Changeling - Mike Oldfield New Autobiography

Just finished a review of MIKE OLDFIELD'S new book "The Changeling". I have read other Biographies of this great musical artist but this is better as its written from the source, Mr.Oldfield himself!

Together with VANGELIS & JEAN MICHEL JARRE I would say these 3 Artists have helped me discover imagination in my paintings more than any others. When I get more time I plan to write a lot more about Vangelis and how this amazing musician has been with me in my life since I was 9 years of age!

Here is a snippet from the London article I wrote..."One of the major influences in my Art career of 25 years, mainly because I have followed his career and his music since I was a child and his music has always made me happy and inspired me to think about the deeper meaning of life." For more please read the full article here..THISIS LONDON.CO.UK

Competition Entry

The Fine Art Guild has held a small competition to win the following:

"25 shortlisted artists' images will be printed by a professional UK-based printer. One lucky winner will win a Canon imagePROGRAF 5100 large-format printer, worth £2000. The shortlisted entrants and winner will receive extensive coverage in Art Business Today and valuable promotion to the entire art trade. We plan to present the competition winner with his or her prize at next year's Spring Fair Birmingham."

As I am a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild (for 3 years), I have entered the Dynamic Painting Called "Ethereal Visions" (Opposite)...Lets hope David Jewell will win!

"The ZONE"

GETTING INTO "The ZONE"

In my weekly meeting with my fellow Artist Friend, Inspired words flowed from our conversation yesterday afternoon...
We discussed the experience that most artist have, almost a spiritual event, when one feels inspired and rewarded as the artistic talents are being exercised, We call it "The ZONE"
This is when we feel we are producing the best work we can at that moment in time.

Getting into "The ZONE"- How to do it with consistence:

1. We must prioritize the art first, any hobbies need to be seen as just that and shouldn't replace the creative artistic energies.

2. Sitting on your butt and working, that's how you get "IN" there, if you are in front of the canvas and putting in the hours, eventually you arrive at a point where the work is flowing.

3. A flow is a thing that hasn't got blockage.

4. Don't neglect your family, but make it hard to drop the brush (interruptions need to be controlled)

5. We need to plumb the depths, and create what we are meant to create.

6. Artistic gifting is a responsibility to be taken seriously.

7. Atmosphere can really help, inspiring music, energetic & pleasing surroundings, even the sense of smell (Fragrance Oil etc) can achieve an ambiance productive in the right kind of thinking.

8. Remember practise in the gifting only sharpens the talent and can only improve our work over time, we can also sharpen one another when we encourage excellence in each others work-
work your way INTO the zone TODAY!

Forever Autumn By Justin Hayward

Its Autumn & I'm listening to this song by the Moody Blues singer again. Click here...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO9Qx7Kp_I8

Its one of the best songs from my past that always reminds me of my wonderful & happy childhood.

I was always daydreaming and when asked what I would like to do when I get older....the answer would always be an inventor! Well I came close as I now "INVENT" images using both realistic & abstract themes within my Oil & Acrylic paintings.

Its also so strange for me to know in my knowledge of self, that it is at this time of the year I always feel really inspired, full of energy and so positive in Life's Adventure.

I am really looking foreword to producing some great Art over the next few weeks.

New 2007 Brochure to follow soon

Working late tonight & hoping to update the brochure I have been giving away to New Collectors of my Art since 2005. Although I have created over 150 pieces in the last couple of years I will choose only the VERY BEST of my paintings and produce the Ltd Edition prints, ready for the Christmas 2007 market.

Also really pleased that the first stage of the professional lighting and simulated "Digi-back" system arrived today. I hope to do the first tests next week and I am convinced the results will be worth the investment in this latest equipment. I will be able to shoot the reproductions of my art in-house and thus achieve a consistent work flow.

In all I do in the fine art world, I am aiming at excellence, my standards are high not just to see the collectors smile as they hang the painting on the wall, but it is also important to me to try to do the best I can (and to remember to enjoy the whole experience of gaining knowledge!)

Summer 2007...a time for Reflection

Another Summer and the relaxing & warm feeling of time slowing down conjures up my imagination. Vitamin D is not the only by-product, the long days can with a little help with creative thought, suggest what Eternity might be like. I have more ideas to create Beautiful paintings than at any other time of my life the problem is TIME.

So I have developed a personal plan to fit in as many duties as possible into the early mornings to free up the days to become more prolific in my creative output. The people I admire in business are the ones who do not waste any time in the day and enjoy the fruits of their labour with their families. The wholesome balance of work & pleasure is difficult to achieve overnight.

It can take years to perfect , so I am starting to read up on others who are successful in this. I have also finished my 10 year "Goals" plan. I am a strong believer in putting pen to paper & creating a plan of action.

"“Without a vision the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18

The Americans Have an unfair advantage -GOOD FOR THEM!

Weeks have passed trying to finalise the integration of my shopping cart, payment processor and accounting structure only to find out there is not 1 UK company centralising these services! BUT in the good ol'USA there are plenty AND they compete really well against each other bringing the costs down all the time to the end user.

BIG players are now leveling the field with pay pal recently becoming a bank here in Europe and Google offering Google check-out. Why not use them all I say....So here's a link to one of my Google base sites, http://base.google.com Up and coming will be my Ebay site and the fully intergrated Shopping cart (using 3rd party software)