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Welcome to November's celebration of autumn colours and the fiery flames of a bonfire.
Do you remember singing, 'Remember, remember, the fifth of November' a poem written by John Milton in 1626, which celebrates the failed Gunpowder Plot by Guy Fawkes.
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When I was a child, we used to make our own Guy Fawkes effigies.
Usually we would make it in the likeness of the Prime Minister, or another politician or a celebrity who we did not like. We would create a Guy using old worn-out clothes, stuff them with dried garden waste or newspaper, put them on top of the bonfire and burn them.
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Red Sunset, Photo taken at KEW gardens, 2018, Size A4, Buy Now £45
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Of course, we are not the first to do this. It is an old tradition. Hanging or burning the effigy of a political enemy to ridicule and dishonour them is widespread in history. It is said that in 1328, the troops of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV, on their campaign in Italy to unseat Pope John XXII, burned a straw puppet of the pope.
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Before we burnt the effigy of it/he/she, we put them in a pushchair, walked them up and down the street and asked for a penny for the guy to collect money, which we would give to our parents to buy fireworks - usually sparklers.
And November 5th, or thereabouts we would often have a bonfire and eat jacket potatoes, sausages and baked beans. It would usually be more than one household getting together to buy some fireworks for a garden firework display. I remember that many fireworks didn't work. I also remember there were horrible programmes on the BBC showing people who'd been burned and been involved in accidents with fireworks, which is perhaps, the reason we don't really have many home fireworks these days.
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I actually think due to global warming it is preferable that we don't have fireworks, as unfortunately they are bad for the environment. What's the alternative? Well, whilst visiting Bucharest in Romania, I witnessed an amazing light and music show displayed in a water fountain and was as good as fireworks, without the banging and the pollution.
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This month I have a few events I am involved with...
World Mental Health
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I will be performing at
Melancholy and Raving on November 6, 8 - 10pm
in the upstairs dysfunction room at The Roebuck, 50 Great Dover Street, SE1 4YG.
Unique Technique is confirmed as a guest artist, plus open mic.
The theme is 'Mental health is a universal human right'.
Contributions are welcome on that and anything else.
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Photo Credit: Evelyne Wynne
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There will a sign at the bottom of the stairs letting you know you're in the right place as some people have unfortunately been turned away being told that there's a private function in the room, which it kind of is.
* So, don't ask for the open mic, just ask for the mental health event
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My work is being shown from 6-9 November 2023 in a Virtual Art Showcase at a conference in the United States, held by the
American Institutes for Research
The American Institutes for Research’s Center on Knowledge Translation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research is hosting a virtual conference for families, researchers, people with disabilities, and disability service providers about the importance of making research accessible to people with disabilities.
'It Ain't Over' - Exhibition
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Gloria, Acrylic Painting, Price upon Request
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I am honoured to have been invited by Pem People to exhibit in a show called 'It Ain't Over' with other mature artists who live in Southwark. The exhibition is at LEX2, 561-563 Old Kent Road, SE1 5EW from November 25 – 29.
You are all invited to the opening of the show on 25 November 2023. The show is open from 11am – 8pm. Drinks 6pm-8pm.
Also, I will be running a poetry workshop in the afternoon of 29 November 2023, 4pm - 6pm. From 6pm-8pm there is a closing event where you can join me in reading some poetry as part of an open mic or just for a glass of wine.
If you would like to perform, please email me in advance, so that I can ensure you have a spot for reading.
All my artworks will be for sale at this show and they make wonderful presents.
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Bermondsey in Spain, Photography
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Available as archival giclee print on paper or canvas, starting at £65, as well as a tea towel for £19.99.
Exact Price is available upon request and depends on the print size and substrate.
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Bethlem Art Fair 2023
25th November 2023 – 20th January 2024.
Opening Times 9.30am-5pm
Pre-bookings only: Monday–Tuesday
Open to the public: Wednesday – Saturday
(Closed for public holidays and exhibition installs – please check website before you visit)
Bethlem Royal Hospital
Monks Orchard Road,
London, BR3 3BX
020 32 284 101
info@bethlemgallery.com
Soteria gig at the Betsey Trotwood,
Saturday 25 November at 1pm - 5pm
Address: 56 Farringdon Rd, London EC1R 3BL. This is a joint event between Survivors' Poetry and Soteria, it's a fundraiser for them, so no fee sadly. I'll be sharing the MC'ing with Eamonn from Soteria.
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So what artworks have I got for you this month?
I have a set of Christmas cards which consists of my digital drawings of penguins and a photograph of a frog and the Moon.
These are Christmas cards for people with a sense of humour, bit of fun something different. I also have an alchemist Christmas tree.
There's no text in the cards so you can write your own message and if you want something totally unChristmassy because you celebrate Hanukkah or anything different, you can choose from any of my other cards.
Price £3.50 per card or a pack of 10 card for £30. For larger quantities please contact me.
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I do have a new collection of paintings and drawings I've been working on. This new intricate style with a lot of pattern and inspired by pointillism, but with my signature twist, helps me open my imagination and create freely.
The paintings are for sale, completely unique and start at just £75.
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VIEW Artist Products
I also have: cushions £25.00,
tea towels: £19.99
aprons: £36.99
and prints from £45.00 and up
You need to order in time for Xmas delivery and of course, there may be anniversaries, birthdays and any other celebratory events you have coming up.
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Camberwell Arts event and Open Studios, December 2023
I will be running a stall at Camberwell Winter Festival in December 2023 in St Giles Church, Camberwell Church St, SE5 Saturday 16th December 10am - 4pm.
In between, there'll be open studios across Camberwell. I'll be open on 9th-10th Dec. You are welcome to come and buy art and gifts from my Gallery/Studio, where you can see just how well the paintings would look in your house. Please RSVP to book a viewing at my studio.
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Please stay safe this November with those fireworks going off, take time out and ingratiate yourself in nature and autumn's glow, as it's such a beautiful time of year watching green turn to orange, yellow, red and brown.
I enjoy nothing better than a day out in the countryside absorbing this most wonderful display of colour that only nature can provide. It is an inspiration for my paintings as the fiery reds bleed through the yellows and create such an amazing glow as we enter the darker nights.
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