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November 30th     This morning the sky was that lovely shade of blue that always reminds me of France. Looking up at it reminded me that I must paint the horse that's on the roof. (See top pic) It's was painted very roughly; in a hasty 10 minute job, and has ended up staying like that. It's amazing it's stayed on the roof during these hellish gales we've had. I thought I'd have a mini catch-up today; as tomorrow (1st December), marks exactly a year since I started my daily blog. (With a few tiny little breaks). I don't know if anybody who reads my blog can remember a year ago when I started my 'Advert Calendar' ? Gosh that month's blog was a lot of work. It was properly Christmas Crackers! (Click on the black link if you fancy a reminder of the mayhem). For the moment, I've been entering lots of competitions and challenges. I've designed a fabric to remind people to recycle. There's a multi-coloured version, and a monochrome black and white version. The colourful version (see pic above left) has been entered into The Print me Pretty design challenge for this month, you can check it out by clicking on the black link, and leave a message if you like?. (there's also a link from there to their Facebook page where it's featured. The Black and White Recycle design (see above) has been entered into the Spoonflower Black and White challenge contest, (you can click on the black link to vote for me if you like?). There are a lot of entries, so you may have to scroll down for a while to find it 'Recycle Black n White' by multitalentedartist. This also reminds me, that you can vote for me in The Uk Blog Awards under the Eco and Green section (page 3) by clicking the above pink link; as well as in the Arts and Culture section. (Me cultured ppfff). I've also entered another thing but; I will share that with you if anything comes from it. Basically; just Vote for Me, Vote for Me! in everything (Please x). At this rate I may end up standing for election, and asking people to vote for me. (Though it won't be for the first time, see pic above). I definately couldn't make a worse job than the shambles who are in at the moment. (See I'm cutting edge political too!). If you've enjoyed my blog over the last year; please drop me a line as I would love to hear from you, and hardly ever get any feedback.. It can be very lonely here in Cyberspace... (Hmmm that's just given me an idea; maybe I'll send some radio waves out into space, to try and corner the alien vote?) P.s Have you seen the new images sent back from Mars, of the shiny rocks that have been spotted lying on the surface. They think they could be meteor fragments, but no one has mentioned that they could possibly be gold?. That could end up being THE slowest Gold Rush ever! How much would an ingot of that gold be worth though? Now there's a Mars Bar I wouldn't mind getting my hands on!..... Sweeeeet! P.P.s Vote for me!!! (Thanx) ------------------------------------------------------ November 29th  On this day in 1516 Giovanni Bellini died. So I thought I'd better put one of his most famous portraits in The Portrait Time Machine. It's features The Doge Leonardo Loredan. I've always loved this portrait with it's beautiful blue background. Infact; I generally like any of those 'simple outline' style portraits, which in some ways look like Cluedo characters. Anyway, here's my interpretation of how I think the Doge would look if he were alive today. (A bit like the guy out of 'Fantasy Island'?; but then again , I don't really have a Cluedo ....). ------------------------------------------------------------- November 28th  He's one of the most famous soldiers in history but; thanks to The Portrait Time Machine, he's now in the wrong Century and looks completely different. It's a painting from The Dutch Golden Age that has become known as; The laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals, 1624. The painting was simply titled 'The Cavalier' in Victorian times, when It was exhibited at Bethnal Green Museum (now known as V&A Museum of Childhood) in 1872-75. Later when it was exhibited at The Royal Academy in 1888, it had become known as The Laughing Cavalier. All that we actually know about the sitter, is that he was 26 when the painting was painted in 1624. You have to admit that the most splendid thing about the original painting is the outfit he is dressed in, (although the moustache does come a very close second). Frans Hals has captured the flame coloured embroidery on his black silk tunic so exquisitely; with swift, confident strokes. Without his 'tashe and goatee; and minus his flambouyant dress, I think this soldier looks rather 'run of the mill' (although he is still very handsome). Regarding this particular portrait though, it really could be a case of 'the clothes maketh the man', what do you think? ------------------------------------------------------- November 27th  He’s got an exhibition at the National Gallery, and he’s also in The Portrait Time Machine today. It’s that fabulous Renaissance Artist Lorenzo Lotto! With his painting ‘Venus with Cupid’, dated 1530. Now, this is another painting I was never really happy with the content of. It’s all very confusing; but apparently in the 1500’s it was classed as very amusing. The figure lying down is Venus; and the Cherub urinating on her is Cupid, her son. She’s wearing a veil and crown for she is to be married, and the ribbon tied around her chest is to mark her purity, (Apparently it was a custom of brides in the 1500’s). Cupid is peeing on her to enhance the fertility of the virgin bride. The seashell hanging in the tree represents the female, and is symbolic in its innuendo of the female genitalia. Now I’m no Gynecologist but; didn’t anyone notice that if Cupid is her son, she must have already indulged in some rumpy pumpy? The image of Cupid peeing on Venus may have been funny in the 16th Century; but to the modern eye it’s almost abusive. E.g. Just lay back Venus, and let love (Cupid) piss all over you. So once again, I’ve re-dressed the balance. In the 2018 version, Venus is just trying to get dressed in her yurt. The virginal chest band has been binned. Why should anybody have to confess their love life to anyone else?. It’s their own business and no one else’s. The crown and veil have gone and she is now free of any constrictions. Her arm tattoo translates to “Don’t let the bastard grind you down” (love), and her leg tattoo very aptly states ‘Love Hurts’. She has her phone ready to catch the scene ‘live’. Venus has used an electric fire as a shield; in the ultimate ‘Piss Off’ to Cupid, (which could result in a shocking end). Then finally; next to the ‘female’ shell hanging in the tree, there is now a burnt banana…… Balance re-dressed I think?.... ------------------------------------------------- November 26th  So, the Time Machine is running smoothly again today. (It just needed to get well oiled). When I was doing some maintenance on it yesterday, I found this Botticelli hiding behind the seat. The original portrait was painted by Sandro Botticelli in 1484, it's called Portrait of a Young Woman (possibly Simonetta Vespucci). To me, this stylised type of painting is like a very early form of graphic design. You cannot fail to love Botticelli's use of vibrant colours and his confident line work. When I studied the image of the young woman; I couldn't help but think how beautiful she was, and how totally ornate her hair style is. When you look at her in detail, you notice all the plaits, ribbons and pearls woven into her hair. The plaited tassels are fabulous; and I'm sure they, or even all, of the plaited parts must have been what are termed 'extensions' nowadays. The hair is much shorter and finer around the face than say, the two plaits which come around to the front and join up. The 'stylist' must have spent hours doing it. All of this detail made me wonder if the sitter actually realised how beautiful she was, or if (like many young girls) she looked in the mirror and saw a distorted view of herself. That's why I made her 2018 reflection in the mirror, an image of how she may have viewed herself. The Body Dismorphic Botticelli. I don't think the feelings of inadequacy in some young women are a modern thing it's probably been around for a very long time. Although, maybe not in such numbers as there are today. It's very sad when you meet a beautiful girl, who believes she is ugly. The old adage 'Beauty is wasted on the Youth' sadly, very often turns out to be true. However, 1484 or 2018 her eyebrows are still 'on fleek'. Crikey; it's amazing it's still as fresh as it was when it was painted, 534 years ago. This updated version of Botticelli's painting is meant to show the mental wrangling which can sadly happen during maturity. The true beautiful self, and the distorted self vision. (Sorry this one's deep I know? but; beauty very often, can be more than just 'skin' deep.) --------------------------------------------------- November 25th The Portrait Time Machine is closed today due to maintenance. I put Erasmus inside; and unfortunately he de-constructed it, in the hope of making a better version. With a bit of luck; it will be back up and running tomorrow, as I've put the genius Leonardo da Vinci inside now. That fella can turn his hand to anything..... BRB. ---------------------------------------------------- November 24th  Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1 is the actual title of today's portrait in The Portrait Time Machine. Painted in 1871 by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, it is better known as Whistler's Mother. Some say, it's an American Icon. Anna Whistler was 67 when she sat for the portrait; although Whistler himself didn't like the picture to be called a portrait, as far as he was concerned it was an arrangement. Very often in old paintings widow's are depicted as the eternal mourners; I can't remember seeing a painting of a male figure in mourning for a lost spouse. Whilst those who suffer loss, can suffer eternally. I like to think that with Grief Counselling; nowadays, people can move on and make the most of their lives. In my updated version of Whistler's Mother; she's had her Grief Counselling and realised that at 67 she still has plenty of vim and vigor and thus, has found a renewed lust for life. She has also become computer literate, and this has opened a whole new set of experiences for her. No more the contant mourner, now the Merry Widow!. The Portrait Time Machine will closed tommorrow for maintenance. (I put Erasmus in there and he's pulled it all apart). If you enjoy my blog and have any suggestions for entries into The Portrait Time Machine, just drop me a line. If you have a moment too; could you please vote for me in The Uk Blog Awards by clicking on the Pink Link above, it's simple and you don't have to register. (Infact; you can vote for me twice if you like, I'm in the Arts and Culture group on page 9 and the Eco and Green section on Page 3). I've been nominated and got through; to the second round and stand about a Cat in Hell's chance of winning, as I'm up against 'Super Bloggers'. Hey, but even a Cat in Hell deserves a chance surely? ha-ha ..thanx ----------------------------------------------------------- November 23rd  The Painting in The Portrait Time Machine today, kinda creeped me out, the first time I saw it as a young girl. It's called Candaules Showing His Wife to Gyges by Jacob Jordeans, painted in 1646. It shows the rather sleazy scene; of a rich old man who's married to a beautiful young woman, and he's allowing another man to take advantage of her by secretly watching as she strips to bathe. I always felt very sorry for her, so I've re-dressed the balance with my updated version. Instead of her being the victim; I've turned the tables on the men, and they are now the victims of her scam. She's taken a large sum of money from them, to supposedly allow them to be voyeurs. But; whilst this angelic cherub has promised them a heavenly experience, she has infact, called the police on the Peeping Toms. She is taking their money and running. I've given her tattoo wings, but this girl is no angel. To this young woman, there's no fool like an old fool. I guess you could say the two men got a bum deal? -------------------------------------------------- November 22th  Today's classic portrait that has entered The Portrait Time Machine is by the Dutch artist Rembrandt. I'm not sure if the subject's name is known, but it was painted in 1634. The skill in the execution of this painting is exquisite. As her name is unknown; I've resorted to Physiognomy once more, to analyse and update her. This is the face of a no nonsense; practical can-doer, who gives more than she takes. She may have lost someone; or something, in her life that she still grieves for. So; as a practical person who gives more than she takes, I imagined her, as working for the Ambulance Service. To me, she looks like she would be called Val in this day and age. So to quote Amy Winehouse; "Why don't you come on over Valerie?",..... ........(to the 21st Century, that is...) ------------------------------------------------ November 21th   Guess which 16th Century Sex Kitten is in The Portrait Time Machine today? Love her or hate her; but you'll never forget her. It's Anne Boleyn. This painting is a copy of a lost original of Anne, but I like it because it's one of the most used paintings to represent what Anne actually looked like. Physiognomy would described Anne as being an optimist; who had self belief and was quite sensitive, and we know from the history books that she was a total tease. So I've put her in this red, 'look but don't touch' style dress. I've made her mouth bigger in the updated version because, I am pretty sure she is deliberately pursing her lips in the painting to make her mouth look smaller. In the 16th century; a small rosebud style mouth, was thought of as being the most attractive shape. Funny how fashions can completely change. That is the polar opposite, of today's 'troutpout' 'duck style' favoured look. Most of the old depictions of Anne show her to have brown hair, so I'm going with that. Although, Holbein's sketch of Anne appears to show her with corn blonde hair. (See pic left) However, I shan't be losing my head over that issue. ----------------------------------------------- Late Night update:- Ok; so I've been nominated, and have got through to the second round in The Uk Blog Awards. I stand about a Cat In Hell's chance of winning but, I've just read that the link for voting is not working. (Only; hehe the link I have saved to my website is). So come on friends, vote for me by clicking on the Pink Link on my website, it's easy and you don't have to register to vote), let's make me the Bloggy Mc Blogface of 2018, please vote and share by clicking on the Pink link above. Thanx in advance ... (She who dares wins!) November 20th  Today’s portrait in The Portrait Time Machine took quite a lot longer to produce than normal, due to the amount of people featured. The original Oil Painting was painted in 1623 by Gerard van Honthorst, and it’s another one of my favourites. It’s an image of a bunch of musicians having fun. The main focus is on the lady on the right, (Her’s being the brightest lit figure). She’s suffered a wardrobe malfunction, which has resulted in a ‘nip slip’. The man who is in shadow; and sat with his back to us, has noticed this and is fixated. I love the fact that it’s a humourous painting and the colours of the costumes are so vibrant compared to a lot of paintings from that era. It’s amazingly fun and colour filled. In the updated version I couldn’t bear to cover over the beautiful vibrant costumes, so I brought the musicians to a modern setting. You could easily bump into these funsters at a music festival. So I put them in a street in Boomtown Fair, but added some up to date accessories. The brightly lit woman now has a shoulder tattoo, which she is showing off. This has resulted in the same scenario, and the man is still fixated. (Some things never change). The group is drinking Tequila, and I’ve put an orange N.O.S balloon in the man’s empty hand. The girl at the back is taking a selfie, and there’s a mirror on the table with dubious lines on it. The lad at the centre back is showing off his gold grillz. I know the pics are small and low resolution, but I’m hoping you can still see this. I’m thinking of possibly making a high-resolution glossy book of these images, whereby the details will be very clear. Or, maybe signed prints? I would love to hear any feedback on this, if there would be any interest? So there go our lovely lads and ladies; off into The Portrait Time Machine, 'shine on you crazy diamonds'. -------------------------------------------------------- November 19th  As we had Holbein’s Thomas More in The Portrait Time Machine yesterday, how about his portrait of Thomas Cromwell today? Painted in 1532-33. I don’t think this portrait is as slick and polished as the Thomas More one. Maybe Holbein spent more time with Thomas More?. Maybe he liked one more than the other? Physiognomy would say that, Thomas Cromwell was an intense man with a fine eye for detail. He noticed things that others missed and his nose shows that he was a centre of information. (People came to him to tell him things and he passed that information on to the relevant people) He would have made a good Receptionist, a Bookmaker etc. I chose to make him into a Bailiff though; I think that would be the information he would be passing on with his stern, no nonsense looks. I’ve sat him in a Public House; as the settle or pew he is sat on, reminds me of the ones that are still in use in old-fashioned pubs. I love the way the wall looks like it’s decorated in flock wallpaper, and I actually like the way the dark teal wall clashes with the grass green tablecloth. I gave him short hair; as I’m sure he’d probably class long hair as belonging to lay-abouts, in this day and age. The pint of beer he’s drinking is Bitter. He strikes me as a bitter man. Yep, off he goes to The Portrait Time Machine! ----------------------------------------------------- November 18th  It occurred to me yesterday whilst I was working on a portrait, that I subconsciously use Physiognomy in my work. Physiognomy is the ancient art of Face Reading. It is something I’ve always been interested in, and have read lots of books on the subject. It’s just a bit of fun really; but after studying the subject, when I now see a portrait, I imagine what that person must have been like. Yesterday I put one of my all time favourite portraits; by one of my favourite artists, into The Portrait Time Machine. The Portrait of Sir Thomas More by Hans Holbein painted in 1527. You don’t need to use physiognomy to see that, here’s another strong man. I love everything about this portrait. The intensity; the rich textures and the portrayal of the red, silk velvet robe. The way Holbein has captured the shimmer of the fabric is heavenly. Even the shine in the stubble on his face is sublime. Absolutely delicious! Physiognomy would describe this face as, the face of a family man who had a talent for making money. He kept many secrets and was passionate about his beliefs. (But I’m pretty sure that is what was written about him anyway?) I wanted to keep his hair the same length in the updated version; and in my mind’s eye I pictured him as a slightly tormented rock and roll style, Country Singer. So that’s the way he ended up in The Portrait Time Machine. He might even be singing – “His D.I.V.O.R.C.E. became final today” ha-ha. (You may have to read up on the history of Henry VIII to get that joke!) ------------------------------------------------------- November 17th  Wouldn't it be funny; if a portrait went into the Portrait Time Machine, and came out as a portrait painted later in the subjects life? Like this next one of Christina of Denmark; painted in 1558 by Francis Clouet. 20 years later than the Holbein portrait featured yesterday. You've only got to look into the eyes of Christina to see she was pretty 'Kick Ass'. In the above original portrait; to me she has that 'take no prisoners', Rock Chick look. So that's the look I chose to update her image to 2018. When you think of other the portraits Holbein painted of prospective wives for Henry VIII; the women look demure. But; when you look at the painting from yesterday, Christine is giving a very bold, direct stare. I find this very refreshing for a woman of that era, who was expected to be seen and not heard. By February 1563, she referred to herself as "Christina, by the grace of God Queen of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, Sovereign of the Goths, Vandals, and Slavonians, Duchess of Schleswig, Dittmarsch, Lorraine, Bar, and Milan, Countess of Oldenburg and Blamont, and Lady of Tortona." Yep, definately Kick Ass Rock Chick! (P.S. Did you notice the 'snuff' spoon necklace around her neck?) ------------------------------------------------------------ November 16th   This Portrait Time Machine I've created, is becoming addicitive. All the portraits I use in the T.M. are paintings I've loved for years. I still love portraiture and have produced many over the years. (See pic left of Frank Bruno drawn in the 1980's). Today's portrait to enter the Time Machine though; is Christina of Denmark. It was painted in 1538 by Hans Holbein. I know it's a bit controversial giving her black hair when she's Danish; but her eyes are a very dark brown, and in a later portrait of her in the 1550's, it shows that she did have black hair. With her direct stare and black clothes, she made me think of Liza Minelli in the film Cabaret. Henry VIII sent Holbein to paint Christina when he was scouting for wives. Henry was very pleased with the outcome and asked her to marry him. She; obviously being a very savvy lass, declined the offer stating "If I had two heads, then I would gladly offer one to Henry". So there she is, bold and beautiful Cabaret Christina! --------------------------------- November 15th  I’ve been tweaking my website a bit to add a ‘Vote for Me’ (in the UK blog awards); link, which I’ve been sent. I have almost a ‘Cat in Hell’s’ chance of winning, so I've altered the wording on the link slightly. If you have a moment; and you like rooting for the underdog, could you please vote for me via the link? Thanks in advance. I’ve also added a Bubblelicious header at the top of this page too; as I decided a white background with white writing just didn’t work, ha-ha. (By the way if you like my header; I have designed a fabric called Bubblelious in the same pattern, which is available to buy on Spoonflower very soon. See pic below. In the midst of yesterday’s chaos; I still managed to operate The Portrait Time Machine, and look who came through. It’s The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer! Originally painted in 1665; and re-worked by me, yesterday. Only now, she’s going backpacking around the world. (Well that’s how I imagined her in this day and age). No more ‘The Girl with the Pearl Earring'; more like ‘Girl; give your mum a ring!’, but first she's off to The Portrait Time Machine!  ---------------------------------------------------- November 14th  Sew busy again today. I'm making up a Christmas 'Ginger Br'Ed Sheeran' Stocking to post to Ed Sheeran himself. See pic below. (Incase you missed it; they're designed by me, and available on Print me Pretty. So if you fancy one for Christmas; or to give as a gift to your 'crafty' friends, click on the link). I also updated another portrait for the Portrait Time Machine. This time I modernised one of my favourite subjects from the past, Henry VIII. Even updated, and wearing a suit he still looks like a very powerful man. I kept the sceptre in the image because I imagined if he were alive today, he'd still have a Pimp Cane. In my imagination, that's just how the big fella rolls... and he's now rolled into The Portrait Time Machine.  ------------------------------------- November 13th  Right then; as promised, I've added an enhanced image of The Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, to The Portrait Time Machine. As soon as I added eyelashes and lipstick she made me think of Dita von Teese, the Burlesque Artist. Nobody is quite sure what colour the Mona Lisa's hair was originally; as it's been over painted several times, but I imagined if she were alive today she may have dyed her hair black. Also; most Burlesque Artists have certain assets (be them real or false) so I added a couple of surgically enhanced boobs, then off she went to The Portrait Time Machine Gallery page. I like the way she turned out. She was definately a minx! So here she is the all new, ..... Mona Dita! ------------------------------------------------ November 12th  Yesterday I modernised another of Roger van der Weyden's portraits. (See above pic) I think I enjoy doing this; as it makes me feel like the subject has got into an Art Time Machine, and has been transported to the present day. With this in mind; I thought it would be good fun to have a page dedicated to this activity, so I've set up a Portrait Time Machine Page. Please hop on over, check it out and let me know what you think. I will be regularly adding images to the Gallery and if you have any suggestions for portraits to modernise why not let me know. I can't guarantee I'll be able to do it, but it would be interesting to hear from you. As for you Mona Lisa........... Get in my Portrait Time Machine , I'm coming for you! ------------------------------------------------------------- November 11th  So today is Remembrance Day - lest we forget. I’m thinking of those poor; brave men who sacrificed their lives, and the ones who suffered mentally and physically as a result of war. Their families at home who suffered too, with the ongoing trauma? To wear a poppy on your lapel represents the battlefields at Flanders. It’s worn to show that those brave men and women; who fought, will never be forgotten. It’s such a shame then; when you read in the newspapers about homeless ex-soldiers like Darren Greenfield, who die on the streets. Nobody should die on the streets in the U.K. in this era, yet it is estimated that at least 440 homeless people died in the U.K. in the past year. I can only imagine with the rolling out of Universal Credit across the country; and the five weeks of no income that comes with it, that those figures are only going to increase. I really don’t like those charities that ask you not to give money to the homeless; give it to them instead, and they will decide how to help them. Erm, no!. Definitely give it to the homeless, I say. I met a couple of ex-service men who were homeless a few years back; and they did use the poppy in other ways, to forget the horrors they saw. Peace out.... On a slightly lighter note it’s National Tongue Twister Day today! The top tongue twisters listed on the Internet, seem to be these seven…. 1. She sells seashells by the seashore. 2. The sixth sick sheikh’s sixth sheep’s sick. 3. Six slippery snails, slid slowly seaward. 4. Black bug bit a big black bear. But where is the big black bear that the big black bug bit? 5. A skunk sat on a stump. The stump thunk the skunk stunk. The skunk thunk the stump stunk. 6. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, How man pickled peppers would Peter Piper pick? 7. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck If a woodchuck could chuck wood? He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, And chuck as much wood as a woodchuck would If a woodchuck could chuck wood Not even a sniff of the one my dear late dad taught me as a small child. I’ve had many hours of amusement, asking adults and children to repeat it. It goes like this… One smart fellow, he felt smart, Two smart fellows, they felt smart, Three smart fellows, they felt smart, And they all felt smart together. If you practise it; you will be able to say it quickly, then sit back and feel that overwhelming whiff of superiority whilst trying to stifle the laughter. Peace, Love and Laughter x ----------------------------------------------------------- November 10th  I’ve managed to buy an Art book in a charity shop that I can’t read. I was seduced by the images inside it. It’s a book about the artist Roger van der Weyden; who was an early Flemish painter that lived from 1399 to 18th June 1464, and it’s written in Italian. I always find early portraits fascinating. I like the detail. The jewellery, the fabric and the architectural designs. I like to look at the sitter’s features, and imagine what they’d look like if they were alive today. I’ve noticed that van de Weyden had a particular skill when it came to painting tears, and he added them to a lot of his sitters. (See pic below). A few portraits of women show a particular fashion in that day; for what I can only describe as, an extreme bandaged head look. (Probably made fashionable by that famous 15th Century Tailoress; Vivianna Westwood-Ho!) I think that maybe the 15th Century ideal woman was demure and in tears; as a lot of the women he paints are attractive, just not in a 21st Century type of way. I’ve modernised the cover image of a young woman; by giving her make-up and updating her red hairstyle, and I’ve also included a phone in a Kim Kardashian style. (See above pic). This is what I imagine she would look like nowadays. I would let you know more about the Flemish Painter Roger van der Weyden; but as the book is written in Italian, I’m Roger’ed twice. …….. Yes, it’s all Double Dutch to me!  -------------------------------------------------------------- November 9th  Speaking with friends recently; I asked for any helpful hints on blogging, and it seems the top trending tip at the moment is ‘getting naked’. Apparently; getting naked is the best way to boost numbers massively. Stripping off has always been an instant attention grabber though; as in the above 1946 Varga Varieties Girl. (By the way; if any of my readers have any useful tips on blogging I would love to hear from you, or any other feedback would be greatly appreciated). With this in mind I decided today, that I would be working completely butt naked! I thought it was probably best to avoid the jewellery workshop, as I didn’t fancy any nicks or cuts in any sensitive areas. So I opted for a far safer bet, and sat down to do some sewing of traveller tartan flat caps. (See pic below). The weather is wet and windy again today and I do have a few draughts; which got into the nooks and crannies but all in all, I managed to keep warm. Sew Naked- it’s now a ‘thing’!.........Will I go viral? (Some of you may have ‘cottoned’ on to the fact that there are no photos of me stitching in my Birthday Suit as evidence. Well I can assure you that underneath these three layers of thermal clothing; I am in fact, completely naked!) And that’s the Naked Truth!  ------------------------------------------------------------ November 8th   I've been a little bit distracted of late, as I'm taking part in a Small Business Course. It covers all aspects of running a small business efficiently. Taxation; profit forecasts, book keeping (though not the sort of books like the one I bought at a car boot sale recently; which is a gorgeous 1946 scrap book of Varga Variety Girls, see pics). I decided a while back that I need to be better prepared when it comes to selling my items. I am the eternal learner. I've always enjoyed learning new skills. If I can't do a job that I want to do, then I will go out and learn how to do it. I studied Graphic Design at Art College; but that was way before Photoshop, or any computer art. So when I decided I needed to update my skills, I went to an evening class in Photoshop. I also took an evening class in Digital Photography; and Dreamweaver, and Illustrator in order to be back on track. Small business management is (for most artistic folk) an alien subject; and while I'm doing the course, I feel my hands are tied (like in the above dubious pic, which is in the V.V.G. Scrapbook) re selling art. I'm also trying to have a massive clear out of collectables I've aquired over the years. I will feel much happier when I've finished the course in a few weeks time and can set up shop far more efficiently. I could do all three things; produce art, learn how to sell art efficiently and set up shop. The problem is; at the moment, it feels a bit like the lady on the left. It's all too much tassle....I mean hassle! ---------------------------------------------- November 7th  Wow, last night's wind and rain really did pick up after I wrote my blog. I was lying in bed and the walls were flexing more than the plasticine I had been modelling with. (I wasn't walking down a catwalk with it). The whole crazy storm made for a very noisy, edgy night. I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz . Crikey, I'm glad we don't have too many like that one. Not much sleep was had and I was seeing stars today. I actually was seeing stars; as I was stamping them out with my star cutting die punch thingy. Probably best not to operate them when you're tired as it's quite easy to catch a digit on the sharp metal edges left on the punched metal. (See above pic, for a pretty splash of the old claret on the said piece of equipment). Fortunately it only a scratch; and after sticking a plaster on it and sitting down with a cuppa and a quick bit of online surfing, I was good to go again. After three days of avoiding feasting on the National Food Day list on Wikipedia; I broke my diet and had a sneaky peek. I'm not going to say which National Food Day it is today in the USA as I need to break the habit. So; I won't be telling you that it may consist of tortilla chips covered in a tasty mince and cheese. No; I won't be telling you that. National Food Day list...Today is Nacho Day! --------------------------------------------------- November 6th  Back to the sparkles today, re-polishing jewellery which had dulled a bit in it's box. I've been trying not to dull a bit myself, as the weather has switched to windy and rainy. It's all too easy to let the Cabin Fever in; when you've lived through a great many muddy winters. Mud may be the focus of much fun and frolics in the middle of summer at Glastonbury Festival but when you live in a caravan all year round it's hard to find the fun. One year when my children were young and we lived in a big silver Double Decker bus; the mud got so gloopy, we laid down a path and deck of wooden pallets. We must have used 30 or 40? That year we called our home Buckingham Pallets. (Well; one must keep up appearances!) I do love rain most of the time; (let's face it we, the Earth and the animals need it to survive)... just not when it's relentless and makes the ground a quagmire. Anyway; I refuse to get bogged down with today's rainy weather, (even though I've spouted torrents about it tonight). Brillo the Border Terrier; Eartha and B.B. the cats, are loving snuggling up infront of the roaring wood burning stove and I've just opened a brand new packet of rainbow coloured Plasticine. (see above pic)..... So rain will not stop play around here!. ---------------------------------------------------------------  November 5th Remember; remember, the 5th of November. Gunpowder; treason and losing the plot. I'm STILL shepherding pixels! Hence the work today finished with a fizz rather than a bang. Fortunately; the evening was more spectacular and sparkly though, when I went to watch a fab Firework Display at Taunton Racecourse. (See above pic of three palms exploding). I know they are called palms, because I read an interesting article on identifying the various types of firework. (I bet there are some geeks out there who can identify each one by smell). I'll be back to twinkly stuff though tomorrow; as I'll definitely working in my jewellery workshop for the day. I need to bring the sparkle back into my life, with a bit of spit and polish. (Hmmm; on second thoughts maybe not the spit?.... just the polish). As those famous Pop Prophets Take That said...Let it shine! -------------------------------------------------- November 4th
  On days like these; (day 2 of pixel shepherding), I can't believe I've resorted to posting pictures of my food. Yesterday's politician (see previous post) is today's sandwich though; and as it's National Sandwich Day today, Sam and Dave made a rather nice little snack. (See above pic). Oh well; Eggs is eggs! There are lots of firework displays on tonight and Brillo the Border Terrier is not bothered one jot. That's because he's profoundly deaf now and can't hear the bangs. I used to have a Springer Spaniel called Pedro and he was a pitiful sight on bonfire night, he'd shake for hours. I used to wrap him up in a blanket and hold him like a baby to try and stop him shaking, poor thing. Sergeant Brillo has always been the polar opposite. When he was young he used to bite the air and growl at the fireworks; completely fearless, standing guard at the window checking that none of them were coming anywhere near. Now he just lies infront of the woodburner; making a smell reminiscent of fireworks, from his back end. I watched this week's Channel 4 TV program Naked Attraction last night. With my memory for facial recognition, I'm fairly sure the guy on it was also R Wayne in Peter Kay's hilarious 'Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice' . Only; he now works out a lot, has plucked his eyebrows and visited a spray booth. (see pic right) The people who go on that program really do have some balls. I take my hat off to them all, taking everything off. I'm guessing the guy who played the part of R Wayne now goes by the name of R Willy? (Not to be confused with the Scottish Comic Strip character Oor Wullie; who despite being in a comic 'Strip', to my knowledge never actually got naked.... (I must get back in the studio tomorrow, I think I'm going screen crazy.) ----------------------------------------------- November 2nd  Today has been one of those days where it's quite hard to see what I've actually been doing, literally. I've been pressing on with a boring old job which leaves the brain feeling addled; but it's gotta be done, so I just have to crack on and do it. I've been a pixel shepherd. (Well that's what I call it anyway). Rounding up any loose pixels on images I've made for fabric designs and putting them where they belong . (See pic below of a close up of an image that needs tidying up). It pays off in the end because you can guarantee if you don't go into this amount of detail; when the item comes back from the printers, those little bits you missed can be so annoying to look at. The thing is; I like my finished work to look eggseptional. No; my brain isn't scrambled! I just knew this would happen on National Deviled Eggs Day! (USA) (See yesterday's post). Do you think there may be a link between National Deviled Eggs Day and David Cameron announcing his return to frontline politics? First he drops us in the eggsplosive Brexsh*t, then runs like a chicken !...A sure sign of a rotten egg? Cameron returns on Deviled Eggs Day a coincidence?.... I'm shell shocked!... (I'm also Super Eggsited as I've just found out I'm through to the next round of the Uk Blog Awards! Eggsellent..) (See above pic of Dave and Sam, who aren't as eggsited as I am)  ---------------------------------------------------------- November 1st  Did you know November 1st is International Stout day?.........................Well I'll drink to that!
It's also National Vinegar Day, National French Fried Clam Day and National Cook for Your Pets Day..... I'm sure there's a few Basset Hounds out there who will fail to be impressed with that, and some Siamese cats who will think it's still not good enough. Liberty Horses too; who don't want to chomp on it, because they are watching their waists. Siberian Huskies will wolf it down while the Pekinese will pick at it, though the Goldfish would just gulp it up if they weren't so flaky. Even though Budgies are known as seedy characters they are all a flutter if you're making one of those recipes on twitter. Whereas Rabbits they'd have it again and again and again ..... (Please accept my apologies for tonight's post, I may have been celebrating International Stout Day more eagerly than the other National Days. Tommorrow I will try not to be so 'barking' mad; but I can't guarantee it, as tommorrow is National 'Deviled' Egg Day...)
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Lolly GoldingThe day to day life of a Somerset Artist Archives
March 2022
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