Hi Scores

(36" x 30") Available at Chelmer Fine Art

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 They have mostly been replaced by home computers, games consoles and the internet.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!

Round Our Way

(36" x 30") Original, Acrylic on canvas

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!”

New Originals at Artery Gallery

2 brand new originals are now available at Artery Gallery

'Chasing Rainbows' and 'Out By My Side' are both on exhibition at the gallery based in St Andrews, Fife.

You can also read the press release on their blog at Artery Gallery News

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?

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.

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!

Do You Wanna Be A Spaceman

(90cm x 70cm) Contact Washington Green for enquiries

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!!

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

The 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!