Graham Clarke

We walked into town today for lunch and to visit the Graham Clarke exhibition in Maidstone Museum. The museum was one on my earliest blips where I berated the grafting of a golden cube on a Victorian building.

Today was not about the building but about Graham Clarke, a local artist from Boughton Monchelsea near Maidstone. He is one of the UK's most well known and respected living artist, specialising in etchings, printmaking and watercolours. He is also prolific and inspirational. There were dozens of his pieces in the exhibition along with other memorabilia such as his painting sets and sketchbooks.

Today's blip is of single pages from a few of his sketchbooks, even these inspire with the detail, observation and skill. I don't have the words to describe the quality of his work, it's humorous, busy, detailed and records a very intimate view on life in the UK and on his travels.

It inspired Susan to get out her sketchbook and begin working on a new painting. We'll be going back again next week with friends Al and Liz having changed the day when they are coming to Tuesday as the museum is closed Monday.