Scribblings: I've started painting! But is it me?

The 2003 painting where I handled the brush...but I didn't 'do' the painting... I think it was my Pa.

I started painting (again) at the end of 2017; but really got cracking in Jan 2018! But I'm not sure it's actually me doing it... Because it could be my dad!

OK, so, I went to art school back in the 1960s... yes, so, that might come as no surprise - but I studied Industrial Design (3 dimensional items) also known as product design. I didn't actually achieve the diploma... ahh, the shame!...And couldn't find work in 3 dimensional design. So, I took a job as a sales rep selling artists' materials to schools and colleges. Not quite a cop out! I did well during the two years I was working for Reeves. The next job was a step up as a Publicity Assistant - moving toward what my college training had prepared me for - designing & organising exhibitions for a medical equipment manufacturer... I was promoted to Assistant Publicity Manager:- planning ad campaigns and commissioning designers to produce publicity material. After 5 years and a couple of bosses had come and gone, I moved on to set up as a freelancer in graphic design. I'd seen it carried out when commissioning designers for the medical company, so thought I could handle that. I built up a good clientelle I became keen to develop into something bigger so, with a partner, we established ourselves as an advertising agency. It worked and, over 6 years we grew to have full service recognition by national media bodies - what we used to call the royal flush... the NPA, PPA, Newspaper Society and the Tufty Club! And we also grew to employ 25 staff and handle some solid and pretty big bluechip clients.
By then I had still only attempted 2 paintings in my adult life, neither of which gave me any reason to assume that there was any point in doing a third.

After a 15 year break I found myself at it again.

My dad (self taught) though, who, in later life and especially when he lived in a nursing home, painted every single day. He painted on anything he could get hold of... and filled many watercolour pads framing many of his works and giving them away. He would even hand paint gift tags and cards at Christmas. He was very, very prolific.
Shortly after he passed away, in 2003, one of my daughters in law gave us a photograph of our 3 year old grandson, Orran (top picture). And, although we were busy and I wouldn't normally take time off (by then I had resigned from the agency - because of the 1990 recession) and Micki and I were running a home based marketing consultancy as a duo and we were doing well... In spite of being busy I felt driven to buy a canvas, oil paints and brushes and set forth to paint a picture. Why? I had no clue. I just felt driven. I was thoroughly absorbed for a week and it flowed. I became convinced that I hadn't actually had much to do with the painting of Orran myself. I was lost in it, finding it a great escape. I was (still am) convinced that my dad had been guiding my hand during that 'one off'. After all he had 'turned up' in our cabin on our ferry crossing to Brittany on the night he died and was a permanent resident at our house in Brittany! Still is! Here's a story about the night of his passing...

ABOVE: Millie May Slade... the second 'must do' painting

Oscar ... He didn't need glasses at the time - He was just trying them on!

I made quite a few attempts at painting after that initial Orran painting, usually because Micki prompted me at every opportunity... holidays, breaks from work. "All I want for Christmas is for you to do me a painting"... These opportunities; challenges came and went. You always rail against these demands don't you? Well I did anyway! It jut made me clam up... Couldn't do it. Micki, herself, could and would pick up a brush and paint spontaneously often and made and sold canvasses (usually of cats) dummy board cats, hares and now umpteen paintings of our new dog, Rudy. Me? Nothing! I said I couldn't paint and pointed to my many failed starts. If it didn't click in the first hour I'd give it up! Until around November 2017... Then, falteringly, I have found myself motivated to get cracking and have a stab at it again.

ABOVE: Ella... a grandkid & a grand kid... This is when I felt I was starting to get it right

My mum always used to call me 'Mr Man of One Notion'. Obsessive! Once I got into something... after a fleeting first experience, I would 'shake it to death'. But painting never got me that way. If it hadn't begun to work within the first hour I would put it aside saying... "No, I can't do that!"

ABOVE: Sue Quick, she almost made the hundred not out! - Bless her!

I am certain that the painting of Orran back in 2003, only a month or so after my dad passed over, was down to him...not me.
But just now I'm enjoying what my dad must have got out of his painting 'habit'. It can be complete immersion - especially when it's going well. When it's going badly... well, I can understand why Van Gogh cut his ear off! But I think having a punch bag in your studio might be a better idea. I'm still not totally convinced it's me doing it and I do get comfort from knowing that he is looking over my shoulder. Funnily enough I do seem to do OK with people who have passed away...

Grandchildren also seem to feature between paying jobs (I haven't done all of them yet - but I'm sure I will eventually)...and I have tackled the odd cat and, strangely enough, a chicken. Both of these have actually also passed away! So, what's next? Well, I've just finished a painting of 'Bridget's Mom'... Elaine Brown Whelton, a lovely Texan lady who passed over in August of 2018. I'm hoping that she will be looking over my shoulder too and giving me some guidance. I have also just been commissioned to tackle Bridget's Dad too, a great honour. Watch this space!...

ABOVE: Mr Wallis... friend, musician and our kids' art teacher

ABOVE: Elaine Brown Whelton - Bridget's Mom.

Note to anyone who would like a portrait... Currently the price is $400 (£350 in the UK). Post and Packing for the USA costs me £50 at my end which I will add to the bill)... I will hopefully (well I'm looking forward to it) increase the fees I charge as I improve, so... Buy now whilst I am still crap and needy... (arf!). When we get to the billing stage I will send a link to my PayPal account.