Michael Leigh's Blog (37)

I've always enjoyed finding badges to pin to my lapel. As far back as the 60's in art school I can remember aking my own - usually from card with a simple safety pin sellotaped to the back. I think the first was an ironic Bert Weedon Fan Club badge ( Bert was a popular guitarist famous for his pamphlet "Play In A Day" ) . Began finding other badges and brooches in junk shops and flea markets. Hazel and Archie collect them too so between us have quite a varied selection from advertising, pop…

I've always enjoyed finding badges to pin to my lapel. As far back as the 60's in art school I can remember making my own - usually from card with a simple safety pin sellotaped to the back. I think the first was an ironic Bert Weedon Fan Club badge ( Bert was a popular guitarist famous for his pamphlet "Play In A Day" ) . Began finding other badges and brooches in junk shops and flea markets. Hazel and Archie collect them too so between us have quite a varied selection from advertising, pop…

Besides collecting mail art and rubber stamps etc. we collect all manner of other things.  The truth is we find it hard to throw anything away so eventually these piles of detritus become little collections of things.  They say if you have just two things then it's become "a collection" . Focusing on just one of our interests - matchbox labels or to give it its proper name "phillumenism". Every years they have a wonderful Phillumenists Meet Up"  (not sure if thats the right name they give…

November is here and the leaves pile up on the back garden path. Soon the green bin will be full.  We are enjoying the colours of Autumn every day on our walks . Amazing yellows, browns and reds.  We are lucky to have the countryside so close here in Rudheath.  It's but a short walk to the Trent & Mersey canal in one direction and down the lane the other way are fishing ponds and the River Dane.  Lots of farm land full of corn stubble and some for sheep and cows.  Sadly some has been…

Yes, it soon comes round.  Pretty sure what we laughingly call "the government"  is shaving at least three days off of each week to make them shorter. I know not the reason why?  Maybe something to do with how moronic they all are?  Anyway, back in the Land Of Nod we are dreaming of doodles - some we imagined in our wilder dreams and others that actually made it to the page of my tiny sketchbook-…

Nice postcard from Alan Brignull of Adanaland fame . He also sent some excellent artistamps based on the W.H. Auden poem "Night Mail" which was also a fabulous short film from the 30's .

Tony Hancock was also a big favourite with mail artist Eric Finlay who made several works with shots or stills from his films.  Particularly his classic "The…

More doodles for the FB "Daily Doodle" group.  I keep forgetting to do this but managed these recently.  Never been a great one for keeping a sketchbook going - they usually fizzle out after the first few pages.  Diaries were the same.  I did holiday diaries which are nice to look back on but otherwise I have to rely on old letters that I never sent or ones…

I had this weird dream about making a comic called "Runny Soopspoon"  recently and decided to actually use it as a jumping off point for a new collage 'zine.  I started a couple of folded A4  pages and sent them off to a couple of my regular  correspondents - Roger Radio and Ron Monocassette.  Ron sent his contribution back ( see below some sample pages )  and hopefully Roger will do likewise.  I will then add some more and recycle in some way.  Not really decided yet.…

On the small rain swept soggy Island the locals all huddled together under the upturned boat and off they squelched to the nearest seaside tavern.  Squwlch squelch!  The distant waves crashed upon the shingle beach and the sea slugs and sea squirts dived for cover for fear of being trodden on as nobody knew which was to go or indeed could see anything except the inky blackness of the neck in front.  Social distancing was non-existent but luckily the Islanders were all immune from the…

New 'zine hot of the press.  10 copies. Very limited ed.  Please dont ask for one as they have all gone and I won't be printing any more.…

I haven't felt much like using my sketchbook lately but now and again I get the urge to add something  some nonsense that doesn't really mean anything but seems appropriate for some reason.  Not sure why this image of Lon Chaney as Frankenstein's monster seems pertinent but here it is .  Tommy's Mum woud approve I'm sure.…

After clearing out the coal shed to put up some shelves we found some of my old paintings from the 70's.  Decided to hang a couple in the house as we were in the process of re-hanging some old work and new stuff recently aquired like the Magda Archer print and the Beth Barlow landscape.  It made a nice change and made us realise what a lot of nice art by talented friends we have. …

Hazel and I met in the mail before we met in person so envelopes are quite important to us of course.  We have been together 37 years but only got married 6 years ago on 27th July which is also Hazel's birthday, so always a double celebration. …

Quick ramble round the local park this morning waiting for Hazel to do some shopping in the local Co-op.  Saw this lighthouse cut out on top of a pile of debris in junkyard/fence emporium.  I forgot my camera hence the attempt in Paint 3-D which I havent used before.  It's very similar to the old Paint app but has 3-D option which I don't quite get yet?   Anybody else tried this app?   I've just updated to Windows 10 so it's all new to me.…

This is very short notice so UK mailers ideal for this. Send me your postal address and I will pass to Tom.

Classic line from Gardener's Question Time.  I can't stand it but Hazel is the green fingered one ad she insists on listening.  I might go and stick some little people onto these grommets.

Quite a thing this sneaky bug that hides inside people who show no symptoms.  Easing of lockdowqn here in the UK but not so sure this is a good idea with medical experts predicting another spike in the Winter.  Still over a 100 people dying every day although the numbers are becoming less every day.  I am still not going into shops. The only place I go into is the pharmacy for my medication - once a month.  They have a one in one out policy which suits me. Usually when I go I'm the only one…

"Road To Nowhere"  Collage for latest theme of "Comings And Goings" at the communal collage blog KOLLAGE KIT. ( join today!)

The road today is an early wander down the road to the River Dane and the new fishing pond we found that has ducklings and baby coots.

We went the other day and it was wonderfully quiet except for the…

1. Funny how each day feels like a Sunday - except Sunday that feels more like a Monday?  Have been working on some new papier mache things. Can you guess what they might become?  …

As you can see - reached Day 44 of Self Isolating and still very much enjoying the chance to do different things like this papier mache and junk dog. It's the 6th creation from household recycled packets and containers - other objects being diverse as a robot, a ray gun, a boat, Noah's Ark and an elephant head.  At present working on another elephant head as…