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BIRTHDAY FLOWERS
BIRTHDAY FLOWERS 13th May 2019 BIRTHDAY FLOWERS This is my all-time favourite Kelly painting. I don’t know why. I used it on the invitation card to the second Kelly exhibition in 1996 and it became the subject of the first all-night queue. The gallery had become well known for waiting until 2.00 pm on the day of the opening before anything was sold.  I stuck to this rigidly despite firm pre- offers. People who were present in person were given a 10 minute priority and then I would turn to the ‘wish list’ of people who couldn... Read More »»
A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 9th May 2019 The film and talk last night at the pencil museum was very much enjoyed – particularly several appearances  in it of Ena the Mole catcher and her hirsute brother sitting by her on the sofa who said his sister used to have a quick ‘murdle’ with Roberta! (AKA Percy)  There was also some sadness too. What is it about Kelly’s paintings, drawings and life that elicits deep emotions – people found it very moving in parts – especially sitting among Percy’s beautiful letters and etchings. We all felt hi... Read More »»
AN EVENING WITH PERCY – AND ME!
AN EVENING WITH PERCY – AND ME! 2nd May 2019 It was good to see so many of you at the Pencil Museum in Keswick on Saturday enjoying the chat, the letters, artefacts and etchings – oh and the humbugs. Thankfully - because it ran from 1 -5 -  you didn’t all turn up at the same time. It was lovely to see all ages gathered around the tables in the museum drawing, painting, chatting and enjoying the experience. I’m just preparing my talk and choosing the images for next Wednesday evening when I will be talking about Kelly’s letters and picking... Read More »»
THE ART OF EXTREME LETTER WRITING
THE ART OF EXTREME LETTER WRITING 25th April 2019 Writing letters is a dying art. My meagre paper mail consists of invoices and circulars and an endless stream of fashion catalogues from outlets I’ve never heard of. I like the immediacy of e mails and would now find it hard to do without this miraculous facility but a real handwritten letter from a friend is always a thrill. Percy Kelly’s letters are beyond description and thousands of them have passed before my eyes; each one unique. My favourite is a bright A3 painting of a jar of stripy hum... Read More »»
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY 11th April 2019 EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY Percy Kelly's letters are so attractive that many of them have survived almost 60 years. He wrote thousands of illustrated letters to many fortunate friends which included titled people, leaders of industry, actors, musicians, fellow students and friends. The letters to his step daughter Kim are particularly colourful and playful and must have been a great comfort to her when she was separated from her siblings at boarding school. Facsimiles of these and some of the ... Read More »»
A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR YOU.
A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR YOU. 1st April 2019 You are invited to the opening of a Percy Kelly celebration event at The Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick on Saturday 27th April from 1pm – 5 pm. There may be humbugs!   As you all probably know, I recently made a children's interactive book about Percy Kelly’s childhood in Workington. Have a Humbug was written in response to the many children who visited and enjoyed the Kelly retrospective exhibition and I’ve been visiting schools in the area encouraging children to draw ever since. In ev... Read More »»
ANOTHER PLACE 4th March 2019 Hurrah once again to the Keswick Film Club who have pulled off another wonderful film festival this weekend. Saturday night’s northern premier  of the film Sometimes, Always, Never  was the highlight for me. It played to a full house of 400 at Theatre by the lake.  Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce  and starring Bill Nighy and Jenny Agutter it has some familiar settings. What a treat to see the tide washing in over the Gormley sculptures on Crosby beach. It will be publicly released early this sum... Read More »»
PERCY'S PROGRESS
PERCY'S PROGRESS 20th February 2019 There are only a few more days to enjoy A Legacy at Tullie House in Carlisle. It has been widely praised and visited. I dropped in yesterday with a friend and the staff were already mourning the end. But at least they now have the consolation of a good permanent Kelly collection of their own which will no doubt come out from time to time and possibly gain momentum as more people may decide to bequeath their collection. I will be at the gallery for a last look on Sunday from 1.00 – 3.00. Join me... Read More »»
FINAL CALL FOR A LEGACY
FINAL CALL FOR A LEGACY 15th February 2019 It is now the final week of the Percy Kelly A Legacy exhibition at Tullie House which  closes on  Sunday 24th. I was there last Saturday meeting friends from Durham and friends from the south who are all fortunate to own Kelly paintings. They found it fascinating to see his creative process. The museum  shop has also done well again with the etchings and porcelain mugs being very popular.* Our friends enjoyed the city of Carlisle too. I saw it through new eyes. We lunched at Amatos - a lovely S... Read More »»
WHAT PERCY DID NEXT
WHAT PERCY DID NEXT 4th January 2019 At last we can put all jingle bells behind us and get on with life. I guess 2019 will be challenging in many different ways.  In times of crisis the arts seem to grow in importance. There are some cracking exhibitions coming up nationally this year so stay with me and I will flag them up as they approach. You can also let me know about exhibitions you have enjoyed. Galleries offer a glorious retreat from the world outside – an escape from hard reality or an opportunity to come to terms with it. ... Read More »»