Saturday 24 July 2010

Goodwood

Hello my lovelies!

Well anyone that knows me knows that I love all things cars. So when I was asked to show a few paintings at the Goodwood Vintage, I was chuffed to bits. I thought I would drive yesterday as the kids would be finished school this week and I wasn't a fan of hearing bickering in the back seat. I took the route along the downs through Amberley and Slindon. What a lovely route it was. The landscape was amazing and I could have pictured myself during Medieval times on horseback. Its not a long journey from my house at all and was there within the hour. As you pull into the grounds you can see Goodwood house in the distance. Scattered about is a porta cabin here and there, where they are getting ready for the festival. I find a little car park beside the house and proceed to walk to the entrance. It truly is awe inspiring. I turn to look back at the grounds and try to think of what it must have been like to reside there without all the cars and modernity's... As I walk along looking rather lost a man taps the window and smiles at me. He looks as though he stepped out of time in his full attire. He guides me in. I am now standing in this magnificent ballroom, and I cant help but feel the SHINING vibe. I glance around as if almost hoping to see Jack Nicholson sitting at the bar. But NO. hehe .. I am led up to a reception area. On the walls I notice the most amazing works of art. I am drawn to what seems to be a ROHKO. I finally make it to the reception area and soon realise I am in the wrong bit. The lovely lady then tells me where to go. But being so overwhelmed in my surroundings my head goes completely like vacant cavern.. So she humours me and so kindly draws me a map on where to go. hehe I go back out and drive about the grounds. passing on the way, older man speeders, on the vacant roads. I finally get to where I need to be. I have to say it must be a fantastic place to work. Everyone I came across was so happy. SO if any of you are in the area and are going to Vintage, please check out all the galleries of Art.

ART AT VINTAGE - Curated by Ellie Arnold

ALL ABOARD!

We’ve hardly been able to contain ourselves, but it’s official:

MICK JONES’s ROCK & ROLL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Peter-Blake-Art-Bus

Vintage at Goodwood is proud to present for the first time ever THE ROCK & ROLL PUBLIC LIBRARY aboard the show-stopping PETER BLAKE CCA ART BUS at this year’s inaugural festival at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, August 13-15. The Clash guitarist and joint frontman’s rarely-seen personal archive and collection of rock memorabilia will feature on an original 1980s double-decker redesigned by Sir Peter Blake in his signature pop art style.

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In true Vintage spirit, the on-site art experience will combine music, fashion and design all curated under one beautiful (mobile) roof, fulfilling Mick Jones’s ambition to house THE ROCK & ROLL PUBLIC LIBRARY on a touring bus. Jones’ library previously launched at Ladbroke Grove Underground in July 2009.

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Mick Jones, former lead guitarist and vocalist for The Clash said:

“Peter Blake was The One when we were at art school - he's the father of British Pop Art. It's an honour to have my Library on his bus...I'm looking forward to a mobile celebration of our collective cultural memory. That's history.“

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Sir Peter Blake, iconic British pop artist added: “Since launching the Art Bus in May 2009, I’ve found it provides the perfect location for any artist to display his or her work in a quirky and intimate setting . We’re honored to partner with Mick Jones at the Vintage at Goodwood festival and look forward to showcase his collection of rock star memorabilia. Look out for spontaneous performances to take place from the bus’ upper deck balcony while videos and records will be played all day and night downstairs!”

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Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of Vintage at Goodwood said: “We are honoured to feature two of my cultural heroes at Vintage at Goodwood. As a collector of cultural memorabilia myself I am personally excited by Mick Jones’ illustrious rock archive and being able to view it a top Sir Peter Blake’s brilliant art bus is pretty cool; Vintage is a perfect fit for these two iconic British artists to feature at what we believe will be the best summer festival in Britain. (Well it better had be after all the work we have put into it!) Mick Jones and Sir Peter Blake truly encompass the best of British in the arts and music world and their contributions to past and future musicians will be recognized at Vintage at Goodwood.”

POP GOES THE EASEL!

Inspired by the bohemian high jinks of yesteryear, we will be hosting a 60s art school, where you can get in tune with your creative side, attend a masterclass, or drop in on artists, musicians and designers in converstation about their misspent youth...

MANNEQUINS ON PARADE

mannequins

Our heroes from the worlds of music, art, design and fashion will be customising dummies for VINTAGE - all to raise funds for Oxfam, our charity partner. Coming soon to a thrift store near you, the mannequins will be reunited at Goodwood for a shop window display the likes of which you’ve never seen before.


karen xx

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Intentions


Let me start by sharing my dream last night with you. I was younger than I am now, not by much but was a teenager... ;) I was playing in a field with a friend. We were jumping off of hay bales into tall meadow grass with wild flowers. Not sure how long the hay bales had been there or why they were there but it looked as though someone had tried to construct a house and had given up. The sun was just about to go down and everything had a soft glow to it. I could here the foxes playing and owls beginning to emerge. We decided we had better wander home as we were getting hungry. Along the way we found a large mirrored disco ball discarded by the side of the road. We thought how lovely it would look hanging from our tree in the back garden. So we went about trying to dislodge it. It slowly came free and began to roll towards our house. Now when I say our house, I have no idea who I was with but I knew we were related somehow and that we lived in the same house.. No sooner had we got it into the house and in the back garden, did the doorbell ring. I went to get the door and it was an old man. I had recognised him as William Burroughs. He reached into his bag he had slung across his body and pulled out a camera. I was slightly relieved it wasn't a gun..... 'Here', he said 'I have something for you, it belongs to you' I reached my hand out and felt the weight of the camera. Black with a silver edge and older looking, but unmistakeably belonging to me. I looked up at him and smiled. He gave me a crooked smile in return and closed his bag. I began flipping the camera around in my hand, lost in its marvel. When I looked up Mr Burroughs had gone. I shut the door..


HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

perhaps I am meant to be taking photos instead of painting...


I have started reading 'Junkie ' so that is why perhaps he is at the forefront of my mind.

Tomorrow I need to tackle a marathon of painting. Here's to hoping my mojo is on top form.

I have download the new Eminem album so will let you know what I think of it, with out using naughty words... well maybe one or two...

One of my children got into trouble for squirting a joke camera at a teacher. Even after saying sorry and writing an apology, it was seemed not good enough.. Now I can see if it was done with intent and malicious but this was all in jest and for this particular teacher to have been sprayed, they must have thought her 'in the gang' . A detention was issued. pththththth big dislike!

The lovely Charles Runcie who bought my poppy painting is having it framed. I cant wait to see it all finished. They always look so much better with the right packaging and in situ.

Not long til we head out to France! Very excited to be able to chill and enjoy the sun, drink wine, paint, swim, ..... *sigh*

Karen out xx

Monday 5 July 2010

ramblings


Thought I would get typing a bit while my house is quiet. Having just dropped of my mate to the airport to go back to Australia, I am due another lot on Tuesday. PHEW. I have been battling this lovely cough as well. I swear in the last three weeks I have coughed up another human being. WOW! I have never known such a thing. I never get a chesty cough either. I figure if you could bottle it, it would give the people from Superglue a run for their money.

After the sale of Cadburys to Kraft, I see Tate and Lyle is now to be sold as well. AGH!! But on a positive note, I see BBC is keeping the radio station 6 music. :)


This week I have been boxing up paintings and getting them to their new owners. All ready for another batch. I am taking a hiatus this summer from shows as I need to get caught up on the commissions! I am so lucky! Love you all for it , how lucky am I that I get to do what makes me smile xx

This week I will be having 13, 13year olds in my house for my daughters 13th birthday. I cant believe she is now in the teen years! Makes you reflect over the years , how really quickly they have gone. She is getting a lovely set of braces on in September! haha she is going to love me!

I am sitting here admiring my lovely foot with its puncture marks on.... three in a row......YES I dropped a fork on my foot and it landed straight up... Looks ludicrous and only I could have done such a thing!

Wimbledon was fantastic this year! We should really be proud of Andy Murray for trying so hard against Nadal..... I wont be saying anything about the footie except they should have a camera at the goal.

I keep forgetting to go strawberry picking! AGH!! The one I used to go to is no longer there and I keep getting side tracked. I do have a few in the garden but seriously not enough for all. Wonder if I still have enough time?

Why of why do they resurface roads they way they do here? I am surrounded by this at the moment in Henfield. I now have a chip in my windscreen and I am sure countless marks on my paint job. No one ever goes the recommended 20 mph. Unless they are 100. GRRRRRR.
Actually I have to say, the pensioners around here I have decided see 60 as 30.... That's all I am saying.

Oh yes I went the Hard Rock Calling Festival! Fab time. Think next time though I might go to a smaller one.. just getting too big.. Cant see anything and get crushed in the meantime!

xx