This is one of the largest ‘pure’ mezzotints ( as opposed to mixed etching and mezzotint ) I’ve done . It depicts a regular model of mine , Jordan . I toyed with the idea of giving it a title punning on her name , but went in the end with the simple ‘In Stripes ‘ as what I intended to do in the work was define the body with stripes .
‘In Stripes’
It seems that every small , financially struggling , town has one plucky shop , surviving despite the odds . As high streets throughout the UK succumb to the might of supermarkets , betting shops and charity outlets there’s usually one specialist store that seems ever present and standing firm . In my experience these are often some sort of ironmongers or clothes retailers , businesses that , I suppose depend on personal customer service and specialist knowledge absent from the big superstores .
Whenever I return to my home town of Milford Haven in West Wales a walk down the once bustling Charles street is a depressing experience of boarded up shop-fronts , gap sites and all-too briefly opened and then closed , initially optimistic , but ultimately doomed , new ventures . As long as I can remember though , half way down , there’s been one constant , shining and persistent light . Granby’s is a ‘gentleman’s outfitters ‘ and clothes shop which seems to have barely changed in the 40 odd years I’ve known it , slightly scruffy , in need of a lick of paint , but always strangely welcoming . Every time I re-visit Pembrokeshire I half-expect closed doors or ‘closing down sale ‘ signs in the window , but so far Granby’s is still there struggling resolutely on .
I don’t paint Milford Haven very often , but this is a painting I’ve had in mind for a while . A tribute to all those High Street heroes defying the competition of the out-of-town retail sites and superstores . It’s an acrylic .
‘Heroes of the High Street – Granby’s still open ‘
Heroes of the High Street – Granby’s still open
‘Yn yr Hen Goleg , Aberystwyth ‘ ( in the old college , Aberystwyth ) . I spent a lovely few days staying in Aberystwyth on the West Wales coast earlier in the Summer and was particularly inspired by the , almost monastic feeling , steps in the gorgeous old college building on the sea front . I don’t only paint Scottish stairs .
Yn yr Hen Goleg Aberystwyth
The lovely old Victorian Pier building in Dunoon on Scotland’s West Coast ,
Dunoon Pier at Dusk
How many thousands of people have been on that spot in Central station , waiting to say their fond farewells ?
One Thirty at Central Station
This is one of two drawings I did of the ever-still Jordan at an all day drawing session . In case you haven’t spotted it , the phone is leaning against the rear chair leg .
Jordan and the hidden phone
I travel to and through Paisley pretty often but this is the first time I’ve painted Paisley Abbey . This is a little watercolour of it reflected in the White Cart Water .
Paisley Abbey Reflected
This is a watercolour of the steps up to the hovel I call a home . I was trying to depict the effect of Summer evening light as it shines through the tree outside and dapples the close floor .
Summer light
My first , but hopefully not last drawing of Jasmine . It was done from life over 2 , 2 hour sessions . The title refers to a lost earing .
Jasmine and the lost star
The approach , along Dumbarton Road , to the wonderful Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum in Glasgow’s West End . Dusk falling .
Kelvingrove Lights