6th Feb Auerbach talk at the Tate

As well as seeing the RA Show yesterday, I went to a talk at Tate Britain by Catherine Lampert on Auerbach. It was interesting . She is clearly a good curator and knows Auerbach well. I enjoyed a second visit to the Auerbach show and there’s a smashing video clip where he talks about his work. He refers to a quote by Sickert ‘ a painting should be like a page torn from life’  I like that. This self-portrait is unusual and perhaps not what you think of as a typical Auerbach. I just love the proper Auerbach crusted stuff but this portrait appealed to me with it’s torn paper additions.

London 5th Feb

RA visit to check out the Making of the Modern Garden where I’m taking my Art Class in March. Beautiful Exhibition dripping with colour – shame these things are always so busy. I did my usual thing and skipped round people to just view what it was possible to see things comfortably. Loved the atmospheric garden benches everywhere, strategically placed in front of the star items – a nice touch. Intense concentration as I took a Selfie – which I hate but succumbed for once! The blurry black & white snippets of film of Monet painting where evocative and a useful demonstration of how you look. look and look again and only then paint. A brilliant endorsement of my constant suggestions to the art class to look more that they draw. Without doubt, Monet’s Waterlilies were the star of the show and couldn’t resist taking this photo. It gives some idea  of the overwhelming effect. What a mammoth undertaking that was.

Sudbury Art Class

I’m now teaching at an adult art class in Sudbury. I’d forgotten how exhausting teaching can be. But so rewarding. Unlike some recreational groups, this group really are eager to learn and improve. It’s quite exciting to see their progress. Yesterday we had a model with beautiful bone-structure. I couldn’t resist joining in too. Here’s my version.