Well I was in an open air restaurant in Javea in good company which explains the grin. I have surprised myself ( and a few others ) by taking up painting at the age of 60, yes I know I don't look a day over 40, and have produced a few paintings that are good enough ( for others) to hang on their walls. To remind me and give me access I have developed this web site as a catalogue of those that were not dumped.
Poetry
Modesty and fear of falling short of expectation prevent me from blowing my own trumpet too loud or long however...
I wrote these poems to amuse myself and the younger members of my family. Finding rhyme and retaining the meaning is a challenge, a bit like a crossword but with a result and they were really for the younger generation rather than the discerning reader. The ArtyGuffles will not be found in any medical reference books and the only colony of Drizards known to science is in my shed . I have done my best to ensure that the content of these rhymes meets the standard that those involved in my schooling hoped I would aspire to. In reality, most adults enjoy my verses, or are very polite, and in response to demand I have consolidated my poetic output into a book which is available at a fiver and donation to Parkinson's UK.
Paintings
I have painted people, pets and passtimes and places that I have special memories of and I have illustrated my poems with sketches and paintings.
Some are in my gallery if you have time and inclination to take a look.
Commissions Some of my rhymes were originally written for family birthdays and for a modest sum I will make and paint a birthday greeting creature ( dolphin and drizard for example) which will look great on a child's bedroom wall . I also make "decoy" woodpeckers that will live in a tree. I made a decoy Heron, 1.5 times life size and a few chickens. Have yet to do a ceiling or a mural but you never know!! Email me on the contact page of this site. I do not have any paintings for sale but will be pleased to take instructions with no obligation to buy.