Monday 11 May 2009

TP 200 11.05.2009 - 02

Continued from TP 200 31.12.2008 - 01

Monday 11 May 2009 - ex-Arsenal and current West Ham and England footballer Matthew Upson came by. Diss is his home town. Here he is between The Queen and Marilynstein.


The state of play at the end of the day....


Tuesday 12 May 2009 - We had a visit from local and international press covering the Thomas Paine Diss Festival. I also had further communications regarding an up-coming auction of The Queen painting for St. Nicholas Hospice. In between time, the eyes are slowly coming along....


Wednesday 13 May 2009 - Reporter Catherine and photographer Mark from the Diss Express turned up. They are talking about a photo of the eyes for next week's edition. I pointed out it would be ideal to have a photo and promo article in this weekend's edition, but apparently editor Steve Penny doesn't know if there will be room. What is the point of advertising the gig once it is finished?! I'd had a long day and my fuse was short, but the local newspaper does not appear to share my sense of the here and now.
This is the Mayor of Diss Simon....


This is the state of play at the end of the day.....


Thursday 14 May 2009 - This morning I took the Queen to St. Edmundsbury Cathedral for an interview with BBC Radio Suffolk regarding the pending auction of the painting for the St. Nicholas Hospice. I then took the Queen back to Diss.



I have not progressed as far as I'd planned with the eyes. Friday will have to be a productive day.

Friday 15 May 2009 - I'm front page of the Bury Free Press today with '14:56 Queen' painting and St. Nicholas Hospice fund raising auction. Also p.15 of the Diss Express, though I find that photo and article too little too late. Nevermind.
Julian and Anoushka came to see me....


Saturday 16 May 2009 - While painting I listened to Man Utd 0 Arsenal 0 and therefore, Utd securing the Premiership. How dull. Both of 'Thomas Paine's' eyes are almost there. I guess tomorrow I'll be just about done.


Sunday 17 May 2009 - Arrived at the park about 8am. A car boot sale was already underway despite the pouring rain this morning.

The weather continued to be varied all day from wind and rain to calm sunshine. I realised I'd misplaced my umbrella from 2 days ago. Bernie and Elsie had found its remains....

Why do people behave this way? I'd understand if some one took the umbrella to use it or sell it or give it to another, but just to destroy it - brainless mindless moronic idiots. I'm leaving a note attached to the handle....

To the person(s) who killed my umbrella.

Last Friday 15 May I inadvertently left my umbrella hanging on the ledge inside this pavilion. Sunday morning the handle was returned to me by friends who had found it. I bought this umbrella in Istanbul, Turkey and brought it home to the UK with me. It wasn’t expensive and it is only an umbrella, but why destroy it?

I might have understood someone taking it to use it; to give it to another or even sell it. But, to destroy it can only reflect the mentality of an unsettled mind with little or no respect for their fellow human beings. I have been painting live at this pavilion to promote Thomas Paine and Diss at a time when many are suffering from economic hardships. No one is paying me, indeed, it is costing me money. Thus far, everyone has been supportive and welcoming of my activity at this pavilion.

I was rather sad to find the detached handle of my umbrella and can only assume whoever was responsible at least gleaned some semblance of satisfaction in its destruction.

We live in a world full of difficulties and hurdles. Surely it is in all our best interests to try and get along with one another and create a constructive and friendly environment. The person responsible for killing my brolly must have some insecurities and sadness within them that has manifested in the form of destructive behaviour. The anger within them must be a burden to bear. I must wish that person well and hope some love and a higher vibrational resonance will enter their heart.

As Thomas Paine said: “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”
As Atatürk said: “Peace at Home, Peace in the World.”

A photo of the detached brolly handle can be found on the NPP blog at: http://nppthomaspaine.blogspot.com/
which is part of:
http://www.nedpamphilon.blogspot.com/

I suspect this notice is prone to destruction too, but just perhaps the person responsible can read and will read this text. Perhaps they might even reconsider their attitude and actions the next time they find a lost and innocent umbrella.

Best wishes, Ned

I've just about finished the painting. Tomorrow I shall add last touches and sign it.




Sunday 17 May 2009 - Thanks to Bernie and Elsie for teas, coffees and all an round warm welcome and support....

... and Tony Palmer, ex Mayor of Diss and all round good egg....


Monday 18 May 2009 - Adam from the EDP turned up for an interview and Angela arrived about 1pm to take photos. What will happen with the painting? Time will tell!
This evening went to see Nigel Farage speak at a UKIP Public Meeting at the DC3 Centre, Vinces Road, Diss. Impressive speaker and some compelling information especially regarding the implications of EU membership.

Tuesday 19 May 2009 - Ben drove me to Diss to collect the paintings and materials. We had a coffee at the Angel Cafe. Tonight we attended a rehearsal by Nick & co at The Swan. The evening ended up at Heaven. Good to let off some steam. Here are the eyes....


Thursday 21 May 2009 - Went with Gina to Ipswich to arrange the artwork for 500 limited edition prints of '14:56 The Queen' painting with Healeys Print Group. This evening I attended an art exhibition by students at Thetford Grammar School. One student, Laura, had included reference to me with Picasso and Guernica on the facing page. Ned next to Pablo - made me smile!


Laura had created this....

... from which I borrowed these spectacle frames and took this photo....


Today there were fun photos in the Eastern Daily Press and on The Diss Mercury front page....



Go to TP 200 24.05.2009 - 03
Return to Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Return to The story so far