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News

Dudley Exhibition

Each section of this Exhibition
shows work from my frequent travels
including my six books ...
starting with the one for Russia ....
here New York Central Park...
Labuan Malaysia beach driftwood...
The Cotswolds where I enjoyed the snow ...
Bridgnorth in Shropshire.. still a quaint ,very unusual town on the River Severn
I enjoy being able to share my work with the visitors

and this church has come alive with my paintings and the
people who came to look
and stayed to talk
Some came to listen to my Talk on Opening night
about my worldwide long years of overseas life..
in many countries..some shown here during this week

Dudley Exhibition Saint Augustines

My drawings of the Earl of Lichfield's country seat
not far from Dudley,
Shugborough Hall
were made at a time when he and I had talked about
my producing a book of my drawings, paintings and photographs
which I was simply going to entitle 'Shugborough'

He, like the National Trust, liked my work, it had publicised my recent English book, and he had been interested in my Malaysia book and 'Drawings of my childhood places',
which features Dudley,
so he retained a copy of that, and a framed print of the

Saint Augustines Church
where this Exhibition was held

The Exhibition, for me, had very sad moments,

as the memories of my parents are very close and real,
and this is where much of my childhood was spent,
which is why it features so prominently in that book

I also was sad at his loss ...So it is perhaps fitting to feature this drawing of his private entrance,

as well as my drawings and that particular book, in this peaceful, inspiring place

I hope that others, who visited, could in some way understand the prominence

that this church has, in my portfolio

I gave a Talk on the Opening night, expressing some of my thoughts,

and the inspiration

which I had, from this, and other 'Childhood Places'

Dudley Exhibition
4th September
I was very pleased to be asked to have an Exhibition in Dudley,
my home town
where I first studied to become a professional artist and author

It was surprising to me to find that many local people
remembered me, some even having prints of drawings which I had made
and they, particularly, I felt, enjoyed the opportunity to see my work
from many parts of the world
Throughout the Exhibition I made a cosmopolitan arrangement
although England dominated, many other countries
were here, reminders for me, of very enjoyable days
spent in one of my favourite occupations

I am so pleased to see the enjoyment which others show
in my Paintings, drawings, photographs and books

Merdeka Celebration 30th August

At the very informal Merdeka Celebration in Hertfordshire
OMEC had offered to Exhibit and sell my new Malaysia book
'Labuan'
on their stand
it had two in the park
Here we are just at the opening
with A G Kader my Publisher, for these latest books,
where he and I met last year

My Exhibit next to this, showed the Labuan book, cards
prints and also my book 'Malaysia Terima Kasih'
which became the Official book of Malaysia
Many OMEC, and other visitors, came to talk to me
about my experiences as Bilateral Aid Advisor
to New Zealand and Malaysia Governments, and
later Consultant to the Board of Malaysia Airlines .......

leading to the invitation from the New Zealand Government to

The United Nations

Merdeka Celebration 2008

I was pleased again to have the company of
Datuk Aziz
The High Commissioner of Malaysia
when, with me, he launched my latest book
'Labuan' at
the Merdeka Celebration
in Hertfordshire
This is a very casual enjoyment of this day
with music food dancing and shows
from some of the best of talent from Malaysia

Labuan ..my book about that island, where I was guest of

The King
The Prime Minister
Cabinet Ministers
The Chief of the Navy
and others
is a colourful painting and photographic
record of
the Regatta
at which I stood on the beach watching, as
His Royal Highness
presented prizes to the Malaysian and foreign participants
in water sports of many types ..windsurfing power boat racing boats
all taking pleasure in the beautiful coast of this delightful island
in the South China Sea
I was delighted, the next day, to be told by my escort,
the Navy Leuitenant Commander that I was to be the King's
Guest for dinner, on board the naval vessel in the Harbour

National Day Malaysia

I was invited by The High Commissioner of Malaysia
Datuk Aziz
to the National Day Celebration at the High Commission in Belgrave Square
I showed him my second book on Malaysia about the island
of Labuan it is entitled 'Labuan'
and is an illustrated essay with my drawings and photographs
of that island which was special for me when I lived in Malaysia

We had our photographs taken on the balcony
of that beautiful building which I have visited for many years,
and two days later in the garden of another Stately English home,
this photograph shows me at the public launching of
my Labuan book
at Merdeka, the Celebration of Independence of Malaysia