Tweed Cycling Club Ride Invite

To continue the shameless gloating of having successfully registered for this year's Tweed Run I though it appropriate to put up another image I did last year for the Tweed CC - this time, a Ride or Excursion Invite. The invites were printed onto coarse card by Letterpress supremo Stephen Kenny of A Two Pipe Problem (http://atwopipeproblem.blogspot.com/) and then individually customised with a judicial splash of watercolour.

Note the motto
Style Not Speed. Elegence Not Exertion.

This young fellow is pushing his trusty steel-lugged steed up the nearest grassy knoll where that bottle of Sancerre will soon be uncorked...

Notebook Sketches - Gouty Georgians & Angry Monarchs

Notebook Sketches - Gouty Georgians & Angry Monarchs

Another page of sketches and doodles from one of last years notebooks.

This is a composite image, not an actual single page - a little collection of scribbles I liked, and omitting the shopping lists, pin numbers and notes to myself saying 'Focus!' or 'Try Harder!' that tend to impinge on the imagery.

I've got here some ruddy-faced Goergians (possibly Samuel Johnson?) with gout, a very cross King, the Duke of Wellington and a vexed figure in Restoration garb (possibly Charles II?). Maybe Tzar Nick II too?!

Horse with Hands Riding a Bike

The lovely Mr Al Heighton put me on to this great blog - http://horsewithhandsridingabike.blogspot.com/

The premise: Horse are hard to draw, hands are hard to draw, bikes are hard to draw - so the guys at Hero of Switzerland have put together a blog of illustrations containing all three in one image! A test of drawin' skills (or not)! This is my submission.

Thanks Didier Garguilo for helping me with the french.

I did think about doing a geegee and a young German called Hans on a tandem. Maybe next time?

Museum Journal - Part 10

Museum Journal - Part 10

A piece for the March 2011 issue of regular client Museum Journal (MJ).

In this extract from the Museum Director's Diary our man is invited along to a secret meeting of Museum Directors, where the waiters are all dressed as ancient Egyptian gods (here Anubis, god of the Underworld) and where one museum director, a Sir N__ (Nicholas Serota surely?) is punished for his insolence.

MJ is a great client, and I always really enjoy doing these. The only downside is that the images are so tiny in print (3 or 4 cm max) and need to be kept far more simple that perhaps I'd like (I love nothing more than adding little details - its where you'll find God (or perhaps Osirus or Thoth)!).

Presidents' Day

Presidents' Day

To-day is the 279th Birthday of George Washington, first President of the United States of America. In honour of him, and all his successors, the third Monday of February is celebrated in the US as Presidents' Day.

I spent a whole afternoon trying to capture the likeness of GW but failed miserably. I've about 20 sheets of papers scattered on the office floor around me as I write, where my attempts look like my Polish grandmother at best (not too far off then!) and Joe Pesci at worst. So I thought, sod it, I'll draw the great man's birthplace instead.

George Washington, the third son of Augustine Washington, was born on the 22d of February, 1732, near the banks of the Potomac, in the county of Westmoreland, in Virginia. His father first married Miss Butler, who died in 1728; leaving two sons, Lawrence and Augustine. In 1730, he married a second time, to Miss Mary Ball, by whom he had four sons - George, John, Samuel and Charles; and one daughter, Betty, who married Colonel Fielding Lewis, of Fredericksburg.

His great grandfather, John Washington, a gentleman of a respectable family, had emigrated from the north of England about the year 1657, and settled on the place where Mr. Washington was born.

I have shown the Washington homestead in the Autumn (or Fall) of 1732. Augustine and Mary Washington are just around the corner, out of sight, walking along the road that runs along the banks of the Potomac on their way back to 'Wakefield', their house. Mary holds her baby George in her arms while his older brothers scrabble about the river bank looking for mushrooms and animal tracks.

Happy Birthday George! And a Happy Presidents' Day to all the Septic Tanks (as we say in rhyming slang) for yesterday!

Matelot Tatoué

Matelot Tatoué / Tattooed Sailor

I little experiment I've just done on this flat fallow Monday.

I hardly ever use dip pen and almost never get the old watercolours out. But you cannot beat how it looks, the washes, the happy accidents. Or in this case, the unhappy accidents, as I hadn't realised the ink I was using would run when I started to apply the watercolours. D'oh!

What's the ink I need? Is it Indian ink/ Encre de Chine that doesn't run once dry?

Anyway, not bad for a first attempt I reckon!

St. Valentine's (belated)

A belated celebration for St Valentine's Day, a week ago to-day.

Saint Valentine (or Valentinus in Latin) was a early Roman Christian martyr buried at the Via Flaminia north of Rome on February 14. Not much is known about him for certain but the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493) states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner – until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor – whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate.

Aside from stories relating to him marrying couples he has little or no direct links to Love or Romance. Rather, his feast day was considered by Medieval scholars to be the day on which birds start to mate and build nests. Most hagiographies say Valentine himself was a virgin.

The flower-crowned skull of St Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome.

In 1836, some relics that were exhumed from the catacombs of Saint Hippolytus on the Via Tiburtina , then near (rather than inside) Rome, were identified with St Valentine; placed in a casket, and transported to the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland (where I used to live), to which they were donated by Pope Gregory XVI. Many tourists visit the saintly remains on St. Valentine's Day, when the casket is carried in solemn procession to the high altar for a special Mass dedicated to young people and all those in love. Alleged relics of St. Valentine also lie at the reliquary of Roquemaure in France, in the Stephansdom in Vienna, in Balzan in Malta and also in Blessed John Duns Scotus' church in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. There is also a gold reliquary bearing the words 'Corpus St. Valentin, M' (Body of St. Valentine, Martyr) at The Birmingham Oratory, UK in one of the side altars in the main church.

I have shown a pierced heart, a Cupid (son of Mars (War) and Venus (Love & Beauty); equivalent to the Greek god Eros (from whom we get erotic)), a Rose and a crowned capital A, a popular medieval love-token or badge. It stands for Amor Vincit Omnia - Love Conquers Everything! The Rose is a sacred flower - meetings and trysts held beneath a suspended rose were considered sworn to secrecy and discretion. Hence the (sadly under-used) expression 'sub rosa' to mean strictly between you and me!

Restaurant Magazine - March 2011

Restaurant Magazine - March 2011

A piece for the City section of regular client Restaurant magazine.

The article was about the blurring between supermarkets and eateries, with more chains, such as Carluccio's, having delis within their restaurants and more and more supermarkets opening cafés and restaurants.

I have shown a chap dining at a table in a supermarket aisle.

Pickwick Papers: The Reverend Stiggins

Pickwick Papers: Reverend Stiggins Pulls No Punches

This is the eighth (and last) of a short series of images I created especially for fascinating daily blog Spitalfields Life, which had featured me (and my Oranges & Lemons print) in May last year.

I had mentioned to 'the Gentle Author' that half of one chapter of the Pickwick Papers was set in Brick Lane and so we conceived the idea of a collaboration of sorts - the GA would post an edited form of Chapter 32 and I would provide the illustrations (8 in toto).

Here the hyprocritical Reverend Stiggins has been tricked into attending the Brick Lane temperance meeting - very much under the influence! Not that he will admit to the fact.

“My friends,” said Mr Humm, holding up his hand in a deprecatory manner to bespeak silence, “my friends, a delegate from the Dorking Branch of our society, Brother Stiggins, attends below.”

The little door flew open, and Brother Tadger re-appeared, closely followed by the Reverend Mr Stiggins, who no sooner entered, than there was a great clapping of hands, and stamping of feet, and flourishing of handkerchiefs, to all of which manifestations of delight, Brother Stiggins returned no other acknowledgment than staring with a wild eye, and a fixed smile, at the extreme top of the wick of the candle on the table, swaying his body to and fro, meanwhile, in a very unsteady and uncertain manner.

By this time the audience were perfectly silent, and waited with some anxiety for the resumption of business. “Will you address the meeting, brother?” said Mr Humm, with a smile of invitation. “No, sir,” rejoined Mr. Stiggins. The meeting looked at each other with raised eyelids, and a murmur of astonishment ran through the room.

“It’s my opinion, sir,” said Mr Stiggins, unbuttoning his coat, and speaking very loudly – “that this meeting is drunk, sir. Brother Tadger, sir!” said Mr Stiggins, suddenly increasing in ferocity, and turning sharp round on the little man in the drab shorts, “YOU are drunk, sir!” With this, Mr. Stiggins, entertaining a praiseworthy desire to promote the sobriety of the meeting, and to exclude therefrom all improper characters, hit Brother Tadger on the summit of the nose.

Upon this, the women set up a loud and dismal screaming, and rushing in small parties before their favourite brothers, flung their arms around them to preserve them from danger. An instance of affection, which had nearly proved fatal to Humm, who, being extremely popular, was all but suffocated, by the crowd of female devotees that hung about his neck, and heaped caresses upon him. The greater part of the lights were quickly put out, and nothing but noise and confusion resounded on all sides.

“Now, Sammy,” said Mr Weller, taking off his greatcoat with much deliberation, “just you step out, and fetch in a watchman.” “And wot are you a-goin’ to do, the while?” inquired Sam. “Never you mind me, Sammy,” replied the old gentleman, “I shall ockipy myself in havin’ a small settlement with that ‘ere Stiggins.”

Before Sam could interfere to prevent it, his heroic parent had penetrated into a remote corner of the room, and attacked the Reverend Mr. Stiggins with manual dexterity. “Come off!” said Sam. “Come on!” cried Mr Weller, and without further invitation he gave the Reverend Mr Stiggins a preliminary tap on the head, and began dancing round him in a buoyant and cork-like manner, which in a gentleman at his time of life was a perfect marvel to behold.

Finding all remonstrances unavailing, Sam pulled his hat firmly on, threw his father’s coat over his arm, and taking the old man round the waist, forcibly dragged him down the ladder, and into the street, never releasing his hold, or permitting him to stop, until they reached the corner. As they gained it, they could hear the shouts of the populace, who were witnessing the removal of the Reverend Mr Stiggins to strong lodgings for the night, and could hear the noise occasioned by the dispersion in various directions of the members of the Brick Lane Branch of the United Grand Junction Ebenezer Temperance Association.

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/02/16/the-brick-lane-temperance-association/
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/05/19/paul-bommer-illustrator-printmaker/

Pickwick Papers: Temperance Converts

Pickwick Papers: Temperance Converts

This is the seventh of a short series of images I created especially for fascinating daily blog Spitalfields Life, which had featured me (and my Oranges & Lemons print) in May last year.

I had mentioned to 'the Gentle Author' that half of one chapter of the Pickwick Papers was set in Brick Lane and so we conceived the idea of a collaboration of sorts - the GA would post an edited form of Chapter 32 and I would provide the illustrations (8 in toto).

Mr. Pickwick's servant Samuel Weller, and Sam's father Tony are at the Brick Lane Branch of the United Grand Junction Ebenezer Temperance Association. After excessive amounts a tea the meeting begins with a(n hilarious) report on fresh converts to the cause of teetotalism.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE BRICK LANE BRANCH OF THE UNITED GRAND JUNCTION EBENEZER TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION. Your committee have pursued their grateful labours during the past month, and have the unspeakable pleasure of reporting the following additional cases of converts to Temperance.

H. WALKER, tailor, wife, and two children. When in better circumstances, owns to having been in the constant habit of drinking ale and beer, says he is not certain whether he did not twice a week, for twenty years, taste “dog’s nose,” which your committee find upon inquiry, to be compounded of warm porter, moist sugar, gin, and nutmeg (a groan, and “So it is!” from an elderly female). Is now out of work and penniless, thinks it must be the porter (cheers) or the loss of the use of his right hand, is not certain which, but thinks it very likely that, if he had drunk nothing but water all his life, his fellow workman would never have stuck a rusty needle in him, and thereby occasioned his accident (tremendous cheering). Has nothing but cold water to drink, and never feels thirsty (great applause).

BETSY MARTIN, widow, one child, and one eye. Goes out charing and washing, by the day, never had more than one eye, but knows her mother drank bottled stout, and shouldn’t wonder if that caused it (immense cheering). Thinks it not impossible that if she had always abstained from spirits she might have had two eyes by this time (tremendous applause). Used, at every place she went to, to have eighteen-pence a day, a pint of porter, and a glass of spirits, but since she became a member of the Brick Lane Branch, has always demanded three-and-sixpence (the announcement of this most interesting fact was received with deafening enthusiasm).

HENRY BELLER was for many years toast master at various corporation dinners, during which time he drank a great deal of foreign wine, may sometimes have carried a bottle or two home with him, is not quite certain of that, but is sure if he did, that he drank the contents. Feels very low and melancholy, is very feverish, and has a constant thirst upon him, thinks it must be the wine he used to drink (cheers). Is out of employ now and never touches a drop of foreign wine by any chance (tremendous plaudits).

THOMAS BURTON is purveyor of cat’s meat to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and several members of the Common Council (the announcement of this gentleman’s name was received with breathless interest). Has a wooden leg, finds a wooden leg expensive, going over the stones, used to wear second-hand wooden legs, and drink a glass of hot gin-and-water regularly every night – sometimes two (deep sighs). Found the second-hand wooden legs split and rot very quickly, is firmly persuaded that their constitution was undermined by the gin-and-water (prolonged cheering). Buys new wooden legs now, and drinks nothing but water and weak tea. The new legs last twice as long as the others used to do, and he attributes this solely to his temperate habits (triumphant cheers).

I have two of the 4 converts - Betsy Martin (although I have misspelt it Betty!) and Thomas Burton. Plus the ingredients for a warm glass of 'dog's nose' which I have to confess to be curious to try!

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/02/16/the-brick-lane-temperance-association/
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/05/19/paul-bommer-illustrator-printmaker/

Pickwick Papers: Sam & Tony Weller

Pickwick Papers: Sam & Tony Weller

This is the sixth of a short series of images I created especially for fascinating daily blog Spitalfields Life, which had featured me (and my Oranges & Lemons print) in May last year.

I had mentioned to 'the Gentle Author' that half of one chapter of the Pickwick Papers was set in Brick Lane and so we conceived the idea of a collaboration of sorts - the GA would post an edited form of Chapter 32 and I would provide the illustrations (8 in toto).

This image follows on directly from the previous post, about the tea-drinking ladies at the Brick Lane temperance meeting. Pickwick's servant Samuel Weller, and Sam's father Tony are there too, sitting on a form and looking on in bewilderment.

'On this particular occasion the women drank tea to a most alarming extent, greatly to the horror of Mr Weller, senior, who, utterly regardless of all Sam’s admonitory nudgings, stared about him in every direction with the most undisguised astonishment. “Sammy,” whispered Mr Weller, “if some o’ these here people don’t want tappin’ to-morrow mornin’, I ain’t your father, and that’s wot it is. Why, this here old lady next me is a-drowndin’ herself in tea.” “Be quiet, can’t you?” murmured Sam.

“If this here lasts much longer, Sammy,” said Mr Weller, in the same low voice, “I shall feel it my duty, as a human bein’, to rise and address the cheer. There’s a young ‘ooman on the next form but two, as has drunk nine breakfast cups and a half, and she’s a-swellin’ wisibly before my wery eyes.”'

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/02/16/the-brick-lane-temperance-association/
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/05/19/paul-bommer-illustrator-printmaker/

Pickwick Papers: Temperance Tea-drinkers

Pickwick Papers: Temperance Tea-drinkers

This is the fifth of a short series of images I created especially for fascinating daily blog Spitalfields Life, which had featured me (and my Oranges & Lemons print) in May last year.

I had mentioned to 'the Gentle Author' that half of one chapter of the Pickwick Papers was set in Brick Lane and so we conceived the idea of a collaboration of sorts - the GA would post an edited form of Chapter 32 and I would provide the illustrations (8 in toto).

After meeting at the Blue Boar Sam Weller and his father Tony head over to Brick Lane to exact retribution on the red-nosed Rev. Stiggins.

"The monthly meetings of the Brick Lane Branch of the United Grand Junction Ebenezer Temperance Association were held in a large room, pleasantly and airily situated at the top of a safe and commodious ladder. The president was the straight-walking Mr Anthony Humm, a converted fireman, now a schoolmaster and occasionally an itinerant preacher, and the secretary was Mr Jonas Mudge, chandler’s shopkeeper, an enthusiastic and disinterested vessel, who sold tea to the members.

Previous to the commencement of business, the ladies sat upon forms and drank tea, till such time as they considered it expedient to leave off, and a large wooden money box was conspicuously placed upon the green baize cloth of the business-table, behind which the secretary stood and acknowledged, with a gracious smile, every addition to the rich vein of copper which lay concealed within."

This one was great fun to do. I'm particularly pleased with the limited colour palette I used - gentle pinks for the gentle tea-guzzling ladies of the United Grand Junction Ebenezer Temperance Association.

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/02/16/the-brick-lane-temperance-association/
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/05/19/paul-bommer-illustrator-printmaker/

Pickwick Papers: Wellers pere et fils at the Blue Boar

Pickwick Papers: Wellers pere et fils at the Blue Boar

This is the fourth of a short series of images I created especially for fascinating daily blog Spitalfields Life, which had featured me (and my Oranges & Lemons print) in May last year.

I had mentioned to 'the Gentle Author' that half of one chapter of the Pickwick Papers was set in Brick Lane and so we conceived the idea of a collaboration of sorts - the GA would post an edited form of Chapter 32 and I would provide the illustrations (8 in toto).

Here we have Pickwick's servant Sam Weller (Sancho Panza to Pickwick's Don Quixote if you like) at his table in the Blue Boar inn at Leadenhall Market. Beside him, with his back to the fire (it is February after all!), stands his rotund coach-driver father Tony. He is here listening to his son reading aloud the Valentine the younger Weller has written to his sweetheart Mary. "Mister Weller the elder delivers some critical sentiments respecting literary composition", as you can see here!

This image is based, loosely, on an illustration by Phiz (I think!) in the original edition.

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/02/16/the-brick-lane-temperance-association/
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/05/19/paul-bommer-illustrator-printmaker/

Pickwick Papers: Tony Weller study

Pickwick Papers: Tony Weller

This is the third of a short series of images I created especially for fascinating daily blog Spitalfields Life, which had featured me (and my Oranges & Lemons print) in May last year.

I had mentioned to 'the Gentle Author' that half of one chapter of the Pickwick Papers was set in Brick Lane and so we conceived the idea of a collaboration of sorts - the GA would post an edited form of Chapter 32 and I would provide the illustrations (8 in toto).

This is a study for Sam Weller's father Tony, who drives the London-Ipswich coach. He is here listening to his son reading aloud the Valentine the younger Weller has written to his sweetheart Mary. Mister Weller the elder delivers some critical sentiments respecting literary composition, as you can see here!

Sam Weller greets his father at the Blue Boar, calling him 'my Prooshan Blue' - so that's the colour I've shown him! I have also depicted him 'with a countenance greatly mollified by the softening influence of tobacco'.

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/02/16/the-brick-lane-temperance-association/
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/05/19/paul-bommer-illustrator-printmaker/

Pickwick Papers: Valentine & Pub Signs

Pickwick Papers: Valentine & Pub Signs

This is the second of a short series of images I created especially for fascinating daily blog Spitalfields Life, which had featured me (and my Oranges & Lemons print) in May last year.

I had mentioned to 'the Gentle Author' that half of one chapter of the Pickwick Papers was set in Brick Lane and so we conceived the idea of a collaboration of sorts - the GA would post an edited form of Chapter 32 and I would provide the illustrations (8 in toto).

Here is my idea of the 'walentine' that Sam Weller sees in a printshop window on his way from the George & Vulture to the Blue Boar tavern at Leadenhall Market, reminding him he needs to compose a billet doux to his sweetheart Mary. I have also included the signs of the two public houses between which he travels. The Blue Boar sign is described as 'a sign-board on which the painter's art had delineated something remotely resembling a cerulean elephant with an aquiline nose in lieu of a trunk'!

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/02/16/the-brick-lane-temperance-association/
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/05/19/paul-bommer-illustrator-printmaker/

Samuel Pickwick

This is the first of a short series of images I created especially for fascinating daily blog Spitalfields Life, which had featured me (and my Oranges & Lemons print) in May last year.

I had mentioned to 'the Gentle Author' that half of one chapter of the Pickwick Papers was set in Brick Lane and so we conceived the idea of a collaboration of sorts - the GA would post an edited form of Chapter 32 and I would provide the illustrations (8 in toto).

Samuel Pickwick himself is only mentioned very briefly in the chapter, at the beginning. It is the day before Valentine's, an unhappy day for poor Mister P who is being taken to court by Mrs Bardell, which is why I have shown him in a state of heightened agitation, 'a most extreme state of excitement'.

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/02/16/the-brick-lane-temperance-association/
http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/05/19/paul-bommer-illustrator-printmaker/

Notebook Sketches - Pinocchio/ King Arthur

Another page of notebook scribbles, daubed in PS with a few random blobs of colour.

These were working up screen-print ideas - one relating to Collodi's Pinocchio, the other to one of my many nerdy obsessions, the Arthurian legend.

Click on the image to Enlarge

Mini-station: El Carnaval de los Pingüinos

Mini-station:
El Carnaval de los Pingüinos

This is my contribution to an exhibition that opens to-day in Barcelona.

Illustrator Ed Carosia, under the guise of Mini-Station, asked me and 59 other international illustrators to each create and donate an image of a penguin to join the works of over 300 French, Spanish and Belgian children.

The exhibition runs from to-day, saturday 12 February until sunday 6 March. If you're in BCN during this time, check it out. Its at the Libreria Abracadabra, C/General Álvarez de Castro 5.

I've also here attached the poster. If you click on it you will see my name at number 27!

I've shown a couple of penguins adrift in the icy ocean in a wee rowing-boat called Pemmican - the older Sea-Captain lost in sad thoughts and pipe smoke (perhaps thinking of the destruction of his homeland by Man and Climate Change) while a young matelot stoically heaves and hos at the oars in their rowlocks.

Notebook Sketches - Street Cries

Notebook sketches

Another page from one of last year's notebooks.

These are sketches mostly based on Georgian broadsheets, pamphlets, abecedaria and street cries. It is a period I'm pretty obsessed by, if I'm honest.

Darby and Joan are a generic old couple, while Mother Bunch I think is a pantomime character - probably a brothel or inn-keeper (or if on Bankside, both!).

I particularly like 'Rabbets-O', walking past the Tyburn tree (aka the Three Legged Mare). 'O Clo' was short for 'Old Clothes'.

Ideas for forthcoming screen prints

Poisonous Plants

A piece about the toxic and the poisonous plants that thrive in many of our gardens.

She's based on Charles Addam's Morticia Addams - I hope that's pretty obvious!

Good fun doing twisty vines, skull-emblazoned arachnids, venom-dripping blooms and thorn-barbed stems.

Prélude à l'Après-Midi d'un Faune, Claude Debussy

Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, commonly known by its English title Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, is a Symphonic poem for orchestra by Claude Debussy, approximately 10 minutes in duration. It was first performed in Paris on December 22, 1894 conducted by Gustave Doret.

The composition was inspired by the poem L'Après-midi d'un faune by Stéphane Mallarmé , and later formed the basis for a ballet choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky . It is one of Debussy's most famous works and is considered a turning point in the history of music; composer-conductor Pierre Boulez even dates the awakening of modern music from this score, observing that "the flute of the faun brought new breath to the art of music." It is a work that barely grasps onto tonality and harmonic function.

About his composition Debussy wrote:

The music of this prelude is a very free illustration of Mallarmé's beautiful poem. By no means does it claim to be a synthesis of it. Rather there is a succession of scenes through which pass the desires and dreams of the faun in the heat of the afternoon. Then, tired of pursuing the timorous flight of nymphs and naiads , he succumbs to intoxicating sleep, in which he can finally realize his dreams of possession in universal Nature.

Paul Valéry reported that Mallarmé himself was unhappy with his poem being used as the basis for music: "He believed that his own music was sufficient, and that even with the best intentions in the world, it was a veritable crime as far as poetry was concerned to juxtapose poetry and music, even if it were the finest music there is."

More Notebook Sketches

More notebook sketches

Another fun-packed page of scribbles, doodles and notes in a sketch-book from last year.

Top points to the first person to identify the worried looking lady in the middle!

Click on the Image to Enlarge

Welcome to Poland

This affable chap from the Tatra mountain region of southern Poland is a probable ancestor of mine. He is wearing the traditional peasant costume of the area - waistcoat, breeches and black hat. He is raising a glass of wódka in one hand and clutching his ciupaga in the other (a decorative Polish axe-shaped climbing stick). I think maybe his name is Stanislaw (my paternal great grandfather's name).

Welcome to Poland! Witamy w Polsce!

Notebook Sketches

A few scribbles from an old notebook.

Year of the Rabbit

Year of the Rabbit

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

To-day is Chinese New Year, and this year is the Year of the Rabbit.

I have included in my image words from the song 'Run Rabbit Run' made popular by Flanagan & Allen during the Second World War. The lyrics were used as a defiant dig at the allegedly ineffectual Luftwaffe, and often, during this period, sang as Run Adolf Run!

Rabbit Years are fourth in the oriental zodiac cycle, following Tiger Years, and recur every twelfth year. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Rabbit Year actually begins.

Rabbits are private individuals, a bit introverted and withdrawn. People born into this sign would rather work behind-the-scenes instead of being the center of attention in any situation. Do not misunderstand…the Rabbit is not a recluse. In fact, he is a reasonably friendly individual who enjoys the company of a group of good friends whether at a business dinner or a holiday party. Rabbits just like to be a part of the gang as opposed to the leader of it.

Rabbits, like their animal counterparts, are quite calm people who do not exhibit aggressive behavior and will avoid confrontation at all costs. When angry about something, a Rabbit will approach it calmly and considerately, hardly ever raising his voice or becoming visibly annoyed. Because of their serenity, Rabbits seem to miss things, whether they are confrontational in nature or not. However, the Rabbit is quite keen and pays close attention to the situations developing around him. He is intelligent and quick and can talk himself in or out of most situations with no problem.

The Chinese Rabbit is one of the most stylish creatures of the Chinese Animal Signs and finds interest in different cultures. He is classy and sophisticated, and can be found adorning one of the latest fashion magazine cover looks. Rabbits also like artistic ventures, such as painting and music and are generally quite present in these worlds. They love to express themselves, which is evident when joining them at home for a function or a cup of coffee.

They tend to exhibit the following characteristics - Keen, Wise, Fragile, Tranquil, Serene, Considerate, Fashionable, Sneaky, Obsessive. They (apparently) make excellent Therapists, Psychiatrists, Doctors, Ophthalmologists, Writers, Masseurs, Teachers, Publishers, Designers, Actors, Musicians, Administrators, PR agents and Fashion Designers!

Fishing Holidays

I piece I finished off this morning about holidays in the UK where one can go to learn how to fish (off toothless old Salts in guernseys!)

A slight variation on my usual style, but me nonetheless.

Candlemas - 2nd February

Candlemas - 2nd February

To-day, February 2nd, is Candlemas, a much overlooked festival these days but once a very important feast day within several traditions, both Christian and Pagan.

In the Christian tradition February 2nd (40 days after Christmas) is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is one of the twelve Great Feasts, and is sometimes called Hypapante (lit., 'Meeting' in Greek). Other traditional names include Candlemas, the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin, La Fête de la Chandeleur, and the Meeting of the Lord. In many Western liturgical churches, Vespers (or Compline) on the Feast of the Presentation marks the end of the Epiphany season. In the Church of England, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple is a principal Feast, celebrated either on 2 February or on the Sunday between 28 January and 3 February.

In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.

Traditionally the Western term "Candlemas" (or Candle Mass) referred to the practice whereby a priest on 2 February blessed beeswax candles for use throughout the year, some of which were distributed to the faithful for use in the home. In Poland the feast is called Święto Matki Bożej Gromnicznej (Święto, "Holiday" + Matka Boska, "Mother of God" + Gromnica, "Thunder"). This name refers to the candles that are blessed on this day and called gromnicy, since these candles are lit during (thunder) storms and placed in windows to ward off the storm.

The date of Candlemas is established by the date set for the Nativity of Jesus, for it comes forty days afterwards. Under Mosaic Law as found in the Torah, a mother who had given birth to a man-child was considered unclean for seven days; moreover she was to remain for three and thirty days "in the blood of her purification." Candlemas therefore corresponds to the day on which Mary, according to Jewish law, should have attended a ceremony of ritual purification. The month's name, February, actually comes from the Latin name Februa, meaning purification.

Of course, the feast day replaces a much older Pagan feast day, Imbolc. It is one of the four cardinal points in the ancient Celtic calendar, and represents the middle of the Winter Year, halfway between the gates of Samhain (Halloween) and Beltane (May Day). In medieval Ireland the day was sacred to St. Brigid (Bríd), thought by many to be a Christianised form of an ancient triple goddess of the same name. Her feast marks the start of Spring and the beginning of the lambing season. Traditionally libations of milk were poured upon the ground on this day to ensure good crops and healthy livestock, as well as the lighting of bonfires to purify and ward off evil spirits. An ancient cross (shown here), known as a St. Brigid's Cross (usually woven from reeds), is a celtic symbol similar to the swastika, and represents the cardinal feast days and the turning of the year.

In the USA to-day is Groundhog Day. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks. The event probably has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear was the prognosticator (as opposed to the groundhog).

On my image I have included the coat-of-arms of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers, an ancient London guild at one time responsible for regulation of the production of beeswax candles, whose Guild Hall on Gresham Street I had the pleasure to visit last summer. Since the Dissolution of the Monastries by Henry VIII they largely focus their attentions on the propagation of bee-keeping and honey production.

Happy Candlemas/ Imbolc/ Groundhog Day!

50 Years of Nick

A little hommage à mon Nick, who was 50 last week.

Handsome as hell, dashingly dapper, very funny and wonderfully kind-hearted.