OBA (Old British Artist) gets into The Cabinet of Fame

Very old and decrepit British 'artist' makes the 'Cabinet of Fame' at Morley College, with an over sized pear. 

Made with pugmill clay over a period of five to six weeks.  Spray glazed with 'Lime Green', 'Yellow', 'Philmore Red' and tooth-brushed flicked and flecked with 'Sherry' glaze.  The stem is courtesy of Morley College's garden, and the fruit sticker produced in Photoshop.

Useless bowl was glazed 'Shiny Yellow' inside with a TOXIC 'Sky Blue' outside.  The blue glaze was poured on an upside down pot in patches to achieve this patterned effect.

Grayson Perry's Alan Measles inspired tray.  Depicting Alan Measles on his journey on the Kenilworth AM1 motorbike tour of Germany to Backnang (twin town with Chelmsford).  Glazed with Copper Oxide and Celadon.

These hearts have been lovingly imprinted with Savoy cabbage leaves, glazed with 'Crackle #2' over a red slip.

Foggy Roundwood Park

A wonderful foggy November morning in Roundwood Park, feeling like Sherlock Holmes out in the London Smog solving one of life's great mysteries.  Not many people out, only the hardened dog owners and prospective Premier League football players.   The fog is super atmospheric and gives nature an eerie and close feeling.

Teddy does London!

This is Big Ted's first outing in 10 years, in honour of Alan Measles (http://alanmeasles.posterous.com), Grayson Perry's saviour.  It is a test run for the Late Night at the British Museum (http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/grayson_perry.aspx).

Big Ted and Jolie on the Jubilee line early in the morning. Luckily they manage to get a train out of the siding, so plenty of seats. Big Ted is not up for standing at the ripe old age of 46!

His Lordship is wearing a mushy pea-green coloured bespoke one piece with Koala badge and cream pocket handkerchief.

Having a quick freshen up in the beautiful parqueted South Bank ladies. A bit cheeky considering he's male!

The carousel at the South Bank. What a ride, all to himself, with the wind flowing through his pale locks!

Policeman Plod happy to see such a law abiding citizen.  No arrests there!

His highness on location at the Portcullis House,filming for the BBC News at 6.

Only looking when one is watching one's waistline!  

An Oyster Card - the only way to travel in London.

Relaxing on the Jubilee line on the way home for a well deserved rest in preparation for the big night out with Pinny, Alan Measles' stand-in.

Autumn in Kenwood / Hampstead Heath

It's that time again to change the summer wardrobe to winter clothes, to get the wellies out and watch the leaves fall.  Nothing more magnificent than a potter in mild temperatures, a deep blue sky and wine coloured leaves falling like snow.  A walk on the wilder side of London leaves one feeling that maybe the winter is survivable!

The Start of Life!

Possibly the strangest photograph I have shot, but one of the most organic, condensation on the inside of a plastic bag!  The plastic bag is covering a ceramic pot that is being kept moist for further work. 

The pot is a coil pot made from pugmill clay.  It is based on African pots.  It has gone through an upside light bulb stage but is heading towards a guord shape. (Family: CUCURBITACEAE, Genus: Lagenaria, Species: siceraria).  Pot to be seen shortly.

Fungi, Oakhanger, Hampshire

Whilst looking after four children and two dogs, I snapped a few photographs of mushrooms and toadstools.  These are tricky subjects when on the forest floor, as one needs to get to the ground level and sweep away the most miniscule bit of debris in front of the fungi.  It is also difficult at macro level to see if the image is sharp, so I apologise for a couple of photographs where the focus is a bit iffy. 

None of us had any idea of what they were, but the children had great fun kicking, throwing and splitting open the puff balls, creating clouds of spores. 

A fabulous walk through the woods and common in the beautiful late afternoon autumn light.

Nature en Marseille

By the wonderful tumbling water feature in the centre of the Parc de La Campagne Pastré, a silky swaying grass has been planted alongside the bank.  The grass (possibly a Fountain Grass) is irresistible to caress and often one surprises the frogs enjoying the tranquility of the scene.

One can see the grasses running across the bottom third of the image below.  From the Parc Pastré, one can hike to the Calanques in twelve hours.  The route is variable and a map, plenty of water and sustenance is vital.

Within the wooded area of the childrens' adventure park are some beautiful crumbling tree barks, often embedded with fungi.

La Musée de la Faïence, pottery museum, Marseille

La Musée de la Faïence, a lovely ceramics museum set in the Parc de la campagne Pastré.  The museum is housed in the Château Pastré, a fine 19th century house, with views towards the massif of Marseilleveyre.  The museum primarily focuses on provincial and French work from the 17th to 20th century, however, examples of German, Scandinavian, Italian and French design from 1930-1990 can be found at the conclusion of the exhibition on the top floor.