Art – George Green Esquire

A New Creative Avenue?

As lockdown continues (although thankfully now less restrictive), arts and crafts along with baking, seem to have become an almost compulsory activity while everything else is inaccessible to us. I therefore thought it was about time I turned my hand to some creative work and decided a self-portrait would be the place to start.

As a first attempt I feel I have made a decent fist of it but believe I may have accidentally portrayed my image as a rather younger version of myself here. Somehow, between my first outline and the final instance, I seem to have slimed down and lost several years!

However, I believe there is a saying, attributed to the master Leonardo De Vi nci, that ‘Art is never finished, only abandoned’, and here I have reached a point where I am ready to share what I have done with the world and move on to another project.

For this work I decided to try my hand at oil pastels. I may venture forth with other mediums to see if I have more success there, but doubt I will be troubling the Artist or even my dear friend, the Professor’s, achievements in the art field in the immediate future.

Floral Frogs

I have now seen a number of accomplished representations of my fellow amphibians and so I started trying to create a catalogue of my favourites.

This drawing I discovered when looking for cards to send to my new acquaintances around London.

I think these representations are quite marvellous and I love their sense of style!

Ambitious Amphibians

My new, more active life in London has led me to seek out others of my species who have ventured far from their pond beginnings to see what we can learn from each other. My search has uncovered some truly remarkable specimens! These are just a couple of the new acquaintances I have made here.

There is an amazing family of frogs that have set up an eating and shopping emporium where travellers to London are surrounded by rainforest sights and sounds. They are very keen to promote amphibian-human relations and so when each new generation reaches the age of independence they find someone, usually a child, with whom they can go and live.

I may discuss with the Dancer about inviting one of them to visit us, I feel having another young frog around would be good for Ty.

I was very impressed when I discovered a fairly young tree frog had established a successful drinking establishment in an area I’m told is considered quite trendy. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stay long enough to sample the offerings available but I hope to return and explore both the area and the menu before long.

Waterlily Wonders

For my birthday this year I had a new experience – an outing to the National Gallery.

The specific objective of the visit was to view the art works of a chap I was told was quite a leader in his field as a key member of a group known as the Impressionists.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole exhibition, it was very pleasurable seeing his take on some key London landmarks I have come to greatly appreciate since my move here.

However the highlight for me had to be this water based image which reminded me of my younger days.

I am now very keen to visit the property in France that inspired Monet to produce it.