Friday 30 August 2013

Apologies to Bob's Fans

Curly Bob called a business meeting yesterday to discuss marketing strategy up to and beyond Christmas 2013. My painting duties were laid out. I did try and explain to Bob that all artists need their rest and the occasional beverage( we are not talking about tea or coffee at this point). Bob felt such things were a distraction and should be avoided.

Given Bob's predeliction towards any form of alcohol I felt this was a bit rich. I pointed out that whilst he  had been enjoying his sojourn in Paris for the best part of a month  he had been neglecting his fans around the world , especially those on Google. One had even suggested he might have run off to the circus with me. 

This remark ruffled Bob's fur somewhat. He accepted, albeit reluctantly, that he could have done better. He now feels a marketing onslaught on Google is called for with some posts this week. I asked him how I am supposed to paint when instead I am passing on his messages to the world and it's mother. Bob considers this sort of talk negative and unproductive. He expressed great confidence in my abilities and was sure I would manage somehow. I am beginning to consider calling a couple of circuses to see if they have any vacancies....

Meanwhile here is "Crows in Winter #3" an oil on canvas to placate his Google followers:-


Vanbear7 
pp Curly Bob

Friday 23 August 2013

Bonjour Mes Amis!

Curly Bob has been away in Paris for the last 3 weeks but has been requesting progress reports on my activities every couple of days. I am beginning to regret buying him the bear friendly I Pad for his last birthday.
I was allowed a week off to visit Paris but I didn't see anything of him there.

In the heatwave I have been finding working difficult when I have used solvents in my oil painting. I also use a lot of mediums to accelerate paint drying times to keep up with Bob's schedule.

As these are taking a toll on my chest Bob has graciously allowed me to switch to acrylics for indoor use. I was moved by this kind gesture until Bob let slip that acrylics dry faster, therefore more output!

The conversion work has been completed and painting starts on Monday. Bob will be back tomorrow and wants to inspect my work.

During his absence I have received a number of messages in French which contained both long numbers and writing. At first I thought they were telephone numbers. However on translating them I realised that they were bar bills. One of them was to mark the 1100th member of Bob's ever increasing Fan Club.

Apparently Bob has been hanging out, (i.e. partying) in Monmartre for over 3 weeks. He claims he has been seeking connections to enhance my career in the art world. To do so Bob feels entertainment is a necessary evil when promoting artists.

I tried to explain to him that entertaining prospective clients in a modest manner is one thing but drowning then in alcohol is quite another!

When I spoke to him via Skype yesterday I noticed a few flecks of oil paint around his ears which I believe are souvenirs of several visits to La Place du Tetre. There is a rumour that he had his portrait painted but more on that later.

His plane landed on Thursday and he promises to have loads of new ideas for my future paintings.

His last request from the City of Light was for me to post the following 2 works called

"Crows in Winter#2" - oil on canvas inspired by Claude Debigny"



and "Dinorwig Slate Quarry, LLanberis" - also oil on canvas from one of my own photos.



Cordialement
Vanbear7 & Curly Bob