Where have I been?

Not to Morecambe. They went and they didn't take me. I have been doing some serious sulking. Luckily they took some photos. Next time...DON'T FORGET THE MONKEY!!

Maybe it's a good job I didn't go.

This is Eric Morecambe, Wayne* does not have a statue here yet.

* That's Wayne Hemingway, my favourite designer. Born in Morecambe.

Check out this classic Morecambe and Wise sketch.

The Ghost

On my way home yesterday through a long ginnel*. Saw this excellent piece of graffiti.

* ginnel is a Lancastrian word that means passage way.

Excitement at Ikea

I have never been to Ikea before. Can't really see what all the fuss is about. Although I did like the cinnamon bun and the rug department. 

Close encounter with a cinnamon bun

Me and my reflection

My first rug

My second rug. Love the texture.

A wonderful pile of rugs. I told you I liked the rug section. And the colour. Banana.

Rug number 4.

My favourite rug. Number 5.

Detail of texture and colour on number 5.

Some good colour down in the lighting department.

More colour.

I did not get lost. Luckily.

My trolley. And my fish ice-cube tray.

Quiet please.

I'm working.

By the way. I am going to IKEA on Thursday. Am so excited. 

The road goes North

I was inspired by the work of Stephen Shore (1970s photographer). He liked to play with colour and shapes in photos of everyday stuff. I got bored on the motorway and started to really look out of the window. I also discovered that taking photos at speed out of a car window is not that easy. Anyway, some results...

 

The Reliant Robin is included because it just had to be.

Get stuffed

So, Damien Hirst has a retrospective at the Tate Modern. I was tempted, but then I read a review of the exhibition written by his final degree show examiner. And maybe not. I saw Damien's early stuff at an exhibition at the Serpentine in the early 90s (yes I am really that old) and it was good, really good. It came up and grabbed me and made me laugh. And I want to remember this and not have to look at a decaying cows head covered in blood and flies or a skull covered in diamonds. That does not grab me or make me laugh. So I am not going.

But I did go to Bristol Museum this week. People have been stuffing animals for a long time. Amazing display.

That's me and my new hero - Alfred the Gorilla

Chimp from a different angle

The Dead Bee (thanks Sam)

Velvet Projects

I've been thinking and have even managed to write some of them down. A great achievement for one with brushed polyester paws. I've been thinking about a few projects that I'd like to do and I even have an official ideas book. I'd like to:

Paint a spot mural in the smallest room (downstairs toilet). I'm thinking white background and spots of different sizes and colours all over walls and ceiling. Could be a fairly long term one this.

Rediscover my archives and take some of my real photos to be digitalised.

Discover the detail in people. There are some wonderful details. I saw an amazing pair of blue trainers on the U1 bus this morning. Hi-tops. And jeans that were frayed at the back but had been carefully patched to cover the hole that you get when you wear your jeans a bit too long. I'll be off out with my camera.

Here are some things that I've been enjoying this week (besides bananas and pancakes):

Blogs that I like:
http://www.thesartorialist.com/
http://www.waywarddaughter.com/
http://www.louderthansilence.com/

Soundtrack to my week has been provided by Trombone Shorty and Delta Swamp Rock.

I WENT TO LONDON AT LAST

And yes I am shouting. I had the best time.

Me, waiting for a tube train at Marble Arch.

Here I am at the Tate Modern. This is the Obliteration Room - can you SPOT me?

The Yayoi Kusama show was just fantastic. You weren't allowed to take photos but they wouldn't have been any good anyway. You have to go there - it is seriously good. Check out this link for some images of one of the best bits - the Infinity Mirror Room: http://inhabitat.com/infinity-mirror-room-yayoi-kusama-unveils-spectacular-space-lit-by-hundreds-of-leds/infinitymirroredroom-yayoi-kusama2/?extend=1

My paw slipped on my camera button whilst in this room...

I also loved the stuffed things and the cloud pillows. Yes, yes, I know they are meant have phallic under currents but I prefer just to take things as I see them and react to them not how anyone else thinks I should.

As a result am now thinking that my idea to paint a spot mural in the toilet room will go ahead. Fetch me my brushes...