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THE FISH AND CHIP SHOP AT CLEATOR MOOR
THE FISH AND CHIP SHOP AT CLEATOR MOOR 28th September 2020 I’ve been making another video from the wardrobe. It’s getting to be a habit.  This time it’s about 2 paintings of a fish and chip shop in Cleator Moor and  the story of Lowry’s connections with West Cumbria.   Click on the link to access it.   It is 40 minutes so settle down and relax.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IZHYAjqv7EVsGxOfoJ9OgbDuWQxbs7to/view    So I’ve been hanging  out in Cleator Moor - no crazy tourists there for sure. It definitely isn’t a tourist destination but it appealed ... Read More »»
THE PURSUIT OF PERCY KELLY
THE PURSUIT OF PERCY KELLY 22nd August 2020 I’ve been spending time in my wardrobe again. Sad isn’t it? Due to popular request Michael crept up and took a photo of me in there. It’s the first image on this next story. You will see it’s quite cosy. The feedback in response to my first venture into the wonderful world of video making was so positive that it’s become the first of a series.  Rosalie’s Bequest seemed to strike a chord with so many of you art lovers so each of the series will be a story about a work of art that I’ve encountere... Read More »»
THE OLD SMITHY LOWESWATER
THE OLD SMITHY LOWESWATER 27th July 2020 I have spent the last 30 years trying to identify many of Percy Kelly ‘s locations.  He rarely gave a title or any help at all in identifying them  (he didn’t sign most of them but they are unmistakeable Kelly)   When his work arrived at Castlegate House in 1993 I was totally overwhelmed. Recording  everything was a nightmare in those early computer days. Because Percy didn’t want to exhibit or sell his work there was no point for him to give it a title. Some were obvious like the great West Cum... Read More »»
PERCY GOES TO BARNARD CASTLE
PERCY GOES TO BARNARD CASTLE 9th July 2020 I’m in the wardrobe again.  Michael crept up and took a photo through a crack in the door  (pleased I’d had my hair cut.)   Is there nowhere I can go to make another video in peace? Many  of you liked  the story of the Redpath  painting and have passed the link on so  it’s growing  and fanning out as it gathers momentum - maybe I should make a series – each one the story of a painting I’ve handled.  Of course the most popular request is for one based on a Percy Kelly painting so I’m getting on ... Read More »»
NOTES FROM A WARDROBE
NOTES FROM A WARDROBE 3rd July 2020  Good news. My framer is back from furlough and the new small Kelly’s are framed and out of lock down as I promised so I now have more precise details. I dropped them off in early March without noting sizes which was careless of me. There has been much excitement over them so have a look on the GALLERY pages in the FOR SALE boxes. I’m happy to deal with any questions and give further information.  A few are reserved until people can get round to seeing them for real but past experience tells me ... Read More »»
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
WHAT'S IN A NAME? 17th June 2020 As lock down slowly eases and some of us stagger blinking into the light, and others to Primark and IKEA, it is hard to readjust to a different world.   I’m not sure I want to venture out of my little bubble where I’ve been so comfortable into a dangerous place. But mine is a privileged position with a nice garden and a national park outside my door, family and friends in Zoom squares regularly joining us round the kitchen table for a glass or two of wine.  Most of us have access to endless ente... Read More »»
ART IN THE TIME OF COVID19
ART IN THE TIME OF COVID19 12th April 2020 Happy funny Easter. It’s strange times like this when we realise the importance of the arts. Having read about David Hockney making i-pad drawings and paintings while in isolation in Brittany, I got my unused I pad pencil out of its pristine white box and have set myself the task of doing one drawing every day. I find I am looking closer at everything around me. Limitations of time and subject give focus and simplification - no deadlines; no pressure. Try it! This crisis has flagged up the impo... Read More »»
THE ARTY SHOW
THE ARTY SHOW 24th February 2020 Michelin tyres ran an advertising campaign more than thirty years ago with the strap line WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WETTEST PLACE IN BRITAIN? It focussed on Seatoller at the head of the Borrowdale Valley and Michelin gave away heavy duty tyres to everyone in the valley.  I’m glad to say that although we have endured the biggest rainfall over the shortest period of time ever in the last few weeks our flood defences appear to be holding… so far. On Monday 9th March at 6pm at Theatre by the Lake in... Read More »»
BURIED IN BOOKS
BURIED IN BOOKS 3rd February 2020 Every day books are arriving by post; books about art, cycling, biography and novels by some of our leading writers. I love this time of year when I can curl up and read whatever the time of day (or night) and not feel guilty. I will be meeting and introducing some of the people who wrote these beautiful books in a few weeks when the Words by the Water team will roll in from Dartington in Devon, set up camp in Theatre by the Lake and Keswick will come alive with chatter, debate, ideas and inspir... Read More »»
WORDS BY THE WATER 6 – 15 March
WORDS BY THE WATER 6 – 15 March 10th January 2020 The programme’s out! This is something I and many others look forward to each year. This year’s line-up of speakers is great – from famous names to people I’ve never heard of with interesting stories to tell. I’m looking forward to hearing Tim Waterstone of bookshop fame, John Crace the Guardian satirist who makes me laugh out loud some mornings, Ruth Davidson erstwhile Scottish politician and novelists Deboragh Moggach and Sally Vickers. I will be chairing art critic Martin Gayford again (Freud... Read More »»