A bit of an odd one this week. I have been painting and I have even produced a painting that I’m really pleased with, but unfortunately I can’t share it. Well, at least not yet I can’t!
The painting is based very literally on a photograph that I found on Instagram that is owned by a business. I have approached the business and shared my painting to seek their permission to share it, however until I’ve had some form of confirmation or approval, I’m afraid it will have to stay under wraps!
I have done this on numerous occasions when I’ve found a photograph that I find particularly inspiring. I create the painting and then approach the copyright holder to seek their permission to share my effort with my followers.
In almost all cases to date, permission has been granted so my fingers are firmly crossed that this will be the case again – not least because I’m so pleased with the painting and would love to know what others think of it!
In lieu of not having a painting to share, I thought I’d let you know of a minor but not wholly insignificant change (to me at least!) that I’ve recently made.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve used the same profile picture across all of my social media accounts:
This photo of me measuring a view with a pencil was taken in France back in 2011. I’ve occasionally thought about changing it, mainly because I’ve aged so much that to continue using it feels like a breach of either the trade descriptions act or the advertising standards authority – or both!
Never having a photograph that I’m really happy with, combined with a lack of interest and a dread of having to change it in so many different places has usually prevented me from making any changes.
Recently however the stars aligned in such a way that I just got on and changed it, to this:
This is me painting on Brighton seafront on a cold day back in 2023 I think. I know that this means it’s not totally up to date, but it’s a lot more true to my current likeness than my previous image!
Anyway, wherever you find me now, here, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X/Twitter, You Tube and… oh damn it, think I’ve forgotten to change it on Pinterest! Well, in most places, this is what you should now be seeing!
Aside from being a truer likeness – it’s also a picture of me painting, and holding the brush from the top of the handle, and standing at my easel on location looking quite animated… so hopefully it’s also a truer representation of me as a painter and not just the grey beardy man I’ve become!