Slightly Foxed

I gave a talk yesterday at the Slightly Foxed Literary Day which took place at the Art Worker’s Guild in Queen’s Square. I talked about how I started the Travel Bookshop and various of my travels. Other speakers were Melissa Harrison, Justin Cartwright, Dervla Murphy who was interviewed by Rose Baring of Eland and Ursula … Read more

Last minute panic

I’ve suddenly started a whole different way of painting and collage-making and am keen to get several into the exhibition which is fast approaching. I thought for a long time about the invitation that I have sent out – did I dare as it was so different – but I’m glad I dared do it … Read more

West Dean

Great weekend doing a mixed-media landscape painting course at West Dean with Chris Forsey. Chris and I met for the first time in the Orangery (where the course was to be) and in the sink was a live mouse desperately trying to get out. I tried to catch it – but it escaped …. (note … Read more

Biographer’s Club

On Wednesday I chaired a meeting of the Biographer’s Club held at the Betsey Trotwood Pub in Clerkenwell Road. The panel discussion was titled ‘How to Survive as a Writer’ and we had 3 excellent panellists – Paula Johnson who administers prizes and grants for the Society of Authors and the Royal Society of Literature, … Read more

Drawings inspired by Hogarth

Its a really nice idea to follow an artist round the galleries and houses of London looking at their paintings and drawings  – living in London we are very spoilt – here are a selection of the drawings I did.  Bust of Hogarth by Roubiliac – NPG    The Distressed Poet – Hogarth’s House  Mrs … Read more

Plato

My thriller is ‘on hold’ at the moment as I am struggling with an essay on Plato for the Temenos course I am doing. I am toying with writing something about Plato’s relevance in today’s world – but perhaps I should come up with a concrete title before going on – 500 words already done! Such different … Read more

Hogarth and drawing

Last week I finished a course on Hogarth which I did at the Prince’s (recently renamed Royal) Drawing School. I loved it. We saw prints and drawings by Hogarth at Tate Britain, the National Gallery, Hogarth’s House, the Draper’s Hall and also went to Somerset House and Westfield (!) and drew from them. Westfield as it is … Read more