Psoriasis

Those who know me will be aware that I am a long term sufferer of psoriasis. I’ve tried every treatment the medical profession has had to offer, had a go at homeopathy, hypnotherapy and Chinese herbal remedies too and nothing has cured the condition. At best treatments have ameliorated the most painful aspects of the condition, at worst they’ve left my skin prone to melanoma, so thin that the slightest bump can cause it to bleed, so painful and itchy that it’s difficult to ever rest and as a young man it was an immense blow to self confidence that only time and maturity has been able to  lessen.

It has done one thing for me though for which I will always be grateful. It led me into the work I do today. I was in social work when my health first began to disintegrate and I would probably still be doing it today had not my health made it impossible for me to continue. (At the time I was frequently  in and out of hospital.)  Whilst I enjoyed my work then I have no hesitancy in saying that I LOVE what I do now so much more. I love the people I meet, the places I get to experience and paint, the opportunity to create and get paid for doing so and the precious time it gives me with my family. I have no office to travel to, no meeting that just has to be attended. I can be there for school plays, to be a governor at my son’s special school etc., I do have to work longer hours than perhaps I would if in contracted employment. I frequently find myself working at 2am; finishing off a music lesson or a painting, but when I can accompany them with a little music to listen to it’s not so bad!

Capability Brown's Kirkharle

If you're thinking about Christmas shopping at the moment I urge you to head along to Kirkharle lake and courtyard's Christmas Fair Friday 26th to Sunday 28th November. 10am - 4:30pm (4pm Sunday) With over 50 craft and food stalls plus specialist shops and galleries to choose from buying gifts has never been a more pleasurable experience.

Why not grab something to eat whilst there? Or take a walk amongst the newly landscaped grounds?

You will find my paintings in H.Giftworks. Detailed, exquisite chickens and cheeky geese, ideal for brightening a poultry breeders Christmas!

Just a quickie

Forgot to mention in my last post that I currently have a vacancy in my schedule for one music pupil.  Anyone wishing to learn to play electric guitar in or around Northumberland, England, you have me at your disposal! Or perhaps you are planning on presenting a loved one with an electric guitar this Christmas?  If so why not let me help them  get off to a good start! No knowledge of music is needed just an instrument and a willingness to learn!  I promise I don't bite, am fully house trained and tailor my teaching to your specific needs in the privacy and comfort of your own home!  I even promise not to tweet on my mobile whilst teaching!!

Anyone who books a course of lessons before January 2011 gets 2010 prices!

For further details, rates and to book a lesson please check out my website http://www.francisrobsonartandmusic.net/  music pages. Or email me through the email sign below this post.

Look forward to rocking with you!

Silly goose

Well with Wallington up and running I had promised myself time to push on with ‘Along the Wall’ (snippet on my website) but things never work out quite as expected do they? Suddenly I’ve found myself short of work in outlets where I really need to have pieces. Yes, I LOVE it when my work is in demand but I’ve got music rattling round in my head that is bursting to get out and a little time to write would have been nice. Anyway, shoving my music software to one side I’ve picked up my brushes again. 

Anyone fancy a goose or two for Christmas? Working on a small scale, acrylic on canvas, I’m busy painting comical geese.  These particular birds live in a field beside Bardon Mill station. I’m sure that if you’ve ever alighted there that their noisy squawks will have assaulted your ears.  These geese would make a great present for a poultry breeder or enthusiast!

I’m also in the process of organising another exhibition for next year. As it will probably be summer 2011, I find I’m having to push aside thoughts of Christmas, long dark nights and freezing extremities and substitute images into my head of summer days and warm evenings. Not easy when your turning blue painting outdoors in a howling wind. The life of an artist!

I wouldn’t do anything else!

Back in the land of the living

Wallington is finally up and running. If you are in the area go along and take a look, upstairs in the clock tower. All the paintings are for sale, or if you’d prefer you can purchase any of the images as prints through my Fine Art America site and have them framed to your personal specifications. Check out my link on this page.

The weather here has deteriorated rapidly this morning so land and seascapes are definitely out!  The Wall is shrouded in mist, Cheviot and Simonside are totally obscured. Consequently I’m working indoors trying to decide whether to start on a highland coo or a pig. Then tonight once the school run’s done, I’ll be switching my attention to ‘Along the Wall.’  I’ve left the composition sitting for far too long, I need to revisit the work and decide how to progress with it. Keen to get started.

I’m also busy coaching my eldest son who in a few weeks time will be taking his grade I euphonium. Not being a brass player I can’t really help with the technical side of playing, but scales, arpeggios and musical terms I can help with. The little chap is doing really well too! It’s bringing back terrifying memories of my own grade exams

Right time to get down to work - If you don’t hear from me soon please send out a rescue team, the weather is really getting wild up here!

Does it EVER end..

Okay chaps Francis is off to Wallington to set up his exhibition this morning, it’s a teacher training day so I’m left holding the fort. Thought you might like to see a piece he produced last week.  Prints are available through fine art America, the original can be see in the exhibition.  Hope you like! He should be able to start blogging again soon!

                                                                                 Bye!      

                                                                                 Fiona