Anthony Galvin

Violet. 8.5 months.

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:59:04 +0100

Violet. 8.5 months.

i bought a house in stewkleyit looked alright to mea little bit...

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:11:44 +0100

i bought a house in stewkley
it looked alright to me
a little bit of work
and then happy we would be

but once I started fixing it
then the trouble began
that was twenty years ago
it hasn’t gone to plan

I noticed that the front door
had some flaking paint
so I started stripping it
but by then it was too late

so I started on the windows
fixing up the glass
but shortly after starting
I decided I better pass

onto fixing the drainpipes
and working to the roof
but once I got going I discovered a terrible truth
the chimney stack was wobbling
the tiles they were shot
I’d better get to work quick
and give it all I’d got

so I stripped the roof right off
and replaced all the beams
but when I saw the state of the walls
well I began to scream

I called the builders merchants
and ordered some new bricks
but before they I arrived
I discoverd a terrible tick

the electrics were all done in
it was a terrible shock
and whenever I used a switch
I had to go and see the doc

but that was twenty years ago
I reckon it’s half done
just as soon as I sort the plumbing
we can start the fun

and get started in the garden
which is getting overgrown
there’s a problem with the fence
and a wonky garden gnome

but before i get green fingered
I’ll have to fix the drain
there’s a problem with the flushing
it’s causing me some pain

so if you ever buy a house
out in aylesbury vale
check very carefully
as to why it’s up for sale

there’s always a chance
it will be a dream home
but if it needs a bit of work
you’ll know who not to phone

Achiltibuie, peaceful, wild and beautiful.

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:55:10 +0100

Achiltibuie, peaceful, wild and beautiful.

longest day

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:16:00 +0100

longest day

Sissinghurst, Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold...

Sat, 08 May 2010 20:33:26 +0100

Sissinghurst, Vita Sackville-West and Sir Harold Nicolson’s glorious garden and home in the Kent weald. An intoxicating combination of obsession, beauty, privilege and folly.

Pacemakers

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:54:32 +0100

Pacemakers

use your shoes

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:42:28 +0100

use your shoes

big eyes

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:41:37 +0100

big eyes

Cheesden Valley, Easter Saturday

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:31:00 +0100

Chees den Valley, Easter Saturday

late winter sun

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:50:00 +0000

late winter sun

beach huts

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:49:00 +0000

beach huts

Lunchtime. Southbank. Freezing cold. Not many skaters...

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Lunchtime. Southbank. Freezing cold. Not many skaters today.

[lo-res via iPhone]

Looks like spring might be here, so no more scenes like this for...

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:28:33 +0000

Looks like spring might be here, so no more scenes like this for a little while.

Some things take longer than others - a lullaby (demo) This is a...

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:52:00 +0000

Some things take longer than others - a lullaby (demo)

This is a demo / work in progress of a tune I started writing just before our daughter was born at the end of last year. It’s a bit rough and ready at the moment, but I’m hoping to ‘gloss’ this up shortly into a more polished and complete version.

Lives of the Artists (2009) - A short review

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:28:39 +0000

Dir. Ross Cairns

In ‘Lives of the Artists’, Ross Cairns takes three different, but in his view, related ‘artists’. These are not painters or sculptors, but a British and Irish trio of surfers (Tom Lowe, Fergal Smith and Mickey Smith), a French free-riding snowboarder (Xavier De La Rue) and a hardcore band from Watford (Gallows).

Cairns’ belief is that these disparate creative practitioners, through their commitment, dedication and the passioned execution of their various disciplines are true artists. They are able to communicate in a powerful yet abstract way. This thesis, here beautifully illustrated in high-definition and often in slow-motion, is often found in more cerebral soul sports publications, and when accompanied by such stunning cinematography is persuasive. However, Cairns’ exposition is undermined by his subjects.

To be an artist is to communicate, and all three subjects are communicative, both in their chosen fields and in individual pieces to camera. But to be an artist, as opposed to an aspiring artist, there must be something to communicate, a life lived. Unfortunately, as so often in soul sports and contemporary music, the candidates offered here know too little of life to be genuine artists.

That’s not say that the talents of those on show are not exemplary, and in time they may go on to excel and transcend their individual disciplines, but only Xavier De La Rue is able to suggest something other than committed obsession. In one chilling sequence De La Rue talks of his renewed resolve and love of the mountains after a near fatal avalanche. It’s a moving moment, especially when accompanied by footage of the ‘chute’.

Ultimately the film fails to prove the theory. It is a beautifully illustrated and argued point, but perhaps due to budget or sponsors involvement the triptych is uneven. This is unfortunate as Cairns is able to move effortlessly between the disciplines and carefully constructs his narrative. A flawed, but engaging film.

a walk in the woods

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:52:10 +0000

a walk in the woods

Happy Christmas!

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:13:35 +0000

Happy Christmas!

bath time

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:51:00 +0000

bath time

Deptford Creekside

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:42:25 +0000

Deptford Creekside

Autumn, Greenwich Park. More pictures on Flickr.

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:05:00 +0000

Autumn, Greenwich Park. More pictures on Flickr.