Oi

Thanks for all the comments - so glad that you think the book looks OK. It’s always a bit like introducing your new baby to the world (but with the added complication that you want people to buy your baby).


Loved your reasons for having a proper book, Marjorie. People are always very apologetic if the books are messy when they ask me to sign them. But, to me, that’s the greatest compliment as it means they are well used. A cookery book in pristine condition is an unused cookery book, I reckon.


Paper casting is such fun Aussie Jo, and I love the speed of water soluble paper. I keep thinking that I have exhausted all the possibilities but, even now, I am working on some new ideas. I really like the look of defined shapes, set within a textured area, and this is what I’m experimenting with.


Chrissy - well, I fixed the timing so it would be OK for your birthday. Glad we got that one right.


I am so sorry, Hippopip, about failing in my role as London guide. Here is a pic from the Blood on Paper exhib at the V&A to make up for it. I love the idea of Paula Rego illustrating Jane Eyre. Her narrative style makes her seem such a logical choice and I would love to have held the book and turned the pages.







I was a trifle disappointed at first with this exhibition and, as I said to my friend Jane, I had to give myself a serious talking to about opening the mind to the concept of a book. This is ironic as, when I used to teach book courses, I always started by challenging the students’ ideas of what constituted a book. The second time around, I was much better although some aspects didn’t appeal. There are some wonderful books from some well known names and the ones by Anselm Kiefer, whose work I absolutely adore, were mind-boggling. I have reviewed it for WoW so lots of pics can be seen then. I’d be very interested in the views of anyone who visits it. A great bonus that it is free and a big thanks to the V&A for that. The catalogue is super - loose folios in a box - but it is £45. Ouch.


The Russia exhibition was wonderful, fantastic and superb. We had to queue for ages and we were so tired, but it was so worth it. Many of the paintings had never been outside Russia and we were told by a lady in the queue that the RA had to put up a huge bond against the chance that some would be reclaimed by the (possible) rightful owners. Lots of artists we did not know, but such a high standard and so much to admire. We both love anything cubist so we were very happy bunnies.


You may be wondering about the heading for this post. I will explain. I don’t know how it is in other parts of the world but here in the UK our rubbish is collected once a week and big, bulky stuff or garden rubbish has to be taken to the local refuse tip. These are ruled over by what we call the Tipmeister and he has very strict rules about what gets tipped where. Every time we go we get shouted at and this takes the form of a very large man with a very red face shouting ‘Oi’ very loudly. Our problem is that this now makes us laugh so much that the red-faced man gets very cross. Yesterday one, very tiny, lightweight plastic plant pot crept into our garden waste and was spotted as we tipped it out (you have to empty the bags). ‘Oi’ echoed across the tip - he must have X-ray vision - and we cracked up. I think we shall soon be banned!


Tomorrow I am off to London again on my jolly with the girls. Will dish the dirt on Monday.