The Autumn Group Show at La Galleria is due to start tomorrow, so this last week has been very busy with preparations for the exhibition. I may have the Villefranche seascape replaced by “Sunset over Venice” (below) which was not originally submitted for consideration.
Apart from the excitement of getting ready for another show there have been two musical announcements recently which have given me enormous pleasure. Two great songwriters, Enya and Adele, are bringing out new Albums during November. Firstly “Dark Sky Island” from Enya (20th November) followed “25” by Adele also on the 2oth of the month. Adele’s single from the album “Hello” has already received nearly 150 million plays on youtube. I have always found her song-writing extremely powerful and full of passion whilst her rich, distinctive voice is capable of plunging the depth of our emotions almost unbearably!
Enya too, although around for much longer since 1980 originally with her family band Clannad and then as a solo artist, has in my opinion made an enormous contribution to music over many years. Her soft, gentle, beautiful melodies have sometimes been in the background as I have painted. I tried to depict her a few years ago and maybe it is time to revisit this effort.
I have also started a portrait of Adele to coincide with the album release but currently it’s not coming along too well and I am struggling for a really good likeness. Sometimes projects which should be relatively easy do not always go smoothly. Hopefully the characteristic features will improve along with my skills and I’ll end up with a reasonable effort!
The Autumn Group Exhibition at La Galleria, 30 Pall Mall, London, sw1y 4uy (www.lagalleria.org) is from 2nd to 7th November; 10.30 am to 7.00 pm Monday to Friday and 12.00 to 4.00 pm on Saturday with a preview reception on Monday 2nd November from 6.00 to 9.00 pm.