Dudley News, my new Paris book

The Dudley News article recently featured my new book
'A trip to Paris'
which will have its general launch on 23rd May in Wombourne

I have drawings of the village in this book,
which is a lighthearted look at a visit of a few days,
shown through my drawings,
when I took my nephew.

This holiday was a present from me to him for his 15th birthday,
and a few of my firends who lived in Paris
spent time with us.

We both were happy to be tourists
in this city, which I always enjoy, whether I am there
working on a book, as I was when I visited at the same time as
the Malaysia Prime Minister and his party.. then
some of us had dinner at the Cafe which I sometimes go to
after visiting the Opera, or when I have other projects to pursue.

This time, my French and Malaysian friends chose the venue,
and I seem to recall that my nephew enjoyed the
sophisticated places chosen for us,
and of course the excellent food
......................................................................................................................
For me, it was a change to be his guide, to one of my favourite places

A trip to Paris

I wrote earlier this year about the launch in Southend on Sea
of my book A trip to Paris
I said that I hoped to show it in Wombourne later
this was because this particular visit was to celebrate my nephew's
birthday
He lived in Wombourne
and I feaured drawings of the village in my book

I wrote about the woods and the dogs
we used to take out for walks

The centre of the village has not changed much
and the Church still is a focal point
the village green,
still provides an calm centre
for relaxation
soon my book will be seen in Wombourne
on the 23rd May

Victoria at Bonhams Knowle

Some time ago I met Mark Hannam Senior Valuer at Bonhams
we talked about fine art, my paintings and books, broadcasts, and since that first meeting Bonhams have recommended me
as a Speaker to clients and others.
This is an association which I value highly, and in which the Chairman Robert Brooks has shown an interest

Having visited Knowle and enjoyed meeting others
I am impressed to find such expertise and business acumen together
in a pleasant working environment

My own artistic and Advisory experience enables me to
appreciate and work in different spheres, sometimes where visual communication is highly important, and aids
the understanding of complex ideas.
Through this association Bonhams have enabled others to share
some of these experiences
from my work in the United Kingdom and overseas


VICTORIA & MARK


Sometimes these cover the serious aspects of my work
and occasionally the lighthearted ones
both seem to stimulate lively debate
and I look forward to meeting more of the Bonhams family
as I accept invitations to visit London and New York,
the former this weekend
My acceptance of invitations to places in Asia and Australasia may not take place just yet
as I enjoy the late arrival of spring in Worcestershire

Book presentation

My book
A trip to Paris
was launched and exhibited in the Southend Library Gallery
and on 3rd March I had a special display at the main entrance which
enabled many people, who had already met me
to wish me well as I returned home

At the end of my Exhibition at Southend Library Gallery in March,
I presented, to the Manager, Sandra Cavalier, a book from
the Malaysia Government as a memento of my visit.


I also gave to her, the book from The Prime Minster of New Zealand
which commemorates the Armed forces of New Zealand who died,
in action, when fighting alongside British troops in the 1st and
2nd world war
The Memorial, shown in this book, to these servicemen and women from
New Zealand
was opened by Her Majesty The Queen
in 2007 in London

The Prime Minister Helen Clark has specially chosen this book for presentation.

As Advisor to The New Zealand Government I take great pleasure in presenting
these unusual limited edition books.

Starbucks Southend on Sea

I was quite determined, in spite of the very wintry weather to
have some drawings of my three week Exhibition in Southend on Sea.
I was at the Library Gallery each day, so had only
Sunday to achieve this.

The first drawing which I did, was of Starbucks, in the town centre
and while I was drawing, people stopped to look and talk.
Two people, I am pleased to say, also stayed and one of them took photographs, and Jac De Vries sent this, and others to me
I am delighted to have this excellent photograph of that day, which now lets my friends know that I do not always sit on warm, sunny beaches to draw for my books and Exhibitions.....

So many thanks to Jac and I hope to meet him and others who were friendly
during my stay
particularly Michael Taverner
and Sandra Cavalier

Cambridge Malaysia Forum

I read recently a message from a reader of my Diary
who commented about Malaysia Airlines, which was my Client.
I still enjoy meeting these old friends, and sometimes making new ones when they come to England

At The Cambridge Malaysia Forum last October
at Cambridge University I spoke of my invitation to Malaysia by the Government,
my Advice to Malaysia, my current observations,
and of my work as Bilateral Aid Advisor to New Zealand and Malaysia Governments,
which resulted in my Advisory work to the
Board of Malaysia Airlines
many talks, a Seminar, and my book Malaysia Terima Kasih
which has been presented around the world by myself, and Malaysia
It has been Exhibited internationally at many Conferences, Exhibitions,
by The British Council and is in The Photographers Gallery.

At lunch, I talked with Dato Azman Mohtar Managing Director Khazanah Nasional
and enjoyed a conversation with Dr Munir Majid Chairman of Malaysia Airlines,
shown in this photograph,
he, of course, knew my old friend, the previous Chairman,also Chairman of Petronas,
and the Adviser to Prime Minister Mahathir, who was with me when my book
was launched on televison and in front of many others at The Hilton Kuala Lumpur
where I lived for over a year, as I travelled around Malaysia for my Seminar at Club Mediterrannee
and my Malaysia book.

Victoria with Dr Munir Chairman Malaysia Airlines