Some of my facebook friends have recently been circulating this: “I am an Artist: This means I live in a fantasy world with unrealistic expectations. Thank you for understanding.” I agree; it probably applies to all artists whether they perform music or create visual work. I try hard to paint and the quote certainly applies to me – I’m an idle dreamer, often in my own little world and obsessed with crazy ideas that rarely come to fruition. Making art is a selfish pursuit needing total focus in isolation, often neglecting those tasks that should be done (and feeling guilty about it).
Art and music feature regularly here and many of the “People” paintings are of composers and songwriters who fascinate me. Kate Bush is a particular favourite and now that she has decided to perform live with sell-out concerts at the Hammersmith Apollo later this year, I decided it was high time that she was added to this section of the website because of the associations we have.. Not only was she brought up a few hundred yards from where we live in Welling, but also, for many years, her father was our family doctor.
Many of her earliest songs were written in the large farmhouse that was the family home and were first recorded in the converted studio close to that house. The painting shows her in her early twenties and was completed about eight years ago. Kate is probably one of the most original and talented songwriters ever to have emerged in this country and is now followed by a host of devoted fans as demonstrated by the response to her latest surprise announcement. I too am a terrific admirer of her extraordinary creative output.
Thankfully my latest assignments mentioned in the February blog are nearing completion and, once finished, will be displayed on the website.