Wed 24th February Drawing 69

Lovely AD pitches up to see The Noodle. I draw him sitting on the floor looking up like a good dog. Teens so lovely when not yours. I ask him if the gang are going out on Fri and when he concurs, pull fast one and ask if I could tag along to draw. Him cool. So I is going to pub with teen son and his mates. Things you do in the name of art!

Tue 23rd February 2010 Drawing 68

JW during Adam’s singing lesson.

Sun 21st February Drawings 61 - 66

East Finchley to collect bag from the delightful R whose pretty wife, a photographer (spitting image of Frida Kahlo) found it on the bus. There are 7 Brazilains currently staying in the flat and a newly arrived Haitian-Austrian linguist whose mother (and her house) survived the earthquake in P.au.P. 'She is OK' he said (must remember to make further donation). R is charming, warm and enthusiastic. Pen and paper are found and drawing begins. I pen first full figure portrait. It is good but screw up the drawing of his wife. I suggested that she might pose in her bra which made her wary. Oh well, had to ask.

After drawing the Greens and now these two in Finchley, I am concerned that collection has a somewhat worthy feel....!

Heck! Imagine having the chance to draw Frida Kahlo for The Drawn Petition and making a hash of it.

Sat 20th February 2010 Drawings 38 - 60

Return to conference, draw a mad poet in green leathers, petition in danger of getting overly grey bearded. Still hats off to them, good cause and good folk, Thank you Greens. Return home in the freezing dark by bus. Can't find hand-bag on arrival. Takes some time to figure out that I must have left it on the 263.

Fri 19th February Drawings 24 - 38

CS has suggested I pootle up to The Arts Depot, East Finchley where she is giving a talk at the Green Party Conference (they are the only party to support the decriminalisation of prostitution). She asks permission for me to come but is refused! I decide to go anyway. Serious faffing before departure. I pitch up an hour and a half late and am welcomed. Draw away happily. Notice substantial improvement in larger pictures. Overhear ludicrous discussion about baby milk.

Thur 18th February 2010 Drawing 23

Meeting with JF who will mentor NW. Draw JF.

List of to do’s for tomorrow:

1. Get up 


2. Faf about


3. Get Adam to Ali Pally a bit late 4 half term football 


4. Sort out 2 new mobile phones in Holloway


5. Consider what kind of paper to use for Drawn Petition, take too long


6. Pack for drawing session, include many materials that will not be used.


7. Faf around a lot more


8. Leave for Green Party conference using public transport (car to be left near station for husband so he can collect Adam from DAR's  later)


9. Arrive at conf somewhat late


10. Draw, Draw, Draw

! Go 4 drink


12. Come home, shout at teen-agers – they will leave the washing up un-done


13. Complain to husband
14. Work into small hours


14. Go to bed, pretend husband is hot water bottle


13. Snore


Wed 17th February 2010 Drawing 22

I loose my highly recommended PR "intern" at short notice. Spend 72 desperate hours flooding web with ads and then there is a letter with a photo in my inbox. NW is perfect. At the end the interview she sits for me, we urgently need another picture for the press.

Tue 16th February 2010 Drawings 18-21 (all of me, will have to draw four extra)

Need 2 pics urgently for publicity. Tart self up and try drawing me in the bathroom mirror. Yeah well err...Actually one not bad, not bad all. In fact, quite nice. Unrecognizable though. Just as well I suppose.

Mon 15th February 2010 Drawing 17

Nightmare drive to Kingsbury, lost on North Circular, lost in Neasdon, lost in Royal Oak and lost near Fryent Way. Going to collect NS’s large portrait. Draw new mother and baby as promised, and draw them again for The Drawn Petition. NS is cool, her husband, a teacher, shops, cooks and makes her sandwiches before work. The baby is six weeks old and I was her first visitor. Her task is feeding the baby, teaching it to sleep and sleeping herself. I have never seen such a relaxed and well looking new mum.

Thurs 11th 2010 Drawing 16

Godma DV comes to tea. Get her on paper quick! Job done.

Wed 10th February 2010 Drawings 1-15

Get to Euston in reasonable time (only one hour late). I text MW to let him know ETA. On Flaxman Terrace he phones me. He is not coming! The van clamped. Hell! Now I am going to a party I do not want to go to, where I will probably know no one and no one will say hello cos so many there are aloof. I arrive. I wonder around making polite chat, for quite a long time, with others who seem in similar position. The principle of the dance school gives a speech. And then I meet someone I haven't seen for 27 years. I ask her if I can draw her and the drawing begins. Then suddenly there they are - the class of 1983. What a lovely reunion! First 15 drawings completed. Particularly like MS's who saw someone else and ran to greet them and TH's on a Post-it. "Oh OK” she said, “I'll be your whore"!

Tuesday 9th February 2010

MW has persuaded me to go to the 40th anniversary of The London Contemporary Dance School. I resisted for ages. The Place makes me feel small. He booked me in anyway. Thought, OK I'll draw there. It takes ages to prepare. I think this through, which paper, which pencils, what on etc. Already an hour late. Go to shower, do hair, make up, I am NERVOUS. Put on glad rags and catch bus down to Euston. It is freezing…ooch! Anyway, late as ever I decide to use the back entrance. It all seems very normal. The theatre receptionist tells me I have got the wrong evening. What RELIEF! I have practiced the process of getting there. Quite enough for one evening.