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Home / Poetry and stories / The Pilot
Posted on March 11, 2019March 11, 2019 by admin

The Pilot

No-one knew if he was falling or rising, laughing or crying, lost or found. They couldn’t reach him or understand him, so they simply ignored him.

A part of the Portraits collection

Category: Poetry and stories

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For all overseas shipping please contact me before purchase.

Please get in touch if you are interested in purchasing any of my artwork which is not for sale in this shop.

mr.cronch
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 11: A rather strange fellow lu WELCOME TO MY WORLD 11: A rather strange fellow lurking above the kitchen door - an old 'green man' face that I originally made to hang outside, but, upon discovering that varnish absolutely does NOT protect papier mache from the rain and snow, I brought him in, and sprayed him gold to blend in with the kitchen. Not sure why I added the blindfold of string, but hey ho, I'm an artist so I can do this sort of thing. (I added the close-up of the rocking chair because it looks like a crazy face with huge crochet eyes) . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistic #imagination #myhome #instaart #papiermâché #arts #create #welcometomyworld #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #myart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #modelmaking #modelmakingskills #greenman #mask #papiermachemask #goldenmask #goldface #goldfacemask
THANK YOU to all of you who have looked through my THANK YOU to all of you who have looked through my ART PRINT SALE album on Facebook (facebook.com/PhilipDownsArt) and who contacted me. Some prints have already sold, and now there's a nice portrait commission on the way too... But there's plenty more ARTY LOVELINESS to be had, so please do take a peek at my work. There are many STANDARD PRINTS, but only one each of most of the FINE ART, LIMITED EDITION GICLEE PRINTS. Of course, I can order more if any should sell out. As always, my entire collection can be found on my webshop at www.philipdownsart.co.uk CONTACT ME AT PHDSBL@HOTMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH ANY ART LOVERS YOU KNOW! . . . . . #artprints #animalrights #veganism #vegansofinstagram #contemporaryart #vegansofig #fineart #crueltyfree #portraiture #activism #acrylicpainting #visualart #artlovers #artsy #painting #animallover #activist #compassion #animalportraiture #artivism #veganartist #artcollector #artprintsforsale #wildlifeart #animalartwork #fantasyart #veganart #beautifulart #colourfulart #fineartprints
ART PRINT SALE! (3 of 3) These are some of the ar ART PRINT SALE! (3 of 3) These are some of the art prints I had in stock, ready for a year of Vegfests, Vegan Life Live shows, and the International Animal Rights Conference - which, of course, were all cancelled. Consequently, sales of my work and commissions for new work have dried up, and so here is the next best thing - an ONLINE GALLERY SALE OF MY ARTWORK! These are just a small selection, so PLEASE TAKE A LOOK! Copy and paste this link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=PhilipDownsArt&set=a.3823140691031892 for the full gallery (with prices) OR simply go to my Facebook page at PhilipDownsArt and scroll down to view the full album. There are many STANDARD PRINTS, but only one each of most of the FINE ART, LIMITED EDITION GICLEE PRINTS. Of course, I can order more if any should sell out. As always, my entire collection can be found on my webshop at www.philipdownsart.co.uk CONTACT ME AT PHDSBL@HOTMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH ANY ART LOVERS YOU KNOW! . . . . #artprints #animalrights #veganism #vegansofinstagram #contemporaryart #vegansofig #fineart #crueltyfree #portraiture #activism #acrylicpainting #visualart #artlovers #artsy #painting #animallover #activist #compassion #animalportraiture #artivism #veganartist #artcollector #artprintsforsale #wildlifeart #animalartwork #fantasyart #veganart #beautifulart #colourfulart #fineartprints
ART PRINT SALE! (2 of 3) These are some of the ar ART PRINT SALE! (2 of 3) These are some of the art prints I had in stock, ready for a year of Vegfests, Vegan Life Live shows, and the International Animal Rights Conference - which, of course, were all cancelled. Consequently, sales of my work and commissions for new work have dried up, and so here is the next best thing - an ONLINE GALLERY SALE OF MY ARTWORK! These are just a small selection, so PLEASE TAKE A LOOK! Copy and paste this link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=PhilipDownsArt&set=a.3823140691031892 for the full gallery (with prices) OR simply go to my Facebook page at PhilipDownsArt and scroll down to view the full album. There are many STANDARD PRINTS, but only one each of most of the FINE ART, LIMITED EDITION GICLEE PRINTS. Of course, I can order more if any should sell out. As always, my entire collection can be found on my webshop at www.philipdownsart.co.uk CONTACT ME AT PHDSBL@HOTMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH ANY ART LOVERS YOU KNOW! . . . . #artprints #animalrights #veganism #vegansofinstagram #contemporaryart #vegansofig #fineart #crueltyfree #portraiture #activism #acrylicpainting #visualart #artlovers #artsy #painting #animallover #activist #compassion #animalportraiture #artivism #veganartist #artcollector #artprintsforsale #wildlifeart #animalartwork #fantasyart #veganart #beautifulart #colourfulart #fineartprints
ART PRINT SALE! (1 of 3) These are some of the ar ART PRINT SALE! (1 of 3) These are some of the art prints I had in stock, ready for a year of Vegfests, Vegan Life Live shows, and the International Animal Rights Conference - which, of course, were all cancelled. Consequently, sales of my work and commissions for new work have dried up, and so here is the next best thing - an ONLINE GALLERY SALE OF MY ARTWORK! These are just a small selection, so PLEASE TAKE A LOOK! Copy and paste this link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=PhilipDownsArt&set=a.3823140691031892 for the full gallery (with prices) OR simply go to my Facebook page at PhilipDownsArt and scroll down to view the full album. There are many STANDARD PRINTS, but only one each of most of the FINE ART, LIMITED EDITION GICLEE PRINTS. Of course, I can order more if any should sell out. As always, my entire collection can be found on my webshop at www.philipdownsart.co.uk CONTACT ME AT PHDSBL@HOTMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH ANY ART LOVERS YOU KNOW! . . . . #artprints #animalrights #veganism #vegansofinstagram #contemporaryart #vegansofig #fineart #crueltyfree #portraiture #activism #acrylicpainting #visualart #artlovers #artsy #painting #animallover #activist #compassion #animalportraiture #artivism #veganartist #artcollector #artprintsforsale #wildlifeart #animalartwork #fantasyart #veganart #beautifulart #colourfulart #fineartprints
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 10: Come in to the porch, take WELCOME TO MY WORLD 10: Come in to the porch, take off your boots, hang up your coat, then casually look up and HOLY HELL WHAT THE F*CK IS THAT?!? Well, it's obviously a papiermâché demon face - inspired by the mediaeval tradition of having a demonic face carving at the entrance to your home to scare away evil spirits. This particular one contains actual human wisdom teeth, donated to me by my exuberant college friend @timmydidge. It's been with us since about 1997 and we haven't had one single evil spirit in any of our homes! Plus, it gives any Jehovah's Witnesses the willies. :-) . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #horrorface #artistic #imagination #myhome #instaart #papiermâché #arts #scaryface #create #welcometomyworld #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #myart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #modelmaking #modelman #modelmakingskills #maskmaking #grotesqueart #scarymask
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 9: Stepping back into the porc WELCOME TO MY WORLD 9: Stepping back into the porch, here we find one of the oldest of my creative whatnots - a mirror in a painted Monopoly board. This has been used daily in our various homes since I made it as a Christmas present for @cathymccd in about 1995. Admittedly it's looking a little jaded and smudged now, but so would you after 25 years of service! If you keep following this series of posts, watch out for the accompanying Monopoly mug stand that I painted at the same time. There aren't any prizes for spotting it, but I'm sure the thrill of the chase will keep all you Insta-fans GRIPPED... . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #artistic #monopolygame #myhome #acryliconwood #paintingonwood #instaart #arte #arts #monopolyboard #create #welcometomyworld #colourfulhome #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #contemporaryart #myart #colourfulart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #painting
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 8: Outside the lounge is the d WELCOME TO MY WORLD 8: Outside the lounge is the door to the porch, and here on the wall hangs the very first piece of artwork created at Honeysuckle Cottage - a piece of broken old fencing found just up the lane by Fry's Bottom Woods. I brought it home, sanded it down and painted it up as a momento of one if our first ever 'country walks' from our new home. It's been hanging up there watching the comings and goings of our tiny household for 17 years now... . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #artistic #imagination #myhome #acryliconwood #paintingonwood #instaart #arte #arts #painter #create #welcometomyworld #colourfulhome #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #contemporaryart #myart #colourfulart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #paintingr
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 7: Here's the Chesterfield-sty WELCOME TO MY WORLD 7: Here's the Chesterfield-style sofa, liberally smothered in blankets crocheted by @cathymccd, and cushions (printed up at Society6.com) printed up with illustrations from my novel 'All that remains' (as read and praised by Jo-Anne McArthur!!) Above that, my three bird portraits painted during lockdown, and a quite frankly weird lampshade covered in medical illustrations of body parts. . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #artistic #imagination #myhome #artistsstudio #artstudio #instaart #arte #arts #painter #create #welcometomyworld #colourfulhome #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #contemporaryart #myart #colourfulart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #painting
YES - THIS IS ME DRESSED AS A PIRATE And the reaso YES - THIS IS ME DRESSED AS A PIRATE And the reason for this intrusion into my usual world of artyness is that it's a shameless attempt to grab your attention, dear insta-fan, to ask you to scroll through the other pix here, and to be aware that early next week I will be announcing a BIG SALE OF MY ART PRINTS! Since the beginning of the pandemic, my prints have lain dormant, gathering dust, as they were all intended for festivals and exhibitions that have now obviously been cancelled. SO THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN - watch this space for a full display of all the artwork that is waiting for new owners - and all at very affordable prices! (as they say on corporate adverts - the difference being that this time it's actually true) . . . . . #veganlifestyle #instartpics #artistsharing #animalrightsactivism #artivist #veganartist #fineartprintsforsale #fineartprints #fineart #animalart #animalartwork #animalportraits #wildlifeart #artist #acrylicpainting #acrylicartwork #artsale #artforsalebyartist #artforsale #art #gicleeprintsforsale #pirate #piratecostume #paintingnature #thenaturalworld #shamelessselfpromotion #beautifulart #colourfulartwork #colourfulartr
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 6: On the shelf over the loung WELCOME TO MY WORLD 6: On the shelf over the lounge door we spy a suspiciously pretentious little collection of books, being kept separate from the common-or-garden riff-raff of all the other books in the room. These are a collection of illustrated novels that I've written over the course of the last decade. All self-published (of course) but seemingly popular with family and friends, and even some people who WEREN'T forced to read them! There's a collection of poetry too, written 2008 -2013, and containing 140 poems. 137 of these actually rhyme, and 1 of them contains the word 'fart' - so keep an eye out for that one, kids! Also lurking in the same room are some massive (and massively expensive) hardback art books which are lavishly illustrated versions of some of the tiddly ones. As always, I'm nothing if not gloriously and sincerely uncommercial! . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #bookillustration #artistic #imagination #myhome #artistsstudio #artstudio #instaart #arte #arts #create #welcometomyworld #colourfulhome #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #contemporaryart #myart #colourfulart #mycreativeinterior #authorsofinstagram #novelwriter #illustratednovel #creativewriting #fantasynovel
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 5: Onwards to the mantelshelf WELCOME TO MY WORLD 5: Onwards to the mantelshelf over the log-burner. Here we find a papiermâché model of 'Old Father Time' holding up a little clock that has been ticking for over 20 years now. Behind him, note the slice of wood that arrived with our log delivery a decade ago, and which was shaped so much like a heart that it was too good to burn... . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #clock #artistic #imagination #myhome #instaart #papiermâché #arts #timepiece #create #welcometomyworld #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #oldfathertime #myart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #modelmaking #modelman #modelmakingskills #woodenheart #paintedheart
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 4: Hidden away up on the books WELCOME TO MY WORLD 4: Hidden away up on the bookshelves is the tiny world of my version of Stokesay Castle, a 13th century fortified manor house near Ludlow. It's a magical place - an enclosed world, lost in the fields and woods of Shropshire - and I just wanted to bring a miniature memory of it back home with me. So - out came the card and glue and matchsticks.... Incidentally, my partner was having her hair cut when I made this, so I took a single hair from the pile on the floor and used it to make a rope, hanging from a winch hauling timber up the side of the tower. Waste not, want not. . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #artistic #imagination #myhome #instaart #arte #arts #painter #create #welcometomyworld #colourfulhome #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #medievalhouse #myart #colourfulart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #modelmaking #modelcastle #modelmakingskills
WELCOME TO MY WORLD 3: The second corner of the lo WELCOME TO MY WORLD 3: The second corner of the lounge, which shows my A0 size painting 'The Painted Desert' (inspired by a visit to the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan) and a selection of our books (a literary pic'n'mix of Clive Barker, Olaf Stapledon, Ray Bradbury, Colin Wilson, the Marquis de Sade, and Douglas Adams - to name but a few authors from a lifetime of reading). . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #artistic #imagination #myhome #artistsstudio #artstudio #instaart #arte #arts #painter #create #welcometomyworld #colourfulhome #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #contemporaryart #myart #colourfulart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #painting
'WELCOME TO MY WORLD' 2 We may as well begin the t 'WELCOME TO MY WORLD' 2 We may as well begin the tour of my tiny homeworld in the corner of the lounge. Here we see my painting 'The Rose' nestling behind our rather out-of-control potted palm, and reflected (along with the huge painting 'The Painted Desert' by its side) in an antique mirror. This triple portrait shows a mother and two daughters and is dedicated to my partner Catherine's lovely mum Diane, who sadly passed away in 2003. 'The Rose' was one of her favourite songs and the lyrics of that are entwined all around the border. . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #artistic #imagination #myhome #artistsstudio #artstudio #instaart #arte #arts #painter #create #welcometomyworld #colourfulhome #creativelife #creativeart #artistsworld #contemporaryart #myart #colourfulart #mycreativeinterior #mycolourfulinterior #artsy #artsandcrafts #painting
WELCOME TO MY WORLD! Since I've now shared my ENTI WELCOME TO MY WORLD! Since I've now shared my ENTIRE portfolio on this account, I've decided to now share my everyday life with THE WORLD OUT THERE. This doesn't mean posting pix of my breakfast or me doing pouty selfies (yes - i know you're disappointed) but actually sharing where I live and what it looks like. Until l took these photos, I hadn't realised just how much arty-fartyness had built up in my own home! So - here's the first entry in the W.T.M.W. album: my home, Honeysuckle Cottage, near Bath in Somerset, U.K. Built in 1821 as part of a small terrace of miners cottages. It's quite isolated, and no-one ever calls round except delivery drivers who are lost, and the Jehovahs Witnesses (I'm not kidding - they must be using a super-clever 'God-Nav' to find me) . . . . . #creative #homesweethome #creativity #instaartist #artistsworld #artist #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #artistic #imagination #myhome #artistsstudio #artstudio #instaart #arte #arts #painter #create #welcometomyworld #countrycottage #countryliving #cottagestyle #countrylife #mycountryhome #colourfulhome #somersetlife #creativelife #creativeart #somersetstudio #artistsworld
'ELGAR' (graphite pencil on A4 paper) 1994 Availab 'ELGAR' (graphite pencil on A4 paper) 1994 Available as a limited edition, signed fine art print. Contact me at phdsbl@hotmail.com This portrait of Edward Elgar is very close to my heart for a number of reasons - firstly as he lived in my hometown of Malvern, and his music is full of the spirit of the beautiful Malvern Hills. Secondly, because I originally drew (and re-drew) this image when I was 18, and it sold locally so many times that my dad suggested I have a limited edition print made of it. Good call, dad! It sold a LOT and became my first commercial success, leading eventually to my multiple-commission job for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which is why there are SO MANY composer portraits in my portfolio today! Two other points of interest here: the fragment of music in the picture was the last thing Edward Elgar ever wrote. He wrote this just before he died, bidding this life goodbye with music - very poignant. And the other is that this FIRST piece of art brings to an end my ENTIRE portfolio on Instagram! Since January 2018 I've been adding (almost) a piece per day, and now I've caught up with myself at last. Many, many thanks to @the.vegan.dietitian for bullying me into doing this in the first place. You're a star, Sam! WATCH THIS SPACE FOR NEW WORK.... . . . . . #sketch #draw #classicalmusic #instaart #classical #composer #sketchbook #pencildrawing #creative #pencilart #artoftheday #nimrod #portraits #portraiture #instaartist #artistic #drawingoftheday #realisticdrawing #graphitedrawing #drawingart #orchestralmusic #blackandwhiteart #classicalcomposer #edwardelgar #enigmavariations #malvern #orchestralmusic #orchestral #fineartprintsforsale #malvernhills #elgar
'VARIATIONS' (graphite pencil on A3 paper) 1988 Av 'VARIATIONS' (graphite pencil on A3 paper) 1988 Available as a limited edition, signed fine art print. Contact me at phdsbl@hotmail.com Edward Elgar composed his Enigma Variations, between October 1898 and February 1899. It is an orchestral work comprising fourteen variations on an original theme. Elgar dedicated the work "to my friends pictured within", each variation being a musical sketch of one of his circle of close acquaintances. These are: his wife Caroline Alice Elgar, Hew David Steuart-Powell, Richard Baxter Townshend, William Meath Baker, Richard Penrose Arnold, Isabel Fitton, Arthur Troyte Griffith, Winifred Norbury, Augustus J. Jaeger ('Nimrod'), Dora Penny ('Dorabella'), George Robertson Sinclair, Basil George Nevinson, *** (Possibly, Lady Mary Lygon of Madresfield Court), and 'Edu' (Elgar himself, nicknamed Edu by his wife). . . . . . #sketch #draw #classicalmusic #instaart #classical #composer #sketchbook #pencildrawing #creative #pencilart #artoftheday #artsy #portraits #portraiture #instaartist #artistic #drawingoftheday #realisticdrawing #graphitedrawing #drawingart #orchestralmusic #blackandwhiteart #classicalcomposer #edwardelgar #enigmavariations #variationsonatheme #malvern #orchestralmusic #orchestral #fineartprintsforsale #malvernhills
Breaking the seemingly endless series of composer Breaking the seemingly endless series of composer portraits for a moment, here's one I did in 1994 of Winston Churchill. Not someone I would choose to draw or paint now, but I remember finding it interesting to try something a bit different as I searched for an artistic style in those early post-art-college years... . . . . . #sketch #draw #churchill #winstonchurchill #winnie #ww2 #worldwar2 #instaart #sketchbook #pencildrawing #creative #pencilart #artoftheday #artsy #portraits #portraiture #instaartist #artistic #drawingoftheday #realisticdrawing #graphitedrawing #drawingart #orchestralmusic #blackandwhiteart #politician
Some of my composer portraits from about 20 years Some of my composer portraits from about 20 years ago - as commissioned by the CBSO (city of Birmingham symphony orchestra) for their concert programmes... Schubert, Weber (Available as fine art giclee prints from phdsbl@hotmail.com) . . . . . #sketch #draw #classicalmusic #instaart #classical #composer #sketchbook #pencildrawing #creative #pencilart #artoftheday #artsy #portraits #portraiture #instaartist #artistic #drawingoftheday #realisticdrawing #graphitedrawing #drawingart #orchestralmusic #blackandwhiteart #cityofbirminghamsymphonyorchestra #classicalcomposer #schubert #franzschubert #weber #carlweber #carlmariavonweber
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Please get in touch if you are interested in purchasing any of my artwork which is not for sale in this shop. UK orders only. For all overseas shipping please contact me before purchase. Dismiss