliage.

For 100swallows

This time it is life size, with this sort of "look" but in bronze!

Post Script amd.

I spent that night on board, it was a very still, beautiful moon, no wind, and the tide was barely noticable; all fortunate because I had to go ashore rather a lot as the dog needed to! The result of this was my last post! Thought you should see the funny side!

Poem

Of course you only die once. If you are lucky it's quick or happens in your sleep.

If it's you that is left, then why not dig yourself out from the deepest loneliness?

Find a new life of laughter and joy; it will take time and perseverance.

Better to have loved once than never loved at all (so they say).

Except of course you miss it more: but not to be trifled with because it hurts the more.

Better not to want the unobtainable, though your sights are high!

The boat rocks,

The dog barks,

The "bell" doesn't ring.

So, where next my darling?

RSRM 2011 (for Good Friday)

Albert Toft

Sorry, poor photo of a "Toft" in the V and A

Beware the South West

We have some of the most dangerous tidal waters in the world, some of the sharpest rocks, the most unpredictable weather and our history and shore line is littered with wrecked ships to prove it. Please stay away from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall as there is yet another hazard this year; me!

My Studio reality

This is how people imagine I spend my working time in the studio. No such luck. Just to spoil a few myths as so many ask! This delightful work is for sale see Sothebys.

New Life

I am lucky now, I have a brilliant commission. She is a mystic, Arthurian Princess in an exquisite dress. Her gaze will be a happy one, gazing into the future her head to one side. She can see the good times ahead and believes what she sees. I shall enjoy creating her passions and her joy. I too believe in her future and will make it happen. Life size and the first in a beautiful garden for two centuries, my fingers are waking like the life all around me busy as spring arrives again. Like the sleeping beauty (!) I too am coming alive again.