Posted: Jan 05, 2011
In: Books, Fine Art
This is not the place to discuss questions of health, but perhaps it will not be thought grandmotherly to mention the extreme importance of nervous vitality in a fine draughtsman, and how this should be ordered on such healthy lines that he has at his command the maximum instead of the minimum of this faculty.
After a certain point, it is a question of vitality how far an artist is likely to go in art. Given two men of equal ability, the one leading a careless life and the other a healthy one, as far as a healthy one is possible to such a supersensitive creature as an artist, there can be no doubt as to the result. It is because there is still a lingering idea in the minds of many that an artist must lead a dissipated life or he is not really an artist, that one feels it necessary to mention the subject. This idea has evidently arisen from the inability of the average person to associate an un-conventional mode of life with anything but riotous dissipation.
A conventional life is not the only wholesome form of existence, and it is certainly a most unwholesome and deadening form to the artist; and neither is a dissipated life the only un-conventional one open to him. It is as well that the young student should know this, and be led early to take great care of that most valuable of studio properties, vigorous health.
From The Practice & Science of Drawing
by Harold Speed {British Painter, Teacher & Writer 1872-1957}
Posted: Dec 08, 2010
In: Misc and/or Fun
Christmas Reindeer in the snow
Posted: May 12, 2010
In: Politics
This isn’t a Political Blog. It is however a reflection of the things that interest me – and what I have discovered over the past few weeks is that I am more than interested in Politics – I am passionate about the subject. I have also engaged ‘online’ throughout the entire campaign, commenting on various blogs and Twitter, so it seems only right that I round off this subject with a short post to commemorate a truly historic moment in time. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: May 10, 2010
In: Marketing, Politics
Having stayed up pretty much all night on May 6th, I’m finally recovering from the lack of sleep. It’s now the following Monday and still no deal or confirmation on who will be making up the next Government. After listening to all three admirable, and very Statesmanlike, responses from the Party Leaders on Friday, I was feeling quite optimistic that finally a period of grown-up, consensual politics could be the outcome of a Hung Parliament after all. In our 24 hour media world, the shortest information vacuum quickly gets filled however, and it hasn’t taken long for tribalism and negativity to creep back in. I’m still hopeful for a resolution that will enable a period of stability with which to tackle the massive financial crisis that faces the country. I’m also fairly sure that there is a large silent majority that simply wants decision and teamwork – and are not too hung up on party colours as such. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: May 06, 2010
In: Marketing, Politics, Rambles, Twitter
It’s been a long month following the build up to Polling Day, but one that I have really enjoyed engaging with. In the end, it wasn’t the ‘Digital Election‘ that was predicted at the outset; TV proved ultimately to be the biggest influencer of all. In fact, you could boil down most of the official 4 weeks of campaigning to just 90 minutes – those of the game changing First Leaders’ Debate. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Feb 11, 2010
In: Inspiration, Misc and/or Fun
Here’s a little treat that came through on email today. I have no idea where the images originate from, but I thought they were funny creative enough to make it out of the temp folder, and on to the blog. Enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: Jan 28, 2010
In: Hardware, Misc and/or Fun
UPDATE: As of 21st April 2010, YouTube have removed all Hitler parody films from their website because of copyright issues. Ah well, on to the next viral trend.
Twitter and the Web is awash with opinion concerning the release of Apple’s new iPad tablet. Touted as the device that can reverse the fortunes of the flagging Netbook market, I’m not so sure. All of my needs are currently met by my MacBook and iPhone – this doesn’t add anything to help me personally. On top of that, I simply don’t want another device to take up any more of my time; I’m already struggling with iPhone addiction and RSI! Read the rest of this entry »
