Beirut

On the way home from Pete's show, Ibolya and I popped into Beirut on Edgware Road, for a quick, anniversary, dinner of Middle Eastern mezzes, kebabs and wraps.

Peter Roseman Paintings

Tuesday night was Peter's opening night at 5 Seymour Place. Pete's paintings are as stunning and beautiful as ever, my photos are awful so have a proper look at them at the gallery (until August 1st) or if you can't do that, go to Pete's flickr site, for a taste of what you're missing.
It was great to see so many people and old freinds there to support Pete and particularly good to see John Chilver (an old Wimbledon chum) who I haven't seen for 15 years.

Wedding Anniversary

It's my darling wife's and my second Wedding Anniversary today, our first with Ruby with us.
Becky's Rubysitting tonight while we go out, on only our second night out together this year, to the opening night of Pete's exhibition.
We're intending to do some more celebrating, just the three of us, on Saturday, and have a special lunch somewhere.
Here's a card we received from my Mum and Dad today, a reproduction of Gioacchino Pagliej's The Naiads, from the collection at Nottingham Castle. My Granny had a print of it at her house and it's an image that beguiled and fascinated me throughout my childhood.
If I remember rightly, my Granny would tell my Mum that the ladies in the picture were her and Auntie Edith, correct me if I'm wrong Mum. Though I'm not sure how Granny explained what they were up to?

Sara's Party

We were up in Bedfordshire this weekend for my twin sister Sara's 40th birthday party. A bit earlier than our actual birthday but that assured lovely weather.
Ruby was sporting a bruised forehead after rolling off our bed, on Saturday morning. It's her only method of forward motion and she's taking full advantage of it, so much so that after turning my back for a moment I heard a loud thud (which will remain with me a long time), as she rolled, head long, into space and hit the floor.
It was wonderful being at Sara's again, it always feels like a holiday and makes me appreciate the the attraction of country living. The party was great too, lots of very lovely people, free flowing wine and delicious canapes. I also got to meet Fiona Robson who went to school with Sara and I, for the first time in about 25 years.

Street Piano

There's been a piano outside my office for the past couple of weeks now. People, throughout the day, come up to it and start playing. Some of it awful some very good but I've really enjoyed hearing this constant stream of amature musicians, breaking through the drone of Millbank's traffic. It's a wonderful project called Street Piano that has distributed 30 pianos across London and are there for anyone to play and engage with.

Here's someone, tinkering the ivories, from my office window, yesterday afternoon



and here are a couple who played 24 of the pianos in 8 hours

A champion and her stash

Georgi has won her agility class competition and with it a rosette and a bag of food! Well done Georgi, we are all very proud of you.

The Hangover

Is a very, very funny and enjoyable film. Makes me want to go to Vegas even more.

The Good Ship

My very good pal Mark Dandy was back on stage last night, at The Good Ship - Kilburn, for the first time in a while, doing what he does best, telling very rude and very, very funny jokes. There's even a Ruby inspired joke in the routine now that made me feel very proud.
Thank you Mark - you were absolutely brilliant.
There were some other good acts too especially Darren Ruddle as Kev the builder.

Classified

There's lots of really good reasons to go to Tate Britain right now. Eva Rothschild's 'scribble in space' installation in the Duveen Gallery is absolutely thrilling but there's also the beautifully curated Richard Long show, three Bridget Reilly's are getting a rare airing, there's a stunning Mary Martin piece and a good measure of good, old fashioned, Gilbert & Georges.
But the best thing, right now, is a free show of recently bought works called 'Classified'.
The climax of the show is a head-to-head, mano-o-mano, face-off between Damian Hirst's 'Pharmacy' and The Chapman Brothers ' The Chapman Family Collection'. Both pieces are magnificent and are as good as any art made in Britain in the past 20 years, although it's the Hirst that probably wins the bout on points.

Eva Rothschild

Damian Hirst 'Pharmacy'

Chapman Brothers 'The Chapman Family Collection'

Peter Roseman Paintings | Opening Night 7 July, 6-9

Nothing beats a good bit of viral marketing so here's an invite to see the latest, brilliant, work by my mate Pete.

Ghost of a Flea, detail

Peter Roseman Paintings

7 July - 1 August 2009

Tuesday - Saturday 11-6

Opening night 7 July 6-9

5 Seymour Place

London W1H 5BA

www.proseman.com
www.alternativearts.co.uk

Ruby Swings

Here's Ruby, Ibolya, Georgi and I, on Saturday morning, in Roundwood Park, taking Ruby on the swings in the cafe, for the first time.

Other Bits of Our Weekend

The sun shone and it was a very warm Harlesden this weekend. On Friday I had a wonderful day with Ruby, just the two of us, having fun and loving each other's company. I absolutley love my Ruby Days. Saturday morning, we caught up with Andy and Ava and took Ruby and Georgi to Roundwood and gave Ruby her first go, with us, on the swings. I then got a severe case of Hydrangea envy (almost to the point of rage) on the way home. There are Hydrangeas, in full, glorious bloom, all over Harlesden right now.

Saturday afternoon we had our friends Jess, Adam, Jerry, Samia, Robyn, Danny and Holly over for a BBQ. We managed to get everything cooked and mostly eaten before we had to take shelter from a hailing thunder storm.

Sunday, I took Ruby out in the morning and then we all spent the afternoon on the floor in the lounge watching Glastonbury.