Thanks Jarvis!

Jarvis Cocker now has a radio show late Sunday afternoons on BBC 6 music. Recently he played readings by author, artist, filmmaker Miranda July and I really enjoyed them. I did a little search to find out more. She's from Portland, Oregon and reviews of her films and books are sprinkled with references to Rick Moody, Dave Eggers, (McSweeney et al) and Todd Solondz. Not bad for me, but this could send a lot of people running. There are mixed reviews from the critics, but she was getting consistent praise for her book of short stories 'No One Belongs Here More Than You'. I'll have to read it first before I can say much more, but I like what I've heard so far, and I liked her two websites.

http://mirandajuly.com

www.noonebelongsheremorethanyou.com

Painting study - new work

Just completed my study for the new painting. I wasn't sure what the best way to handle the trees in front of the house would be. I wanted it to be a bit looser in style, more about colour and texture than about recreating the tree exactly. I tried a few variations, but I think a strong trunk and main branches, with direction brush strokes in a variation of tones will work the best.

I also didn't know if the red/orange/yellow undertones would work either but I think it will be fine. Ready to start painting the big canvas now.

Hands for Nadal

I was so happy to see that they used my hand animation for the Nike promo on www.rafaelnadal.com homepage. Fans were asked to post animations on a youtube site before Roland Garros, and one day I noticed they posted a compilation on his site. My hand is the opening animation!

KEEP - THE - DREAM - ALIVE.

France - Italy - Austria: Diptych travel.

Travelling by train to deliver the diptych 'Laisse tomber' wasn't without challenge, but after leaving at 5:30 am and only one cancelled train the painting arrived in Kitzbuehel, Austria at 23h. Stops along the way: Ventimiglia - Milan - Verona - Brenner - Innsbruck - Worgel - Kitzbuehel. The painting looks great in its new mountain home!