I've been meaning to post this for ages and never got around to do it. 


I love this picture. Yes, it is disgusting and I don't want to know what this woman is trying to do.

But imagine what's going on in his little dog's head? Such a happy bunny, oops, I mean, dog. 

It kind of takes guts to go freelance, and not everyone can do it. You need the right circumstances and frame of mind. It's ideal for me, even though I really don't earn a lot of money... But it has enabled me to start writing in earnest and has really boosted my confidence, because I am in control of my workload and my environment... And, most importantly, I am not in an office! 

The following image is actually not 100% true in my case as the rates are ok most of the time, and no one in the offices I work with could actually do the work I do for them... But it's a sweet little cartoon. 

Carrying on with my break from writing. Here is Matt ArtPix's stand from yesterday's Truly Madly Vintage fair in Chelmsford. They had an extra table and gave it to us, so we ended up with the biggest Matt ArtPix stand ever! 
I am pleased to say that Matt's creations received a lot of interest... 

Matt's little blog about the day HERE

Tomorrow, I will be helping Matt ArtPix on his stall at the Truly Madly Vintage Xmas market at the Shire Hall in Chelmsford. 
Matt ArtPix will have a few surprises for his customers, more details in his new BLOG!

Amanda Palmer has shared this video in her newsletter, saying that it's the best explanation of the OCCUPY MOVEMENT she's seen so far. And it's true. 


Now, I am no hippie, I am more on the post-punk/misanthropic side of the road, and anything with "LOVE" in it makes me shiver and run for cover (apart from when it's about one particular person...). But once you've managed past it, well, it all makes sense. Really.

And if I hear or read anyone say "they should go an get a job, blahblahblah" once again, I SCREAM. 

A fascinating article about the way creativity could create growth in the economy. 

I agree 100% with it. 

USHERING IN THE CREATIVE AGE
By Alan Freeman, principal economist in the Greater London Authority’s Economic Analysis Unit from 2001 to 2011. He now writes and advises on cultural policy. 

"The ‘creative industries’, a term popularized by the 1997 British labor government, are a copywriters’ dream. They create wealth. They unleash innovation. Since offer a sustainable growth path. Their put art and culture in reach of middle and low income earners. They drive urban regeneration, enhance well-being, and cut crime. Creativity beats apple pie hands down. 
But these enticing ideas are disputable. The link between the creative and innovation is elusive. They can be surprisingly energy-intensive. Creative clusters do seem to foster regeneration, but we still don’t know what works best. Nevertheless, while working for the Mayor of London, England, I found strong evidence that these industries exist, are growing and generating employment, and give rise to ‘overspill’ benefits above and beyond mere sales revenue. In fact, if I am right, the creative industries are a new technology,comparable to the big inventions that helped bring the world out of the last two Great Depressions of 1873-1893 and 1929-1942.  
We should invest in it, not only because ‘art is good’ but for an urgent economic reason: it’s the best, and perhaps the only, way out of the crisis."


Thanks to Kit Glaisyer for posting this article on the Save Bridport's Art and Vintage Quarter Facebook page. 

Indie press Ignite Books have just announced that Joolz Denby's Wild Thing will be out on December 1st 2011. I had the privilege of reading the Word Document version a few months ago when Joolz, in a bout of anger against the traditional publishing world, offered to send the file to any reader who wanted to read it. 

It is a stunning, visceral book that threads the thin line between being a human being or/and an animal. 

Although not for the faint-hearted, it is a sensational read and will stay with you for a long, long time after you've read it... 

I for one will be buying the published version and will re-read it. Watch this space for a little review... 

I love it when I spend a day doing completely different things. A good cultural mish-mash inspires me no end. Yesterday was such a day.

We started by a visit to the recently opened Two Temple Place gallery. 
A good article with a picture of the magnificent grand hallway can be found HERE.
This is a staggeringly beautiful and peaceful place in the heart of London. It is free to get in, and we will most certainly go back. At the moment, they have a lovely exhibition: William Morris: Story, Memory, Myth.
There are so many unique features to the house that you need more than one pair of eyes: the panelled rooms and gallery are full of interesting little details: sumptuous fireplaces, gorgeous stained glass windows, sculpted doors and wooden panels. The space itself feels rather cosy, lived in, welcoming. It is such a treat to be allowed inside one of those beautiful London buildings!

Then it was a short stroll to the BFI to check out the programme. I am particularly looking forward to The Genius of Hitchcock, a retrospective of Hitch's silent movies and to the BFI's Dickens season. 

The National Portrait Gallery is always interesting and handy when you have a little bit of time in-between things. I particularly liked the small Terence Rattigan wall case with one especially beautiful photograph showing the playwright at work - all very elegant and sophisticated! - as well as the displays about the painter Augustus John and the Labour politician Herbert Morrison. 

Then it was off to the O2 Academy where we had some raucous fun at the KMFDM show. 

Varied or what?