Archive for September, 2005
Landed in Singapore for a few days to catch up with friends. Nice to be with people who know the local area, and to have a home cooked meal.
Not so busy on the photography front here - the weather is very cloudy, and that makes shooting big scenic’s harder to do. It’s all details shots here. I love the sculpture’s that they have around the city, and the fact that the City does feel so clean and is reasonably easy/affordable to get around.
Did the obvious and went to Raffle’s for Singapore Sling’s, but didn’t find myself drawn to the location photographically. Have walked an awful lot capturing the detail of the city, and tried many new foods.
September 29th, 2005
Today we woke up to rain, and now have a power cut. Originally I thought it was due to the storm, but then realised everyone else had power. Himself is grumpy because I’m reading emails, and writing this instead of “entertaining him’.
I have to say the rain has brought a welcome cool breeze, and it’s the first really persistent rain we’ve seen in five days, which considering it is the rainy season is pretty good going.
So far we have experienced the joys of a speedboat ride around Phi Phi, swimming in beautiful emerald green sea with lots of brightly coloured fishes, white sandy beaches and we even had a go at snorkelling. Then there is the infamous nightlife – the night markets, the pubs and the entertainment. Personally I prefer to use the Hotel’s spa facilities for a massage and have tried their Thai cooking class than the hustle & bustle of life outside.
Even though it’s been a short stay I have taken a lot of photographs, that have been close to home or found along the way, rather than seeking them out. It’s a good lesson for me, as it’s easy to ignore what is close or obvious to take. Having looked around to see the kind of pictures that the picture libraries already had I feel I have photographer my travels from a slightly different angle, but sometimes the same angle as those before me.
September 25th, 2005
Finally arrived in Phuket, and it’s absolutely fabulous. The whole place feels calm, but then I haven’t left the hotel grounds yet so I bet it will be different outside.
We are very close to the sea, and having dinner last night the waves were crashing under the restaurant balcony. Very soothing.
Lots of photographic opportunities winking at me, just in the grounds. Still lots to explore, but the weather is good and the sun loungers comfortable 
September 22nd, 2005
Still in Bangkok - we should be in Phuket now, but rearranged our plans after himself was taken ill this morning, and the Doctor advised against flying for 24 hours. So I am typing this, whilst looking out over the River of Kings at the shuttle boats that are transferring the guests of various hotels to and fro.
Fortunately the Hotel, have been fantastic, and even sent some flowers and water with a hand written message from the Head of House Keeping. We had a nurse with us in minutes of calling reception for asistance, and a Doctor within the hour and all the medicines we needed too. At home he’d still be waiting to be seen.
Still I am amusing myself with photographing the beautiful Orchids we have around the room. I’ve counted 9 different varities so far… And today’s fruit is Asian pear which I haven’t seen before.
Yesterday we visited the floating markets - now these I thought would be a wonderful example of how the local people shop. Alas no - although fruit and veg is sold, mostly they sell tourist tut. They have Tesco lotus … Still we had a fun ride on a narrow boat through the canals before we reached the market. After that we headed off for a Jungle trek on an Elephant - another interesting experience as I wasn’t keen on getting on, and even less keen on the dismount, but anyway I survived. Although the elephant needed a rest … It was kind of fun, if a little unerving as we went through some very deep mud and water. I was hanging onto the camera bag for dear life, as it wasn’t the smoothist of rides. Lunch was good too - a feast at a restaurant for £6, and then onto the Grand Palace.
September 20th, 2005
Arrived in Bangkok for four days yesterday. So far I have experienced the joys of a night flight with a hundreds of people half of whom seem to snore – I stuck the headphones on and listen to some music instead. Oh and the delights of Thai cuisine, which based on choices made so far I absolutely adore. The hotel is beautiful too – the attention to detail beyond anything I have experienced before in a hotel.
Having had disappointing service form a major telecoms company before I left, it feels like I’ve landed on another planet where everyone is friendly and helpful.
Not much photography going on yet – although I was tempted by the hairy fruits that I found in the room on arrival – Rambutan’s, and the beautiful Orchids they presented to me on arrival. So far it has all been about experiences. Catching the shuttle bus to cross the River of Kings to the Thai Restaurant, the free lightening show that concluded the meal and relieved the humidity levels for a couple of hours, and the bustle of the Pantong Night Market.
September 18th, 2005
Himself redeemed himself on Thursday, by sending me a wonderful bouquet of flowers. Not that he’d done much wrong, but he does seem to be watching a lot of football and cricket this week … and playing tennis.
I spent Friday morning photographing the roses and gerbera’s in various artistic poses, but have still to edit the results. A very nice distraction from writing website terms & conditions … which are now finished.
I am off on a trip shortly and asked the hotel for details of the internet connections with had in room. A very comprehensive & technical reply came back, and I had to request a translation from my brother who understand these things very well. Cable is now bought - so fingers crossed that it works.
It is the second weekend of the Hertfordshire Open Studios and yesterday was quite lively with a good number of visitors. Even so I still managed to get some new photography book reviews uploaded to the site and edit an article on digital imaging & art buyers.
September 11th, 2005
One of my galleries contacted me yesterday, which caused me to visit their website. On it I found a brilliant little piece ‘Ever wondered how to buy the right painting?’ Written a long time ago by a very successful collector. Made me smile anyway.
Leed Gallery also contacted me, with details of a new exhibition they are planning in the main shopping centre in Chelmsford, Essex for October. I agreed to join them, but to be honest I have no idea how it will turn out given that less money is being spent on the high street at the moment. Undoubtedly it will offer their regular customers something very different, and the bottom line is this organiser really does know how to organise an exhibition. I have exhibited with them before and always been happy.
Now back to the mundane necessities of running my business …
September 8th, 2005
So Open Studios is over … until next weekend. Weird having a tidy studio. I thought I had a bat in here, but realised that it’s actually a butterfly flitting about, although it seems to have flitted out the window now.
Still busy editing my backlog of images and submitting them to my picture libraries - encouraged by recent sales. I was hoping to get through the back log of scanning during open studios, but I’ve realised you need to be doing things you can drop when someone asks a questions, and I need to concentrate more for this.
I’m considering participating in a group exhibition in Brighton, bit of a wild card this one. I don’t really know the area, but it’s running at the same time as the Brighton Art Fair which I wasn’t able to get into this year. Sometimes you have just got to try things to find out, there are only so many questions you can ask. And one thing I have learnt is it is different for everyone.
September 6th, 2005
My first ever Open Studios today. Quite interesting really - for one the studio is tidy, secondly I get to work on the weekend (which I quite like) and thirdly the people walking around are actually interested in art.
At craft shows it’s a mixture of people, but perhaps not unsurprising at an Artist’s Open Studio - it’s attracting art lovers. Oh yes and they can all talk the hind leg of a donkey. Not that this is a bad thing - I actually find it quite refreshing to be able to chat to people in a relaxed atmosphere.
Plus it’s quite nice to be nosey and look around all the other artist studios too! There are thirteen other studios open in one location, which means anyone visiting has quite a lot to look at.
September 3rd, 2005
