Journal
Monthly Review – February 2025
February is always such an awkward month, thinking about the year ahead and what you want to achieve. I’ve decided to start doing month reviews of all the things I’m enjoyed and sharing them with you guys. This month has been pretty busy and we are now starting to plan our long awaited trip to Japan. I’ve had some holiday to use up from work so i’ve been mixing my time between practical bits around the house and trying to keep the creative flow going by doing some painting and photography when I can.
Continuing with a Japanese theme this month I’ve found some really great books to read, indulged in a new collecting hobby and started a new painting.
What I've been reading
I picked up two incredible books last week from the Arnofini bookshop whilst on a walk around the harbourside, both with a Japanese theme. The first is the collected essays of Junichiro Tanizaki; ‘In Praise of Shadow’. Which are commentary on the aesthetic aspects of Japanese architecture, jade, food and even toilets.
I also picked up the exhibition catalogue for work from Japanese photographer, Rinko Kawauchi who is currently exhibiting at the Arnofini, the catalogue entitled; ‘At the edge of the everyday world’, which showcases some of her beautiful ethereal images.
What I'm listening to
I got massively into collecting cassette tapes after watching the film Perfect Days, so much so that I bought myself a Walkman and have started picking up rare tapes, namely Jazz but also anything else which takes my fancy.
This month, I’ve discovered James Newton, a Jazz musician known for concert flute, this album ‘The African Flower’ features some incredible music. I also picked up a copy of Art Tatum’s rare piano solos, if you know Jazz then you’ll recognise Art Tatum as perhaps the greatest Jazz pianist ever and that’s really saying something.
What i'm enjoying
Anybody who knows me well, knows I enjoy a good cup of coffee. In Bristol there are far too many good cafe’s serving incredibly blends, so in a bid to cull my spending I decided to start brewing at home. Fortunately Sweven Coffee, my local gem have started producing their own line, I picked up their latest release, ‘El Diviso – Ombligon’ this month and it’s incredible. This gorgeous Columbian blend has notes of Strawberry, macaron, cherry bakewell, what’s not to love!
From the camera roll
It’s been too long since I’ve picked up the camera, I had been waiting for a bit of warmer weather but the beginning of this month saw the Bristol Light Festival and this is a brilliant excuse to bring out the camera, the misty rain made it quite difficult to see what I was actually shooting but did add a lovely foggy effect to some of my shots, I think most of my best ones were actually of the streets around the venues!
From the easel
I’m working on a new painting inspired by american surealist, Edward Hopper this month. This one is referenced from a photograph I took of a beach side home in Porthcawl in South Wales. I’m using a palette inspired by Hoppers work, of muted tones, the house was built on the beach front and seemed really at odds with the surroundings. Hoping to have this done by the end of March and displayed at the local art gallery eventually!
