The Lost Photographer

Cafe Bar Esmeralda has just gone shit.

2012-02-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

Shame really. Don't know who the new people are, but they're fucking the place up.

So, still stuck in Granada :D

It's the Granada trap!

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Will robot Kevin please fuck off with his spamming?

Granada.

2012-01-18T12:13:00.000-08:00

People still keep asking me about photographs. So, as I'm back in Andalucia here's a B&W landscape from about 6 years ago...

...

Granada is difficult presently. Very difficult. More difficult than any other January I can remember here. Long hours just for subsistance living. Many direct flights have stopped flying into Granada. This is the biggest factor as far as I can tell. No cheap season tourists from other EU countries. Well, some, but not as many.

Planning to head to Gran Canaria next week. It may happen. Nah, actually, it WILL happen!

Granada.

2012-01-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

I'm back.

...............................................

Exported to China!

2011-12-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

Not me - my paintings. I am going truly INTERNATIONAL! But, I'm still skint :(

I met someone in Barcelona who wanted to try selling my sketches in China (how times are a changing). And, now I'm back very close to where this adventure began: http://www.thelostphotographer.blogspot.com/2011/04/secret-chinese-madrid.html

It's a China connection sort of thing.

When I get paid I go back to Barcelona again. I'm finding I have to travel to find work this way. It's been great. I've enjoyed all of it, however, however, however...

I'm getting a bit tired and missing my own bed, so it's time to settle and knuckle down. Create a more reliable/static/stationary income and existence. After all my walking I still love Granada most. I have a plan! A plan to create a new arts based business in the most economically disadvantaged part of Spain during crisis :D

It's a good plan mind. It bloody well needs to be!

And, back to Costa Brava.

2011-12-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

I'm back where I was in January. Not my plan at all. Just following work.

It is a part of Spain that fascinates me. I love it here even though I really wasn't expecting to. Completing murals for a small hotel, then back to Granada. I think.

From Costa Brava in January to...

Melilla
Morocco
Algeria
Spain
France
Italy
France
Germany
Austria
Slovakia
Czech Republic
Germany
Belgium
France
Spain

Plus the little bits like Monacco. All slowly and carefully. Nice trip!

Now it is hard work!

2011-11-23T15:52:00.000-08:00

In Four years of walking and selling sketches, picking up work, today was the most difficult. It was sunny, all was good. 12 hours to cover the cost of my €12 bed!

Times are getting seriously tough. You see it on the street. More bag snatchers. Less art buyers :(

I read a book once.

2011-11-19T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hey! Didn't we all?

I forget the name of this book, but it was a bestseller, and a very good book. It painted vivid pictures in my mind of a very wet, grey and dismal Barcelona. It was about a secret library (amongst many other things). This is not Barcelona I thought. Barcelona is blue skies and sunshine.

Ever since reading that book, every time I have visited Barcelona it has been very wet, grey and dismal. Brainwashed by a single book from a sceret library of truth! It's not just me - the weather people believed it also.

I'm washed out once again by Barcelona :(

Rain is expensive. Very expensive.

Raceway.

2011-11-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

I've been toing and froing between Barcelona and Sitges for a few weeks now. Work is good.

Here is a 'secret' about Sitges. The race track... see Google maps.

Many other 'secrets' about Sitges, but it doesn't need them, so they remain 'secrets'. Story is that this track was built for a Grand Prix back in the 40's. The workers who built the track didn't get paid, so they took the prize money. It's remained closed, but fully intact ever since.

I'm back in Barcelona where I actually saw the police catch a bag snatcher. They are actually beginning to deal with real crime instead of giving charity fund raising artists a hard time. Perhaps things are changing in this beautiful, but very wrong city?

On a lighter note...

2011-10-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's very wet, very windy, and yet strangely mild. Warm even.

I'm still in Sitges. Still collecting good work. Staying now in a very 'charming' traditional guest house type place. I like it. Art all over the walls with a very homely feel.

End of another adventure. What to do now?

Well, 'start another adventure' is the only good answer I can come up with. I tend to go through some sort of emtional release at the end of all these trips. I was expecting it this time, but it didn't happen.

For anyone wondering...

The Death of Mr Baltisberger was a reference to this weekends Moto GP tradgedy. Bohuml Harabl is possibly my favourite writer of short stories. You need to find a good translation mind.

The Death of Mr Baltisberger...

2011-10-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

... and, other stories.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohumil_Hrabal

I don't know why I like Sitges. But, I do like it.

The Day Facebook Killed the Web.

2011-10-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

They've done it :(

Once upon a time in the net, you could find private places. Not anymore. There was net etiquette respected by all. Facebook have fucked that in the face.

I now delete my Facebook account.

Trains.

2011-10-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

They're very fast aren't they.

Cutting a longish story shortish...

I'm back in Spain. Sitges - a place I always enjoy. Spent a few days working in Paris which was exceptionally good and booked an overnight train to Barcelona. At Sants station I decided to continue along the coast.

I have good work here. People are being very friendly. I always have fun here.

On a mission to get back to Granada, and then begin a new project in the Canary Islands for winter. May, or may not happen, but it's a plan.

Time with friends. Glorious weather. Spain is most definitely my home these days.

Dusseldorf - Koln.

2011-09-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

A brief update.

Uslar. I enjoyed very much - great bunch of people (I will be in touch soon).

A fabulous Indian summer in Dusseldorf and Koln (not sure if they use that expression in German?). Fine weather. Good work. All is good. Staying for as long as I'm busy. But, I have to return to Granada soon.

Hannover and a small village called Uslar.

2011-08-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

It's still raining.

I feel like I'm suffering summer withdrawal :D

Other that things are good and interesting. Really not sure of plans from here.

Uslar is a small market town about 100 KM south of Hannover. Beautiful countryside, but like almost all isolated rural towns in Europe today - industry is dying. Jobs are hard to find. Here, some people are trying to make good things happen in a postmodernist office block which used to be home to the local metal construction industry.

Photos will come later. I like it here, but I am missing the Andalucian weather.

Berlin is wet.

2011-08-19T02:51:00.000-07:00

I'm stuck here. Weather has not helped, but it is a very difficult city to make money in.

Plan from here is to head towards Hannover (backwards again) to try and replenish funds before meeting up with some people in a small town to talk about more work. It's a project that interests me.

A sunny day yesterday followed by an almighty storm in the night. Today looks iffy.

Hmmmm...

2011-08-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

Maybe I was being a little unfair to Belushi's/St Christopher's/Oasis, but I do NOT appreciate being rudly interupted whilst taking a shit in a room I have paid €55 for. The shower flooded also.

Actually, no - I'm not being unfair at all. Utter shyte.

My first major rant for a long time...

2011-08-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

Belushi's, Oasis, St Christoper's - whatever they're calling themselves these days. The fact that they change their name so frequently says it all. Just don't people!

These guys are taking about €164 a night per room. That's a room shared by 8 with just *1 shower/toilet. As far as I can tell there is just one other toilet in the whole building.

I've just paid €55 for the smallest single room I have ever come across. WiFi doesn't work.

On the plus side - the staff are all very fucking lovelly.

Oasis/Belushi/St Christopher??? Not good. Not good at all.

*Actually, that's 1 shower/toilet between about 80 people. There is no bathroom in the dorms. Is this legal?

Pool...

2011-08-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Berlin.

2011-08-10T13:24:00.001-07:00

Huge, cheating train ride :)

Vienna, Bratislava and a Strange Town in Deepest Darkest Slovakia.

2011-07-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Vienna. It seems to have rained constantly for the past 10 days wherever I've been.

A break for a few days in a very beautiful place on the edge of a very strange town near Lucenec. Serious drinking which appears to have left me with a very painful absess on my gum. Feet are much improved.

Vienna is - exactly as you would expect - a stunning city for architectural sketching. I'm on a bit of an uphill mission to make enough cash to get me to Berlin from here. Bratislava was nice also, but much, much smaller.

Not sure how to cope with the rain. It's big, very wet, and very persistent.

Strasbourg. Another update...

2011-07-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

I'm in Strasbourg - an exceptionally beautiful (and wet) city. My first rain since...ooooh... I don't know when. I have been extremely lucky with the weather.

From Nice I went by train backwards (again) to Marseille, then onto Lyon. I think I have finally conceded that there will be no more hiking on this trip. My ligaments need weeks, or months to recover.

So...

No more 'qui va a pied'. I'm going to be using trains to work my way across Germany to Austria to Slovakia, then back to Germany (for work in Berlin). Not sure where I go from there.

Despite foot problems, this has been another fabulous adventure meeting many, many good people.

My cameras are both borked also. Photos will come when I've managed to buy a new camera. Paintings have sold for good causes without internet auctions, but hopefully new stuff will appear for auction online soon.

Not without problems, but fantastic fun! :)

Nice.

2011-07-01T01:41:00.000-07:00

An update...

I'm in Nice under strict instruction to rest my feet. I went across the border into Italy (San Remo) and then retreated back to France. Taking an enforced break from hiking and using trains to get to Strasbourg on Monday.

I'm also struggling to get ebay to work for auctioning paintings. I've been carrying this one around for some time now.

I've been posting more on web forums rather than here simply for a bit more interaction and feedback.

Siren Nº1

2011-06-13T00:32:00.000-07:00

First painting up for auction for charity/good cause/NPO...whatever...

Ebay seems the obvious way to go, so I'll post a link here as soon as I remember my passwords and stuff, or something.

Painting comes with photo files of the 'wrok in progress'.

My alternative ID :D

2011-06-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

OK. For the not so faint hearted... you can follow my progress a bit more regularly on many web forums. My favourite is U75.

There is swearing and ugly stuff :D

I'm trying to keep my blog clean this time. U75 is where I vent my bile!!! They're good people who tolerate me on the whole.

Here

Just to remind myself...

2011-06-01T10:44:00.001-07:00

Self confidence building needed! I am quite good actually. Aren't I???

Arles. Sunday evening street life.

2011-05-30T12:49:00.001-07:00

Just One reason why I am enjoying Arles very much - because everyone else enjoys the place!

Painting commeths!

2011-05-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

All of these gifts were left anonymously. I like them :)

Arles is still being extremely good. Beautiful days and beautiful nights.

2011-05-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Montpellier. A gift from a fellow permanent marker touting artist.

Beautiful Gifts.

2011-05-28T12:42:00.001-07:00

This was Pau. I'm still in Arles getting very wrapped in the place.

Avignon - Arles.

2011-05-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

Montpellier. Place de Comedie.

I'm in Arles being Vincent. I'm painting and picking up good work. Here for a few days at least. It's proving to be a bit special so far.

Avignon - meh!

Montpellier was fabulous. I will return.

Plan to stay here to finish commissioned work and save money to get to Nice whilst putting a painting (or, sketch) up here for auction. It's not been easy finding the time, space and ability to carry anymore than I am already carrying.

Pau - Carcassonne - Narbonne - Bezier - Montpellier.

2011-05-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

No painting! Tomorrow.

Briefly, Pau was excellent. I really, really liked the place. Carcassonne; erm... met some nice people. Met some interesting people. Visisted a medeval city built circa 1870.

Narbonne. Pretty.

Bezier. Very interesting place. I liked it very much.

Montpellier. Well, I'm pretty sure I can make enough money here to get a painting online for auction to charity. But, beds are expensive. This has caught me out a bit in Southern France. Almost any city in Spain I could find a bed for €20, or less. Here it is double that.

Boring post. I've had minor complications I wouldn't want to talk too much about here :D But, finally I have time to paint.

Biarritz - Bayonne - Capbreton - Bayonne.

2011-05-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

Sore feet. Very sore.

I've just done a brief tour of this corner of France. Biarritz - not really my sort of town, but well worth the visit.

Bayonne - I loved every minute there. Very friendly people. Relaxed, safe, chilled vibe about the place. Very much a single persons city. Single people approaching middle age. Not sure how to describe this without offending someone :D It still has a young feel and young fashion vibe, but it's a bit more mellow than other single people city type places.

A huge thank you for the invitation to dinner party and room for the night. Food was delicious, company was good conversation. Really enjoyed it and hope to meet you all again sometime.

Capbreton - again, very, very friendly people and relaxed, safe feel with miles and miles of golden beaches. A relatively contemporary place. Spread out with lots of space (never mind the beaches). Bicycle paths everywhere. Seems everyone who lives here has a bike. You need one.

How friendly is this place? Today started with a coffee invitation from a complete stranger. Then came a free beer from the bar I was working close to. Then came a free pack of tobacco with papers because some exceptionally kind person knew I had no cigarettes. Then came a shout from across the street as I walked past. Someone wanting to know if I had managed to sell sketches and an offer of more free cigarettes. Just kindness and empathy in abundance.

I'm having fun. Meeting great people. Seeing beautiful places. Next post will definitely be painting number One (Siren Nº1) up for auction for charity.

I'm heading back to Bayonne briefly, then onto Pao.

I have been getting the weather luck big time :)

Reflecta 230x USB DigiMicroscope.

2011-04-28T02:07:00.000-07:00

I'm in Pamplona - a city a always enjoy very much. I like it here as much as I like Leon and Granada. I'm about to start walking. I am carrying far too much! Amongst the non-essentials I am taking with me is a Reflecta 230x USB DigiMicroscope. My favourite new toy. Here is a Pamplona Pansy at around 200x

Travel photography from a very different perspective.

The Secret Chinese - Madrid.

2011-04-25T01:02:00.000-07:00

Finally moving in the right direction :)

Madrid is a city I know well and enjoy always. Top tip bfor travellers on a budget who enjoy good Chinese food: Go to the top end of Plaza España and look for this entrance to an underground carpark. It's much more than just a carpark, but you would never know.

Keep following the steps until you find the Chinese cafeteria. Delicious, good value food and a rather cool place to be seen it seems.

Madrid has a huge homeless population currently. The most street people I've ever seen in a city. Almost every redundant, dry corner is taken by a rough sleeper. I'm guessing many people have just arrived looking for summer work, but I know many are also permanently on the streets. Pretty sure some foreign tourists to Western Europe would be shocked to see this. The number of people even shocks me. Shouldn't be happening even during times of crisis.

Other than that I'm enjoying as ever.

The Pigeon Catchers.

2011-04-07T01:29:00.000-07:00

I've already told you how friendly Granada is. Today the local environmental were re-homing pigeons. It was all being filmed by national telly people. Which is a shame really, because I had questions I couldn't ask. Specifically; "how do you stop the pigeons homing back to the plaza?".

Being rather suspicious, sceptical and cynical I think the corn they feed the pigeons is 'special corn' that prevents them from returning anywhere other than pigeon heaven.

All this happened just 10 minutes ago. I bring you the news that really matters as it happens, when it happens before TVE even get to the editing suite and corrupt stuff with the PR people.

See! This is going to be good :)

1. Corden off the square before asking me to move.
2. Bait with corn.
3. Fire big net over pigeons.
4. Put them in box and take them to the rubbish dump.

The TV people interviewed those watching. They didn't interview me. If they had I would have told them straight: "Pigeons have as much right as humans to be on this planet, but we must control them, or they will take over the World and end up controlling us!".

The news is unlikley to be as exciting, and as fresh as this piece on all posts I make, but I promise to do my best if people buy my paintings to raise money for charity.

Almost ready...

2011-04-05T04:27:00.000-07:00

Granada is a trap. A very nice trap. Still my favourite city, and friendliest city I know. Think I leave tomorrow. I am itching to get moving.

I will be typing 'on the fly' to post here much of the time. I want to record eveything as I feel at the time. It will not always make nice reading!

A very nice place to stay...

2011-03-31T05:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.apartamentosalhambra.es/

It's the 'me' themed hotel :)

I'm in Granada until Tuesday. Lots of work. More stuff to do. Start moving again Tuesday night. First painting to auction for charity will appear here before I hit the road. I'm going to do a set of 7 Sirens and sell them on ebay with the winning bidder paying the charity of their choice. We'll see how it goes???

2011-03-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

FFS! Unreliable WiFi!

A long post just disappeared. I'm busy. Busy, busy, busy :)

Long time since I updated. Busy. That's good, but, it's work :(

Melilla.

2011-03-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

Before I went to Morocco I went to Melilla.

I loved it. There is the most surreal 8KM hike you can do from Melilla to Nador. Very, very difficult to accept that the world can change so much in such a short distance. From European style promenades to the apparent chaos, dust and rubbish of a Moroccan market. Across no-mans land. A very strange collection of holiday chalets, social clubs and military buildings shadowed by a border crossing perimeter fence, and onwards into a very different world. I'll come back to this another time. I spent hours taking photographs around border crossings. Fascinating places.

Africa seems to be on hold until autumn, so...

2011-03-11T04:38:00.000-08:00

I'm doing a Euro adventure for the summer. From Granada to Estonia.

Same idea to sell paintings on the web to raise money for charity (winning bidder pays the charity of their choice) whilst accepting donations for sketches and prints to help cover my costs. I may make more than I need. This trip will be recorded as a business guide for anyone wanting to try and pay for their own art/travel holiday adventure.

I'm going to make it tough for myself just to show that it is possible with very little cash. Starting quite literally with nothing more than essential work tools: sketch book and pens, paints, camera to record stills and video, my favourite toy - A Reflecta 230x digimicroscope just for my own entertainment, notebook loaded with necessary software. About €500 in total, but the only real essential to get started is sketchbook and pens.

My only goal is to get to Estonia one way, or another covering my costs through art. Hopefully, people will buy paintings for charity also.

I'll record all that I can and, this time keep an open account on business details as well as recording all art work photographically, making videos etc. With all I learned from my Santiago de Compostela adventures I know how to make it work a bit more successfully this time. I hope!

Meanwhile, back in Granada...

2011-03-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Africa is on hold for a while.

Things to do etc...

Interesting short trip mind. Photos will come.

Africa :)

2011-02-27T09:15:00.000-08:00

Been here for a couple of days now. Open plan sort of. Walking around until money runs out, or I get a call to work elsewhere.

Love it so far, but the skies have just turned a bit mental purple!

Photos will come.

I will also be putting paintings on ebay to auction for charity. Winning bidder chooses the charity.

Lose plan. As ever!

Costa Brava.

2011-02-24T04:15:00.001-08:00

Costa Brava.

2011-02-23T12:28:00.001-08:00

Costa Brava.

2011-02-23T11:36:00.001-08:00

Costa Brava.

2011-02-23T03:05:00.001-08:00

This is still Costa Brava.

Back in Granada I'm wondering what to do? Stay and finish work. Go on to Madrid. Morocco???

Not easy finding a cheap room here this time of year if you're not a foreign, female student.

South coast?

Costa Brava.

2011-02-21T07:59:00.001-08:00

Costa Brava

2011-02-19T06:20:00.001-08:00

Costa Brava

2011-02-18T03:51:00.001-08:00

I'll keep posting Costa Brava photographs and words as and when. Now, I'm heading to Barcelona to get a night train to Granada. I shall record the TrenHotel in images and post here also.

Meanwhile back in the mountains of Catalunya...

2011-02-16T04:36:00.000-08:00

It was still cold. Not this cold actually. This was a couple of weeks ago. Spring is coming!

Just a very short drive from Costa Brava you can explore mountain pueblo after mountain pueblo amongst beautiful natural parks. 'Come to the sea - Come to the Country' say the tourism people. Very beautiful here, but cold in the mountains early February.

Costa Brava.

2011-02-15T14:31:00.001-08:00

Costa Brava. The Conventionally Beautiful.

2011-02-15T05:57:00.000-08:00

I wasn't expecting to find a real live, living real siren!

Many corners of this coast surprised me.

Costa Brava

2011-02-15T04:12:00.000-08:00

Costa Brava - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

2011-02-15T03:50:00.000-08:00

Except the ugly isn’t really ugly. Is it?
The photographs I post here will hopefully explain the way I see The Costa Brava. Explain what I see as a very misunderstood cultural phenomenon of 20th Century Spain – the sand, sea and sun boom of the Costas.
I explored the coast from Portbou close to the French border as far south as Sant Feliu de Guixols passing along wide open beaches, urbanisations, modern holiday complexes, quaint fishing villages (boring! Leave them to the English. They need real ales in real pirates bars with real fish and chips to be any good) and the many ‘unseen’ small towns that service the seasonal holiday industry.
Some of the photographs will hopefully portray conventional beauty. Some will probably offend the tourism industry! Some may just look mad to most. The mad will be my favourites.

Costa Brava

2011-02-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Costa Brava.

2011-02-14T02:05:00.001-08:00

Beach art.

Costa Brava.

2011-02-14T01:46:00.000-08:00

I've decided to post these in single doses of a few a day.

The shot below is Nou Casino in Sant Feliu de Guixols.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Feliu_de_Gu%C3%ADxols

A huge social space usually full of people playing card games, or dominoes. I spent much time here. The daily menu is excellent and very good value also.

Beyond what Wiki says about the place, I found Sant Feliu to be one of the most friendly, welcoming and happy towns I have ever visited!

The shot above is a bit out of season seedy seaside grunginess :)

Costa Brava.

2011-02-13T03:05:00.000-08:00

This is a part of Spain I find fascinating for many reasons. I'm putting a photoessay type thing together now. About 50 photographs shot over a Two day hike along a 30KM stretch of coast yesterday and Friday.

One photograph for now. If free WiFi and batteries hold out, everything will be here this evening.

A Tunnel Thing.

2011-02-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

A View from a Bus Window.

2011-02-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

Crazy World we all share!

2011-02-06T01:46:00.000-08:00

A pig farm.

Barcelona :(

2011-02-02T12:08:00.000-08:00

I posted this shot on a web forum sometime ago now. A single guy, a bit drunk, but harmless. He really didn't need this much attention. And, neither did the Police! Fuck shit policing in every way.

Brrrrrrrrrrr...

2011-02-02T00:29:00.001-08:00

Cold this morning!

What Happend to January?

2011-02-01T03:50:00.000-08:00

Blimey! It's flying by.

I have finally found the time (and motivation) to read my entire blog. I've also edited much. There are no 'f' and 'c' words in the book proposal. There's also a fair bit that isn'y included here.

Right at the start I intended to blog everything, no matter how grim, bleak, or inconsequential it seemed at the time. However, some thing happend that I just didn't want to remember. Some of the people I met on the streets died. I watched one person overdose on heroin right in front of my eyes. Someone else was found suffocated in a clothes recycling bin. That is barely touching the surface of the darker side of street life. When you spend almost every passing hour of every passing day working on the streets you see it all. Everything. And, everything isn't all nice.

Then there was the physical abuse from some idiot Policia Local. Sitting on a bench one evening I was approached by 3 Policia Local who asked for my ID. I showed it to them - no problems. I wasn't doing anything which could be in anyway construed as suspicious. I was only polite. They then decided they wanted to search me. Took me into an alley and took it in turns to beat me around the head. That shook me up a great deal. What can you do other than just stand there and take it? Police with guns.

Despite the ugly experiences, there are many places I would like to revisit between hikes in Africa. There are also many places I have yet to see in Spain. One place is the coast of North Catalunya close to the French border. I will go this weekend. Then I will return to Laxe and Camelle in Galicia - possibly my favourite bit of coastal Spain. And, I will post photographs here!

I'm currently in a small village near a town called Vic about 100KM north of Barcelona. Wondering whether this is going to become my base, or whether elsewhere in Spain suits me more. I sort of fancy a base in Laxe/Camelle and a base in Granada, or Madrid, or Leon for city living. Photos of here...

Unusual to find a Saint James in a tiny village so far away from a recognised pilgrimage route, although Montserat is not too far away.

Photography?

2011-01-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

People keep asking me 'where are the photographs?'. 'What sort of photography do you do?'.

Well, it's not holiday brochure photography. It's not street photography. There are many things it's not. Some people say it's photographs of nothing. If I had to describe it, I would say it's fine art documentary photography and ignore all the scoffs from the technocrats and those who simply deny that photography could ever be fine art. Personally, I agree with those who describe photography as 'The defining art form of the 20th Century'.

I could fill a few pages now with words. Instead, here's an old photograph taken in Torremolinos and a link to some more old photographs from London, Berlin and Spain.

http://www.freewebtown.com/johncolley/printSalesGallery/index.htm

Goddesses 13 & 14

2011-01-13T08:59:00.000-08:00

Goddess 17.

2011-01-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

The theme is roughly following a timeline of religious evolution whilst exploring theories about ancient human migration routes.

Each painting represents a Goddess from a religious belief. A place I visited whilst walking pilgrimage routes. And, a conversation I had with someone I met along the way, or at the start, or at the end.

Goddess 16.

2011-01-12T07:04:00.001-08:00

Tic toc, tic toc, tic toc...

2011-01-12T06:51:00.000-08:00

Stops for no-one! Is that the date already?

The countryside of Catalunya is slow and sleepy this time of year. I am getting very restless.

Exhibition and book proposal to complete. I am looking for suitable exhibition venues in Spain, preferably in cities along the pilgrimage routes I walked.

17 Goddesses of Pilgrimage (Alternative Walking Routes to Santiago de Compostela) is a proposed book featuring paintings, sketches, photographs, maps and excerpts from my blog. Not exactly sure how to present the idea yet, but present it and sell it is what I intend to do.

I have been getting destracted by nothing. Time to get busy in this sleepy little hamlet.

New Years Eve

2010-12-31T12:09:00.000-08:00

Like many, I've spent the day reviewing my year. For the first time in many years I'm reviewing my year with a clear, booze free mind! I brought my New Years resolution forwards to Boxing Day.

Reading back through my blog I barely remember the last Five months. Somewhere, in the cloud and the fog I lost an entire Five weeks. I can't even remember writing it never mind living it!

So, I'm cutting it all out and preparing my fitness levels for hikes in Africa and a full on tackle with new projects (Art in Hiding will hopefully fullfill much time), and finishing uncompleted projects now I have a new base.

Back in Spain, but a long way from Granada. 2011 promises much. Hope everyone reading here makes the most of what may be a finacially tight year. Money is by no means everything.

Yeah - it helps, I know :D

An All New Blog...

2010-12-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

Art in Hiding is a project I am involved with.

http://www.artinhiding.blogspot.com

I will continue to blog here also. A new website will be viewable soon.

Sunday Evening Curry...

2010-11-24T03:26:00.000-08:00

An open invitation...

Anyone reading here who happens to be in Granada is more than welcome to join me and some good people for an evening of spicieness to warm a cold, November night.

Meeting from 6PM in Plaza de Gracia. Restaurant Muglia from 7PM (very close by). This Sunday, 28th. Bring friends. Bring music. Bring smiles.

It's all on me!!!

I leave for Berlin on Monday. Finally moving again. Looking forward to it, but I am going to miss some people a great deal.

Passport!

2010-11-09T08:42:00.000-08:00

New passport. New bank account. Cheques banked.

And, I know it works because I was controlled leaving the bank this morning. Just hours and I've already used it.

Just a few days of grim weather to get through somehow, then onwards and upwards again...

Short break. Berlin, Estinia, Slovakia. Quick return to Granada, then onto Senegal.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

2010-11-08T07:22:00.001-08:00

It's changed. Someone has flicked that big switch!

DHL. Let me talk about DHL for just a minute. Promise all - deliver fuck-all. Cunts. What the fuck am I paying for?

Not a good day. Tough few weeks TBH, but friends are fucking valuable at times like these. Shit weather. No cash. Can't work. Yet, Granada still delivers. Good friends. Thank you. And, if you ever read here...

One day I will explain to you what a very valuable thing female company and friendship is. Nice bread ;)

Mission Accomplished!

2010-10-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

Fuck yeah!

It only took me 9 weeks. I have no idea why I am so shit at this stuff.

Very tempted to stay in Madrid. I like it here, and I will return with all my furniture soon. But, I'm getting out whilst the going is still good. One last hour on my best pitch to cover bus fare back to Granada.

Almost!

2010-10-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

Right. Remind myself.

I have all documents. I have the cash. I have paid for my bed for 3 nights (in an interesting part of town I haven't explored before).

Monday - get to the fucking embassy :)

To the Mum and Daughter I spoke to by the ticket office in front of the palaces today...;

You cheered me up loads. No need to do more! I could ask for more, but I'm rarely that cheeky! Nice chat :)

Some Policia Local Are Actually OK.

2010-10-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

My erm... 'relationship' with police has proved to be only 2nd most influencial hazzard to the weather on this adventure (an adventure which may well end soon!).

On the whole, generally, blah, blah, blah... they've been OK. One horrible experience in Granada that shook me up big time. I've got used to the attitude of most - they're only really there to impress rich tourists. It's the truth. They're employed to protect business interests above all else and tourism is THE business in Spain.

However, occassionally you meet good guys in uniform. Today was one of those days. Good advice. Good information. Friendly approach. Extremely diplomatic.

I'm just €10 short of a new passport. IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN! Possibly.

We'll see. I've been this close before.

Meh...

2010-10-15T02:37:00.000-07:00

Policia Local - booooh!

Hopefully they will be off duty for the weekend.

At least I'm having fun. Meeting some loverlly people :) Nice to talk to you 'fantasy'! And, I hope to spend more time talking to the beautiful Industrial Engineer from Harrow before I leave. I have absolutely no idea what industrial engineers are supposed to look like, so no need to tell me you don't look like one ;)

These guys are fucking good entertainment...

http://www.myspace.com/alwaysdrinkingmarchingban

Seems I am only allowed to work evenings ATM. Maybe, just maybe I will have cash for passport by Monday. Must stop spending/partying!!!

Madrid.

2010-10-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

I like it here :)

I'm off to find out who's still about and spunk all me cash.

I may stay a few days!

Light is Appearing!

2010-10-11T03:55:00.000-07:00

Despite the rain and wine spillage that was a good weekend. I am just €20 shy. I can see the goal! Work in Granada this evening. Get night bus to Madrid. Go cry in the embassy :)

I am actually getting there!

The Hazzards of Being a Street Artist Nº 119

2010-10-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Sigh!

The weather has gone shit. Expected, so I stocked up on sketches to sell. Sketching on the street until the rains came, I ran to a bar to treat myself to a tapa I can't really afford. Found a quiet corner at the bar. After 2 minutes I was swamped by a bunch of ignorant cunts who pretended they couldn't see me - it is the Spanish way.

Clumsy fucking clot knocked not 1, not 2, but 3 glasses of wine all over me, my sketches, and my coat. Fucking bitch just smiled expecting an 'excuse me' to excuse her. 10 hours of work fucked. Nothing to sell this weekend. I'm stuffed again :(

Perhaps I should just get a bus to Madrid now and finally say 'fuck off' to Granada once and for all? Too many selfish cunts here.

Spent €20 on new materials. €18 for a bus to Madrid. Possibly the best option.

The Hazzards of Being a Street Artist Nº 106

2010-10-09T02:58:00.000-07:00

In a pedestrianised plaza some twat ran over my sketches and bags before stopping to reverse over them. Sketch fucked. Paints in bags spurted all over the shop. I was a little bit angry. With hindsight, I'm glad Guardia Civil were around to step in.

Down to just 80 Cents and a single roll of paper. Thankfully yesterday evening was good. A recovery to €60. Today it looks like rain :( But, at least I have enough to get to Madrid on Monday.

Sloooooooow...

2010-10-08T02:21:00.000-07:00

Right. I have all the documents I need and I have signed photo. Mission for the weekend: make enough cash to get to Madrid and pay for a new passport.

This is going painfully slowly :(

I am still a minimum of 3 weeks away from releasing cash and moving forward. The rains will be arriving soon. Oh noes!

I actually saved €160 at one point. Then 5 very poor days and I'm back down to fuck all. Whatever I have in pocket on Monday I take to Madrid and try to make the difference there.

A guy here just applied for his Spanish passport. 48 Hours and €22 got him passport + digital ID card. Rip-off Britain? I could moan for days, no weeks about this privatised system. It is shit. And, my original passport is still floating around perfectly valid. Twats.

Erm... onwards and upwards.

New Boots!

2010-10-01T04:18:00.000-07:00

Yay! Whoever you are; thank you very, very much.

An almighty confidence boost. Difficult to explain the psychological effect of new boots after wearing totally worn out shoes for weeks. From trying to hide my feet to kicking proudly in an instance. I'm already fighting back :)

I have all the forms, documents, papers etc. I have my passport photographs - I look like a criminal, but who doesn't? I think it's the norm. All I have to do now is get them signed by some professional type who's known me for Two years. Erm... not exactly the type of company I've been keeping for the past Two years!

Oh. I still need more cash than I can currently imagine to get get to Madrid and pay for new passport.

Edgeing closer. I can see the light now.

Where was I?

2010-09-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah. Quest for new passport. I am still no closer :D

Bit of a shit few days for many reasons. Two lumps on the head and a strained thumb for free from Policia Local also. Nice of them. Too much sadness around ATM.

New boots have become a priority. Then, Madrid to simply ask WTF I am supposed to do?

Onwards and upwards!

Too Many Dead Ends.

2010-09-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

Fuck! I hate this shit. How many weeks later?

I am getting there very slowly. I've given up trying to use the seamlessly integrated digital payment system on the internet for ordering a new birth certificate, so I'm back to a search for my original. I think it might be under the utilities tray of the top drawer of my big, posh, curvey office desk which has been 'in storage' for the past 4 years. A trip into the hills to rediscover my furniture and just for the sake of taking a break. I am seriously losing the plot in frustration.

I need (just to remind myself what I have to do next)...

Birth certificate
Signed passport photo's
About another €300 to cover costs

Then get to Madrid.

Apply for new passport.
Wait about 2 weeks.
Apply for residencia thingy.
Open bank account.
Wait about 2 weeks.

Find appartment, or just a room for a year.
Move everything from current storage locations to new appartment/room.

Then, I can finally move forwards.

Lots of expense. Lots of time. It's fucking shit.

Deep sigh. If my birth certificate is where I think it is, I'm expecting to be on the move again in about 2 months. If it isn't??? Fuck knows where I go from there :(

I hate this shit. I am very close to superglueing every ATM and bank door lock in Spain. That'll fucking teach them!

I just want MY FUCKING MONEY BACK you cunts.

Less sighing :)

2010-09-09T03:36:00.000-07:00

OK. Things are progressing much more quickly than I expected. All I have to do is get myself to Madrid with my police report, application forms, photos, €160 and my birth certificate.

Birth certificate!

Erm...

I think I know where I left that...

This could all happen within 3 weeks.

Sigh. I am sinking.

2010-09-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

I hate this stuff. It's just depressing.

I need a new passport. I need a new passport to travel and to open a bank account to reclaim MY FUCKING MONEY!

I am faced with a huge mountain of form filling, queueing, beuracratic shit, and the very thought is depressing me. I tried to start today. Go to the police station to report the stolen passport. I'm given an expensive telephone number to call. "But, can't I just make the report here now?". Here is an expensive telephone number to call.

I think I've given up already. Difficult to explain why I am so shit at all this stuff. It just depresses me. Seriously depresses me.

I am stuck. I don't know what to do next. Call the expensive telephone number to be told to go back to the police station and make a report?

Back to sketching on the street waiting for a miracle. Useless me - I know. I just don't know why I can't deal with this???

Reasons to Love Granada, Reasons to Love Life...

2010-09-04T03:33:00.000-07:00

Granada. I'm 'stuck' here again. According to the bits of paper that arrived in the post I am actually quite wealthy. In reality, I'm surviving day to day selling sketches in the street. That is both frustrating and liberating.

Why I love Granada...

Last night I couldn't find much going on and sat on a bench in a small plaza drinking, smoking, watching the World go by. Happy in my own company. Texting bad jokes to people who probably didn't appreciate it. Not bored, or lonely - just content. Then Two people who barely know me invited me back to their house. This happens in Granada, and Andalucia as a whole. Summer culture is all about living outdoors. People talk. People leave their front doors open. Always an open invitation to join any congregation, or anyone alone.

Talking with my hosts about universal stuff. Sharing the joy young parents get from watching their children learn. Eating, drinking, laughing a common laugh. All good. But, what is better is talking more deeply. Learning what essentially makes their own culture, their own life and way of thinking different to your own. Talking about what is actually happening on the streets as opposed to what is happening on the TV. Talking about the issues that are actually affecting Gitano culture.

It was a very nice evening. And, this morning I met someone who I first met in Sitges about 18 months ago. Apparently I inspired him to continue travelling around Spain and Europe. After talking today I think he got pretty much the same sort of value from this way of living as myself.

Despite being skint, and frustrated that I should actually have enough in my pocket to go and buy a menu del dia, I wonder if I wasn't so skint how much I would miss out on?

I will often tell people "it's all relative". Perhaps it is, perhaps money makes very little difference. On the other hand; I have to get to Seville, then back to Granada, then back into 'the system' to reclaim my cash. I am shit at this stuff. Totally shit. I need a manager. All applications here please. Now!

Catch 22

2010-09-03T02:51:00.000-07:00

Before I start moaning about banks I have to admit this is actually my problem cuased by nobody else but me. I also have to say Legal & General have restored a bit of faith!

But...

Aaaargh! I just want my fucking cash!

Complicated business getting your own fucking cash back. This is going to take weeks and has to start with a trip to Seville. Short, and boring story. So, Seville - here I come. I suspect I am on a hopeless mission :(

I did not enjoy Seville on my last visit.

My New Project...

2010-08-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

A few things to sort out that may take a few weeks first, but then...

Whilst following camino routes to Santiago de Compostela it became pretty obvious that the trails are actually much older than the Christian calendar. I'm convinced they roughly follow very old human migration routes.

The earliest reference I can find about Santiago is that it was setteled by a tribe from the Rhine valley. Routes from all directions seem to converge towards the NW tip of Spain. No doubt from there some people managed to cross the Atlantic long before Columbus had his day.

I am going to explore theories about these routes. Walking only by night with nothing but the stars to guide me - following whatever instinct instructs me. Firstly from Eastern Europe and then the Rhine valley to see if any 'natural phenomenon' directs me to Santiago. Then from Africa. Initially from Senegal. If money allows, I will then try from Ethiopia.

Covering the costs myself and hoping to raise money for charity. I will be making videos to post on an all new, all singing, all dancing website at www.TheLostPhotographer.com when I begin.

I'm hoping to raise more cash for more community art projects as I travel also.

I won't be walking all the way. I intend to walk as much as cash allows.

Looking at an October start. May take longer. May not.

Fast Forward!

2010-08-19T04:01:00.000-07:00

Back to Granada to wait for a big fat cheque to arrive :)

I've only just discovered I've had plenty of cash available since January. I am a bit useless at this sort of stuff. All those nights spent camping out and clocking up debt in cheapo pensions. Idiot!

Never mind. It means start of next project can happen very soon.

Granada. Then Sevilla, then a brief visit to Santiago, then.......

The World is my oyster. A huge adventure :)

New laptop. New digicam. New clothes.

If I return to Spain to settle, it will be in Leon. This city is always incredibly friendly and exceptionally good to me. Cold winters, but beautiful summers.

Next Project?

2010-08-17T02:15:00.000-07:00

I've decided what it will be. But, it won't happen until January. No real idea what I'm going to do in the meantime other than survive! Carry on as I am I guess. Picking up occassional commissions and selling sketches on the street whilst trying to raise money for charity (that isn't going to well ATM).

For a year from January I will be travelling all over Europe and Africa :) Making art, film, photography and exhibiting. Paintings, sketches, photographs and more will be offered for sale via an all new website and auctioned on ebay. All profit to go to charity. A bit of a working holiday. I'll be paying for it myself - ultimately, it's all about an adventure for me and self-promotion. I will also be looking for donations to charity and I have an offer to help fund costs of community projects.

Yeah - I know, I've changed my mind plenty of times before, but this one is workable. No flying. All land and water. Walking, buses, car, motorbike, ferry. As much walking as possible. Walking is expensive mind.

In the meantime, it's business as usual. I haven't been to Segovia yet. I met a couple from Segovia here in Leon. They bought sketches. One sketch may well pay for a bus to Segovia. There is actually a pilgrimage route I could walk from there. One last time to Santiago de Compostela???

A Bag Full of Letters...

2010-08-15T05:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has been following my blog will probably know what I'm on about.

I have a bag full of letters. I can't get rid of them! I don't want to get rid of them, but I feel I have to. Very occassionally you meet someone who has a very profound effect on your life. Damn them :D

I'm going to take a short break. Visit an island off the coast of Galicia for a couple of days. I'm going to have a letter burning ceremony. Possibly. Or, I'm going to drink a bottle of wine. Wash and dry the bottle of wine. Fill it with letters and a couple of photographs and throw it as far as I can into the Atlantic. Knowing my luck it will wash up on the beach of new boyfriends home town where his dog will find it and deliver it to him. I will then be accused of devising some elaborate plan to interfere.

Now I've planted that little seed in my mind I'm going to have to burn them. Nah, keep them. Burn them. Keep them? Burn? Bin?

Damn you!

Why I Like Leon.

2010-08-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

I can't really explain it in terms of why I like the city as a city. It just seems to sort of balance very happily. Old and new. Tradition and convenience. Beautiful buildings for a small city, and the most elegant cathedral I've ever come across. Also the best stained glass windows I've ever come across.

Most of all; good things always seem to happen in Leon (when it doesn't rain). I always get good work, or make enough cash selling on the streets. Today, a young lad asked his uncle to buy a sketch as a birthday gift. I am absolutley chuffed with that. More than any prestigious client name. More than my very own themed hotel in Granada. More than the very nice display I was shown today in the Cathedral restaurant/bar here in Leon (that looks cool as, but...). I was wasting pocket money on Athena shit at that age. My favourite customer to date, and he got my best Leon sketch to date. Five people tried to buy it.

I feel finally retsored from the nightmare of Santiago and Granada. It wasn't all bad - lots of very good also, but only now do I feel like I'm the relaxed, easy going artist I almost lost! I know who I am again. I know where I'm going again. I'm going to take a short break somewhere. Someone told me about a peaceful, beautiful island. Perhaps next week for a couple of days, or so. I need to let go of a dream???

Someone gave me a book. There was a quote quoted. Can't remember who, or verbatim, but something like "It is always easier to bury reality than it is to dispose of dreams". Works for me. Not sure if it's good, bad, meaningful, or totally irrelevant. Perhaps it's just a bit of esoteric poetry, or summat???

Leon.

2010-08-12T01:45:00.000-07:00

I do like this city. Hoping I will find enough work to stay here until the start of my next project. Trying to find a man to talk about designing a psychedelic, multimedia, mobile stage for classical guitar performances!!!

I have a kitchen. I can cook my own food. I have a washing machine. I can wash my own clothes.

Leon is positively thriving. It's a fresh, fun little city with fantastic bars, affordable accommodation, plenty of art, nice parks and plazas, a river and a nice relaxed vibe - no Policia Local ripping up sketches.

Policia Local in Granada are fucking the place up as far as I can see. They started using 'black leather glove' psychology to scare people. They only seem to pick on those who appear to be the most vulnerable also. I may return later in the year if I have to.

Plan now is to clear a bit of debt and find enough work to see me through until December when funds become available for my next project. Small exhibition in Barcelona next week may, or may not provide cash also. It's a bit of an experiment really.

Next project? It is either going to happen in Africa, Eastern Europe, or London. Yet to decide.

Aaaaaargh!

2010-08-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

Granada. Love it - hate it. When I'm getting commissions it's very good. Selling on the streets is difficult at the best of times. I had decided to stay. Now I'm desperate to escape again.

Thursday evening Policia Local confiscated my sketch. Filled in some paperwork. Fuck knows if a fine will materialise.

Last night 3 of them just walked up to my sketch and ripped it up :( No warning. No asking questions. Before I had a chance to protest it was ripped into pieces.

I give up with Granada for the time being at least. I don't enjoy being made to feel like a criminal when I'm simply sketching and trying to raise money for charities. Other cities in Spain are far more artist friendly. Not sure where to head yet. I know where I don't want to go. I'll probably end up in Leon for a while. I like it there

Granada, Granada, Granada and Life as an Itinerant Artist.

2010-07-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Granada. I like it.

It is very difficult to make money on the streets here, but I'm picking up good commissions. Not brilliant, just good enough. And, I really do like the 'me' themed new hotel full of my giant sketches and other art. I like it a bit too much actually!

I know many people here. I have many friends here. There are as many reasons to stay as there are to move on. However, move on I must. It seems no single provincial city is going to provide sufficient fulltime work for an artist like myself. I have to keep moving. Keep following the work. Taking each opportunity as it arises. Seems this is the only way to make it work financially.

I'm still busy here. No reason to move on just yet, but work awaits in Leon, Salamanca and Santiago (Santiago can wait as long as it has to - I'm in no rush to return!).

You Don't Have to Have the Solution...

2010-07-21T13:51:00.001-07:00

Just don't be a part of the problem.

Did someone sing that once upon a time?

Granada. Love it. Hate it.

I'll start with the good; the dry heat and a readily available supply of locally grown opium has got shot of my rheumatism for the time being. Joking. Possibly ;)

The good gets better. A new hotel (very posh, very nice) has entirely designed their decor around my sketches. Looks fab and it's a totally ME themed posh hotel :)

Down side...

Well, dead people doesn't do much for the spirit.

No cash on the streets and Southern Spain manaña syndrome.

I'm still a little more than fucked off with the way I was let down in Santiago (and, I have to go back - fuck it). Because of one single person I seem to be burning bridges here, left, right and center. My trust has gone. Ripping up sketches in front of clients. I'm losing it again.

On the other hand, I have good friends here, know good people. I may be skint, but I will never go hungry, or short of tobacco (thank you Tracey!). But, 12 hour days for about €8. Seriously that shit on the street. Good commissions generally, but my mind really isn't on the job ATM. I'm doing more harm than good.

Work lined up for a bus to Leon. I love Leon!!!

Granada. Hmmmmm...

2010-07-18T05:58:00.000-07:00

I love this city. It is unique. It is 'home'.

However, everytime I return I get bad news. Three 'street folk' dead this time plus someone else a little bit fucked-up to say the least.

I have moaned about having to work on the streets amongst street people. I have called them 'manipulative'. Many are - they have to be. But, many are also highly vulnerable and susceptible. As difficult as they can be at times, they are on the whole very likeable, intelligent people. On the whole. There are always exceptions. As in any other walk of life there are cunts amongst them.

3 dead people amongst a very small community.

People talk about the comaradery/comradeship amongst street people. It exists, but it is incredibly shallow. Most have their own priorities. Those that die are very quickly forgotten. It's almost like an accepted risk.

Someone is avoiding me, and it's not just about a €10 'loan'.

I love Granada, but I want out. Back to Leon!