Onesockoff

In explanation...

Don't know about you, but just occasionally I take in the news (rarely a good idea)and get a brief attack of cynicism.

I see oppressive political correctness, oppressive laws which increasingly take away free speech and free thought and stuff like that, which in my mind makes people feel manipulated, dishonest, cowardly and very angry because they can't express their truth openly any more.

I suppose I feel I have to say something, and at the same time wonder if other people see things in the same way, (despite all the programming we've been subject to), or if they do - do they care, or if like me, they just take note and get on with their lives.

Hence the quotes...

'Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men' (I would substitute 'people' for 'men')
Attributed to Douglas Bader

'If voting made a difference, they wouldn't let you do it'
Attributed to Mark Twain

'To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticise'
Voltaire

'It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.'
Krishnamurti

'We have now sunk to a depth where restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men'. (again I would substitute 'people' for men)
George Orwell

Hello visitor, and welcome. 

I don't do much in the way of journals, but anyway here's just a couple of words to clarify what's going on in this gallery of mine.

You've probably gathered from the stuff I've submitted and the work I've faved that my tastes are pretty eclectic (and strangely still evolving).

I don't consider myself a serious artist of any kind, and much of what I submit is simply an expression what I am doing now and have done in the past (or what I feel others might find interesting)

I'm a bit OC about work I have faved, and enjoy compiling collections (as you may have noticed). There's nothing subtle or sophisticated about them, they're just collections of various works which have at some time appealed to me personally and have been included for just that reason.

I don't believe in identity politics and reject the idea that any single person has to squeeze themselves into one small pigeon-hole all the time, I believe that being true to yourself and learning is the key, and that we progress by way of open-mindedly comparing contrasts. Light and dark, up and down (even 'right' and 'wrong').

Well this is 'Deviant Art'!

Best Wishes and a happy New Year.

Profound apologies to all the good people who've very kindly fave'd some of my pics and donated hairy beasties to the expanding menagerie in recent times.

My focus has been elsewhere this past few months and consequently i've not been able to give yourselves, your work and this site the attention they all undoubtedly deserve.

Unfortunately, in an alarming symptom of advancing age, it's only when my memory and conscience is tweaked by polite reminders from Mr. Nobody that i realize how much time has passed since i was last with you.

However i do have every intention of remedying this situation in the near future.

(now what the hell was i looking for???)

All Best. 

Hello Visitor,


Just a couple of lines about what i've been doing in my gallery so far. Since about the time when i picked up that cricket bat and posed taking guard in my back garden i've always been interested in aeroplanes, flying, and making and collecting models, especially those of WW2 vintage.

As these models have been my own particular kind of art up until now, i decided that i could legitmately display them and maybe give other people some of the enjoyment that i gained from them, - if i could try to photograph them in an interesting way.

Although the majority of the aircraft that i've displayed are British, i don't think that i'm particularly jingoistic, and certainly don't glorify war, or feel that the RAF had better aircraft and pilots than anyone else. I've simply built, over time, aircraft that i've liked.

I did agonize a little while about whether or not i should leave the swastika marking on the tails of my Luftwaffe models, and decided in the end to do so simply for the sake of authenticity.

I grew up with stories of Adolf Galland, Werner Molders and Hans Ulrich Rudel alongside those of Douglas Bader, 'Johnnie' Johnson and 'Bob' Stanford Tuck etc; and grew to respect the expertise, mental strength and devotion to duty which made them such formidable adversaries if not (especially in the case of Rudel) their politics.

So thank you everyone for the kind encouragement (and Llamas) that i've received so far. It's very much appreciated.

So all best and thanks for visiting.