9th July 2016

Following the excellent time in Macedonia I come home to two new honours.  Firstly I hear that the documentary film that Jake McNeil made about me has been selected for screening at the Nightpiece Film Festival 2016 as part of the Edinburgh Fringe.  (At the same time Jake has a short experimental film chosen as a finalist in a film competition in Los Angeles!).

A few days later I am presented with two excellent poems by Doncaster poet Mick Jenkinson which were inspired by my artwork.  I am feeling very honoured!

15th-26th June 2016

I am invited for a second time to join the De Niro International Art Colony in Bitola, Macedonia.  This time I am joined by Katrina Sadrak who, for a while, shared our studio space in the old art college on Church View.  Alongside us in the colony are artists from Macedonia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Italy.  The 10 days include plenty of studio time as well as several visits to places of interest and a closing exhibition of the works created.

The colony was well covered by regional and national TV as well as several newspapers with Katrina and myself being a focus of much attention as ‘Internationals’ from outside the Balkan States.  My book “Two Weeks in Macedonia” created a great deal of interest in the interviews.

Many friendships were made and invitations offered to future colonies.  Oh – and we did some painting too!

8th June 2016

I’ve just taken delivery of the first copies of my new book “Two Weeks in Macedonia”.  It is a collection of paintings , drawings and photographs from my first visit to Macedonia in 2011.

3rd – 29th May 2016

Four Box paintings including 3 of Steampunk characters have been accepted for the Leeds Fine Artists annual exhibition at the Crossley Gallery, Dean Clough, Halifax.  Well received at the opening afternoon.

29 April – 2nd May 2016

My painting of Katrina in my Box has gained the People’s Choice Award at the Marshchapel Arts Fair in Lincolnshire.

13th – 15th April 2016

Student film-maker Jake McNeil, with his assistant cameraman Jack, have spent 2.5 days filming and interviewing me for a documentary assignment.  Fascinating process and I’m very curious to see how Jake edits the many hours of film into a 7 minute documentary.

As from 21st March 2016 my Monday Morning Art Group will be meeting at the Quaker Meeting House in Oxford Place . Balby close to the St James’ Street Flats.  Still 10-12noon and £10 per session.