'Every second is a chance to turn it all around' - By Paul Connor (For everyone who lost their lives in the Twin Towers terrorist attack 09/11/2001) 'All the “I love you’s, that were left unsaid, All the “egg shells” where they feared to tread. All of the apologies that were never made, All the ghosts that were never laid.' 'All the dreams that were never fulfilled, All the friendships that they tried to build. All the words in anger to late to be withheld, All of the grandch

Tomikichiro Tokuriki ' Kiyomizu Temple under the full moon' Series: Woodblock Prints of 15 views of Kyoto and the Outside Title or Subject: Kiyomizu Temple under the full moon Date: Not Dated (1950's) Paper Size: 11 x 10 Inches Impression/Colour/Condition: Good/Good/Good Condition Details: Attached two corners to original folio backing, faint mat toning lines, minor foxing Good State Kiyomizu Temple (Present Day) Kiyomizu Temple (Overview) Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple l

'Death? Why does it frighten and bother us so?' By Paul Connor Goodbye by Lora Zombie I've discovered that discussing death can be quite challenging, particularly in the West where it's nearly a taboo topic. I hope this blog doesn't offend or upset anyone, as that is not my intention. However, it's still a subject that requires research and discussion. First, I want to take this opportunity to express my condolences to those who have been left behind, those who have lost love

'Realistic and achievable goals in Nine Chapters' by Paul Connor Chapter 1 'Let tomorrow be the day we put down our mobile phones and tablets, switch off the television and the game station and talk, listen and share our thoughts with partners, family and friends". Chapter 2 "To stop living our "lives through fictitious characters and celebrities and leave the house, explore this beautiful planet and create memories and history of our own". Chapter 3 "To be thankful for what

'I live in a world and I hope to live in a world' by Paul Connor ‘I live in a world where there is the ugly and there is the pretty’ ‘I live in a world where know-one is quite sure if they are sad are they are happy’ 'I live in a world where if the majority says it to be so, then it has to be that way, 'I live in a world where, some think that heterosexuality is still 'normal' and it is still 'abnormal' to be gay'. ‘I live in a world where there is the big and there is the

Japanese woodblock prints - Carving techniques (Overview) Carving tools Today, we will focus on the carving stage of the woodblock print production process. However, let's first quickly review all the materials required for creating the print. Artists involved: The artist responsible for drawing or sketching the image. The individual who carves the image onto the woodblock. The expert who applies the colour. The publisher who oversees the entire process and markets the comple

'Information and Action expressed in an image' by Paul Connor 'The Universe consists of two energies: knowledge or information, which is omnipresent in space and constitutes 99.9999% of the universe, and matter, which is energy manifested as action and comprises 0.0001% of the universe. The non-material part of the universe possesses complete knowledge but cannot act, while the material part can act but lacks knowledge. Thus, every being is knowledge in action, responsible no

My 'top five artists', some comments, exclusions and reflections. Berthe Morisot Preamble: 'This wasn't a self-centered endeavour to showcase 'look at all the art I like' by listing my top five artists and discussing them. I genuinely believe that humanity is at a critical juncture, and we are losing our connection with art, artists, and what they symbolize: creativity, imagination, and the spark of the human spirit. I am convinced that art possesses the power, versatility, a

My top five artists (not in the gallery) - Jacob Van Ruisdael Jacob Isaackszoon van Ruisdael (1629 – 10 March 1682) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and etcher. He is widely regarded as the leading landscape painter of the Dutch Golden Age, a time of significant prosperity and cultural achievement when Dutch painting gained immense popularity. Ruisdael, known for his prolific and versatile work, portrayed a diverse range of landscape subjects. Starting in 1646, he created Du

My Top five artists (not in the gallery) Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec Quick Bio: Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Montfa (24 November 1864 – 9 September 1901), commonly known as Toulouse-Lautrec, was a French painter, printmaker, draughtsman, caricaturist, and illustrator. His deep involvement in the vibrant and theatrical life of Paris's Belle Époque in the late 19th century enabled him to create popular artworks inspired by decadent events. Toulouse-Lautrec's parents we

My top five artists (not in the gallery) - Rene Magritte Quick Biography René François Ghislain Magritte is the son of Léopold Magritte. The family first moved to Soignies then to Saint-Gilles, Lessines, where René Magritte was born, and in 1900 returned to Régina’s mother in Gilly, where his two brothers Raymond (1900-1970) and Paul (1902- were born) 1975) René Magritte attended primary school there for six years and the first year of his secondary studies, also in 1910 foll

My top five artists (not in the gallery) - Photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto Quick Bio: Hiroshi Sugimoto is a Japanese photographer, architect, and multidisciplinary contemporary artist known for his conceptually rich and meticulously crafted works that delve into themes of time, memory, and perception. His acclaimed series such as 'Dioramas', 'Theatres', and 'Seascapes' are often produced using long exposures with an 8×10 large-format camera. He heads the New Material Research L

My top five artists (not in the gallery) - Impressionist artist and collector Gustave Caillebotte Paris Street, Rainy Day Artist quick biography Gustave Caillebotte (born August 19, 1848, Paris, France—died February 21, 1894, Gennevilliers) was a French painter, art collector, and impresario known for blending elements of academic and Impressionist styles into a distinctive fusion. His early artworks depict the wide new boulevards and modern apartment buildings designed by Ba

'Benkei Bridge' by Toshi Yoshida. Artist Bio Tōshi Yoshida was a Japanese printmaker linked to the sōsaku-hanga movement and was the son of shin-hanga artist Hiroshi Yoshida. During his early childhood, one of Yoshida's legs became paralyzed. Unable to attend school, he found joy in observing animals and his father's printmaking studio. With encouragement from his grandmother Rui Yoshida, Tōshi frequently sketched animals. Born: 25 Jul 1911 (Tokyo) Died: 1 Jul 1995 (Tokyo, Ja

' 'Abril' by the hugely talented mural artist Lula Goce Quick Biography Lula Goce was born in Galicia, Spain. She grew up influenced by the salty coastal air, Barnacles, Drizzle and the beautiful beaches this region of Spain is famous for. At 20 she moved away too Salamanca and graduated in fine arts specializing in painting. She proceeded too take part in competitions and scholarships with emphasis on ephemeral sculptures as well as paintings, both in public spaces, museums

The Connor Contemporary's pledge to dog rescue charity Fetcher Dog Our logo - This Floating World My daughter Jordan and her mother co-founded Fetcher Dog, a dog rescue center and charity, ( www.fetcherdog.com ) almost ten years ago. The charity's mission is to reduce the suffering of street dogs in Bosnia and later in the UK. Since its inception, the charity has rescued and found homes for over 1000 dogs from the UK and Bosnia, which is a remarkable accomplishment for an org

Shodo Kawarazaki, yuzen dyeing and the Unsodo publisher Shodo Kawarazaki (河原崎奨堂, 1889-1973) is best known for designing woodblock prints of flowers and other plant life. Born in Kyoto, Shodo studied the art of yuzen dyeing, a traditional art craft in Kyoto, under the guidance of Yamamoto Sekkei. He also studied Japanese painting under Shibahara, though it was his teacher Kishyo who helped cultivate Shodo's original style of expression. Shodo is undoubtedly known for his bota

'When nature photography becomes art' by Paul Connor For four years I have spent approx. 4500 hours walking, approx. 2500 hours processing photographs, 2500 hours uploading photograph's and information to social media and walked approx. 15000 miles in all weathers, around all terrain and over all obstacles. In all I suspect I took seventy thousand photographs. Initially, my objective was to take a high-quality photograph each day for a year to document the seasonal species. H

My Journey With Trees by Paul Connor My Journey with Trees by Paul Connor- Preamble and my story- The Role of Trees as First Aiders- Trees, facts and figures- Some similarities between trees and humans- Reforestation ideas and why replant trees- Is a woodland just a collection of individual trees?- Poems and Songs related to Trees, Woodland and Nature- So what can be done and how can you help?- A-Z of British Trees - A-Z Guide - A-Z Guide - British Trees - Woodland Trust 'On

Alexandra Gallagher's Monthly Print Club Alexandra writes: This months Print Circle was hugely inspired by one of my favourite books by Kit Williams, Masquerade and the magical feeling that every illustration held. It's also inspired by the month I've had. From camping down in Somerset, exploring Glastonbury and Salisbury. watching sunsets and sunrises, family celebrations and lots of summer magic. Including one evening, a hare coming to say hello! The hare has long been a sy

'Emperor Lineage' - Chikanobu Toyohara - A quick study Chikanobu Toyohara's "Imperial Lineage" series visually traces the Japanese emperor lineage from the legendary first Emperor Jimmu to the Meiji Emperor, celebrating the continuity and legitimacy of the imperial family. Overview of the Artwork Chikanobu Toyohara (1838–1912), a prominent Meiji-era Japanese woodblock artist, created a series of prints titled "Imperial Lineage" (published by Enomoto Tobei) which depict the hi