Toulouse Lautrec Tracked…Maybe and Life in Sync

Jose Ferrer still not positive he's the Toulouse Lautrec I was thinking of.....but who else is there?

Puerto Rica actor Jose Ferrer 1912 -1992 was, I think may have been the actor I was trying to remember played Toulouse-Lautrec in the 1952 film biopic  ‘Moulin Rouge’ by John Houston.  Don’t ask me where Peter Finch came from……

Moulin rouge poster1952 john Houston

It’s always frustrating when you can’t remember something for the life of you.  This happens with quizes a lot.  It just seems to depend if you are in sync with the world at that particular moment.  Sometimes everything falls into place, and the brain seems to be so sharp and ‘coincidences’ just abound.  Only they are not really coincidences, they are little clues showing you that you are in sync with the universe, I think.

I would very much like to do this indeed...Oh yes I would

Sometimes you can be reading and come to a word (in your head) and hear that word spoken at exactly the same time, but on the TV.  Or vice versa, listening to something and your eye-catching hold of the same word, sentence.  Very strange really.  Sometimes though I am definitely out of sync.  Just when I needed my printer urgently to print some programmes for tomorrow, the printer is playing up!  I got ink, I got paper…but it won’t print properly, even though I’ve cleaned the head.  Tomorrow is another day, hopefully a locupletative one!

Out on the Town with a Hundred Sewing Machines!

party time at selfridges

I had to go to town today.  Raining of course.  There’s a few Christmas decorations up, but it doesn’t feel anything like Christmas.  Some nice window dsiplays though.  My favorite is always Selfridges , they always have something flamboyant!

sheer decadence at selfridges

Not great pics but you get the idea, lots of drama, silver women hanging from chandeliers – the usual, lol! 

all sewing machines at Allsaints

Another shop, called Allsaints had the most amazing window display I’ve seen in a long while.  Hundreds (and I mean hundreds) of sewing machines in the window.  At first I thought they must have got them from a factory, but only some had motors fitted onto them, plus they weren’t all Singer either, some were German.  I wonder where they got them all? and I wonder what they will do with them all afterwards?

Happy Habitat

This one is Habitat, I think.  I couldn’t resist it. looking all Christmasy and welcoming!

selfridges detail

Time and Tide and Other Old Washing Powders that make Life easier but no Slower

fruit fantasia, better than the usual Test card eh? and very pretty

Not much of a post today, I’m afraid, just been very busy indeed.   Found a cousin I haven’t seen for about 40 years so we have a lot to catch up on!  There’s not enough hours in the day sometimes – yet other times,it seems to hang heavily.  I have loads to do in the next couple of days so I might not put a great deal on…but then again, I just might (as an escape route).  Still reading the Norman Collins ‘London belongs to me’ book and have got Branwell Bronte’s Barbers Tale’ by Chris Firth lined up after that.  Plus there’s all that clearing out business that I STILL haven’t got round to…oh Deary ME!

Happy Birthday Dear Toulouse Lautrec!

toulouse_lautrec f

Today is the birthday of French painter, print maker, illustrator Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse Lautrec-Monfa (known of course as the diminutive Toulouse-Lautrec (1864 – 1901).  Post impressionist Lautrec is best known for his bright lively images of the Parisian  theatrical world. 

Toulouse-Lautrec La Goulue arrivlal au Moulin Rouge

The lively modern world of Fin de siecle Paris was one of colour and decadence and Lautrec immersed himself into it, illustrating all it’s life, humour, comic tragedy in this bohemian world.  As a lithographer, his colourful posters for the Moulin Rouge (amongst many other night clubs) were seen all over Paris.  His models were  outrageous dancers, like   Louise Weber, who was also known as La Goulou (the glutton) inventer of the Can Can and the instantly recognisable Jane Avril .

Jane Avril 1893

Althou Lautrec’s career only lasted about 20 years, he seems to have produced a vast amount of work.  His influences on Manet and Degas  can be seen in his behind the scenes images, where the entertainers can be seen at work and relaxation.

the-clown-cha-u-kao-by-henri-de-toulouse-lautrec the pathsw the motely

The 5ft tall Lautrec was addicted to alcohol and suffered a lot of disability.   But this did not stop him going out on the town and  capturing the exciting nightlife of Paris.  Some of his models are so instantly recognisable that sometimes a mere silhouette will suffice.  Lautrec led a relatively short, but exciting life and there are many biographies about him.  For a look at more of the artist’s fabulous paintings and prints see HERE

For a more detailed look at this life  HERE

 

Weird and Wacky Designs: Hitting the Sack (and keeping it)

shame to throw them out really

I think these refuse sacks are so cute!  (they’re called ‘Happy sacks’) and just the job for all that sorting out I am going to do.  But surely they’re much too nice to throw away?  Here I go again…..   Is there any end to it?  I also like these ‘Birch log’ pillows, they come in wool felt and are available HERE.  you would be sleeping like a log with one of these…

log pillow wool felt by Erika Kern. Sleep like a log

I really like this ‘hand’ wrench’, what a very innovative design!  A bit of a helping hand literally.   Available from HERE. 

paul martus tools

I also rather like this ‘Persuader’ hand bag by James Piatt, it’s even got a little pocket for your phone.  A very contemporary design with a touch of James Bond (shaken not stirred).

The Persuader bag, I'm persuaded

This has got to be one of the most simplistic designs ever!  Hangers made of Hazelwood.  There is something so Fred Flintstone about these, and organically charming.

hazlewood hangers livette la suissette

Brown Paper Packages tied up with String, What Would William Morris say?

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, nor believe to be beautiful

I find writing my blog such a locupletative* experience.  I’m never really stuck for something to write about, well perhaps sometimes….   I’m always squirreling away designs, interesting websites and information.  I used to do this with fabric too.  I had loads of beautiful fabric pieces put away, always meaning to do something with them, but somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to cut them up.  I did eventually make some crazy patchwork cushion covers and a couple of patchwork quilts but I still have the more delicate stuff stashed away.

That's the spirit!

The same applies with handmade paper.  I have reams of it.  I love to look at it, I love to handle it.  I just can’t bear to cut it up.  When I have to cut it up though, I keep all the tiny bits in case they come in ‘handy’.  If I was in the War I would probably be one of those women who hoarded tins of pineapple chunks and sardines  (given my fondness for original packaging, this is not as far-fetched as it seems)

old fashioned Christmas...aw

All in all, I think I would have done OK during the War.  The black outs wouldn’t have bothered me,  this house is quite dark , in fact someone once called it a Christmas house, because it really comes into its own at Christmas.  I digress, as usual.  I’m going to have a clear out, I can feel it coming on…I am teetering on the brink of just going for it, no mercy shown, sentimentality cast aside and just getting RID of stuff! What IS the point of hanging onto these things?  Perhaps it’s a security issue.  I just know that no sooner have I got rid of something, then it’s the very thing I want in a few days time.  I want to have this house nice and uncluttered for Christmas, I could be gone for some time….

To acquire a locupletative  (enriching ) word, why not adopt  one!  HERE  It’s free, it becomes your word  and you get a certificate too!

Happy Birthday Rene Magritte!

 

Rene Magritte

 

 

It’s Belgian Surrealist artist Rene Magritte’s birthday today (1898 -1967). His witty and strange juxtopositioning of everyday objects became talking points in artistic circles in his own lifetime.

The betrayal of images 1953

 

 

In a range of paintings which Magritte called ‘The treachery of images’ (1928 1929) the artist draws attention to everyday objects like this pipe by writing underneath it (in French) ‘This is not a pipe’ arguing that the painting was just that, an image of a pipe and not a pipe. That’s the sort of quirkiness that made him controversial at the time. Magritte seemed to do a lot of this, each painting became a riddle. 

the sky image is a trademark of Magritte

Magritte uses several symbols in his imagery – bells, curtains, clouds, apples, umbrellas and raped objects.  These symbols reoccur throughout his art.  It’s as if the artist himself is trying to solve the enigma of these images.  

Gloconde 1953 it's raining men!

Though he collaborated with other surrealists such as Man Ray and Yves Tanguy, his relationship with Andre Bretton (founder) was always rocky. 

the lovers

 When Blegium was invaded by German in 194o, Magritte fled to France.  But his relationship with the Parisian artists was also fraught with dificulties. Magritte adhereing to his own ideas.  By 1953 the artist was commissioned to paint murals that were destined for the Chandelier Hall in Knokke casino (Belgium)  and had also started to make short films.  Magritte was creative all his life and a very innovative artist of his time, always willing to enquire, question and push boundaries.

the human condition

For a more in depth look at the artists life and work look HERE

and  HERE

 

 

Weird and Wacky Design: Conjuring Rabbits from a Car

I really like this ram a lot

I don’t know what is wrong with wordpress lately, but I keep losing lots of stuff, then they keep coming back.  I have changed a lot of stuff round recently, so I need to go through my settings again, make sure I’ve not ticked some wrong boxes or something.  I came across these unusual animals made of car parts.

car part sculpture Rooster

They are called ‘Steampunk animal sculptures’ and are by James Corbett.  Apparently, each part has kept the integrity of the car part it is derived from.  I haven’t a clue about car parts at all, so where this rooster came from I don’t know, but I like the shiny substance which looks like it’s made from horn.

James Corbett Hare

This hare is a bit frightening, it looks like an automation – that it could easily come alive!  Something you would see in an old Doctor Who episode.  For more of these unusual animals made from car parts HERE

 

Watched: ‘Twenty Thousand Streets under the Sky’ by Patrick Hamilton

I don’t know what it is recently, but I have the urge or need to watch a DVD most night before going to, no matter how late it is. Unfortunately for me, I have already exhausted my supply, so now it’s a case of playing ‘repeats’. The trouble is that they have to match my mood. You would think then that this wouldn’t be a problem. What sort of mood am I in? Well, I don’t really know for sure until I play one. The other night, I felt this need to watch something. I debated whether to watch part 3 of I Claudius. It’s my favourite part, with John Hurt as Caligula. But no, no sooner had I got it out of it’s sleeve, then back it went. The next applicant was ‘Byron’ starring Johnny Lee Miller. This I ran for about 15 minutes before ejecting. I toyed with Bleak House for a few minutes, eventually plumping for ‘Twenty Thousand streets under the sky’ with Sally Hawkins, Zoë Tapper and Bryan Dick.

　

the DVD fabulous!

It is a trilogy by Patrick Hamilton, but originally 3 seperate books. Each story tells the three protagonists own tale. The first one ‘The Midnight Bell’ sets the scene for most of the tale, the ‘Midnight Bell’ pub in which Bob is a barman or waiter. He comes across as bright, cheerful, charming and honest, but by the time the tale ends he is a very different person (and a lot lighter in wallet). The Midnight Bell is Bob’s side of the story. We see him worshipped by Ella, also of the Midnight bell, with a room next to his. Ella is just a friend, though she may have stood more of a chance if Bob had not seen Jenny the prostitute who steals his heart amongst other things.

Bob and Jenny who leads him a merry dance

The second tale ‘The siege of pleasure’ is Jenny’s story and seen from her point of view. It tells of Jenny’ descent from poor but respectable skivvy into prostitution through her addiction to drink. It is a sordid tale of seduction, deceit and rather sad. Even when offered by Bob, a way out, Jenny does not divert from the path she has chosen. Probably the most noblest thing she does, is let him down at the end, though that is debateable

poor lonely Ella

The last tale, ’The plains of cement’ is Ella the barmaids tale. In some ways although this one does have some humour in it, it is also the most poignant. The humour (though disturbing) is down to the elderly, well off Mr Eccles, an elderly customer who takes a shine to Ella (who’s in love with Bob, who is in love with Jenny, who is in love with money and booze). Though unsuitable as a boyfriend, Eccles at least sees Ella as a ‘young beautiful thing) and she isn’t offered many chances: Both are lonely: both are destined to stay so

 

The book, a jolly good read

None of these people achieve their hearts desires. The acting is positively superb and the atmosphere is convincingly 1930s smoky pubs. First shown on BBC TV and available on DVD. I’ve watched this over and over again and read the book: a marvellously good read. I would say that the BBC version is very faithful to the book. The characters are very 3 dimensional and all too human.

Watched: ‘Enid’ BBC4

Bonham Carter as Enid Blyton

When I was a child, Enid Blyton was my favorite author. She was beloved of most children: a wonderful storyteller whose stories kept you entranced. But what was she like as a person? Helena Bonham Carter was, at first glance, a surprising choice, to play Blyton in this BBC 4 biopic, but – then so was Trevor Eve who played Hughie Green, in the last series and I thought he was absolutely great!

Enid Blyton

The young Enid gets into storytelling to distract her siblings from the furious arguments which are going on between their parents. Her father eventually leaves for another woman (or so her mother says, though all her life Enid won’t believe this). It is easy to see why Enid starts escaping into her own world. She leaves home as soon at the first opportunity (Enid never stops running all through her life). She trains to become a schoolteacher, though her real ambition is to be an author. Rejected many times, she keeps trying, until eventually a door opens. Not one to hang around, she marries her publisher.

the very famous Five books

Their early days seem idyllic. What a blow it must have been to her to be told she couldn’t have children.. But despite these problems, she does have a child (in fact two,) but motherhood does not come easily to her. She seems more work inspired, than nurturing. Time for a nanny. But although she is honest about her failings, she does have some odd ideas about how to handle week old babies….

Enid Blyton bedtime story book

It is strange the way Blyton is different with other children than her own, and a bit baffling really. She seems more relaxed whilst in the company of children she doesn’t know. To an extent, she seems to shun anything that doesn’t fit into her world of fiction, such as the War. It’s as if in her refusal to be distracted, it will just go away. When her husband starts drinking, she banishes him into the spare room!

Noddy a popular Blyton character

 

 

Blyton is the ultimate escapist, and does not like the banalities of motherhood: writing comes first. When Blyton finally comes to terms that we are at war, she contributes by digging for victory with her children and entertaining officers whilst her husband is away (escapism again). Eventually of course, she takes a lover ‘Uncle’ Kenneth Waters.

the magical land of Enid

The acting was really good and the attention to period detail wonderful. Bonham Carter makes a great Blyton, showing all her contradiction. She is both hardened and yet vulnerable in her reluctance to face reality. The way that Blyton deals with harsh reality is through her children’s tales, where a happy ending is assured and cake is distributed with lashings of Ginger Beer She has such a hard unfeeling edge to her to her personality though and is able to compartmentalise her life skillfully, dismissing her children. Poor Hugh (ex husband) gets the treatment time and time again, and very cruelly. It is incredulous the way that she can turn her back on anything she doesn’t want to deal with, including her mother and her siblings. A very complicated, emotionally damaged but talented person, whose end was indeed tragic.

Watch it HERE