'March'ing ahead..

​March 20th 
Organisation, it's just not my forte. So, I'm thinking of trying to be more organised with my blogging. Blogging every night can become a chore; and as I actually enjoy blogging, I'm thinking that maybe I will blog on only three nights a week?. Monday; Wednesday and Friday seem like good options, but I'm just interested in any feedback from readers on this? Having been nominated for the U.K. Blog Awards and reading with interest how other bloggers work; I was quite surprised to read that some of the bloggers who got through to the final round only blog a couple of times a week. I would love to hear your likes/dislikes and tips on how to get more readers.  I'm also thinking of opening my own 'Lollipop' Shop, selling art I've made. Tell me what you'd like to see in the shop, any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanx           
                ---------------------------------------------------------
March 19th

On this day in 1533 John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners died.
This portrait of him was painted sometime between 1520-26 by Ambrosius Benson.
I love it because of the direct stare; and so does The Portrait Time Machine, and that's why it decided to update it.
The way that he is holding the piece of fruit in his hand; to me, is not suggestive of an offering. To me, it suggests that this guy is going to batter you to death with it. In a modern day setting I picture him as a tough guy in a Guy Ritchie film, and coincidentally that's how the machine has portrayed him...... John Bourchier, just another Goodfella!
               
             --------------------------------------------------------
​March 16th

Although the Portrait Time Machine has been pretty quiet of late, it is still chugging away merrily. Today it's produced an updated version of a portrait of Christopher Columbus by Sebastiano del Piombo, painted in 1519 after Columbus's death.
​Funny, because I've been focussing on my Traveller Tartan at the moment, and he was one of the most famous travellers and explorers ever.
When I was at school he was heralded as a great man, but nowadays he's thought of like Marmite, you either love him or hate him. Physically he was described as a large man with auburn hair. I'm not sure how common it was for Italians to have red hair in those days? but I've read that, when the Romans came to England they described it as a nation full of copper haired people. Indeed, Boudicca was said to have had red hair. 
In the original painting; Columbus is wearing thick bulky furs, which must have been pretty cumbersome when exploring. Nowadays with the high tech clothing that's available; it's made travelling so much easier, and of course, any self respecting traveller would wish to be seen in a Traveller Tartan hat. So that's what he's wearing.
(Now some people who will have a quick 'peak' at this page; may assume that the Portrait Time Machine has the 'cap'acity to include some free advertising for my traveller tartan as it's updated the portrait of Columbus............ All I can say is.........If the cap fits......haha)                
                     ---------------------------------------------------
March 14th

A couple of news reports today covered the recent findings that Ancient Brits travelled to Stonehenge for  raves . Is this news to them? Blimey I thought everyone knew that?.
I imagine that it probably wasn't policed as strictly as it is now though.
Archeologists analysed remains from pigs that were brought to the stones to feast upon, to work out how far and wide people had come to party. Some might say that there is still a need to get rid of the pigs at Stonehenge; but on my more recent jaunts to the stones, I'm glad to report that I've never noticed any ceremonial goings on with pigs. 
No we can leave that to the likes of David Cameron thank-you!
(See pic from March 6th)               

​                    ---------------------------------------------------
March 13th

---

I was making a little image for my 'Travelling the Road' scarves to use for Mother's Day, and it got me thinking about just how many people there must be in the world who move from place to place living on the roads or have a nomadic lifestyle. People sometimes refer to life itself as the 'long and winding road' and let's face it; it's definately a journey, and sometimes it can be a very bumpy ride.
One area of travelling I'm quite interested in, are the American Nomads who roam the U.S.A. in their trailers, R.V's , trucks and buses . There's even a section of travellers in the U.S. who are termed the Camper Force. They apparently; move around from Amazon Depot to Amazon Depot working shifts, and make up a sizable percentage of the workforce. This evening I think I will watch the documentary made by Richard Grant called American Nomads; I found a link to online. I've added a button below to click on, if you'd like to watch it too. It looks very interesting. Maybe I could start a new line in Traveller Tartan Stetsons? Put it this way; if I ever saw anyone wearing one of those...I'd definitely take my hat off to them!
(p.s. If you wish to buy a scarf please pop over to the Traveller Tartan page and click on the link)

Richard Grant's American Nomads link

                   -----------------------------------------------------
March 10th

​Gulp!...So today's the day that I've managed to keep all the metaphorical plates spinning and have launched a facebook page for Traveller Tartan. The whole process of of designing; registering, producing the fabrics etc. has been a very long, and intense journey. There always seems to be something I've left off the 'Check' list, so let's hope I have everything in order. Tonight I'm feeling just like one of my scarves.........I need a 'check up from the neck up' ! 
     
           


​              ----------------------------------------------------------
March 7th

---

It's not the 25th December today, but it has been Boxing Day in my abode...(see above pic)
I'm now teetering on the edge of being ready; willing, and able to stick my neck out and 'Check' out the world of marketing with my Traveller Tartan Scarves....x
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------

March 6th

Today is not only the birthday of my gorgeous friend Marion, it's also Michelangelo's birthday.
He was born on 6th March 1475 and died 18th February 1564.
The guy was a genius; which is why his work still endures all these years later, and probably why The Portrait Time Machine has popped out a portrait of him today.
Like in the past; I have used the ancient art of Physiognomy to analyse his portrait, which was painted of by Daniele da Volterra. His face would read as; he was a fun loving man (curly hair), with lots of character. The deep lines running from the sides of his nose to the corners of his mouth would tell that, this man can talk to anybody about anything. (He loved talking, and he probably had a lot of funny stories). His jutting jaw shows his determination. His earlobes say that this is a spiritual man, (take a look at how a Buddha's earlobes are portrayed). With his skills, determination and lack of shyness, he had the Physiognomy to succeed.
Using this information; I imagined him in the 21st Century giving Ted Talks on how to make a successful career from Art, and that is how the machine has portrayed him. (In the modern world he's actually turned out to look like a couple of my art tutors from the past).
His work has inspired people for over 450 years and is still inspiring and being replicated to this day. Remember the 'Cameron David' 9ct gold and silver pendant I made last year (see pic below), made to mark the 'Hameron' Piggate scandal? I'm sure Michelangelo would have loved telling everyone all about that.

                 --------------------------------------------------------
March 5th

Did you know that the actor Rex Harrison was born on this day in 1908?
Funny; because yesterday I was feeling a little sheepish, but today I've been feeling like a Pushmepullyou.
It's been one of those days where you start to do a job that you hope will improve things; only for everything to unravel. Then you have to do it all again from the start. You could call it a My 'Un'Fair Lady day.
However; I gambolled along regardless, even if it did feel like one step forward two steps back.
Do you ever have that type of day? It definately wasn't a DoLittle day ..
                                    _________________________________

March 4th
I'm feeling a little sheepish as it's been ages since I penned a post; ewe wouldn't believe how busy I've been though.
I've been trying to shake off my woolly headedness and swap it for a 'business head' which is something I've always struggled with; and to be fair, probably always will. However here goes; in the coming months I will be listing things I've produced for sale and I'm hoping that people may flock to buy my products.
Will I be ahead of the herd, or just another lamb to the slaughter? We shall see?
I think today is the day to March 4th though...