graham

Palinland

2012-01-28T04:15:00.000-08:00

It seems that Alaska Airlines have fallen foul of Sarah Palin as they have decided to stop the ten year old practice of giving out prayer cards with inflight meals,Palin has complained that this act is,"waging war on American traditions" I don't think I would have much "faith" in their pilots,or the wholesomeness of their meals if I was given one of these cards.

Rain in OZ

2012-01-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

Just been in touch with the poms in Queensland via skype message,lot of rain at the moment in OZ due to big typhoon up in Darwin,Crocodile Mick has gone walkabout since leaving here,but they are getting some rain mainly to the north up in Exeter,he may be up in the kennedy ranges prospecting though there was some talk of them visiting south east asia, mainly his whereabouts are unknown.
Their flood last year was a result of similar weather patterns ,rain falling up on the kennedys and flash flooding the Gascoyne river,sadly washing away the pub at Gascoyne junction where we shared a stubby with Wayne the landlord, and flooding the north of Carnarvon,buggering up the local plantations mangoes and bananas.

Legislation

2012-01-23T11:20:00.000-08:00

The government have decided to cap benefits at £26000 per family,but this will not apply to all families in Britain,the disfunctional Windsor/Mountbatten family will be exempt from this ruling should it become law.

Everyday story of country life..tum ti tum ti tum ti tum

2012-01-21T02:37:00.000-08:00

Despite repeated attempts to reduce my phone/internet bill with BT,it invariably creeps back up from the reduced deal to £30 per month,I am almost admitting defeat on this one ,though I am limited by the lack of competition out here on the prairie,ie; no cable suppliers,and a dependance on old fashioned copper phone lines.
Still I suppose other advantages apply living here in the country,such as fairly traffic free driving and seeing the changing seasons through the agricultural calender,shortly there will be a riot of white snowdrops in Theddlethorpe churchyard,daffodils are forcing their way up and the rape seed will start to soar up to flowering height,there are already buds on the trees,and best of all the days are getting longer.

Washed up

2012-01-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

We have been overtaken by events in regard to the washing machine,we went up to Louth on business and left the washer operating with an hour left to go, passing a local shop with a sale on I asked them how soon we could have it delivered if we bought a washer,he told me tomorrow(wednesday),so I said I would be in touch.
Arriving home the washer had really gone walkabout and fell to bits in the process,result is I have bought the machine from the bloke in Louth and they are delivering it free,and fixing it in too,a 28 mile round trip for them ,on this occasion it seems it pays to shop local.

Frozen out

2012-01-16T01:12:00.001-08:00

Who would have the life of an artist? woe is me,out in the cold yesterday painting away to make a couple of quid,and no sign of a fortune to be seen,I like it better in the antipodes than these cold climes of ours.

Walkabout washer

2012-01-08T02:49:00.000-08:00

We have an "Australian"washing machine,when it enters a spin cycle it goes "walkabout",the make is, Samsung smart wash B1445A. so anyone who can help let me know,the back is not removable as far as I can see,but it sounds as if something is loose as it makes a loud knocking noise as it goes "walkabout",I get the feeling we may have to replace the whole thing,as its probably just as cheap as getting a repair bloke in.

Pastoral drive

2012-01-05T06:13:00.000-08:00

Me and Sheila drove up to the dentist this morning through the winding roads in pleasant sunshine looking at the sheep and green fields and following the coastal road parallell with the North Sea, and both enjoyed the return journey more than the outgoing one,though Sheila did have a filling without anaesthetic,and only made a few Fuad type noises during the event.
I had no treatment but he did say I was lucky to have any teeth at all at 90 years of age,which is a bit disconcerting.
Still rather windy and it was a bit noisy in the trees next to the house during the night,but no damage done as far as I can see.
I watched the Newcastle Man U game on sky last night,whilst imbibing a small whisky, and was delighted with the result 3-0 to Newcastle,the look on Fergusons face was a picture,some unkind blogger described him as "bacon face"which does seem to fit rather well.
This leaves Man City top and they have a big goal difference lead,I would think their supporters are"Over the Blue Moon".

Bit of a breeze

2012-01-03T01:24:00.000-08:00

It's a bit breezy here today,or translated into American WOW!!HELLUVA WIND BLOWING!
there is a tendency for things to be approached differently across the pond, as the US comedian Rich Hall makes a living pointing out in his act.
I noticed three roses still blooming in our garden and on further inspection a number of daffodils about 3 inches tall(8cm.for the metric minded) yesterday I scared up a couple of hares and a pheasant though it is startling how close they are before running away and flying off,it's nice being able to walk around just taking in the scenery and wild life,unlike in the city where its all too crowded and hectic,our little island is probably getting a bit overcrowded I think.
Over in Kansas City the trick cyclist has found God,but he seems not to be to his liking,this is another aspect of life in the US that some of us English people find strange,the intensity of religious belief shown by the residents of the USA even by otherwise intelligent people? but it all makes for good material on stage.

ETSY

2012-01-02T02:49:00.000-08:00

I have put four pictures on ETSY an internet shopping programme, at the instigation of the Preston mob,but when I say I,it means other more IT minded persons,they are all fearful of having to get rid of a few paintings which will be around after I am not.
I have more or less been told to cease production and yet today was contacted by a gallery in West Australia to go over in February this year and show some works,sadly I am unable to accept the invite due to previous commitments.

Tempus fugit

2012-01-01T01:13:00.000-08:00

Here we are 1st January 2012,only 359 shopping days to Christmas!

Hectic crowded Preston

2011-12-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

Just back from Christmas in Preston,it's like arriving in a deserted landscape,I do like it though,my next job is to repair the damage wreaked on the back garden by the hens,who are on permanent holiday at Chicken Al's place,or at least until mid march 2012.

New Year-New Order ?

2011-12-27T02:23:00.000-08:00

After watching Downton Abbey I lay awake thinking how it reflects capitalism,bigwigs who do nothing and have a cossetted life, and the less fortunate who work to maintain them in their favoured positions,substitute bankers for aristocracy and wealth creating workers,for servants to bring it up to date.
The problem is the parasitical ones are admired and revered, ie; royalty, and servile glorification rather than the big boot is the norm.
An old poem springs to mind; "When Adam delved,and Eve span, who was then the Gentleman?"

"Oh the rain of old Preston"...

2011-12-23T02:26:00.000-08:00

Arrived yesterday in deepest Lancashire,woke up this morning to " Lancashire Sunshine" or rain as we know it to be on the dry side of the pennines,after a harrowing evening playing a board game with our hosts,brightened up only by a couple of John Smiths and a drop of wine with a small whisky for dessert.
We have been delegated last minute shopping duties Andrew and me as porters with Sheila as boss,Gina is working today so is excused,hopefully we may come across a parched pea art installation ,or outdoor black pudding sculptors at work,which would add a touch of culture to the day.
Everything now hinges on Father Christmas coming up with the goods,and the board game mysteriously disappearing,for a memorable vernal equinox event.

Emperors clothes

2011-12-18T05:50:00.000-08:00

I wish I couldn't draw,it seems that it is a pre requisite to being appointed drawing professor at the royal academy,a conclusion I reached on seeing that the alleged artist Tracy Emin has been appointed to this very post,I invite my reader to look up her drawings on the internet to arrive at their own opinion on this subject.
Emperors clothes?

New design

2011-12-15T02:09:00.000-08:00

So, this is my first blog from my newly designed format,not much to report at the moment,I was employed as a driver last night to take Sheila to the W I Christmas dinner venue,and spent the evening having dinner in the bar with a farmer friend who was also filling the "driver to the stars role",not much booze sadly but a pleasant evening, with both of us talking the hind leg off a donkey.
Farmers and Artists are both solitary occupations and I think this is why we turn into chatterboxes at the least opportunity.

Economic diatribe

2011-12-04T04:15:00.000-08:00

The economic situation is doom and gloom,but exposes the reality of governments lack of power to influence the bankers lust for money,the ordinary people working just as hard as they ever did,are blamed for the bankers fear of reneging debts,who caused the problem?it was'nt the builders,steelworkers ,car workers,farmers,miners,and other wealth creators,it was the bankers,
people who speculate with wealth created by others,who produce nothing , but amass fortunes from gambling with created wealth.
The voters of Greece and Italy elected their governments ,only to have imposed on them governments consisting of bankers acceptable to the bankers and multinational companies who really run the world economies,the Germans and French want to impose a permanent unelected government on Europe,overseen by the Germans who having failed in two world wars to achieve power over Europe by force of arms , but are now using economic pressure to achieve the same ends,but they fail to see that they too are tools of international finance,and just as likely to go the same way as all the rest.
This results in governments usually composed of super rich people imposing unending misery on the citizens of their respective countries and not governing for the people but for the paymasters who they have a vested interest in maintaining in power to keep their personal coffers full.

Happy New Year in Queensland

2011-12-01T00:32:00.000-08:00

It looks as if the poms have had a couple of close shaves,first the "World Renowned Artist"(me) had to cancel a january visit,and now the "Kansas City Trick Cyclist" has cancelled a january visit,so the poms will be breaking out the champagne.

Exhibition

2011-11-29T05:46:00.000-08:00

The information for visitors to my Rotherham exhibition,I hope it raised a few quid.

Brief encounter

2011-11-26T00:35:00.000-08:00

While browsing in the factory shop for part worn boots,I encountered my old playmate and his wife who have moved back to Sheffield,but were here visiting their daughter,he looked a bit subdued, unusuall for him,and it seems he is undergoing treatment next week for a serious illness,we managed a little banter about coloured wigs for watching his beloved blades,and he asked about Sheila's sister and neice and I had to give him more depressing news,anyway I hope it goes well for him.

Preston Guild

2011-11-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

Back from Preston North End and everything seems less frantic after city life, it seems that next year is Preston Guild year,they only have this meeting every 20 years,hence the local saying which refers to infrequent events,"Every Preston Guild"though we like the convenience of restaurants and supermarkets,I think the country life suits us,but we will be back for the next Preston Guild no doubt.

Good deed for today

2011-11-20T00:09:00.000-08:00

This morning I was up at dawn as I am looking after ducks and chickens for Chicken Al,he is visiting southern softy relatives,the ducks were out of the hut like greyhonds from the traps ,but the hens I think were after a sunday lie in, the journey is 5 miles each way and it was foggy when I left home but coming back it is unbroken sunshine in a cloudless sky, so it looks like a nice day may be on the cards.

Who is this ?

2011-11-16T06:58:00.000-08:00

Who is this young lady ?

Jerry warning!

2011-11-15T00:26:00.000-08:00

I sold a couple of Oz pictures yesterday to a local aquaintance but just small things ,so I am still awaiting "salvation" just like Italy with "Super Mario".
Looks like the Germans are in the driving seat yet again in Europe,luckily they have run out of Panzers in 1945. they have imposed unelected governments on Greece and Italy without firing a shot,lets hope they still take notice of our England football chant,"Two world wars and one world cup,doodah doodah."

To booze or not to booze...

2011-11-13T01:52:00.000-08:00

I had a chat with Chicken Al and his missis yesterday and we are of the opinion that the British Isles is an artistic appreciation graveyard,Vic's wife is a potter and sculptor and is convinced that there is something in the British psyche that has a distrust/dislike of art.
Al says my miners are too Russian,I think he means they are too working class but he is a southern softy so he has an excuse.
Its enough to drive you to drink,as if we need an excuse anyway if only we could sell a few pictures to buy the booze.

Berlusco

2011-11-11T02:31:00.000-08:00

This is a cartoon I came across in the Italian papers online the Croc. is Berlusconi ,cartoon by Sergio Taino,I am responsible for the translation.

And bugles calling them from sad shires...

2011-11-10T04:44:00.000-08:00

I just read a poem by Wilfred Owen the Poet killed in the first world war and this line came over strong," And bugles calling them from sad shires" I thought of young lads once again being sent to fight old mens wars,if pits and factories were still in full production,these"old warriors" would have more difficulty finding volunteers,it's sad that being killed and maimed is one of the conditions of economic survival.

Show over

2011-11-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

Closed the exhibition down early as poor weather is probably putting people off visiting , and when they visit I think it has more to do with escaping the weather than buying art, I visited another art show in the town and they were also having a poor time as well.
I still have the exhibition in Rotherham going until 28th november,so all is not lost.

Exhibition latest

2011-11-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Today I had a visitor to the gallery from Perth West Australia who was surprised ,in a pleasant way to see my OZ paintings and said how realistic the colours were, she was very complimentary in general but had no room in her luggage to take anything back.
Judge Dread and his lovely wife visited this afternoon,and some banter was exchanged but sadly no money! and this after describing me in the visitors book as a GENIUS! they soon lose their innate generosity when they leave Rotherham,
Quite a number of visitors are fellow artists and I enjoy swapping stories and artistic likes and dislikes with them.

Exhibition latest

2011-10-31T08:32:00.000-07:00

The gallery is a little out of the way but quite close to the town centre of louth,after conversing with some of the locals,I have decided to open up on Wed. Friday,Saturday market days when most people are in town,and close down the exhibition on Sunday the 6th.
Most people are very enthusiastic about the mining pictures in particular,but no money is changing hands yet,at least I have got a little exposure and more importantly another exhibition on my CV.

My exhibition

2011-10-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is my Louth Exhibition from whence I have just come home,I spent a couple of hours straightening up the pictures and putting out publicity boards and a banner, had a few visitors in perusing and compliments galore,sadly not reflected in any sales as yet.
Back tomorrow for more punishment,and there may be some "staff" to help out,not usual for the exhibitor to have to man the barricades but I shall soldier on.

Chaotic

2011-10-27T08:23:00.000-07:00

It was a bit of a mess going up to Louth with the paintings,the bloke who should have met us at 11am did not show up , I remembered seeing a number for the gallery in the local rag so I went up and got the number from the office,rang it and after much of nobody knowing what had happened an old bloke turned up with the key,turns out he was from Rotherham originally,and is a little forgetful.
I was not able to fit all the paintings into the space available so some culling took place,the whole set up seemed a bit chaotic and it looks as if I shall be running the show myself,this will entail being in the gallery for the duration of the show.
I shall take the camera with me tomorrow and get some pictures for the blog,it is a nice little gallery but a bit out of the way so more publicity may be needed, I have contacted the local tv stations and papers but I suppose it all depends on how much news they have whether they run anything,I hope I manage to sell some stuff if only to liberate storage space at the little house on the prairie.

Most handsome of all !

2011-10-26T02:25:00.000-07:00

Now that's what I call handsome !

even more handsome

2011-10-26T02:10:00.000-07:00

Who's this even more handsome chap?

Emperors clothes

2011-10-23T00:39:00.001-07:00

This week I spent about 12 hours painting all the interior doors and surrounds in the little house on the prairie,I am thinking of removing them and putting them in my exhibition on wednesday,and calling them installation art.
The downside to this would be some wag coming in and saying "I have seen them cheaper at Wickes DIY."

Louth exhibition

2011-10-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Revised date of my exhibition at Spout Yard Gallery Louth is,28th October -6th November,I met up with the organiser today and looked around the gallery which is a very professional exhibition space with good artificial lighting and is in a very nice spot close to a small park.

"It's just a gate" (F.Saif)

2011-10-16T04:18:00.000-07:00

Once pristine,
Standing proud.
A future bright,
With expectation.
Now ruined by,
The ravages of time.
A metaphor for,
Humankind ?.
Eventually,
Sans everything.

One of ours

2011-10-14T01:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I heard a familiar aero engine sound from my childhood,when I looked up it was a Spitfire about 1000 feet directly over the little house on the prairie,I thought the Jerries had come for a rematch at first,luckily Sheila saw it too so it was no mirage,she asked me how I knew it was a Spitfire,my reply was I used to draw them and Lancasters all the time as a kid shooting down Messerschmits,we could always recognise one of ours us wartime kids.
I know there are Spitfires at RAF Coningsby so it probably was out on a training flight,on a visit with the WI we were allowed in the hangar and were able to look inside them along with the Lancaster Bomber,normally visitors are kept away behind a roped off area,I have a baseball cap Sheila bought me for one of my birthdays there ,with a Lancaster on the front.

New date for exhibition

2011-10-13T00:44:00.000-07:00

Alternative dates are now to be arranged due to mix up at gallery administrators end,I am meeting with him next monday to fix new dates watch this space.

Thanks to His" Workshy"

2011-10-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to" judge dread" my local judicial aquaintance ( not on official business I may say) informing me of the existence of a local gallery in Louth"Spout Yard Gallery,"I have lost no time in arranging a brief exhibition there from 23rd November to 4th December 2011, his "workshy" is cordially welcome to the opening along with his dear wife, should the judicial calender allow of course.

Miner memories

2011-10-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

Charcoal drawing 9"x7" approximately, drawn 2005, found in one of my folders I think an apt illustration for this prose poem I drafted last week.

DAAHN T ' PIT(Memories of the 1950's)
Musty earth odor,
Pinewood pit props pleasant scent.
Steel rails streaming away,
Into infinite black distance.
Glimmer of a distant lamp,
A fellow miner
Voluntarily entombed,
By economic need.
Both dreaming of shift end release.
Hauled up at breakneck speed,
In the steel "cage".
To witness,
The bluest of skies,
The fluffiest cotton wool clouds,
The greenest ever trees and grass,
The symphony of bird song,
Our starved lungs.
Filled with the freshest air.

Latest painting

2011-10-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

This one is acrylic on canvas 14"x10" title "Meers Bank Farm House" a little cottage on Stain Lane Theddlethorpe.

Palette and etc.

2011-10-05T03:19:00.000-07:00

This is the stool, palette and painting, featuring in my last blog,it is easy to see why I missed seeing the palette,there is more paint on the stool

Arty Farty Error

2011-10-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

I rarely offer advice on artistic technique,but today I made the mistake of placing a round palette on a round topped stool,then I picked up a brush and sat down ,reached for the palette and realised I was sitting on it what a colourful bum I am.

Nostalgia and Sadness

2011-09-30T01:13:00.000-07:00

My Miners exhibition at Rotherham runs for 2 months ending on 28th November, so another trip up on that day is called for,we did not see much of the town but like most towns and cities the centres are becoming full of empty shops,and strangely enough there was programme on TV last night which featured Rotherham and it seems that like Sheffield the shops have suffered from the building of meadowhall ,and to a lesser extent a smaller retail complex at parkgate,one of the problems is parking charges in town centres but free to park at the malls.
I looked at Brinsworth on google, my home village and it was a very small community until the Rotherham Main Colliery opened and boosted the population with an influx of people from all parts of Britain, google Rotherham Main Colliery and you will see a photo in the background behind the smoke and pithead gear you can just make out the houses where I was born and spent my early life.
The sight of any pit headgear has the effect of reminding me of my childhood and is in itself a stark but strangely beautiful and nostalgic sight to me, as kids we spent much time in summer on the water meadows at Whiston the next village , the pit ponies were given a two week escape from underground at that that time,and put out to grass on Whiston meadows, and we would try to ride on them in the fields without success as they were a bit wild and frisky I think as a result of their new found freedom.
Sadly on a more serious note following on from the four Welsh miners who recently lost their lives, another miner 49 year old Gerry Gibson was killed two days ago in Kellingley Colliery Yorkshire, once more emphasising the dangers of the job and the courage of brave men who risk their lives every shift.
It seems there is some concern about safety at Kellingley as Mr Gibson is the third fatality in the mine over the last four years.

Rotherham Show

2011-09-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

The very professional and youthfull staff at Rotherham Arts Centre displaying my paintings with no help from me whatsoever ,a good day,rounded off by a visit to my brother Joe who is recovering from a serious illness,and Joseph Saif for advice on online selling methods.

Paintings for Rotherham

2011-09-25T04:42:00.000-07:00

I spent this morning packing paintings in the car ready to get off to an early start tomorrow morning,I have arranged to be at the gallery in the town centre at 10.30am so I need to leave here about 8am,I am taking about 20 but will probably only be exhibiting between 8 and 12,but I thought it best to give the exhibition organiser plenty to choose from.

Neslyn Farm

2011-09-22T02:40:00.000-07:00

A little diversion from drawing gates,a pen drawing from which I painted the 12"x10" acrylic on canvas, of our neighbours farm from a track on their land looking west toward the wolds,a different technique to the one I use on my paintings of miners,which is more cubistic expressionist,a technique which suits my mining memories and emotional outpourings.

Home town show

2011-09-21T05:11:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to provide at short notice(one week) a number of paintings and prints for an exhibition in the entrance foyer of Rotherham art gallery,so I have been busy this morning sorting some stuff out,this is a forerunner to holding an exhibition early next year around April in the new gallery being built near the new Rotherham United stadium .

Gordy

2011-09-17T04:31:00.000-07:00

This weeks sad loss of life at the welsh mine was a reminder to me of my brother Gordon's fatal accident in a steel works over 30 years ago on the 18th of September, you leave for work and never come home,one of the perils of working in heavy industry,real men in real jobs.

Gleision Colliery 15th September 2011

2011-09-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

Old gate on green lane

2011-09-12T00:59:00.000-07:00

This is escapism in the countryside,I am now an old fogey down to drawing rickety old farm gates,though a galeforce wind yesterday made the job difficult ,blowing the sketch pad all over the place,the colours and different plant shapes were interesting and may lead to a painting on a small scale.
I am trying to arrange an exhibition of my mining theme pictures in Rotherham and Barnsley, but exhibition opportunities are thin on the ground,so barring a lottery win and buying my own gallery,I shall have to continue as a "picture stacker", the welsh poet Dylan Thomas's description of painters.
The technical properties are,graphite on cartridge paper 12"x 10" approx.

Bill Tidy

2011-09-09T01:15:00.000-07:00

Amusing quote from Bill Tidy the cartoonist(yes he is still alive),"Blatter is not guilty of corruption,I had confirmation in a brown envelope through my letterbox today"

Red Miner

2011-09-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on canvas 12 inches x 9 inches final version from a digital study posted in on earlier blog, based on my friend Piero Baral an Italian talc miner in the Italian alps,now retired from mining but active on a number of humanitarian issues.

Waterhole,"Tim's World" number 5

2011-08-29T04:24:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on canvas board 12inch x 10inch,Western Australian outback landscape , where Tim Millson chooses to spend his life with the indigenous population both animal and human.

Red Miner

2011-08-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

Digital computer painting of a miners head.

Autumn wind

2011-08-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Oil on canvas 7inch x 5inch
From a digital study last year

Brisbane Wolves Triumph

2011-08-17T00:45:00.000-07:00

So my protege has won the league in Brisbane with games left to play,the Poms are celebrating I am informed by my correspondant in Brisbane,looking at the results up to now for Rotherham United I thought for a minute or two they had made Sam the pom manager.

Daisy for sale

2011-08-14T01:37:00.000-07:00

Looters struck in Cleethorpes over the weekend apparently,police are looking for someone trying to sell a donkey named daisy.

Political correctness?

2011-08-11T04:44:00.000-07:00

I find it hard to understand why the Metropolitan police have not been eager to assault the Looters in London,as they showed themselves to be more than willing and eager to attack miners
who were striking to protect their livelihoods and communities in the mid 1980's.

Final version "Green Lane" Lincolnshire

2011-08-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

Final version of Green Lane and Roseacre 7"x5" acrylic on canvas.

Green Lane and Little House

2011-08-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

The top picture is an acylic on canvas 7 inch x 5 inch,the one below is a digital computer painting which can be printed any size as a limited edition print.
Both are based on a drawing I made looking west on green lane, the footpath near our little house on the prairie , with the little house roof in the distance.

Oh dear a deer

2011-08-06T05:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I saw a deer about 50 yards from the little house on the prairie. It was on Green lane, a track nearby ,as I walked on the lane it trotted away,that's the nearest I have seen one up to now no foxes in sight.

Harvesting

2011-07-30T03:17:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on canvas,harvesting wheat on farmer joe's land next to the little house on the prairie.

Shift end at Rotherham Main Colliery

2011-07-26T00:40:00.000-07:00

Clattering clogs ,
Coal blackened faces.
Childhood memories
of Rotherham Main.
Tin baths of coal heated water,
After the brewers draught
A small reward.
Before tomorrow
repeats today.

Gone drivabout

2011-07-23T03:23:00.000-07:00

I am now deserted by my drinking partner Crocodile Mick,and it has driven me to drink,he has gone drivabout with Deb taking in the delights of such places as York,Whitby,Edinburgh, and then on to Ireland via Stranraer,returning to Wales and up to Preston to visit Gina,then down to London and back home to Oz.
The place is very quiet without him and I have to keep emulating his comments and accent to save me and Sheila slumping into lethargy.
Hopefully we will meet up for a quiet drink when we are in Oz so the withdrawal symptoms are not irreversible.

Having a tinny

2011-07-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

Me and my cousin Crocodile Mick celebrating another Brisbane wolves victory,and my birthday.

Fox Dundee

2011-07-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a walk down green lane and encountering the dog fox, it was about 50 yards away looking at me,the only weapon I had was a 3inch knife,so I ran toward it planning to jump on its neck and cut its throat ,but it ran off after barking"call that a knife"next time I shall take the rifle,all this is true except the crocodile dundee comment,because as you know fox's can't talk.

Outback Eagle

2011-07-09T05:04:00.000-07:00

Outback eagle in Tim's world No. 6.,acrylic on canvas board 12"x10",painted 8th.July, 2011.

Eucalyptus Owl

2011-07-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

I cut down a Eucalyptus tree that the bad winter killed,and thought I would carve an owl in the trunk ,I managed to find my old woodcarving tools which I have not used since leaving Sheffield,it took me about a day and a half as I had to dodge rain showers,if it dries out enough tomorrow I will varnish it with yacht varnish,wood carvings sometimes split, but this tree was fairly dry already,so maybe it will be ok,it is located just about 5 yards into the drive on the side leading into the dyke so hopefully it will not be vandalised.

Outback Tim's world No. 5

2011-07-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on canvas size 7inch x5inch outback dreamtime painting gascoyne region Western Australia.

Western Australia Tim's world

2011-06-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

Digital painting,Tim's world No. 4

Tim's World Number 3

2011-06-19T04:09:00.000-07:00

Oil on canvas panel 12"x10",West Australia Billabong, Tim Millson's world

Fathers day presents

2011-06-19T01:11:00.000-07:00

Fathers day present and phone call with instructions from gina

Flowers

2011-06-14T00:49:00.000-07:00

We have a permanent memorial here of flowers that Pat gave us to plant,red hot pokers are halfway through their flowering cycle just underneath our lounge window,and will be a annual reminder while we are living here.

"To be or not to be,that is the question"

2011-06-09T03:18:00.000-07:00

I have the offer of artist in residence again at Greenough,( a hamlet about 30miles from Geraldton West Australia), courtesy of the West Australian State Government art projects,which I had to cancel last year,so I am now looking for sponsors toward the air fares, Aussie or US dollars would be very welcome as would the coin of our green and pleasant land..
Geraldton is a town midway between Perth and Carnarvon, the latter being the abode of my cousin Crocodile Mick,he passes through it on his way to Perth when he visits two of his kids who live there,so I shall discuss the place over a couple of beers when he arrives at our little house on the prairie,when no doubt he will appraise me of the delights of the place in his usual inimitable descriptive way.
There is a conflict of destinations in consideration ,hence the Shakespeare quote title,at the moment Florida or Australia,we are guaranteed "SCORCHIO" weather in OZ 35c to 49c but the winter in FLA can be variable low16c high 28c,all mod cons in FLA. not so in Greenough,no mobile signal, a payphone may be available office hours at the local museum,no internet,and the exchange rate is poor against the OZZIE dollar,more favourable against the US dollar
Visually it is chalk and cheese,WA , reds, blues, white, ochre,violet, black, FLA blue,and shades of green,in fact pretty much like Queensland.

Updates from Oz

2011-06-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

Final version of painting of shark bay denham

From our Oz news desk

2011-06-05T00:50:00.000-07:00

Confirmation e mail yesterday from Western Australia, Crocodile Mick arrives in London on the 14th July,and at our place the following day,is England ready for this return visit after 30 odd years? I have been instructed to save a few tinnies for when he gets here.
More good news from Brisbane Sam the pom is again a winning coach,sadly his dearest (Sandra Pom) is taking the edge off the wins by her profligacy in the shopping malls.

Dreamtime

2011-06-04T01:40:00.000-07:00

Two indigenous West Australians,7"x5" acrylic on canvas.

Rain

2011-05-30T04:24:00.000-07:00

Today is a typical bank holiday monday with rain and gloom,though we are in an area where we receive less rain than most of the rest of England,the land here is very dry and it was becoming a bit of a problem for the farmers,though I am inclined to be selfish about it and say I would sooner it was sunny.

Shark Bay and Gascoyne Junction

2011-05-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Brisbane Wolves

2011-05-29T01:37:00.000-07:00

Sam the pom 's team have won again 3-0 away to Rochedale who are the big hitters in the league,Barcelona eat your heart out.

Mystery solved

2011-05-23T02:42:00.000-07:00

This is where the fox managed to get the hen ,it must have been sheltering from the wind and the bloody fox sneaked up on it the squares are about 4inches ,and you can see where it has chewed at the wood the get the hen out after killing it,I put the netting up today but its all too late.
Survivor escaped again but we are thinking of taking her to "Chicken Al "who has a secure pen and it would have company there.

9-1

2011-05-21T09:12:00.000-07:00

Brisbane Wolves march on,they won 9-1 today, is Sam the pom the new"special one"? Mourinho must be quaking in his boots,this is an incredible record up to now, this must mean chardies all round, me and Sheila have opened a bottle of Tesco's finest "champagne" to celebrate.
I have tears in my eyes just thinking about what a good job my former apprentice is doing,sadly I have sacrificed my own success so the lad could get on in the world.
Will this lead to a massive celebration ending in a "toyota spew"?and what are the chances of an autographed photo?

Bathing Beauty

2011-05-20T00:56:00.000-07:00

Gypsey the dog could go for a swim in the sea,we have blue riband water quality here,I would leave the rope round the dogs neck so I could haul it ashore if it drowns,it could be like a gun dog only substituting fish for game,a whole new career opens up for the lucky canine.
I have done a mornings poster work already before 9am and am now going to replace the communal false teeth in the jar for Sheila to use.

Money spinner

2011-05-19T02:19:00.000-07:00

Gypsey the dog on a rope could be a seaside attraction,generating enough money to fund a trip down under,I look forward to the challenge.

Lincolnshire Landscape May

2011-05-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

Rape seed field on the lincolnshire prairie,digital painting.

News from the antipodes

2011-05-15T04:49:00.001-07:00

My ex apprentice Sam the Pom is continuing his success with Brisbane Wolves,played nine won nine, manager of the season looks a good bet,and of course as they say behind every successful man there is a woman,well he now has two telling him what to do,so that should mean even greater success ??
Crocodile Mick's visit is still on, so beer stockpiling will continue apace.

Poor owd bugger

2011-05-11T02:57:00.000-07:00

Today I have been working on posters for a customer in London,sadly the poor amounts of pension paid to old geezers here leaves me no alternative,it helps toward the winter escape to warmer climes.

Male Pheasant

2011-05-10T00:56:00.000-07:00

This morning this was my view from our bedroom window,after the sad day at Sheffield yesterday attending the funeral of Sheila's niece Naomi ,only 21 years on this earth and denied the full life everyone deserves we are fortunate to have such little pleasures.

Three miner's heads

2011-05-06T03:27:00.000-07:00

Three paintings of miner's heads unearthed from my archives,acrylic paint on board.

Football look alikes

2011-05-05T05:49:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else noticed that Pep Guardiola barca manager and Sam the Pom brisbane wolves manager are look alikes,and both very successfull.

Davy Jones Locker

2011-05-02T06:04:00.000-07:00

Bin,in a bag,and all at sea, and no mermaids waiting on him hand and foot,sharks ate em all.
Full fathom deep courtesy of the USA.

May Day

2011-05-01T02:46:00.000-07:00

This is the little house on the prairie on May Day morning with the brilliant yellow of the rape seed flowers and a bright blue sky,as you probably know, May Day is workers day, therefore not to be associated in any way with the recent shenanigans taking place down in London.

Travelling folk and carousels

2011-04-29T00:49:00.000-07:00

Today I am going about a mile down the lane to do some lettering and lining work on a fairground ride for a one of my fellow "pikeys" his place looks a bit like Fred Dibnah's but full of ancient fairground rides and such items, he lives in a towing van behind the workshop/shed,and is partial to a roll up and a drink,hold the roll up and pass the whisky brother.

Blues in the 50,s

2011-04-26T02:36:00.000-07:00

This , my latest acrylic on canvas, size 7"x5", of monday morning blues at Treeton Colliery in 1955 as suffered by many of us,unbelievably took me six weeks to complete,it just would not materialise into the vision in my head.

Forget me not

2011-04-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

HELP !

2011-04-22T00:54:00.000-07:00

Help is needed to escape from the incessant drip drip of propoganda by the government and media about some wedding or other taking place soon,it seems the scroungers named the royal family are adding another to their ranks , and we are being battered by propoganda about this unhappy event,all suggestions (within our limited budget) to escape this calamitous day will be seriously considered,the last one when his parents were married we went on a train trip to whitby,and to this day have never seen that wedding,other than short clips sprung on us by surprise by the media.
Just think girls,if you emulated this young woman you would never have to worry about money again, getting a job,paying bills, etc. because the mugs who are the British public will pick up all the tabs.

Picture puzzle

2011-04-20T05:10:00.000-07:00

It seems that picture puzzles are in vogue at the moment,and Sandra the pom is top of the league at guessing who's who, which one of these "vagabondi" is the Italian? Gina is barred from entering this puzzle.

baby ducks found!

2011-04-17T02:05:00.000-07:00