Birds are nesting in Oulton Broad

'Sprung' - mixed digital media- George Roberts - February 2019

"Abnormally warm this year - exceptionally warm for February"

Spring is sprung

The grass is riz

I wonder where the birdies is!

Ogden Nash

'The first cut is the deepest'

"You're a bum Rock" - Woodcut  -  two acrylic ink colours on white print paper
 - George Roberts February 2019

"Thanks for the wood, inks and special print paper Lulu and Andy. I really enjoyed capturing your brother after he ran up and down the steps on Southend  Seafront. Go William - London Marathon 2019 - running for Terence Higgins Trust "

Old Master

'Old Master' - Acrylic paint on board - Mark Kenney 2019

Our friend and architect Mark Kenney's latest acrylic exercise from his painting class. Under painting and a restricted palette in the hands of a skilled practitioner create strong three dimensional images. Nice work Mark!

Life Class 69

'Life Class 69' - mixed media- 1969 - George Roberts

In 1969 and on Wednesday afternoons I attended life class drawing at the School of Architecture Manchester University. In those days the School of Architecture was housed in a building it shared with the Law Faculty in Moss Side. The academic staff at 'the School' ran the architecture course in the manner of The Bauhaus and considered life drawing an essential component of architecture and an arts and crafts training.

In particular, I liked drawing this model who possessed an 'architectural physique'. In the intervening years I lost track of all my old life drawings from my student days. Whilst sorting out a box of old photographs, I noticed in a frame on the wall of a house long sold, looking down upon my daughter's birthday party, this image. I wonder what the model's name was and if she is still alive?

"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water"

Smile - mixed digital media - George Roberts January 2019

Sock of Ages

'Contact Prints' - mixed media -George Roberts 1969

Sock of Ages

When my youth went

My eyes dimmed, my straight back bent

Then my youth went

When my youth went

When my youth went

‘Antiques in the attic’, so nice and peaceful in the house

I looked in the bathroom mirror and saw someone else

When my youth went

When my youth went

Lost my best beret and gloves; mislaid favourite pants and socks

Searched for a toothbrush fruitlessly, found false teeth in a box

When my youth went

When my youth went

My grandson is much taller and now he drives the car

His little sister didn’t stay little and now she wears a bra

When my youth went

When my youth went

Bad news became important and began to make me sad

I forget I forget stuff, no worries, just old and slightly mad

When my youth went

When my youth went

Looked at faded photos how was I quite so young?

An old song from the ‘sixties’ waiting to be sung

Then my youth went.

When my youth went

George Roberts January 2019

Mancunian Icon

'Michael' - egg tempera on wood board -1971 - George Roberts

Icy,icy spider

'Webs' - multi-media - George Roberts - January 2019

Icy, icy Spider

Icy, icy, spider

Climbs up our spiny tree

Icy, icy, spider

For Toot and me to see

Icy, icy, spider

Spinning to and fro

Icy, icy, spider

Quiet as falling snow

Icy, icy, spider

Web shining in the light

Icy, icy, spider

Cold as winter’s bite

George Roberts -January 2019

'Webs' - multi-media - George Roberts - January 2019