Tuesday 15 May 2012

New Project Time - The City of York ... and accents ...and ...

My wife, Pat, isn't one for letting the grass grow under her feet.

During this current reincarnation of me, as 'artist', we'd talked casually not only about launching the pictures on the internet, but also into the terrestrial world - and we haven't done the latter for years. Further more, we had never sold pictures up here in the north either.

Whereas I was simply trying to make up my mind if it were all worthwhile ... she went off and did her thing!

"OK", she said, "I've got you booked into a 'function' or two each month for all of the summer."
"You've ... booked - ....?" 
"Yes, so we are going to need scenes that are local to Yorkshire. York is popular with everyone - so you can put them on the net as well."

Now York was built by the Romans in about 200AD, about 2000 years ago, so it's got a bit of history. The Vikings rampaged and many settled there - and they had an influence on the Yorkshire accent. Even now they pronounce 'flour' as 'floooaa', which is straight Vikingspeak... according to the course my granddaughter and I are studying.

As you may know, Britain is made up of many accents. The Romans played a part here, they pushed us native Celts out into Wales to become the Welsh - the Welsh language is an ancient tongue. They built Offa's Dyke to keep the Welsh in Wales, and Hadrian's Wall to keep the Scots in Scotland.

To complete this accent thing: the Romans didn't do all the fighting themselves, they hired mercenaries. They hired the North Germany tribes of Angles and Saxons ... who decided to stay (Anglo-Saxon ring a bell?). Now the Mercian Saxon accent, and the Normans from France, were perhaps the biggest influence of all. When the 'posh' English accent is detected - it's the direct result of the Mercian Saxons.

So, York it is! I shall start with a drawing of York Minster.

York Minster

The 'present' Minster was built in the 14th Century, it's predecessor was built on the foundations of the original Saxon church,  it was wooden and burnt down.

The city was surrounded by a wall, with entrance through four bars. Not pubs, but gates, bar being the Yorkshire word for gate. So my next move will be to draw the four bars: Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, and Micklegate Bar. I suppose having people barred from an entering, plays a part here, don't you?

I also want some street scenes, like, 'the Shambles.' Although this street is medieval, it has, as you can see

The Shambles, York

been modernised to the point of identity destruction. Fortunately I have a 1909 photograph, which shows the street as it was, warts and all - needing a coat of paint and repairs. It could be a lot of fun.

Having written all that, I've started with the Shambles!

26 comments:

  1. What a great project, John - in addition to ancient history, that Minister certainly has a lot of angles and architectural details. I can't wait to see how you capture him with your magic pen!
    Also, have you considered hiring out your energetic and ambitious wife as an art agent? I could use one about now! :)

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    1. Thanks for dropping in, Susan. This looks a fun project but with so many other things going on ...it's deadline time again.

      Pat was even offered a job as an agent for software consultancy, when my sons first got into that area!

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  2. I was just going to say that: your wife is a fabulous PR person! Nice to read some history about York. Your drawings will no doubt be fabulous!

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    1. She likes people and it shows, which is an advantage in 'sales'

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  3. I would start with the Shambles too--lighter hearted (and easier)than York Minister. Pat is what I need too, someone with a foot in my back who sees the possibilities. You hold on to her.
    I always said an artist need an agent. Honey has not raised his hand as yet.

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    1. It's horses for courses - and she's out on the racecourse whilst I'm still in the stable. I'm half way through the Shambles, and it's turning out to be more difficult than I thought.

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  4. I can't wait to see your renderings of these magnificent places. I love how your dear wife is such a go getter for you. She really knows how to make things happen. Now you better stop reading this and go back to the drawing board. You have commitments Man!

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  5. I approve of your wife going to bat for you and getting you these projects! Congratulations. I will be watching to see what you do...I am certain it will be a lot of fun and very rewarding for all involved (the art appreciators will be in for a treat). "It has been said that art is a tryst; for in the joy of it, maker and beholder meet".
    (Kojiro Tomita)

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    1. Thanks Celeste, she's brought in even more venues today (Wentworth Castle sounds a little up-marketr ...right up to December. She's now on first name terms with the organisers ... albeit they don'e even know who I am, and that's just fine with me :0)

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  6. John, you are going to be very happily busy for months! What a wonderful plan Pat has devised. And your brief notes on the history of York are fascinating. You are so fortunate to live surrounded by all that glorious history and architecture. I really look forward to seeing your work!

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    1. Thanks, Karthyn. I looking forward to sharing the experiences with all my friends hereabouts.

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  7. seems to me we could all do with a Pat of our very own! How lovely that she does the yucky stuff we artists hate to do and lets you simply get on with the job of art!

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    1. You got it in one, Nicola. She did it so well in a past lifetime, let's hope she pulls it off again ... and she loves doing the things we hate!

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  8. This is another wonderful post, John...sounds like you'll be quite busy and I'm looking forward to seeing your work. Your wife sounds amazing and I agree...we can all use her!!!

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  9. Morning, Hilda,

    Busier than usual, but it's all good clean fun. Pat's great - a very popular young lady. All the village know her, but they don't recognise me. She is the only Southern accent in a very Northern village, they think she must be royalty with her precise crystal clean tones (unlike me :0) more the cockney rebel )

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  10. Another lovely post John! Congratulations on your upcoming events. I wish I had a "Pat" to help me with the booking, and marketing end thus leaving more time and creative energy for painting. All the best.

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  11. Thank you, Laura. I'll try to give a picture of each venue before I go. Some of them sound a bit Grand: Wentworth Castle. She's worth her weight in gold at times :0)

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  12. Ciao John, I have already write you but this change of google ...
    give me many difficulty,,,
    I replay: I said that I find very interesting the history of these places and nice photos /I have been in England many years ago and these photos remember me the style and the images.
    Unfortunately I don't speak english very well and google's traanslation is crazy so may be that sometime we have a surreal dialogue...no problem ... is ok the same ...for me and I hope for you
    Ciao, ciao, Floriana

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  13. Ciao Floriana, I'm glad you liked the photos and the history and that they reminded you of your visit to England.

    Don't worry about the language there are the few strange words :0) but it doesn't spoil your message.

    Thanks for calling by

    Bye! John

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  14. Oh how I wish I had a 'Pat' to push me along too! That way all I would have to do in my spare time is paint! What lovely photo's too. As for drawing York Minster... will see you next year sometime then? If I attempted it I'm sure it would take me months!!!

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    1. She is an asset,Sandra - that's for sure. I shall be doing the Shambles first ... and that's proving to be far more difficult than I had imagined.

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  15. That's fantastic that you will be showing your work! Wish I could come see it. Perhaps I will just have to be happy with viewing all your new work here. Looking forward to it.

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    1. Thanks Leslie - the only problem is my work doesn't like computers.

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  16. Excited for your new work and to see it completed! Also very interesting the brief history you give here and the different accents ect. especially for me not being from Europe. I love this information, so interesting to me.

    :)

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    1. Glad you liked it, Karyna - thanks for calling bye!

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