Caught by the River

Pleasures of… November – Kurt Jackson

27th November 2008

Kurt Jackson tells us what dipped his float last month;

Been having a ball on the River Avon between Bath and Bristol finishing a 5 year project following and painting the Avon from her source to the estuary at Avonmouth – that transition between green still rural lazy dreamyness to immense muddy industrial estuarine urbaness; so much to get to grips with. Exhibition, River Avon part 2, at Victoria Art gallery, Bath 1/8/09 – 4/10/09

The delight in watching this years blackberry wine bubbling on the window sill.

Eating freshly picked salads of huge diversity from the polytunnel – mustardy mizuna, intense mibuna, trendy rocket, earthy landcress, crisp tatsoi, spicey pak choi, powerful mustard greens, winter lettuces from seeds bought on a summer’s ferry trip to France .

Obama Obama – we all jumped for joy, some optimism for a green revolution and hope for international relations – it can only get better.

William Wilberforce Fair Trade Freedom Beer – mmmmm! A change from all the gallons of Tribute I’ve enjoyed this month, here in Cornwall.

Medecins sans Frontieres – what a bunch of heroes , send them all your money now!

Been immersed in Cornish Orchards with my paints ,all those scents of apples and bonfires with rooks cawing and a nip in the air and leaves falling .

Finishing my Forest Gardens body of work, ready for the exhibition at Messum’s in London’s Cork Street in January – 14/1/09 – 31/1/09. Will be trying to raise some funds for Survival International’s 40th anniversary.

Listening to Brian Jonestown Massacre in the studio, loud and melodic.

Amadou and Mariam crooning in the house, perfect for near winter evenings, sitting by the fire.

Reading Six by Jim Crace…….full on!

Visited Rainbow Warrior 2 on the Thames to meet the Greenpeace crew and hear about the latest campaigns and give them my support. What a beautiful boat with all those dedicated driven people from all corners of the planet, a pleasure.

Celebrating Friends of the Earth’s success in pushing through the 80% reduction of CO2 by 2050 in the Climate Change Bill and introducing the renewables tariffs in the Energy Bill this week.

Loved Venus with Peter O’Toole – old men swearing and dancing in churches.

Musseling on the rocks with Caroline at low tide, with a pair of choughs for company.