Neil's Sketchblog

From Mutts by Patrick McDonnell - one of my favourite comic strips.

Obviously all copyright Patrick McDonnell – used with respect, if not permission =)

Went to see the Glasgow Boys exhibition at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow today, which I heartily recommend. If Glasgow’s a bit far I understand a cut down version will visit the National Gallery in London later in the year, but I have to say it’s the wee gems that’ll probably be left out. That’s always the way of it.

Also did some drawing from a sculpture in the main gallery. Forgot to note what it was and who it was by, which was silly.

The Rest and be Thankful piece is finished (I think) and has become Resting Wave.

The view is from Rest and Be Thankful in Arygll, but the cloud formation took on a life of its own in the painting, becoming a wave of power from the valley itself. The valley is on the A83 between Ardgatan and Cairndow here. I highly recommend visiting if you have the chance.

“Sooner or later every one of a painter’s possessions will get stained. First to go are the studio clothes and the old sneakers that get the full shower of paint every day. Next are the painter’s favourite books, the ones that have to be consulted in the studio. Then come the better clothes, one after another as they are worn just once into the studio and end up with the inevitable stain. The last object to be stained is often the living room couch, the one place where it is possible to relax in comfort and forget the studio. When the couch is stained, the painter has become a different creature from ordinary people, and there is no turning back.”

from “What Painting Is” by James Elkins

In other “published” news, I’ve recently finished artwork for a new “knitting cafe” opening in Glasgow soon!

I’m pleased to announce that my image ‘Manifestos‘ will feature on the cover of Paul Thompson’s new album All We Have Are The Wrong Answers.

Paul is a good friend and very talented musician and it’s an honour to have my work featured alongside his. You can hear samples of Paul’s work at his MySpace page – http://www.myspace.com/paulthompsonexp