January 12th

A wonderful artist and designer, Laurence Fish.   used to live here in Winchcombe, His wife Jean Bray , wrote a lovely book ' Pick up a Pencil', full of stories about his life and photos of his paintings. ( I think Jean 's next book should be her own memoirs, which are equally fascinating) Personally I love Laurence's commercial work including famous railway posters.
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Laurence Fish



Before the First World War rail was the only way to travel and the increase in lines brought the boom in seaside resorts. Posters started to show the wonderful, exotic sunny places to visit in Britain. In 1871 Skegness had a population of 500, by 1907 it as having 300,000 visitors a year !

The 20's and 30's are thought of as the Golden Age of Railway poster design and  commercial art was beginning to be taken seriously. Fred Taylor, Tom Purvis, Cassandre and Kauffer were all recognised signatures.

 A lot of the railway artists/designers are hardly known today but at the time they were among the best known artists of their day.

Laurence Fish

After the war posters again showed the sunnier side of life encouraging us all to be optimistic and start travelling. Posters are now highly collectable and reach high prices in auctions....I'm not surprised they are fantastic....but I can't help wishing that the original artists saw more of the money !

Pick up a Pencil by Jean Bray.....On Sale Now.

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Jan 9th

Detail of lovely Tudor stained glass window in Sudeley Castle. There are many beautiful old windows dotted around the castle. This one has the names of Kathryn and Henry written on it. ...Kathryn Parr and Henry V111. Kathryn Parr lived, died and is buried here. 

Jan 8th

View from a loo...Great view towards Cleeve Hill from one of the loos in Sudeley Castle....It was foggy earlier but cleared for a while.

Fog in January brings a wet Spring.

Jan 7th

St Distaff's Day. Traditionally when women went back to work with their distaff another name for a spindle, and the men returned to the fields. It does feel like the day is getting slightly longer....and I'm definitely back at work.

January 6th

The George, Winchcombe

The building which was once the George Inn has a very old pilgrims gallery. It was once a favourite stopping place for the pilgrims visiting Hailes Abbey.

The England cricketer Tom Graveney was a regular, probably because it was his sister in law that ran the pub. 

Publicans

January 5th

Popped up to Sudeley Castle to check on building works...Looks on course for me to start painting next week. I'm not sure who the bust is but he will need to lose his tinsel today!

January 4th

The life size models of Henry V111 and his wives in Sudeley Castle, looking rather spooky in their protective sheets. They look scary during the day, I'm glad I don't have to walk near them at night!