A cry for help

Not sure if, in some cases, it is the desire to shock Mick. But you obviously knew this man and his problems. Good sketch.

Thanks Adele. Unfortunately life can be shocking and art is another way of communicating it. It's also a subjective concept. If you want to see shocking this isn't it and I would be out of order to bring it here. It's in the public domain each day and almost unavoidable. I guess art could be anything from flowers to death.

Nice drawing Michael. I knew these problems during my work at Mental Hospital.

Thanks Cesare. It's based on another plate from Doust's sketching manual. For the last ten years or so of Annette's career in the NHS she worked with old people in the mental health sector. Demanding work, and workers who must receive our gratitude and respect.

Cesare, how about a one off 'surrealist' project collaboration with me based on a theme from the thoughts of Sigmund Freud. Do your own choice. I will choose mine as 'dramaturge' - front stage, backstage.

I meant Goffman, not Freud.

Nice painting again Michael you are continually improving I think

Bit nippy in this climate but it takes all sorts. He obviously wants to show this great physique off to the world Michael ;)

Thanks Dennis and Carole. I don't hold it against him Carole, clearly worth the chill for him. Not for me though.

I'm thankful that I choose to express myself through paint and my garden, others are not so fortunate I think Michael.....after my career, I find myself un-shockable and cynical, I don't know whether that is a good or bad thing? Regarding your figure, it's your best to date of the recent series. I love the line from the chest, through the groin and down to his ankle.....in fact the whole of the right leg from the hip is beautifully done.

I understand exactly what you mean Fiona. However you feel, and I feel quite like that too now, and when I was working actually, you can be pleased that you did great work and gave us all some respite from danger and insecurity. Thanks for the kind remarks about the figure. I've expressed myself in many different ways, but not like that either. Keep expressing yourself.

Hi Michael, you mean Erving Goffman, the author of "Asylums"? How you mean this collaboration to "surrelistic project"? Many years ago I painted a cover of a book about Mental Hospital in a surrealistic way, inspired to "Narrenshiff" of Hieronymus Bosch. If I find this work I will downloaded it, and this will be my contribution.

Thanks Cesare. That's really interesting. Look forward to seeing your contribution. For me, I can use Goffman's ideas on 'culture' which could be used with that duality of front stage/backstage and how the police say one thing but mean another in their police culture. I will give a short explanation with the narrative to the painting when I do it. Give me a day or so to do it in. That's great.

I am enjoying these rather dark sketches. I have succumbed and ordered Doubt for 1p plus postage as I was curious about the book you have mentioned.

That's a bargain Gudrun. 'A manual on Drawing the human figure' by L.A. Doust.

Ah well, I got Sketching from Life I think. However, I am sure I shall enjoy it. Perhaps I can find your one for 1p too?

I had a look Gudrun. There's one in Sheffield through Abebooks for about a fiver.