Here is something I wrote for an exhibition at The Cornerstone Gallery earlier in the year.

As you walk into the Cornerstone Gallery at Hope University, the Sutton Taylor exhibition is situated in lit cabinets around the parameter walls of the ground floor exhibition space, rather than in the middle of the room. This gives the viewer the opportunity to view the pieces from different angles, and admire the lustre that glows, shines and bounces all around the spot lit glass display cabinets. They reflect light, sheer gloss, the great splendor of the shiny metallic surfaces of this pottery, which comprises a collection of oversized vessels.

From a distance, the large pieces look alluring, their heights approximately 50cm on average for the vases with the bowls being around 15x 25cm, on closer inspection they show the progression in both style and colour. The journey begins with the more pastel shades of ‘Bowl with flower pattern’ (1986) coming right up to date with the geometric style and bold colours of ‘Dark purple and green bowl’ (2010). These pieces assault the senses with such gusto; the garish bright colours look like precious stones in a jewellery shop or a part of a priceless hoard of treasure. The shine attracts the viewer to them like a magpie and from a distance the surface glistens and looks smooth, but on approaching, the tones, shades and colours change, and also the bumps and imperfections are clearly visible making them all more desirable as pieces to be ‘lusted’ after.

Taylor is a lifelong self-taught ceramicist, who is “attracted to bright and changing light conditions in expansive skies, and moving-water-to light through foliage to patterns and juxtaposition of colour in the landscape to pattern of light and shade in rock faces or individual pebbles”. (www.hartgallery.co.uk/artists/taylor ).

In the middle of the ground floor gallery space is the staircase leading up to the next level, where the first part of the other exhibition collectively called ‘Quartered, Drawn and Hung’, (a macabre pun on the proper name for a death sentence to be ‘hung. quartered and drawn) is displayed. These, unlike the Sutton Taylor pieces, are works by different artists linked to the University. At the top of the first staircase is a collection of small white pottery pieces, and sketchbooks in glass cabinets. On the back wall, various artists have explored their perception through drawing using various media. Two of the art works aren’t conventional. The first, a cross-stitch sample, by Fiona Ward (2010) is framed by its own hoop with a piece of embroidered red writing communicating the message ‘the miserable have no other medicine. But only hope’. A quote taken from Shakespeare’s Measure for measure. “I studied this at A-level and it really stayed with me; there are a good many layers to it and always something new to think about it. The line used seems to fit well with the present way of the world. I chose the medium because I’ve always enjoyed textiles and used to do a lot of sewing and I am also interested in how the use of textiles has been seen through the history of art” (Fiona Ward).

The second work approach to drawing is one which challenges our perception and approach to drawing in a traditional format using media such as charcoal, pencil and line etc., and stood out among the other mainly traditional approaches to the subject of mark making.

Tony Smith’s painterly mixed media pieces are small, brightly coloured, and experimental.

“ I like something which is formally quite under-spoken and subtle like minimalist art, and in particular how minimalist painting is displayed via something bawdy and over the top like a banner. There exists a paradox or contrast between the work and the mode of presentation” (Tony Smith).

Another set of stairs led to the final level. For this part of the exhibition accessing the works was more limited; the balcony forces the viewer to follow the drawings around one way or the other and in a certain order rather than personal choice.

The Drawing exhibition makes the viewer question what drawing is, and the title suggests that the creators of these pieces have each ripped apart this traditional form of visual expression in their own way.

Vintage or New?

I LOVE vintage. Why? I choose to wear vintage (or second or pre-loved) clothes because with shops such as Primark clothes are so mass produced its even harder to create you own personal style.

I do like to wear new clothes, but I tend to mix them with vintage to give them my own unique style. I do love 1960s in general and the clothes from that era. I would say that I am a bit of an eclectic person in my tastes especially in music and clothes.

I have over 200 hangers with clothes on in my wardrobes, thats not counting all the stuff I have folded up in a suitcase or two.

I do take notice of current fashions and trends and note what other people are wearing and what is being sold in fashion shops. Although there are certain things I do not think tasteful and just look wrong.

Amy Winehouse revamped the fashion of the beehive hairstyle and the black eyeliner that was fashionable in the 1960s, my era. What I don't understand is the need for young girls to go out shopping in town with rollers in their hair? That is so Hilda Ogden or Nora Batty!!! Next they will be wearing pinnys and singing "the hills are alive".

It's that man again..

I've met a few *well known* people in my time, I have even seen Her Madge, The Queen up close when she visited Liverpool. She is a rather small lady it has to be said. I've also got to meet George Harrison. When I've met these celebrities I've never been star stuck.

The person who I've met most times though is Richard Hammond, *the short one off Top Gear*. I have lost count how many times I've seen him, that is not really important now. All I know that it has been nearly a year since I had my last photograph taken and a proper chat with him. I am hoping it is not very long now until I speak to him again or at least see him. I've never really been 'star struck' around him I think it's his easy going personality. Ok a lot of people take the p*** saying oh but he is only famous because of the crash, but I saw him on TV long before this, he wasn't a big part of my life, but he was 'noticed'. He made me giggle on the rather naff 5 O'clock show that he did! When he had his crash I was devastated!

The first time I met him was at a book signing in Kent, I was so nervous! There was loads of screaming teenagers it was mental! I went straight up to him and said "Hello, how are you?..its a shame about Evil Knievel dying isn't it?" (he had died the night before and Rich had just filmed a programme with him about his life). I can't remember what he said to me now, but I said I would see him in a few days for the filming of Top Gear.

Ok I am 36 years old and I perhaps should not be doing this sort of thing, but he kind of inspires me and keeps me on the straight and narrow. He is that little bit of positivity, when things have been rough for me.

Just seeing him in person and his brown eyes sparkle and then he says "hello" and breaks into a big grin..I can't help but be hooked!

I have to say I did go a bit weak at the knees when I got a birthday kiss and I've also had a hug.I just think he is a normal bloke and can just talk to him like I would talk to a friend.

Whatever I do, where ever I am, he will always be a small part of my life and be part of some of my happiest memories

Sometimes It hurts It REALLY hurts!

Just lately I have come to realise that maybe you can't please all the people all of the time. I used to think I had to keep everyone happy and neglect myself. What people thought of me was more important than what I thought of myself (I am trying to get out of this way of thinking). This is in some part because of the way my mum has treated me: 'You will only get rejected in the end then what will you do?", "You can't go out dressed like that!!", "They told you at school you would amount to nothing". etc...etc...I have always tried to please her, but failed because I think that is an impossible dream. she even thought my grade B for my first year of my degree was "average', even though I don't even have a grade higher than a E for my GCSE's

Well I have discovered that some people you give the benefit of the doubt to turn out not to be friends at all. This isn't the first time it has happened to me. I recently met some new people who I thought ok we have one thing in common and they seem friendly enough. I exchanged the odd text message with them and enquire after them as you do with friends, not in a nosey, nasty or vindictive way but just asking in a friendly way. Then in a purely childish way these texts have been passed on to another person and twisted in a way that makes me seem like I hate this person. which I don't in any way. I am starting to have second thoughts about their intentions.
I have never been one to be angry or bitter or hold grudges, not for long anyway! I am certainly willing to give people a second chance, but I am having second thoughts about this.
I asked one of my mates "What is it that I have done to make these people HATE me so much?". I have only know them a short while and they really have no reason to do so!

I was asked by someone several times if I was ok? I said no not really and I didn't want to stick around. I mentioned that someone had 'pissed me off" and their reply was rise above it, which was a hard fight let me tell you. I think I just about got away with it! They asked if I was ok again at the end of the night I said 'yes', but of course this was a lie. I spent the whole night trying to hold back tears even the drinking was no consolation! I REALLY know I should not let these sort people affect me as they are not really my friends, I guess I have to learn the hard way! No doubt this will reach those people somehow, they can draw their own conclusion, I really don't care. I am not going to waste my time on them anymore! I will try and move on from it, but it will be hard! I've been through enough. So if I talk alot about myself it's nothing to do with "loving myself too much". It's the opposite. Don't ask me to explain I don't really understand myself..Yes I REALLY don't understand MYSELF, ME!
I know I probably do get on my real friends nerves sometimes and I am grateful they have stuck around for me. I HOPE I am there for them too! Even if it is just a shoulder to cry on or a nice coffee and cake!!

In My Liverpool Home...

As I begin to write this BBC6 music are reviewing the very thing I am going to write about.

I didn't feel like going all the way to London today, long journey and not feeling to good I decided against it. Instead I thought I would take a look around the newly opened Liverpool Museum. it only opened a couple of days ago so at least when I got there to look around it would all be new and hopefully everything working and nothing missing, like alot of museums after they have been visited my numerous groups of tourists and school children. The Billy Fury statue is to the side of the building and seems to guide you in the right direction. Billy was a pop star before the Beatles made Liverpool famous. The Mersey river was strangely calm today, but the crowds not.. That was the only thing that let it down today the amount of people. It has opened just in time for the start of the school holidays. The cafe and shop was packed with people. There wasn't a spare table to sit and eat cafe purchases because people saved the table for themselves which really isn't fair at such busy times. so people who had queued and paid for food had no where to sit. The shop was also busy. It is small and stuffed with tacky items to purchase.

The building was designed by a Danish designer. It has replaced a much smaller building that stood in the very place that the new muesum stands. The shape is very modern, but in a strange way it fits in with the existing buildings the three graces and the waterfront in general. It is very noticeable but not in an out of place way.

Inside there is a spiral very wide staircase, which I did not even attempt to climb. Instead I took the lift to the 2nd floor. The first floor gallery space does not open until later in the year.

My favourite part was the Wondrous place gallery. Covering the creative minds of Liverpool. For example, writer, poets, and musicians. I was glad to see they have the balance right only a small part about the Beatles (if you need Beatles there is the place a few yards away for that). It was far too crowded today to take in all the exhibits today.

I think it is very important for the next generations to see all that makes Liverpool great. It's a multi media experience, full of film archive and music. Of course alot of the pieces are behind glass but with little hands about it is only right.

There is a lovely view of the Liver building through one of the windows. It is framed and looks like a clear stained glass window. The only colour the blue sky and fluffy white clouds.

I really enjoyed my brief look around today, but I didn't stay too long as it was so busy. I guess I will just have to go back and see it in a few months. By the sound of it there is alot more to see that I missed. The building is amazing inside very bright and airy and it supposed to be the biggest museum built outside of London for 100 years. Opened just in time to celebrate the anniversary of the Liver birds. They have seen a lot of people come and go over the years.

Having A Bash!!

I am now reading my third Stuart Maconie book, Cider With Roadies. It is definitely the best book of his that I have read. I won the book on the local radio station a few years back but never got around to reading it until now. I have recently converted to listening to Stuart and Mark Radcliffe's show on BBC6 Music, far better than Radio 2 is of late in the afternoons.

Cider tells of a life lived through music and it starts with his first experience of attending a concert with his mum as a small child. It was The Beatles (what a place to start!). He interviewed his mum about the night and all she can remember is being in the queue and the chippy after. Nothing about the Beatles appearance on stage. Which made me laugh, that seems typical of mum's, they always remember the most important things.

When growing up in Wigan and attending the famous Wigan Casino he became a Northern Soul boy, and then as he calls himself 'the only Punk in Wigan' .

"As anyone who tried to form a teenage band will know, drummers are gold dust. Tone-deaf , troglodytic gold-dust maybe, but gold dust. Drumkits cost a lot of money, especially when compared to a guitar from the Grattans catalogue. they are a bugger to transport , taking up the entire back seat and obscuring all the rear window of the average Seventies saloon car. Assembly and dismantling the kit takes hours. If you rush home from MFI salivating at the prospect of spending a weekend putting together a flatpack bookshelf with poorly translated instructions then the drums are your instrument. worst of all you can never practise. Not unless you possess your own small Scottish island or underground silo anyway. No one in their right mind wants to listen to a trainee drummer..."

Cider with Roadies, Stuart Maconie, 2003, Ebury Press

That is about where I am up to at the moment with the book. It made me laugh as I recently acquired a drumkit and had a go at playing but I decided against it as my flat is too small and I was quite frankly rubbish!

The place you get a perfect butty...

Skinni Malinx is situated at 21 Castle Street in Liverpool. The heart of the city centre not far from the town hall. I love this place as it's tucked away and small and quiet and the food is really satisfying.

I discovered it as it was mentioned at my Weight Watchers meeting, i just had to try it for myself.

They serve freshly made food including cakes..yes CAKES! All the things they sell are counted with calories or (like me) on the Pro Points plan. So no need to worry about feeling guilty. They do the most perfect sausage and bacon toastie, complete with sauce if you want..I couldn't have one without ketchup! The toast is perfectly crunchy granary bread and the sausages are named no syn ones...It's not dripping with fat but tastes like a proper (as much as you can have) butty. Washed down with a coffee or tea I would recommend this place to everyone, if you are on a diet or not!