Day Off

Bucks Open Studios (part two)

2011-07-16T13:53:00.000+01:00

Bucks Open Studios (part two)

After the rain came the sun and with it a number of visitors!

The second weekend was very warm and a steady flow of visitors came through the doors all weekend. It was actually quite crowded at one point!

Managed to complete eight new paintings plus finish some older ones and start some new pieces!

I managed to get to see some art over the period as well. Not going to say which was my favourite but you can probably work that out for yourself.

Managed to see some of the art in my region but didn’t make it further into the county but hopefully have made up for it as I was stunned with what’s going on in my back yard!

One big art weekend (rain almost stops play!)

2011-06-21T20:57:00.000+01:00

One big art weekend....(rain almost stops play!)

Attended the Parallax AF networking event on Friday in Fitzroy Square, London.

Out of the 10 years I spent living in London, I can honestly say that not much changes. A few new buildings, some different faces and plenty of people stood outside pubs drinking beer in the pouring rain!

It is still one of the best cities in the world, the buzz continues and the urgency to get somewhere was apparent from the moment I entered Paddington station.

The networking event organised by Dr Chris Barlow and his supporting cast was brilliant. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Barlow quite quickly on arrival and shared some interesting art and architecture stories.

As the rooms filled, introductions to other artists increased and imagine it was similar to a speed dating event. What was apparent was that everybody was really impressed by the whole set up. Was it the canapes? Was it the flow of wine, or was it that everybody was just really happy to be exchanging emails, numbers, website details or just chatting about the art they are going to exhibit.

As I exited the building, my thoughts reminded me of all things great about art evenings. And I was smiling from ear to ear!

As I put my umbrella up and stepped onto the street the reality of London was upon me again. A gentleman with a shopping trolley passed by arguing with an invisible friend.

Was it the wine or weather that had washed the evening away?

Bucks Open Studios

Saturday morning came quickly after Friday night and I opened the studio to the world. I can't say I was clock watching but it seemed that everytime I looked up the heavens had opened up again. A bit of intense sunshine and back to the showers.

Had a few calls saying people couldn't make it, some good luck messages from family and friends and a few neighbours popped by to see what was going on.

At least I got to complete a couple of commissions and a birthday present picture...and theres next weekend to look forward to.

Parallax AF

2011-06-15T21:29:00.000+01:00

Back in Janaury I was approached by Dr Chris Barlow from barlowfinedrawings.com about submitting some work for the Parallax Art Fair.

So I submitted a couple of works and the next you know I had been shortlisted and selected for the show.

During my time as artist, curator, viewer and buyer I've not come across many people who have really provided a first class service.

Maybe Harry Mafuji when he had his gallery in Dalston and later when he invited me to guest curate Century Gallery in Hoxton. (which I do miss)

However it did have its hiccups and horror stories... I will never forget that for foads "...by misadventure" exhibition our guests didn't receive the gallery invite. It transpired that Harry's team had sent invites to the previous persons guest list. Thankfully we kept our email list and our audience got the personal call or email the week before the show.

Harry did mention about a year later that it had been one of the most attended shows he had witnessed at the Century Gallery... I won't mention the missing artwork as that's another story....(could do a blog on some of the mishaps, mistakes and misgivings that I've witnessed)

Back to now, the Parallax team are doing a networking event on Friday evening. When I read the invite again earlier I realised that I'm going to have to get my evening suit out of storage! And maybe even buy a new tie!

If you are in London and want to come to the show check the http://www.barlowfinedrawings.com/parallaxaf.html for more details...

Bucks Open Studios

2011-06-15T18:43:00.000+01:00

The opening weekend is fast approaching for the opening studios and I'm getting rather excited. Its been almost a year since we moved to Burnham Village and I've had quite a productive period for making art.

My studio space in Slough in 2009/2010 was the starting point of this blog. The conservatory space which was very hot in summer and very cold in summer meant painting time was limited.

Since moving west by about four miles, I've made more contacts, sold more and created some stunning new work.

Getting back into sculpture has been a really worthwhile experience and having access to a pottery studio in Wycombe has meant that painting has been less regular.

www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk to see all the other great artists....

I'll be posting during the course of the open studios as well as trying to involve some people on the "day off" project.

secret surf spots 1

2011-06-12T12:44:00.000+01:00

secret spots sculpted

These are my latest wave sculptures and all based on secret surf spots around England.

The first wave featured is less secret than it was about 10 years ago and was listed and debated on magicseaweed.com. You’ll have to check my photos to work out which one.

The second is based on a regular favourite south coast spot which works on huge swells. We’re normally playing Jurassic 5 as we pull into the lay-by which is some walk away.

There’s a famous painting in the National Gallery by JWM Turner which was painted on one of his tours to the Westcountry. It was painted from on a boat “somewhere on the Cornwall/Devon border.

And that is the only clue to this super fast barrel ride....

newish paintings

2011-03-14T13:30:00.000Z

newish paintings

A local gallery became interested in my work and asked if I was working on any new pieces.

These were made primarily for the Windsor Contemporary Art Fair.

Another gallery space offered me some wall space in July 11 and a contemporary space in Marlow has taken the remainder of the work.

The comical room pieces are going quite quickly and out of twelve flags, I’ve got nine left.

What with the Royal wedding and the Jubilee next year, more flags please!

mountainboarding

2011-03-14T13:13:00.000Z

mountainboarding

Since September, I’ve notice that I’ve gained an extra tyre. It’s not a spare one for the board but rather around my gut.

Sleepless nights, mixed diet, lack of exercise and crappy weather is my excuse for not getting out more but here‘s some of the recent adventures in no particular order.

more waves

2011-03-10T12:51:00.000Z

more waves

Over the weekend, I started to compile some images from my sketch books and wave image folders and it through up some great memories. The above image was a sketch from a trip to Indonesia and below recent trips to Devon.

I put some photos on magicseaweed.com:

http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPhoto.php?photoId=210665

waves

2011-03-04T08:18:00.000Z

Went to see family in Devon over the half term week and got quite excited with the surf. It was classic surf, cold but clean and only a few out.

On my return to Buckinghamshire, I found that an email had come to me asking if I would be interested to start making ceramic sculpture again.

So over the next few weeks I’m going to be creating some new sculptures and finishing some overdue commissions!

finally a day off

2011-03-04T08:14:00.001Z

It’s been a while since I’ve had a day off, probably since the arrival of our wonderful and time consuming son. Welcome to parenthood and according to family & friends it’ll be like this for about another 18+ years!

I’ve had the occasional half day off or pinched a couple of hours here and there, so nothing really of note to blog about since last September. Over the next few weeks I’ll put a summary together and put some information up about current projects.

Tomorrow I have seven hours to spend on something fun, outrageous and dangerous….

Blend Crafter

2010-08-18T07:57:00.000+01:00

Blend Crafter

Blend Crafter

the book- just thought I'd put some recent artwork into a book. Was a really useful excercise and looks great on any table (including wonky ones with skulls on)

Worth having a look at the photoboxsite, if you want to join or subscribe, let me know and I'll link you into some discounts.....

www.photobox.co.uk/creation/456947341

d-a-o-f the exhibition & the Biennale…

2010-07-27T08:01:00.000+01:00

d-a-o-f the exhibition & the Biennale…

Thank you to all visitors, friends family and new faces. It was a really enjoyable three weekends and had wished that I’d been able to open everyday. Unfortunately the day job got in the way!

high tide @ turnstone
Big thanks to Derek for allowing me to use Turnstone for the exhibition. Great space, fantastic location and felt that everyone who attended wanted to come back again and again.

The Art bit….

double shadow

making art
The project kicked off with people suggesting ideas for shared days out. This ranged from making cakes through to sailing, playing tennis, reading books, whilst drinking homemade lemonade. There were a few more suggestions but probably not appropriate to post up!

My favourite experience of the Biennale was probably the last day; we created some art, went for a walkabout around Whitstable and met some cool people.

favourite boat in Whitstable
Internal States -Kati Saqui and Julia Riddiough’s caravan reminded me of a trip around some of my early misadventures in art and travel. It combined a series of images and words mapping times and places we may have all travelled to at some point in our recent history. Powerful and refreshing at the same time.. www.internalstates.blogspot.com/

internal states & knit bike
Moving House- Heidi Plant’s project which reminded me of a similar idea when somebody had pinched a garden gnome from my old local pub, photographed it on location then sent the post cards home. Really wanted to see the show but missed by half hour it as I hadn’t checked the times! http://www.heidiplant.com/
Operation Knit-Bike- very funny, thought it would be good to take to Holland and try out…http://www.incogknito.com/
Caxton Contemporary & Lisa Pettersson, I didn’t make the private view as it was on at the same time as mine! However, I did manage to get a peek and really enjoyed the paintings and the gallery space. Lisa’s colour and composition did capture the “I do like to be beside the seaside” moment and did make me reminisce of seaside holidays in Cromer, Scarborough, Southsea and Bognor!http://www.lisapettersson.com/ and http://www.caxtoncontemporary.co.uk/

Did take in some other art opportunities and didn’t really want to say too much apart from it was a really exciting excellent experience and glad to be part of the whole Biennale project. I didn't manage to view or attend every show but I'll make a point of doing next time!
Thought that the curators Kate & Sue did a grand job of putting it together and keeping everybody involved throughout.

beer time
Whitstable Biennale was a success, I've made some new friends, involved & engaged people in the daof project and sold one of my favourite skull paintings!

dissapointing day off

2010-06-28T13:28:00.000+01:00

A disappointing day off

On 15th June 2010, I used the Yumping.co.uk website to enquire about wakeboarding and kitesurfing in Kent. Had a couple of companies come back to me saying that they could get us a lesson for the weekend of 26th/27th June?

One company contacted me immediately and offered up a lesson time as they were rapidly filling up but I wasn’t able to confirm as I needed to check it was convenient.

The other company seemed to be more tailored and the reply went-

“Sure we can get you and another in for the weekend of 26/27 June! I just need a mobile number to put you into the diary!”

We left Kent at about 4.20pm yesterday and it wasn’t the fact that England had gone out of the world cup or that it had been a quieter weekend for people viewing the exhibition or the text from friends surfing perfect waves in North Devon. It would have been helpful if Kent kite surfing (KKS) had called or responded to our emails. We came up with several abbreviations for KKS and our thoughts on the situation and thought we’d not waste the webspace.

So with the time which we would have spent on the water, we managed to take some photo’s….

Older person on jet ski

Seasalter basking in lovely sunshine and little wind

Shell Skull

2010-06-21T12:43:00.000+01:00

“day off"

The exhibition….week one.

Although the weather outside was pretty awful it did dampen the visitors spirits. I’d spent Saturday afternoon doing some public relation work in Whitstable. I’d managed to talk to some really excited and interested parties and a few people who couldn’t make it as they had travelled down from London on the Biennale Bus and were heading back before 6pm..

There was a great buzz about town and this carried on long into the evening. Our visitors came from far and wide; one couple coming from South Africa and another gentleman had spent 24 hours travelling from Galway, Ireland. We had some lovely and lively locals attended and most viewers were able to comment on their ideal “day off” and offered up invites to join then on a future day out and day in! (I’ll post some of the picture cards up over the next week or so).

A big thank you to all my sponsors and everyone who managed to brave the weather as it was great to see you.

Looking forward to next weekend as better weathers on its way!

day off poster

2010-06-01T22:42:00.000+01:00

day off poster

Print off and put it on your fridge, noticeboard, window, computer. Use it as as a screen saver, place matt or make that t-shirt...

email your friends, let everyone know that the show is going to be a cracker......and make sure to check out http://www.whitstablebiennale.com/

and say hi on facebook

days off in devon

2010-06-01T22:33:00.000+01:00

days off in devon

bank holiday, sat in traffic for five hours, passed a crash or two en route to devon. Followed the fastest caravan ever hitting speeds of 65mph on A roads.... yeah law breaking caravan drivers....

the weekend had it all, good surf, great weather and plenty of visual treats.

We took a walk around morte point and saw two seals, a variety of seabirds and suicidal sheep.

I wish I had booked the whole week off as the surf was pumping, the sun was booked in for half term and i hear its barbeque season.

roll on the next bank holiday

"day off" the exhibition

2010-05-16T09:50:00.001+01:00

"day off"

the exhibition

The blog has been captured online, in a book and now and exhibition and project during the Whitstable Biennale 2010.

the details:

Location: Turnstone, 215 Faversham Road, Seasalter, Kent

Dates: Saturday 19th June 2010 6-8pm (private view), Sunday 20th June 10-2pm, Saturday 26th June and Sunday 27th June 10-3pm. Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th July 10-3pm.

"day off"

the project

To create work based on inspired days in or out using a variety of media.

The event is an opportunity to see some exciting art created in response to an online journal. Come along, bring a friend, get involved and enjoy your day off!

"Today could be the perfect opportunity to do something different, maybe create something new, venture into unknown territory or attempt to record a day off in a media friendly way.”

email: stevenjknowles@hotmail.co.uk

May Day Off

2010-05-12T19:43:00.000+01:00

May Day Off

It's fair to say that I've been blog lazy the past few weeks. Probably due to my last blog being deleted by accident (user error-back button) and lost my blog on the RCAF art show. Will put another post once I've got the pictures back!

The flower (bellis) above is the first flower of May to come up in the garden.

Ride The Hill Vert Jam

2010-04-26T13:51:00.001+01:00

Ride The Hill Vert Jam

Was meant to put this blog up last week but have been busy with the Arts Fair.

The day was warm, the riders were hot and it turned out to be a spicy event!

It's fair to say that the guys over at Remolition, BFC and Ride The Hill have posted up words and pictures to match the day.

I did spend several hours playing on the quiet slopes during the day but as it was hitting 20C it was time to sit and watch the guys havin it!

Not going to list all the riders but must say hats off to y’all especially, Mr Crowhurst, Mr Brind, RTH and the BFC.

Maybe next year, I’ll enter, but maybe not.....

KnW Artworks

2010-04-14T21:53:00.000+01:00

KnW Artworks-

the website: http://knwartworks.wordpress.com/

the words: Dan and I are showing at Reading, so we thought we'd put together a website. It's going to grow and will be our online portal for art related projects.

the when, why, what: when ever your online, why don't you see whats going on.....

Count Down to Reading CAF

2010-04-14T21:36:00.001+01:00

Its almost here, the first exhibition of the year! If you haven't seen the email, check the website http://www.readingcontemporaryartfair.co.uk/.

Let me know if you would like to attend, would be great to see you.

I'm quite excited about the show because I've been busy making work and am looking forward to meeting lots of new people.

skulladay.blogspot.com

2010-04-06T23:59:00.000+01:00

skulladay.blogspot.com

Funny day today and a bit on the spooky side with skull-a-day.

This is how it goes...

I was about to post up my Easter "day offs" and got sidetracked checking the blogger dashboard. Citizen Agent @ skull-a-day had posted my silver skull painting up skulladay.blogspot.com/2010/04/silver-skull-1.html . (thanks for that).

The date of the post was Easter Monday and was told earlier today that my grandfather died late Sunday night/early Sunday morning.

So maybe I'll change the title and call it "Jesus Grandpa!"

Spooky weird coincidence or just bad timing?

God rest his skull.....

I liked Screen C's comment note and I did make some previous work for an exhibition aptly titled "...by misdaventure"

"Skull (after)" was created by accident, it was meant to be a rotation of colour, shape and area. However, after the final layer of paint, I looked and thought "$hit!" thats a rainbow swaztika!

It was intended to upset anybody, rather to celebrate an exploration of line, colour, space and composition.

Image from "...by misadventure"

You’ve read the Blog now view the Book!

2010-03-31T11:05:00.002+01:00

You’ve read the Blog now view the Book!

When is a day off not a day off?

When you are working on researching your favourite top forty photographs for a book!

My manager and better half suggested that instead of storing my pictures on the computer’s hard drive to put a selection together for a hardback book.

I think after about five evenings and two half days last week I finalised the images for the book.

So here it is, “Day Off” forty original, amazing days off captured in photographs.

Admittedly some of the images are older than the blog but they do summarise “inspired days in and days out”.

There is a story for every image but that's another project in progress!

The book is a platform for my photography and will be on display at the Reading Contemporary Art Fair next month.

Check this site for more information and watch the blog cause it’s going to get busy... www.readingcontemporaryartfair.co.uk/

The British Leisure Show (thanks to the sponsors)

2010-03-22T20:29:00.003Z

The British Leisure Show (thanks to the sponsors)

The host venue was Windsor Race Course which was an appropriate venue, well organised and able to facilitate all attendees, us included.
We were kindly given “access” to the British Leisure Show on Sunday by MBS Europe. It was a great opportunity to see what “British” people do on their days off.

On arrival at the main gate parked next to a ferrari we spotted a “delorean” (back to the future fame) with its own flux capacitor and sign stating that it was often used for the school run.

Tom Beaton team manager, MBS Europe (thanks to the sponsors) greeted us and gave us our passes. We now had access all areas to view lots of potential days off.
Inside we quickly passed the token climbing wall, bungee jump, bouncy castles, burger stands, lost kid and headed towards the participant arena. The conduit of human traffic and associated pets along the main “thoroughfare” meant that my footwork was akin to MJ’s moonwalk and crossing hot coals barefoot. It was slug pace at best.

Obstacles ranging from excited dogs, tiny children, squidgy puddles, great grandmother Ethel (who had recently parted with her hearing and walking aids) and a golf buggy determined to take down anything in its path were between us and the participant arena.

However, it did give us the opportunity to look at some of the trade stalls en route.

At first the most inappropriate stall was relating to British Leisure was a company selling “patio effects”, deluxe paving slabs if you like. Then I thought that it was probably a good idea given that the British tend to treat their “back yards” as an external room. A strong choice of stone surfaces on which to put patio & garden furniture.

We continued onwards and passed the ever increasing scales of recreational vehicles, from the electric bike through to the Winnebago and the boogie board up to the super deluxe yacht.

As we neared the participant arena, the MBS Europe demo ramp became visible.

The demo crew consisted of Tom Kirkman, Tom Read, Tuai Lovejoy, Matt Brind, Jamie J and a few other familiar faces hosted by Mr Rhys Crilly.

The demo kicked off and the guys were putting on a great show for the masses. Stalled 360’s, backflips, frontflips, 720’s corked 5’s.

It was a feast of freestyle boarding and because the previous two days rain had stopped play, you could see the guys going for it.

We then watched the kite demo. It was billed as high performance flying with the Scratch Bunnies. Synchronised kite flying. Looking at the performers alone made me think is this line dancing 2010? One two and step...

We had a wander round some of the remaining stalls, drank sarsaparilla, tried red devil cheese and korma dips for free. We then came to the winner for the most inappropriate stall. It was they hippy selling dream catchers, dragon paraphernalia and all things you can’t give away on ebay.

After walking past the umpteenth Ferrari, horse & tweed themed stall, the waft of chlorine from the hot tubs, my interest in British Leisure was waning.

Overall, I don't think there was a product that tempted me to part with any monies. It was a good to learn about what other people do on their day off.

Thanks again to sponsors http://www.mbseurope.com/

New Paintings

2010-03-17T20:59:00.000Z

Spring just arrived

These paintings have been inspired by the recent burst of sunshine and the first signs of spring.

They were probably realised at some point last year but didn’t fit into the timetable.

If I was being critical, I would have made the image bigger. I’ve got some other work on the go, notably a picture book and some smaller pieces for the Reading Contemporary Art Show next month.

The Lotty

2010-03-17T20:47:00.000Z

The Lotty

On Saturday whilst the girls were off shopping, yours truly went to work in the allotment with Derek. As it was mother in law weekend, my gift for her was to roll up the sleeves, break out the elbow grease and getting digging. Funny thing was that I enjoyed it.

Most visits to Kent include a trip to the allotment, normally it’s a quick pick over of the seasonal vegetables or to transfer some plants or catch up with one of the neighbouring plot owners.

Hugh, leaning over the fence told us a great parrot joke, which will probably have to be reserved to a time and place more appropriate than this blog.

With a smile on my face I got back to my digging and moving of the poached egg plants. We cleared some chalk root, removed some dandelions and recycled some of last year’s beetroots on the compost heap.

We decided that we had achieved a number of tasks and was unable to tie the raspberry canes in because we didn’t have the right string. I would of used bailer twine but apparently it’s not appropriate in Kent.

It’s a well known fact that if you removed all the bailer twine in Devon the county would fall down and Cornwall would float away.

Aston Hill (the unofficial Remolition Training Facility)

2010-03-07T21:49:00.001Z

Aston Hill (the unofficial Remolition Training Facility)

Today was all about free riding. You turn up to a hill and think as long as it goes downwards, has a few features, makes your eyes water and puts a grin on your mud covered face, you can sign the disclaimer.

I had arrived at the Aston Hill Mountain bike facility a little earlier than the others. The car park was filling up with vehicles laden with expensive bikes and kit. I doubt that I could get a mortgage for the bike that was placed next to my car!

The forestry commission ranger was circling like a kite; she’d taken some monies from the bikers and proceeded towards me. She looked at the car and asked if I was riding but couldn’t see my bike. She said £7 and that she’d be back in an hour or so.

Roger, Smiley, Wilz and the Reading boys turned up and we headed towards the woods... En route we came across one biker who clearly “made us aware of the riding rules, that somebody got real hurt on one of those things and that we should head for the far side of the hill”.

Did somebody phone ahead and say, here’s our plan today? It involves heading for the far side....Dope!

We hit the boarder X, the top berms were slow but everything else was quick and after a couple of runs it was pick a line and go. We all found that the bx had ticked the boxes; “air, berm, kicker, road jump, drop off!”

The next part of the “far side” was the cross country course. A single track winding through tress that went into a ditch run, into a technical edging round trees section and then into a big speed drop. When we looked back up the hill, the horseshoe shape and gradient made it a great scope for development. A potential for a Remolition training facility and it’s one of those places that would take all that much work. We spent about ten minutes clearing logs and it opened up several lines, imagine if we had spent an hour!

We headed back to the cars and as we didn’t see the ranger, it was a free ride......box ticked.

Devonia (we love ya)

2010-03-01T22:08:00.001Z

Devonia (we love ya)

Did a whistle stop tour to North Devon on the weekend and walked my old play ground.

Back in the good old days, where protection amounted to a bit of sun cream and a sports beer, I looked on with veteran eyes. What appeared to be a no go five years ago now seemed to be part of a funky new line or extra obstacle. A playground of evolution, good when I was newbie, greater as an intermediate. And the more I looked, the more possibilities opened up.

And the best thing is that the lane back to the house doesn’t change, a little bit of manure here, a tiny flow of water there but still enough to make the eyes water.

A reminiscent trip to Devonia around some of the finest and most striking countryside has got be done this summer. Check you diaries......

Cliff Drop as requested....

Sculpted Skulls

2010-02-23T19:52:00.000Z

I had five days off in a row and got busy creating new art work.

The skull above was created to contain an organic object and found that an aloe vera plant had the best visual impact! (I did try an orchid, a catus and a peace lily but they just didn't work!)

I'd been reading Waynes' blog waynechisnall.blogspot.com and he mentioned that skulladay.blogspot.com was a top blog. Skulladay inspired me to spend the best part of a day viewing a whole webiste loaded full of skulls!!

And this one of my reponses....

Sliver Skull 1

Over four days I created five skulls, it could have been more but ran out of canvas and black paint. Roll on the weekend!

Long Live Skull a day!

3D or not 3D

2010-02-17T19:14:00.000Z

Spent the last few days working on some new paintings but kept thinking, I need to sculpt. I've taken a range of photographs, applied a fair bit of acrylic to canvas, started on some video work but hadn't made any three dimensional pieces to add to the portfolio. (not even a snowman!)

Tomorrow, I will dedicate some time to sculpture.

Valentine Beach Walk

2010-02-16T21:01:00.001Z

Romantic yet cold, it was a good way to spend some of Valentines day. A fresh, no breeze, almost sunny beach walk along the Kent coastline.

A lovey day off, doing all the things you should do on February 14th!

Tuesday Night's all right for Riding

2010-02-10T18:06:00.000Z

It was threatening snow last night.

The thermometer said 5C when we pulled into the woodland car park, deep in the Chilterns. Roger, Smilie, Horse and I kitted up and hiked for a about twenty minutes to the top of the hill. Although it was only about 6.30pm it felt closer to midnight and the temperature was dropping rapidly.

We strapped the bindings on, turned on the head torches and one by one disappeared into the darkness. Am I stupid? Am I daft? What an earth am I doing on a freezing cold night in February at the highest point of the Chilterns, throwing myself down a slick tarmac track?

Who cares, the buzz was incredible. It wasn’t about what you could see, rather what you could hear. The tiny pod of light from the head lamp and the occasional distant glow of civilization gave my senses a new and unique feeling. Admittedly I’d night ridden before but that was on a rough private road hanging off the back of a car after a few beverages and without any form of protection.

This to me was mountain boarding virgin territory. Listening to the rubber on the tarmac and feeling my eyes water up quickly meant that it wasn’t a slow decent. Several tarmac rides gave confidence to take on the aptly titled “Rippers Gash”.

Rippers Gash is a good challenging run in the day of light but at night with snow on its way, it was a whole new experience.

An experience that makes for a regular meet, so it looks like Tuesday nights’ all right for riding!

West Wycombe, Bradenham Woods and Cover Shots

2010-02-05T18:32:00.000Z

I could still feel the Duvel & Leffe running through my veins and into the brain from the previous night.

As soon as we got out of the car, walked the first hill and stood at the top of the woods, the leftover hangover dispersed into the cool cold air of the Chilterns. What didn’t help was the snail pace ride back down the car park and return journey to the same spot to meet the Remolition crew.

http://www.remolition.com/

Five minutes later and we’re cruising and I snap out of the dozy, should be at home in bed feeling. Twenty minutes later and the adrenalin’s pushed any remnants of alcohol into the distant past....
Bradenham Woods had some good challenging rides and a layer of chalk slush from head to toe made us look like we’d fallen into one of Willie Wonkers white chocolate machines....

The Rem crew where doing some unreal tree lovin and huggin see remolition cover shot.

A quick trip across the valley and onto West Wycombe Hill provided the final fun part of the day.

Could probably put some more words down but I think pictures capture another great day out.

Wonderful Wendover Woods

2010-01-30T15:51:00.001Z

Triple W (wonderful wendover woods)

Thursday morning we hit Wendover Woods, we almost didn’t because we had not brought enough change for a full days parking (£5). Luckily we managed to pay until 2.54pm, enough for a few rides.

Although we rode a portion of Wendover last October, it had been several years since we headed to the South West facing side. And it was worth it, fairly dry underfoot, most of the areas clear of debris and the sun was breaking out from behind the clouds.

Wendover was pretty quiet, one horse, a few “older” dog walkers, several small groups of retired ladies with the “golf widow” look about them and about 3 bikers.

What I like about Wendover is that there’s a number of lines and runs that have yet to be explored and this was true of a couple of finds. We hit one area near to “bananas” which was very quick running and pictured above.

Smilie Speed Sliding

We talked about hitting the North side all day but en route we kept finding another run or an exciting feature.

dr evilc, smilie, clive, jon and jg

I can see the pull of Wendover from a non boarder experience, the gliders swirling past a few feet overhead, the linear evergreen forest sections, the smell of pine and the entrapment of the horseshoe valley makes it a worthwhile day off. Not quite alpine but enough height to give you value for money and the hot chocolate at the cafe afterwards was close as we where going to get to that Courchevel feeling....

Lovin Leith

2010-01-24T20:14:00.001Z

Leith Hill is great.

We arrived this weekend and found only one other vehicle in the "busy windy gap" car park and it belonged to somebody I used to work with in central London. He and his girlfriend with their poodle, were heading up to the Tower, we were moving to another part of the hill.

I would say that we've mapped about a quarter of Leith hill (south west side). We've found a mix of trails including fire tracks, road runs, single track, quarry with kickers, bomb holes and some other great features.....
We saw a few bikes, no horses and some "junior rangers" clearing or coppicing an area of silver birch..
Although it was pretty sodden under foot, it was worth exploring every track because they all had something to offer......

This place is going to be going off in the summer.......or when it's been dry for a few days.

"The Quarry with kickers, drop ins and a digger load of other gnarly stuff..."

Leith Hill "the south side"

2010-01-17T20:35:00.000Z

Car park was teaming with walkers, dogs, horses, pink plastic pushchair type things and us. They all headed north up the really steep bit to the tower, we went south and it was worth it. Really worth it.

Enough hill to make sure we'll be back again and again and maybe again.....

New Loop Paintings

2010-01-16T21:01:00.000Z

One of fourteen new paintings.... Yippee!

It was raining heaps today, so thought it was best to crack on with some art.....

White Hill White Out (of the way)

2010-01-11T22:42:00.000Z

We took a bit of an Off Piste attitude on Sunday. Whilst the masses, played safe on Boxhill, we sneaked round the corner on to Juniper Hill and then to the aptly titled White Hill.

It took almost half hour to walk Juniper Hill and then five minutes to get down, slower than normal because of the six inches of snow under foot!

We knew time was against us and thought we would take a risk and head for the road run. We sneaked up a private road and hot stepped it to the top of the run, jumped onto boards and off we went. As the snow passed underfoot, we headed at speed down the road, taking in the cool air, the twists and turns of the run. Whiteness covered everything. It really was getting towards blizzard, a real white out.

We decided to have another run and this was going to be last run of the day until we got to the bottom where a farmer told us "that we were almost entering private land and we couldn't access the main road".

The words that entered my head wasn't "I think these farmer folk are lovely people and that they do have a social conscience!"

He knew that by making us head back towards Juniper Hill we would be pitched in darkness and possibly up to waist high in snow at best. We had two options, jump the fence and wade through about a mile and a half of knee high snow in the farmer’s field or walk a 100 yards and see if we could try and get down another hill.

We got down the hill pretty quick, although at one point the snow drift was too much for the board and it disappeared into a clump of whiteness! I couldn't see or feel anything below my knees!

We sneaked through (possibly the farmers cottage), made dogs bark and got back to the car park, drank coffee, laughed and headed off home.....

The tallest hill in Surrey with a tower on top!

2010-01-05T20:01:00.000Z

The tallest hill in Surrey, has more runs than we could possibly ride in one day. We were on the hill for about four hours, saw about 100 bikers, 150 walkers, 2 horses and still didn't run into anyone or anything. Smashed a hub, got a puncture, walked a mile or ten and enjoyed it, so much that it's lined up for at least another month of rides......

We love the Surrey Hills and all the people who took time out to say hi and enquire about our oversized skateboards......

Happy New Year!

The day after the night before or the start of a new decade.....for some....

2010-01-05T19:30:00.000Z

After cooking the last chilli deluxxe of the decade we drank, we danced, we laughed, we sang! We fell asleep! The younger people got up an watched Harry Potter and the elders prepared the Fry!

Then came the walk along the beach at Seasalter to clear the cobwebs and then reflected; "what a cracking decade of day offs!"

Let's see what the new year brings...

Trip to Dublin

2009-12-30T12:12:00.000Z

Don't you just love it when this happens! I decide to leave the mountainboard at home for the Christmas period and on arrival at Dublin Airport and waiting for our bags, this advertisment is presented...... Typical, rub it in why don't you!

Mind you it has given food for thought for a road trip in 2010.....must check those ferry prices.....

And had the token pint of Guinness in case you were wondering!

Blue Away- Trip on the London Eye

2009-12-30T11:59:00.000Z

Went for a "Mulled Wine Flight" on the London Eye.

Sand Snow Boarding

2009-12-20T12:31:00.000Z

A very unique experience yesterday, mountainboarding on sand and snow at the sametime. The ground was frozen, the snow and sand mixed together to form a fluffy and light surface or pixie dust....

We hit Martha's Hill again and found some new runs and it was one of the best rides of the year. I still had an adrenalin buzz at midnight.....

Found new tracks, heard people shouting snowboarders and saw some excellent near miss church car park crashes......

Inspired Day Out!

Some New Paintings

2009-12-20T12:10:00.002Z

Skull Ride, Sports Beer and Rocket Run

Ice Cream, Boneshaker and Perfect Day 1

Each picture has it's own story from a day out mountainboarding this year.

Skull Ride- Early May 2009, we hit a spot in north Surrey, not far from the M25. We hit a run which got very fast, then narrow and went into a blind corner, the last thing I saw was the stinging nettles and the sound of Evilc saying "watch out!" I walked away with a face full of stings.

Sports Beer- Dedicated to all spots visited this year that had a watering hole at the end of the run. The Horseshoe, Perry Woods, Kent and The Plough @ Cadsden, Chilterns, Bucks.

Rocket Run- One of the runs at the back of the Plough at Cadsden, not only was it a very fast ride, we had the one and only "Rambling Rambler" giving us a rocket as we passed. With his fists clenched, I heard him say "Grr those bloody kids.. you could kill somebody!"

Ice Cream- Deep in the Chilterns, we found that Evilc's brand new water bladder had a puncture or three. Given that it was one of the warmer days of the year, our luck was in when we came across an ice cream van a few hundred meters from where we had parked the car....Cool!

Boneshaker- This was going to be based on a couple of rides, one in the Chilterns and the other in Kent. However, having found a run at Martha's hill last weekend which had everything from gnarly roots to larger than average rocks, concrete blocks and other features, including a brick berm and a log gulley. It was a real shake down of the senses; you didn't want to slam for fear of breaking bones.

Perfect Day 1- Secret spot in Devon where I spent the morning boarding and the afternoon surfing.

Jelley Hollow

2009-12-20T11:49:00.001Z

We went hunting for a natural half pipe last weekend and found this.....

200m of fun...... and more

St Martha's Hill or Sandcastles at 160m above sea level

2009-12-06T13:15:00.000Z

Ode to the Kentatb crew

Ian from Kent's finest mountainboarding crew, suggested that Martha's Hill in Surrey could be a really good place for a day out riding.

Martha's Hill is just south of Guildford, part of the North Downs Way, has amazing views, widing ranging foliage and is used by horse riders, old persons with sticks and men with oversized skateboards...

As field reports go, imagine riding an oversized sandcastle littered with beach related debris and you've got Martha's Hill. Plenty of runs twisting through pine trees and sandstone boulder avenues, it made for a perfect inland day at the beach.

Next time we'll bring the buckets and spades and sculpt a huge great sandcastle with a big draw bridge or a ramp up to it.

Run of the day was from the Church to the west side car park as it had something for everyone.

Great day out

Rein (deer) stops play

2009-12-06T11:42:00.001Z

Saw this on Thursday in Windsor and thought what happened to Father Christmas?

Has Rudolph, Blitzen, Prancer, Cupid et al decided to do extra apperances on one of their 364 day's off?

Flying visit!

Friday Turned Out Fine

2009-11-30T14:50:00.000Z

After setting up the blog Friday lunch time, I was waiting for the "taxi call" to pick the wife up from work. Looked at the clock and thought, I'll be the good husband and went to collect her.

On arrival I was told "Go straight to the pub, if you pass a cashpoint please collect some money and don't talk to any strangers".

Ended up having a good chat with the wifes collagues about art, moutainboarding and dinner amongst other subjects.

On arrival home, we both nominated curry as the "take out of the week". When I got to the curry house the queue was pretty much out of the door and down the Farnham Road, almost as far as the eye could see..... After phoning through my order, a couple of local lads in the queue offered me up some brandy as they were waiting for a table. We got talking about football, payday and forty minutes soon passed.

It was one of those moments that you don't forget, Slough may not be the prettiest of places but it's got a colossal community spirit.

Curry lived up to it's usual high standard and the evening turned into the start of another weekend......

Inspired

2009-11-27T12:31:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago, I had been talking with friends about taking a "day off". We had an idea that we would go surfing or explore the hills or just find a new place to view art, test beer and review all those "best laid plans".

My boss agreed to me taking a long weekend and then I looked at the weather report.... cold, wet and pretty miserable on all fronts.

A few calls, several emails and a couple of texts later, it appeared that everybody was otherwise engaged or had limited time on their day off.

After spending the morning painting, drinking a bucket load of coffee and procastinating about what else to acheive an inspired thought appeared.

Today could be the perfect opportunity for me to do something different, maybe create something new, venture into unknown territory or attempt to record my "Day Off" in a media friendly way.

An online meeting place to discuss, ask or free up some thoughts on what happens on a "day off".

Today's picture title is "If I wasn't painting I'd be surfing......"