Anyway, how did you get on with the other two paintings Karl?

And if anyone else would like to share any further thoughts please that would be good. Big thanks from a cold and wet day in Scotland…most certainly if it rains today!

Sorry, I put your name as the poster of the previous comment – are you able to change it please?

I’m glad you’re still enjoying the café – did you try the coffee?

Your comments raise the point that when you go to a café, get to know the place more with time and with additional visits you notice the activity, the people and the finer details of the surroundings more – a bit like when you move into a new house!

I’m pleased you see the ghosts and movement in Rack too, these are a key part of this work.

Anyway, onto the other two. I find when I’m on a journey that the odd signpost can help. So, I thought I might mention some pointers. Enlightened Gesticulation is based around the hand gestures (or mudras) of a buddha. Irasshai is Japanese for “welcome, come this way”; in my painting there are two central characters. I hope this is helpful.

The café impresses me because each time I look at it I feel like I am seeing a new picture in a series. It is always different — the people seemed to have moved, the level of abstraction varies each time. It is somehow a living picture. The bicycle picture I also like very much. It is somewhat more literal in the foreground, while the background areas dissolve into the ghosts of movement and action in the city.

The other two pictures I do not yet understand so I don’t feel ready to make a comment about them. But I will continue looking.

Thank you for taking the time to come back to the picture.

So would you say that the longevity of liking a picture is greater when it is good, rather than when it is impressive? Out of curiosity, What is about “Current Affairs at the Bar” that makes you like it more from day to day?

What are your thoughts on the other 3 pictures in the post?

For me an impressive picture is one that I respond to immediately, but that does not necessarily make it a good picture. I think a good picture is one that I find myself liking more and more from day to day. That’s how I feel about the blue/brown café.