What Value Art ?

There has often been discussions regarding what is perceived as ART this discussion is one that I usually avoid, but today I saw a small section of a TV programme aimed at an individual that had seen there worldly goods seized by a Bailiff to settle outstanding debts, the goods then went into an auction room and were valued by the auctioneer.
There were amongst these belongings some large modern paintings (4ft plus) these were valued at nothing more than the price of the canvas not the ART on the canvas this made me think!

Without provenance or name what is Art really worth ?

Question.
If creating MODERN ARTWORK should it stand alone or does it require intellectual substantiation.( what happens when the artist statement is no longer available) Think of the canvases standing in the auction room with diminished value.

First Demo of the Year Done

Following my demontration yesterday at Bedford Saws and tools Woodturning Club I have recieved an e-mail that I would like to share with you all it echo's somthing I ofen hear after a demo, I have also included some pictures the gentleman sent me as I simply forgot to take any,it was a very busy day.

"Dear Nick, in the past I have not been too keen on colouring or texturing wood turnings but at your demo I was quite impressed with the results and could be tempted to try it."

The piece below was inspired by Clarice Cliffe and shows me hard at work in Bedford, airbrushing the piece and the finished piece below ,before it was removed from the lathe.

The image below shows one of the stages in the production of one of my pieces from the "Coral Series" using an air turbine, its always great fun to see how the audience reacts as I start to work with the dental drill/burrs.

I enjoyed my day with an interesting club, its always great to meet up with old freinds and make new ones along with helping to change the views of those that in the past have not altogether liked the coloured work that has seen previously, maybe its my aroach or something is changing in the world of what people find acceptable as decorated turned work,who knows but there certainly is more people being atracted to and having a go at coulred and decorated work.

Now all I have to do is focus on my next series of demontrations in early March over in Ireland.

The Days are rolling by.

January is always a difficult month for me there is usually a lul in production turning and things are normally pretty quite.

Nothing new for this year then, there is however a dramatic rise in students looking for and booking wood turning tuition, which is great this early in the year which is shaping up pretty well and I need to be be very careful how I manage my time, in this first half not forgetting to allow time for things that we Jane and myself want to do,that is not always easy.

Lets hope the weather improves as the days begin to get longer it has been a tough few months for cold miserable weather and now the snow has gone we are entering a damp period, which I find particularly depressing!

I have some interesting ideas for new works this year & I have been busy with my sketch book so keep your eyes open.

I keep promising to post some images of recent work and I will, it is not always easy with magazine deadlines and publishing dates.As there can be conflict but 2.& 3 are from recent articles written for GMC Woodturning magazine. The third piece ( The Ginger Jar) I am particularly exited by as it does not appear to be round but faceted.

1.The coral series.

2.The Rocket Box.

3.The Ginger Jar.(my latestpiece and article for GMC )

I also thought I would show you one of my watercolours from last year.This was my mothers day gift for my mother last year.

I also did some paintings as Christmas gifts and they went down very well.We all need a hobby when time allows.

I will try to post again soon but I must head to the workshop and play as the ideas are beginning to flood out of my mind and there is only so many hours in the day with good natural light..

New Year - New Directions.

Belated seasons greetings to all and appologies for my lack of posts but when things get busy work comes first. The year ahead is shaping up well with demos around the UK and Europe, so time will need to be managed carefully to avoide missing magazine deadlines and commitments already made.
After many requests I will be making a DVD in April, followed in May with a two day decorating/turning course at Hunters Lodge in Lincolnshire with KTMP if you are interested in the course/DVD's contact Karl Tickle at http://www.ktmp.co.uk/ .
The course should be fun with the incresed interest there is in decorating wood there is a march away from the round and brown amongst the turning fraternaty here in the UK.
I will endevour to make regular posts through the comming year with images of my new work when possible, the demo year starts early for me in Febuary at Bedford Saws.

Its not white

I finally gave in and brought a new van, well second hand low milage all because my old nissan was going to cost me some more serious money, I have wanted to go back to a diesel engine for ages now, its what I enjoy driving these days.

The Nissan lasted me 7 yearsso I cant realy complain.so from now on its a Vauxhall Combo 1.7 DI.

I can still dream about other things can't I !.

Is it real or a kit car? Who cares it looked very good to me one day during the summer.

An Empty Nest

Yesterday Victoria left for Uni at Bath,
Jane and I are now alone here in Horsford which has left us feeling a little odd, now we have only each other to blame for light left on or things left were they shouldnt be, and there will be no more waiting for her to get home.
Life is going to change for us all, both here and in Bath, as we will not be there to run after her; it will be an interesting learning curve for us all but one more than the others, I feel sure she will cope and thrive, we will stay in touch using the internet, I remember my first days at Art school when I stayed away for the week at a time, she is away until I'm not sure when, Christmas? who knows,time only will tell.

25th Wedding Aniversary.

Today September 1st at 4:30 twenty five years ago Jane and I were married so today is our 25th Wedding Aniversary and we are trying to spend it together!