The Leaving of Liverpool

Just back from a trip to Liverpool, England and my mind is swimming with Beatles songs. Nearly every shop you enter is playing The Beatles music. The Albert Dock is where you will find a good portion of Beatles shops such as the Fab Four and the Beatles Story. It is also the location of the Tate Liverpool,(which in my opinion blew the doors off both Tate's in London). We then wandered our way down to the Cavern Quarter and onto Matthew Street. This photo is actually Jody and I in the Cavern Club. Actually, this is two separate images of Jody and I and through the magic of photoshop, we are one.

River Thames

This is a shot taken of the River Thames in Richmond (London). We took a nice long leisurely walk along the river and watched the Canadian geese and Swans paddling around.

I can't iamgine ever growing tired of the architecture in London. There is so much to see aside from the usual Big Ben and St. Pauls. Small historic buildings dot the banks of the river. We went into a pub the other day on the river called the White Cross (very near the spot where this photo was taken). Seemingly it was built on an old Roman road and the building has been there before they began keeping records. It was a frequent watering hole for William the Orange. So much history to digest and so little time.

The White Cliffs

Yesterday we went down to the coast, had dinner with family, and were given a tour of the surrounding white cliffs.

They truly are an amazing sight to see. The bright white chalk contrast strongly against the water, grass and sky. It almost looks as if someone took a big white cake place it on a cobalt blue platter and randomly sliced into it.

Close to the edge the earth is crumbling away from erosion. Those areas actually sink down lower than the rest, almost like an old grave. I kept thinking tread carefully, that would be a new grave if the land gave way. Trust me, it's a long way to the bottom.

George and Pilgrim 2

Just wanted to put up another shot taken inside the lounge at the George and Pilgrim. This is looking out the front windows as daylight was slowly fading.

The size of the stones and how they've been smoothed and glisten like glass from countless human hands touching them over the past 5 centuries. The old leaded windows framed out with stained glass. We just don't have this sort of history back in the states. Since 1452 people have looked out these windows.

If you can't tell I really enjoyed the atmosphere during our stay at the George and Pilgrim.

George and Pilgrim Hotel

I had to post a picture of the hotel we stayed in while in Glastonbury, England. It is called the George and Pilgrim It was built circa 1452 and is located right in the town center. As you walk into the hotel there is the most fabulous lounge area. The ceilings are covered in thick dark beams and the floors creek and moan under the weight of your feet.
Speaking of floors, the floor in our room was so old and crooked that the bed actually was on a slope. I loved every crooked, creaking minute of our stay. So, if you are in Glastonbury, I highly recommend the George and Pilgrim if for nothing more than the aesthetics and the amazing history of the building.

The Rain in Spain

There actually is no rain in southern Spain, which is why it is so lovely and brown. We started out there but with 40 degrees (that is about 104 to my fellow Americans) and no a/c we high tailed it out of there. While we were there we mainly hid out from the sun. Here is where I spent a lot of my time, the balcony. I did a lot of painting. And reading. I read Eat, Love Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert. A very sweet book about traveling and finding oneself.
We are in England where it is much cooler (in more ways than one). Yesterday I spent the entire day in central London painting the architecture. Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, and of course Big Ben. Who knows what adventures today will bring.

A Week of Painting

Very long time no see. Since my last posting we've bought a house and moved, became the Chair of the Art Department, and joined a new co-op gallery called Clay Glass Metal Stone. No stress.(please note the sarcasm). Anyhow, the last of the boxes are opening and shelves in the studio are being reassembled. My summer teaching is nearing the end, so overall life is pretty darn good.
This was a busy week of painting. Yesterday morning I did touch ups at Rooney's pub, this morning I touched up Slainte's, then looked at a space for a new Mexican Restaurant where I may be painting, and this Tuesday I will be painting at a big bash at the Cottage in Lake Worth.

Seemingly it is in conjunction with the Breakers on Palm Beach. A DJ from South Beach and MTV will be there and amongst it all will be me painting something red and abstract. At the end of the night the painting will be auctioned off for charity. If you are in the area and you intend on stopping by the Cottage please be sure and wear something red, Red Hot Summer Night is the theme.