album art

In the news at the moment is the sale of the painting - Kerze (candle) by German artist Gerhard Richter used on the album cover by Sonic Youth - 'Daydream Nation' (1988), not an album, which at the time was a major chart success! Its said that the popularity of the image is worldwide - symbol of peace, its probably going to sell for at least £2.5m, maybe more

This got me thinking about my own record collection - most of it in boxes, some lost in time (parties, friends borrowing them etc, currently updating on CD - I know its the day of the i-pod, I do own one and use it all the time!) and which ones stick in my mind as cherished album covers.

I have included a few here for various reasons, some more obvious than others - the immediate shock value of the Pistols; as a very young teenager smuggling it into my bedroom so the parents wouldn't see it!

Ian Dury, just loved the image of him standing there outside the shop with slightly flared trousers (not hip at the time!!), constantly looking in the shop window and setting to memory what was there whilst sat in the lounge with headphones on (so my parents couldn't hear some of the lyrics!!!

Then there is Joy Division, a discovery thanks to Oz, the cover looks at first like a mountain range in contour map formation, but, when you found out what it really represented you felt like you were the holder of a secret and only a few knew, especially not parents!

Another one I have posted is that of Klaus Nomi - I just loved the theatrical element to the black and white image, a strange mix of b/w classics and slightly comical approach (at the time I saw Metropolis for the first time and felt a link between the two - well I was young and impressionable at the time!)

Over time I might droop a few more in, of course, there's nothing like thumbing your way through old albums, which of course does lead you to sitting down and playing them... which can't be bad.

Anarchy in the UK - 2007 style!

Be aware - John Lydon on form on this video taken with my phone - some swearing and the usual lyrics!!

As I posted last night, the gig was brilliant, being a little to young to see them live it was great to see them last night. Quote "It's like seeing Elvis; for us" (thanks Oz)

They kept the crowd waiting, came on at 9.30 - what an entrance, they walked through the doors behind the stage (usually used for loading/unloading equipment) to a blaze of white light, casting shadows across the venue.

Swaggering on stage in front, bottle in hand and snarl on face John Lydon greeted the throng - 'hello, I'm a fat f***ing c*** ( I know I swear in my work, but .......) what a way to start.

Then the music - I remember buying the never mind album when it came out, I listened to it in my bedroom wearing a pair of headphones so the parents couldn't hear it, unbeknown to me, dad had heard it already - some one at work brought it in!!!!

The sound was fantastic, they even sounded professional - is that correct for the punk band?!

Song after song brought back memories, singing along or shouting out with angry undertones!

Even when I needed the loo, I held out as much as possible as not to miss a thing, but Guinness after Guinness, bitter after lager - it has to be released! Could still hear them in the toilets - apt really.

They ended on a high, coming back to do an encore - how nice, totally against '76 values!!

Anarchy in the UK shouted out by 50 somethings - reliving their youth, burdened with a mortgage, 9-5 job, families, responsibilities - the anarchists of yesteryear, joined the rest 2007!!!

Outside, whilst waiting for others I over heard a brilliant conversation between 5/6 men (in late 40's/early 50's) ....

quote "that was 'mazing, fancy going to back to mine and having a wild party.....

"yeah, could do with getting rat faced"

"yeah, we'll go back to mine, I'll open up a great bottle of wine.... and I've got some fine cheese"

These 'former punks' were serious!!!

Great night, I've seen the legendary Sex Pistols and seen how all the late '70's anarchist punks have stayed true to their beliefs!!

Off to see Archie Bronson Outfit on Friday - they've got a lot to live upto!

wow, a week already!

Looking at previous posts I realised that I have not written anything for a week, rest assured, I haven't been slack, just getting on with lots of different things... some painting, sketching out ideas, formulating projects, training rugby (and things connected with the club!), socialising, and even mundane items as paper work for school!!!
Also, someone is interested in purchasing a painting, awaiting feedback on that at moment

'beachcombers' acrylic on canvas
Completed and removed masking tape from 'all day..' painting. Taken some dodgy photos of it - light is vey poor at the moment with it starting to turn dark by 4.30 pm

detail

detail

Fairly pleased with result; as its part of a series of 6 it should stand up well with the other 5 (as soon as I have finished them!!)

Update on 'just three words' series - after posting image last time I have made some headway - although the classic one step forward, two steps back is working its ugly head. Originally, the background was going to be titanium white, when I was about to start I had a change of heart - opted for a sky blue/baby blue, painted it then as you can image, not happy. Out came the sketch book/wall and starting mixing colours. I have reworked the background with a deep mix of crimson with purples, blues and applied this. It kinda works, but I think i shall return to the original white, as I like to create a surface layer or two there's no real harm done! (image at some time!)

Whilst posting on an artforum, a question was raised about where people paint-my reply was of course in my shed. This apparently is quite common and several postings have been made in response and with pics to. Further posts included how they like to work in their sheds and what they use as tools/equipment - some were very impressive and some were very neat and tidy!!
Then a question about sketchbooks - I have always had difficulty using them, I prefer to work things out on the work itself or scraps of paper/wood/anything close at hand. I have found myself working more in terms of working out titles, colours and thoughts on the walls of my 'shed', and was requested to upload some on the said forum, haven't done so far but I might.
Thought I'd put some up here, excuse the handwriting - left handed and I use a word processor more than a pen!!

Oh, by the way .................... off to see the Sex Pistols tonight at Brixton Academy - a little too young first time around!! But managed at some some time to see most of the other bands of that era. give you a review later!!!!!