A few weeks ago I received an email from Martin Elliot,  the photographer of “Tennis Girl”. It simply said “My compliments”. I easily get star struck and this poster is legendary for me. I remember it always being in the poster browser in John Menzies for what seemed like most of the seventies when I was a kid.

I wrote back to Martin who asked for a copy of my Andy Murray bum painting which seemed to appear everywhere during the summer of 2009. Martin replied “I would like it for my scrapbook – I’ll fit you in between the Ricky Gervais and Frank Skinner versions!”

So, off my print went and today I received a signed print back from Martin. What a guy, I am so chuffed. All this came about during working on paintings for my ArtDeCaf(now Braewell Galleries) solo show last June. The painting had been very serious an in a minute of lightheartedness “New Balls Please” was born.

Anyway, it’s on with the more serious painting in the studio at the moment but I won’t forget my homage to Andy Murray or the smile it seems to have brought to so many peoples faces. Just as Martin’s print has brought to mine.

Marilyn On Canvas

It’s one of those weeks when I have been quite happily painting away on various art commissions and other paintings and then I just go completely off at a tangent.

I have noticed recently the aggression and anger surrounding the discussion of art and painting. People becoming incredibly animated, almost to the point of rage at times, just because they don’t like or agree with a particular painting.

So, despite being “warned” by various gallery owners that I should not paint celebrity artwork and should steer myself more to the “fine art” side of the line, I treat myself now and again and this week I have also been working on a big new Marilyn Monroe painting.

Can’t you see how it makes me smile?