Black on Grey on White

This was going to be a beautiful traditional post with a snowy festive image as a backdrop when... Wilbur tapped on my shoulder! He had lovingly prepared his own wishes and wondered if I would mind sharing them. His hand writing (very like my own) is pretty poor but his heart is in the right place and I couldn't resist. From both Wilbur and myself energetic MERRY CHRISTMAS waves and a remarkable, prosperous and spiffing New-Year wishes. Here's to 2010! Cheery cheers everyone back next year with a vengeance!

You have to study a great deal to know a little . ~Baron de Montesquieu ~ Deep down we most of us have a thirst for knowledge and learning. Mine never seems to be quenched and ends up turning regularly (sometimes daily) to several sources. Here are the main influences that serve me with inspirational, incredibly wise and inspired drinks. Leonardo da Vinci and Peter Paul Rubens to the legacy they left us. The TED ideas worth spreading website. Alyson Stanfields' Artbiz coach website and book "I'd rather be in the Studio". Seth Godin's blog Robert Genn's Painter Keys and last but not least life itself. To all of them I raise a glass of Christmas cheer!

Like a child gripping a special treat, I'm displaying a cheeky grin, clapping my hands and unable to wait to tell the world about it! Seth Godin (thinking-marketing-author genius) is offering the world a really tasty special treat. He's put the question " what matters next ?" to 70 big writers and thinkers, captured their answers in an e-book and made it free for EVERYONE to download. The list is impressive and oozes quality: Here are more than seventy big thinkers, each sharing an idea for you to think about as we head into the new year. From bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert to brilliant tech thinker Kevin Kelly, from publisher Tim O'Reilly to radio host Dave Ramsey, there are some important people riffing about important ideas here. The ebook includes Tom Peters, Jackie Huba and Jason Fried, along with Gina Trapani, Bill Taylor and Alan Webber. (quote Seth Godin ) Need I say more? Have a go. Click the link and see if you agree about "what matters next...

My muse is inspired, the pencils scribbling, concentration at an all time high. (Will post all the commissions in the new year.) During a calm zen moment, out the corner of my eye I spied... dancing on the shelf ! Meet Wilbur and his own special boogying. Greetings to all of you from a buzzing busy and happy studio. p.s: Wilbur's arabesques were performed to Robbie's new " Reality Killed the Video Star ", can't blame him it's good!

Mid 2008 saw me discover an unforgettable artist. Ilya Repin. For days, my mind pondered on how I could do justice to such a master using words, my words. In all my wisdom, it then struck me … I couldn't! A master’s work (just like any other piece of art) has to be seen and savoured by each of us, individually. I did feel, however, up to the challenge of introducing him, of putting down a few stepping stones allowing my readers to approach and tread, for a few minutes at least, a world well worth glimpsing into. My intermediaries of preference were: pertinent facts, images, explanations, useful Internet links and one or two personal comments. So here is once again an open door to Ilya Repin ’s world which I hope you will experience with the same awe and respect as I have. Why have I chosen to stand on the threshold of Repins ’ world? His talent will blow you away! Repin is still not known well enough in the West despite being Russia’s greatest 19 th century painter – despite...

The Virgin and Child with St Anne and St John the Baptist (c. 1499–1500)— National Gallery, London What if I told you Leonardo was just like most of us? I have a brick. A solid intense very researched 786 page brick. A brick published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2003. A brick entitled " Leonardo da Vinci Master Draftsman ". A stunning solid 3.5kg (7.71617 lbs) volume requiring strong arms and an ounce of time to open and read. Somehow I found both. Started reading this amazing volume on the master only to get to page 4 and discover " Even during his lifetime, his inability to finish projects was legendary". As many of you know Leonardo is one of my favorite masters. Turning to him for advice in drapery , learning from his sketching and often tuning in on his philosophical wisdom for inspiration and guidance. ( ie : Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication .~Leonardo da Vinci~) What a beautiful discovery to find that he, like so many of us, had hundreds ...