Oil on Board
24" x 24"
WIP

28.12.2007

New location and new painting. I'm standing looking down the London Road (because it's near the tyre place and they're replacing my flat). It's even more blowy than yesterday - the forecast also said about the chance of heavy showers but I ignored that bit and I haven't got any wet weather equipment with me. I do, however, have my new lenin/mao-esque cap that I got for Christmas, or, as I like to think of it, my Clint Eastwood in Where Eagles Dare look. Yes, that's it, spot on - Clint Eastwood in Where Eagles Dare ... with a beard. Yes, definitely, Clint Eastwood in Where Eagles Dare, with a beard ... and some glasses ... carrying an easel and paints and stuff.

Looks aside it has the added bonus of staying on in the wind.

I set up as sheltered as I can be. I've ended up standing in front of the empty shell that used to be Bella Zia's Hair Salon ('S uden cuts for £8' apparently). The name conjures up an image of an italian siren with olive skin and long raven hair, which is probably what she wanted and I'm guessing the reality didn't quite live up to the expectation ... or maybe she just wasn't very good at cutting hair ... or she didn't charge enough ... or she charged too little ... or, and I think I'll settle for this one, she was just unlucky.

I put on the underpainting. It dribbles a bit at the bottom and I like the look so I leave it. My brushes are all getting a bit crap and when I get to the sky the worn out bristles pick up a bit of unwanted red which then streaks through the clouds. Again, I leave it as I quite like the effect.

It start's to rain and I wonder that I'm not getting wetter. I look up to find that Bella Zia is looking out for me and the three foot overhang is keeping the worst of the weather off. Thanks Bella - I believed in you.

I've finally sussed how to avoid most conversations. It's a combination of the ipod blearing out music (so I can't hear what anyone says to me), not making eye contact with anyone (most important) and the cap (of course). It works a treat apart from the guy who wants directions to the Francis Hotel, but I let him off and send him in the right direction.

That's it - tyre should be ready and the wind is making the crap brush do a crap job with painting the window frames.

I've forgotten my pencil so I have to leave any scribbling till I get home and then it's only a few doodles - a summary of the above I guess, so I won't bore you with it. I've concluded that I don't want to write too much on the painting if it's still a work in progress - the thought of people reading it while I'm painting is not appealing.