Friday 30 April 2021

Dear Diary

 'No Frost At Night' is the title of a new exhibition which has just opened at the Babylon Gallery. As well as the five artists who were asked to respond to some weather diaries from the 1960s, the public were also asked to participate.

Two week journals were given out to anyone who wanted to use them, on the understanding they would be displayed in the exhibition alongside the artists work.

I produced a painting diary. I reflected on my last work, 'Eggheads', the progress of my current painting 'Memento Mori' and my plans for the next one entitled' Dreamtime'.

I tried to keep it varied by including, as well as writing, sketches, coloured studies and photographs.

You can see the exhibition (and read my little diary) in Ely until 23rd May.

Friday 23 April 2021

Thankyou !

 I've just posted a donation of £200 to NHS Charities Together appeal which was largely made up of money made from my Virtual Tour.

Although the appeal is over, you can still try the Virtual Tour, which is available from my website (www.tedconeysfamilyportraits.co.uk) for 99p a go.

A virtual tour was made several years ago for people who couldn't visit the house in person but when the pandemic hit it seemed the best way to promote the business.

I hope to reopen Ted Coney's Family Portraits in late June/early July with the studio, garage and new garden gallery on display in the first instance.

Friday 16 April 2021

Recollections of Prince Philip

 'Phil the Greek is dead' This was the news I was given by a member of the railway staff as  I stepped off a train last Friday.

It got me thinking of the times I had met Prince Philip when working as Head of Art at Hills Road Sixth Form College. He came on a visit to my department in 1991 and asked (after looking around the room) if I ever through anything away. He then made an unscheduled flight into the sculpture studio and promptly banged his head on an artwork hanging from the ceiling.

Several years later when we had won an award for our work in the community, I met him again at Buckingham Palace. I cheekily reminded him of the incident with the sculpture. He laughed and  said

' Not that bloody place'.

You can see my first encounter with the Prince in the MEDIA page on my website.


Thursday 8 April 2021

Electronic Sketchbook Restored

 I always show how one of my paintings has been put together on the Electronic Sketchbook, when visitors come on one of my tours. (remember those?!) 

 I have four paintings on the screen and when I click on one , it automatically shows images  of my trial studies, early observational drawings and artists references. 

A few months ago I noticed that the icon  to start the sketchbook had disappeared. Although I saw it fleetingly when I switched the computer on it always vanished before I could do anything.

My daughter and her family finally came to visit us for a day over Easter. My son-in-law, who works with computers agreed to have a look. Within a few minutes he had found the icon lurking under the surface. Hurrah!

Friday 2 April 2021

A Birthday Christmas Present

  It was my birthday last week.

 Perhaps the most intriguing present I received was from our next door neighbour, She'd heard that I have a dolls house which has been developing into an installation since I obtained it to help with my research for a painting, 'Fools Gold'  (which you can see on my PRINTS FOR SALE page).

 When I said  I had carried on collecting objects so that it looked as though the house was frozen in time on Christmas Eve, she gave me a knowing look.

I was presented with the most beautiful   box of  cards, wrapping paper, trees, paper chains, all in miniature. It turns out she is a dolls house enthusiast and makes everything herself.

There are pictures of the house on my Facebook page.