"Do You Wanna Be a Spaceman?"
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Showing posts with label childhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childhood. Show all posts
24 November 2009
The Sweet Fantastic
Quite possibly the best noise you can hear during a childhood summer is the sound of 'Mr Scoopy' and the likes, pulling into your street. Then frantically running round the house looking, or scrounging, for a pound, not just so you can have an ice cream but to experience BUYING an ice cream from a VAN!! A sweet shop RIGHT on your doorstep. Doesn't get any better than that.
Nowadays when I hear the rather poor tune echoing down the road, I get instantly annoyed knowing that the kids are going to ask for some money!....but how can I say no. It's ice cream....from a van!
Nowadays when I hear the rather poor tune echoing down the road, I get instantly annoyed knowing that the kids are going to ask for some money!....but how can I say no. It's ice cream....from a van!
11 November 2009
Your Star Will Shine
(36" x 30" acrylic on box canvas)
Everyone hopes to have their moment of glory some day, either through a single achievement, at an event or by reaching a goal they have set themselves over a period of time.
Whether its through natural talent or just through determination and hard work, when the day comes, you feel on top of the world with a strong sense of pride from not only yourself but also from friends and family.
If you feel that goal is yet to be reached, know in yourself that one day your star will shine and shine for all the world to see…..
...unless nobody is watching, which would just be typical!!
Whether its through natural talent or just through determination and hard work, when the day comes, you feel on top of the world with a strong sense of pride from not only yourself but also from friends and family.
If you feel that goal is yet to be reached, know in yourself that one day your star will shine and shine for all the world to see…..
...unless nobody is watching, which would just be typical!!
24 September 2009
Time
Growing up and being a kid seems to be timeless. Everything is pretty much done for you and there is no care in the world. All you really need to think about is what game can be played next, or which cartoon to watch!
….And yet before you know it, 10 years have passed, then 20, then 30 and time has melted away before it feels like you even had the chance to get going.
The important thing though is that we can still look back on when we were kids and remember just what is was like and how carefree those days were.
Time continues on its path no matter what, so make the most of every minute, regardless of what age you’re at.
7 September 2009
Handbags and Gladrags
(76cm x 60cm acrylic on box canvas) SOLDEvery little girl at one stage or another would of raided her mum’s wardrobe and put on a few of her favourite dresses and a pair of oversized shoes!
Clip-clopping down the hall, giant handbag in tow, she'd get her sister or friend to join in or even rope her brother into dressing up too…..Dads hat would probably be the only thing that fitted but at least it meant he could wear his favourite cowboy costume instead!!
All dressed up and ready to go, it was time for a bit of ‘Mums and Dads’. This basically involved pretending to go to the shops or taking a trip to the petrol station to fill up the car with ‘£5 of 4 star’. Only ending when mum’s favourite hat became buckled and bent, or ‘Cowboy Joe’ deciding to shoot everyone with his cap gun!
Clip-clopping down the hall, giant handbag in tow, she'd get her sister or friend to join in or even rope her brother into dressing up too…..Dads hat would probably be the only thing that fitted but at least it meant he could wear his favourite cowboy costume instead!!
All dressed up and ready to go, it was time for a bit of ‘Mums and Dads’. This basically involved pretending to go to the shops or taking a trip to the petrol station to fill up the car with ‘£5 of 4 star’. Only ending when mum’s favourite hat became buckled and bent, or ‘Cowboy Joe’ deciding to shoot everyone with his cap gun!
20 August 2009
It's Footy Season!!
.....You wont find any overpaid prima donnas on this park though.....
I wonder what the score was in the end?
A half decent playing area, jumpers for goalposts….or perhaps a conveniently placed sign, and anything up to 25-a-side were all the essentials you needed for a good kick-a-bout with your pals and anyone else keen to join in.
Undoubtedly there would always be a couple of kids who would constantly have the ball due to their far superior skill level, while the rest of us would have to chase a few shadows, yet there was still a sense of camaraderie, each and every ’player’ getting stuck in for the cause, some more than most obviously!
As darkness approached, the numbers would slowly whittle down as tea time beckoned, leaving perhaps only a few of the hardcore, determined players eager to find a winner, which usually meant a unanimous decision of “The next goal wins!”
Undoubtedly there would always be a couple of kids who would constantly have the ball due to their far superior skill level, while the rest of us would have to chase a few shadows, yet there was still a sense of camaraderie, each and every ’player’ getting stuck in for the cause, some more than most obviously!
As darkness approached, the numbers would slowly whittle down as tea time beckoned, leaving perhaps only a few of the hardcore, determined players eager to find a winner, which usually meant a unanimous decision of “The next goal wins!”
I wonder what the score was in the end?
1 August 2009
The World is Yours ii
(90cm x 76cm Original acrylic on box canvas)The world seems a ridiculously large place when you are young and far away places may as well be on a different planet.
Yet how many times do you hear the phrase it's a small world?
As decisions and opportunities arise throughout life, the world does seem to reduce in size, not physically of course, but certainly metaphorically. At some stage, you have the ability and the freedom to do exactly what you want. The world is your oyster and you're free to go anywhere....bar the odd strict border control!
Most people may not have the money to get to the places they want to, but a bit of drive, free thinking and adventurous spirit can compensate for any lack of funds.
The World Is Yours for the taking.
25 June 2009
Out By My Side
Here is a first look of the new generation I mentioned previously. Not much difference you might think at first glance but there are subtle changes. Let me know what you think.
And here is the complete painting;
(70cm x 50cm) Original Acrylic on CanvasDo you remember your favourite toy that you just had to have with you at every waking hour.....and even whilst sleeping?
My favourite teddy bear I had as a kid was named Boo-ya, a sky blue bear that looked a lot like Yogi Bear’s friend Boo-Boo (Apparently Boo-Boo was too difficult for me to say at the age of 5, so the name Boo-ya had to suffice!!).
Like many kids with their beloved companion, he came everywhere with me, whether out on a day trip or just tucked up in bed. Acting as a comfort just like a blanket.
Whether it was a teddy bear, action figure, a backpack full of favourite ‘stuff’, or what seems to be even more noticeable nowadays, the ever-present Nintendo DS, a favourite toy was an essential item to have by your side. You couldn't leave home without it!
My favourite teddy bear I had as a kid was named Boo-ya, a sky blue bear that looked a lot like Yogi Bear’s friend Boo-Boo (Apparently Boo-Boo was too difficult for me to say at the age of 5, so the name Boo-ya had to suffice!!).
Like many kids with their beloved companion, he came everywhere with me, whether out on a day trip or just tucked up in bed. Acting as a comfort just like a blanket.
Whether it was a teddy bear, action figure, a backpack full of favourite ‘stuff’, or what seems to be even more noticeable nowadays, the ever-present Nintendo DS, a favourite toy was an essential item to have by your side. You couldn't leave home without it!
16 June 2009
A New Generation
I have decided to create a new look for my characters for my latest painting. The overall visual impact will obviously remain the same but I wanted to develop the look of the children slightly.
I will carry on producing paintings using the original characters but all being well, I hope to start producing more work using the second generation too. My hope is that people will then have preferences for one generation over the other so should help to add a little more variety of choice and add even more individuality to their chosen painting.
I will post a new image soon and perhaps votes can be cast on which generation is preferred!
Happy Cycling!
I will carry on producing paintings using the original characters but all being well, I hope to start producing more work using the second generation too. My hope is that people will then have preferences for one generation over the other so should help to add a little more variety of choice and add even more individuality to their chosen painting.
I will post a new image soon and perhaps votes can be cast on which generation is preferred!
Happy Cycling!
26 May 2009
Magic Window
'Magic Window' (36" x 30" acrylic on box canvas)What happened to all those British classics we loved and grew up with, Trumpton, Camberwick Green, Paddington Bear, Rent A Ghost and even, dare I say it, Jackanory!? Why do we not have the friendly face and voice of a Brian Cant greeting us on our screens anymore?
What we now have instead are countless kids channels filled with American style programmes! The magic window to our British childhood culture has gone and I would welcome back the days of the 'off air' transmission screen as a replacement any day!
That would certainlly help prevent our kids saying phrases such as 'Frickin awesome' or 'oh no you ditnt'!!
What we now have instead are countless kids channels filled with American style programmes! The magic window to our British childhood culture has gone and I would welcome back the days of the 'off air' transmission screen as a replacement any day!
That would certainlly help prevent our kids saying phrases such as 'Frickin awesome' or 'oh no you ditnt'!!
31 March 2009
Blowing in the Wind
(36" x 30") Original, Acrylic on CanvasContact Washington Green for Enquiries
The plot of the film follows the lives of three Lancashire farm children who discover a fugitive hiding in their barn. The bearded man is mistaken for Jesus by the siblings, and he makes no attempt to correct the mistake once he realises that the eldest child is determined to protect him from the adults and police.
The film contrasts the children's innocent faith with the pragmatic and suspicious adults in the town. Word spreads amongst the children in the town, and remembering the story of Jesus’ persecution, all focus is on the barn and keeping it’s hiding occupant safe from discovery.
One of the children eventually gives the game away to her father by mistake after asking for some cake to give to Jesus. Ever the sceptic, particularly after ‘Jesus’ let him down, the youngest of the siblings, Charles, proudly denotes “It’s not Jesus, it’s just some fella”.
The fugitive is apprehended in a symbolic final scene.
My aim was to catch the essence of this film within the painting without focusing on the spiritual side of the story. For me, what makes the film endearing is how it portrays the commoraderie of the children and the innocence and optimism they hold within themselves.
3 March 2009
Hi Scores
You may have noticed the toys and games of the past have been long forgotten. They have mostly been replaced by home computers, games consoles and the internet. Using and even combining these machines gives kids a whole new world of gaming activity and social interaction, which has seen the good old fashioned toys get cast aside.
Despite computer games not having a particularly great reputation, they can in fact be very good for the child’s development with the use of strategy, reasoning, logic and memory. Pretty much any game out there will need the use of these skills, and they will be honed with kids feeling that they are having fun while achieving.
Kids are learning all manor of skills apt for a technological age….certainly more useful than a space hopper would ever be, that’s for sure! That said, with a computer game you can’t play 'Scramble' in the playground and fight for the football stickers that nobody else wants, or have endless battles on the bedroom floor with plastic army men!
Despite computer games not having a particularly great reputation, they can in fact be very good for the child’s development with the use of strategy, reasoning, logic and memory. Pretty much any game out there will need the use of these skills, and they will be honed with kids feeling that they are having fun while achieving.
Kids are learning all manor of skills apt for a technological age….certainly more useful than a space hopper would ever be, that’s for sure! That said, with a computer game you can’t play 'Scramble' in the playground and fight for the football stickers that nobody else wants, or have endless battles on the bedroom floor with plastic army men!
Round Our Way
(36" x 30") Original, Acrylic on canvasA half decent playing area, jumpers for goalposts….or perhaps a conveniently placed sign, and anything up to 25-a-side were all the essentials you needed for a good kick-a-bout with your pals and anyone else keen to join in.
Undoubtedly there would always be a couple of kids who would constantly have the ball due to their far superior skill level, while the rest of us would have to chase a few shadows, yet there was still a sense of camaraderie, each and every ’player’ getting stuck in for the cause, some more than most obviously!
As darkness approached, the numbers would slowly whittle down as tea time beckoned, leaving perhaps only a few of the hardcore, determined players eager to find a winner, which usually meant a unanimous decision of “The next goal wins!”
Undoubtedly there would always be a couple of kids who would constantly have the ball due to their far superior skill level, while the rest of us would have to chase a few shadows, yet there was still a sense of camaraderie, each and every ’player’ getting stuck in for the cause, some more than most obviously!
As darkness approached, the numbers would slowly whittle down as tea time beckoned, leaving perhaps only a few of the hardcore, determined players eager to find a winner, which usually meant a unanimous decision of “The next goal wins!”
10 February 2009
Chasing Rainbows
(70cm x 50cm) SOLD
Apparently whenever you see a rainbow in the sky, you are supposed to make a wish. This was only something I heard recently and is one of those little tales that gets passed down to your kids. The same was said for blowing on a dandelion, which is something I did used to do as a kid whenever I found one in the back garden. Time and time again I would wish for a train set…Unfortunately I never got one!
But does this mean wishes don’t come true? All I really have to do is go out and buy a train set, and surely my wish will have been granted!
Making a wish isn’t necessarily a given for getting something you want, but if you work hard or even just put a bit of effort into your wishes and dreams, who is to say that they wont come to fruition?
But does this mean wishes don’t come true? All I really have to do is go out and buy a train set, and surely my wish will have been granted!
Making a wish isn’t necessarily a given for getting something you want, but if you work hard or even just put a bit of effort into your wishes and dreams, who is to say that they wont come to fruition?
20 January 2009
One Love
(70cm x 50cm) SOLD
We can all remember our first love no matter what our age might have been at the time.
For the odd few, the first love may go on to become the only love they have and their childhood sweetheart will be the one they grow old with.
Most of us however, though never forgetting the first, may have loves that come and go.
One thing is certain, the right person is out there for everyone and if they haven’t been found already, there is always a good chance they will be.
For the odd few, the first love may go on to become the only love they have and their childhood sweetheart will be the one they grow old with.
Most of us however, though never forgetting the first, may have loves that come and go.
One thing is certain, the right person is out there for everyone and if they haven’t been found already, there is always a good chance they will be.
Out By My Side
(70cm x 50cm) SOLD
Do you remember your favourite toy that you just had to have with you at every waking hour.....and even whilst sleeping?
My favourite teddy bear I had as a kid was named Boo-ya, a sky blue bear that looked a lot like Yogi Bear’s friend Boo-Boo (Apparently Boo-Boo was too difficult for me to say at the age of 5, so the name Boo-ya had to suffice!!).
Like many kids with their beloved companion, he came everywhere with me, whether out on a day trip or just tucked up in bed. Acting as a comfort just like a blanket.
Whether it was a teddy bear, action figure, a backpack full of favourite ‘stuff’, or what seems to be even more noticeable nowadays, the ever-present Nintendo DS, a favourite toy was an essential item to have by your side. You couldn't leave home without it!
My favourite teddy bear I had as a kid was named Boo-ya, a sky blue bear that looked a lot like Yogi Bear’s friend Boo-Boo (Apparently Boo-Boo was too difficult for me to say at the age of 5, so the name Boo-ya had to suffice!!).
Like many kids with their beloved companion, he came everywhere with me, whether out on a day trip or just tucked up in bed. Acting as a comfort just like a blanket.
Whether it was a teddy bear, action figure, a backpack full of favourite ‘stuff’, or what seems to be even more noticeable nowadays, the ever-present Nintendo DS, a favourite toy was an essential item to have by your side. You couldn't leave home without it!
6 January 2009
Do You Wanna Be A Spaceman
What do you hear kids say they want to be when they grow up? The answers are always interesting to hear....and somewhat quite unachievable you might think. A Cowboy, a Spaceman, a Power Ranger or Superhero of some kind!
Clearly though, a handful of these dreams are fulfilled, as there are these Astronauts, Racing Drivers and Cowboys out there.
This is to those 6 year olds that will one day live their childhood dream day in day out. Though I’m not suggesting there is a real life Batman!!
Clearly though, a handful of these dreams are fulfilled, as there are these Astronauts, Racing Drivers and Cowboys out there.
This is to those 6 year olds that will one day live their childhood dream day in day out. Though I’m not suggesting there is a real life Batman!!
How High
Here is the bigger picture to see what that little guy was up to on a previous post......
(36" x 30") Contact Washington Green for enquiries
(36" x 30") Contact Washington Green for enquiriesThe appeal of climbing a great big tree has always had its draw on kids. Grabbing hold of some nice sturdy branches to heave yourself up to the next level, clambering your way through the increasing density of leaves until you get to the point when you realise you really are as far up as you want, or certainly need to be!
I always preferred a simple climbing frame personally. You always knew where you stood with a climbing frame, all the bars level and parallel with one another making it far more straight forward for getting up and down.
Was it just me though, or was it always slightly awkward when reaching the ‘summit’? Having to somehow turn yourself around to come back down the other side! It was all about the hand and foot coordination and I do seem to remember feeling a mild sense of vertigo during this point!
….I think I’ll just go back down the same way I came up!
I always preferred a simple climbing frame personally. You always knew where you stood with a climbing frame, all the bars level and parallel with one another making it far more straight forward for getting up and down.
Was it just me though, or was it always slightly awkward when reaching the ‘summit’? Having to somehow turn yourself around to come back down the other side! It was all about the hand and foot coordination and I do seem to remember feeling a mild sense of vertigo during this point!
….I think I’ll just go back down the same way I came up!
20 December 2008
Slow This Bird Down ii
This is a new version of a previous painting of the same name and story, but seen from a different angle. I think this birds eye view works well becuase in a way, it can be seen as you're the adult looking down on the kids and just helps to emphasise the message a little bit more....
Our children seem to be growing up quicker all the time. Just think back to what you were doing and what you had at different stages of your childhood. I imagine it differs greatly.
Kids seem to get to a point where they just want to be older. Yet it will happen all too quickly and before they know it they will be forever chasing their youth.
I don’t want my kids to turn around in 30 years and say to me “I was so concerned about growing up faster; I wish there was a way I could of slowed it down.”
There is possibly a need for some kind of orderly progression through childhood. In the past there were important cultural “markers” that determined the ages at which certain behaviours and belongings were appropriate. Those markers seem to have disappeared, or they’ve certainly been moved downward.
The red balloons represent childhood floating at a slow steady pace.
Kids seem to get to a point where they just want to be older. Yet it will happen all too quickly and before they know it they will be forever chasing their youth.
I don’t want my kids to turn around in 30 years and say to me “I was so concerned about growing up faster; I wish there was a way I could of slowed it down.”
There is possibly a need for some kind of orderly progression through childhood. In the past there were important cultural “markers” that determined the ages at which certain behaviours and belongings were appropriate. Those markers seem to have disappeared, or they’ve certainly been moved downward.
The red balloons represent childhood floating at a slow steady pace.
2 December 2008
Fly Me To The Moon
SOLD (90cm x 70cm) Commission
The importance and indeed the beauty of the moon is very much underestimated. Still covered in mystery, It’s almost as if it has been forgotten about since the last of the moon landings….apart from when there is an eclipse!
More people should take the time to look up once in a while and let their minds wander and wonder in awe of The Moon, Earths natural satellite.
In saying that, if asked, I bet the majority of the human race would jump at the chance of getting that little bit closer to it or better still, making one giant leap of their own on it’s surface.
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