Eay Up ...

This fella has been around the studio for about 18 months. Been re-worked a couple of times as it just didn't feel right. But a few pieces of metal came out of the skip and it clicked.

Busy week but not much studio time. Helping next door, some fabrication for another artist, and a couple of days taking care folk going round donington park as fast as their transport and/or talent would allow. This week I need to be ready to set up at the Ferrers Gallery - which will be next weeks big task.

The picture is the bell for calling time in the Crafty Crow. Strangely the owners did not reply when I offer to make a bell from an ex-fire extinguisher. I knew what I meant, and on seeing it, so do they! Should you find yourself in Nottingham head on up to the castle. Don't go in but cross the road and check out the Crafty Crow and lots of examples of my work. Oh - the beers outstanding too!

Tittering!

Here is the first crow - fitted. More to be made.

The other milestone this week was Donington Park reopened for the 2014 season. Great day - dry and sunny. One driver managed to invert his brand new clio, although you'd not know that if you read his facebook stage!

Crafty Crow

Spent all of last week in the pub. Without a drop of beer in the place! Sanding, filling and painting. Made the sign the week before, but thought the pubs management should see it before posting. Plan a few studio days this week. No doubt there will one or two more crow items along the way.

Not a lot of studio time this week, but three commissions done. If you would like a doorstop just email me... The Crafty Crow is coming along although opening may need to be pushed back a little as the landlord needs to fix the leaky roof. (Or it'll be a water feature!). The pub sign is resting on the studio floor at the moment. At a later date the crow logo may be added to the outside but for the time being its just the 'crafty crow' lettering at needs to be fitted over the door. Can't post that picture until its been seen by those who are paying the bill.

Sitting

This time of year tends to be a quiet time for artist so they tend to spend their time getting organised for the new year, booking shows, planning new work, sorting out paperwork. I spent most of the week crawling around a pub, the Crafty Crow, but without any drink (other than tea) involved. The pub is currently closed and undergoing building work. I was let loose with the sandpaper and there's not many places I haven't been rubbing down. One wall is very damp and the plaster fell off. So with angle-grinder and wire brush I created a 'feature'! Nice rough brick work.

I also viewed some land. Maybe the future base of the frailloop empire?

I did find time to be in the studio for some new work.

Planning? Next week. When I'm not in the pub. Or taking a second look at the land. Or ...

Welcome to 2014

So another year begins and again I will try to blog on a more regular basis than I managed last year. I'll start full of good intent, and then slowly decline... Sometimes I get caught up in a commission and feel I can't publish pictures before the client has seen the work. Sometimes life as a struggling artist takes a back seat while I go and do a few days paid work. Sometimes my life is so uninteresting self censorship steps in.

However onwards and upwards. Just like this fellow...