journey through a year

Every year is an adventure, is a new journey in your life.

Some years have more to give to you, then you'll expected it. 

Some years are less dramatic and others have many changes on the way.

My year was literally a journey to different places, old and new ones and also in making decision where and how to go on. 

Starting with a new job in sight, I flew to Thailand to visit a friend and to discover a new and different country. I went from Bangkok to the South coast and then through the whole south from near Malaysia up to the "James Bond" Island, over to Phuket and then with the plan high up to the North and landed in Chiang Mai and took the bus down again to finally be back in Bangkok. 

A fantastic journey where I not only got to see wonderful places, but also met new people and tasted food I never eat before. But this you can read and follow from my post from this year after January. http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/02/thailand-journey-part-1.html

Then back in Berlin, Germany I discovered that things went another way then planed. The job as a teacher would not become true yet, as the whole school did not open. Seemed the boss got cold feet about the financial challenges. So starting searching for a new job as I have just left Sweden. 

So starting again was not my problem as I did this several times. You know I always believe that you have to go your way and it will bring you to the places and experiences you need and want to go. Sometimes time is ready, sometimes you are not. So it seemed in this case that I won't be lucky in Berlin and so I went back to Sweden and there I was very lucky. Just there was again a promising job or two in Berlin. Now it was time to think and write down what to do and how. Finally I decided for Berlin as it did look better. Turns out the job they wanted to give me is different then what they told me. http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/03/up-and-down-back-again.html

I declined but then was without a job. Starting all over again.  

Now many people would feel that everything is going wrong and whatever you do, you seem to choose wrong, but I believe there is a lesson in everything and one is to believe and have patience. 

While searching again I worked at my personality. Things which I wanted I did and some things I wanted to change, I went to people who could help me. You know sometimes you need other people to look from another angle. 

I also made another interview and wrote a lot this year on my blog. http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/04/jan-bo-vinter-poulsen-interview.html

That did indeed help. And I had -like it seems - the universe also working for me. A love came into my life and two people left my space. 

I still think about them, but less now and let them go there way. Though we did not parted the nicest way and a misunderstanding led them away, but sometimes you just have to let it go. People have to make their own experience and must always pay for what they do. You can't always safe or change or make it better. Sometimes you have to trust and which the best inside you for them. 

This is also a journey.

Then I discovered my own town again. Like a tourist. Strange in a way. 

http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/04/berlin-walk-secret-way-with-me.html

Finally having my new job and getting also the experience that working as usual is never again the solution, I began a new chapter and also started to go to university again. Well, not again, the first time and will do so the next three years, next to my job. 

In the same time I missed my Sweden and therefore I flew back to meet my friends. 

http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/09/make-break.html

When I came back again to Berlin, I realized that my love affair with Berlin is over. Also I already moved another time (the sixth in one year) and started living in an area I have never been much before. It's a nice area and quite. 

Now living with my love is something new for me, as I always lived alone at my very own place but it is nice and wonderful, thought a challenge for both of us too. 

But like in the last years I have become a traveler. 

Manchester was it in autumn and London. Something new and something old- like the saying goes. 

That was exciting, beautiful and lovely. 

http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/11/manchester-united-or-visite-in-red-town.html

Now that the year has nearly gone I have worked at my new working place a while and had a lot of challenges. A lot stress and a lot to think about. A lot to deal with and try to figure out how to do best, as I lead a team and manage the quality and also doing nursing. Quite a lot and then I have to keep in mind there is a dog home, a love and then my friends. Stay tuned to what they do and how they feel is something I try to fix as good as I can, while learning and doing everyday things which have to be done and also christmas presents will be bought and wrapped. 

To get christmas feelings is something I still wait for.... It is not really coming up..  Am to much bussy. Very much like in the last years it takes  a while. But don't worry, the spirit comes along...always. 

http://one-thing-to-remember.blogspot.de/2015/12/the-holy-family.html

Yes, this year also had its dark political effects. The racism came back into open field and the hate, the gun shootings have become kind of everyday thing and the bombs inside our heart have tried to destroy our faith in democracy. The results of mistakes come to real danger now as one of the mistakes was to keep people stupid in many ways. But also we had many light hours, hours of hope and courage and people seem to awake from a coma they have been or getting away from being blind to being more the seeing eye. 

Sure next year is a leap year but also a year for decisions. Again, we face important times and the decision we will make will more then ever lead the way for the next future. 

So what future do you want?! 

Meaning, it is time to stand up and even when we fear one or two things could go wrong or go a way we don't like. But let's be true, a change never leaves you without the question what to let lose and give up. A change is only possible if you leave things behind and that means also things we are used to. Sometimes we have to free our self from things to get free and to be able to do the next step, even when we fear the future, because if we don't we come to the point where we must and then it won't be that easy, that nice, that way you like to have it. Now you still can decide and go the way, find your way easier then later. 

That is also why christmas is a god start to be grateful and think about what you have as most of us are really rich, and some are rich for the wrong reason and others believe them self poor for the wrong reason. 

Many things come a bit later then we believe or should I say expect, but they do come true if you hang on. I can tell you from my own experience. Many things come when the time is right, when you are ready and the situation is as it is needed. Therefore have patience and go on the way you want to. Keep your goal in mind and do all on the way which gives you what you need and want. A bit planing is also good and then be flexible. That way you can react and catch what you need and come along the way you desire. Make your own path. It's true, it is the only you'll become happy. Which does not need we can go together, cross our ways, but just remember, you have to walk alone on your own way. 

That means sure not to care to much what people say, but listen to them is necessary. It gives you the information you need to reflect yourself. 

Now, let me send you some love and light and which you a merry christmas. Whatever you do, wherever you are, make the best of it. I will be working most of the holidays but am happy anyway. Be happy, be grateful and try to shine and let the sun shine in your heart. Make yourself some beautiful moments, just because YOU deserve it. Do it all for you, instead for the others. Do what makes you happy. Do what you like.  If it is just to give a smile. 

LOVE & LIGHT

The lady in the van

Or how Maggie Smith does troll us again. 

Yes, Dame M. Smith is on again. Hardly making any holiday it seems from making movies and TV Shows and being guest on Talking Shows. 

Now she is playing another role of her live I may suggest. Thought she played this part already in the 90tis on stage in London- around 1999. 

Now the Lady in the van is a story which is more or lesson true and happend to be about a real person which Alan Bennet meet years ago. A women who came with her car and parked outside his new house and finally in his parking space/ garden and did not left him before 15 years have gone buy. 

The book is a bit different to the stage play and the movie also from both but after reading the book and seeing the movie I can assure you that the movie is a very good adaptation. Different from the storytelling but telling the story in a warm and nice way. With quite a lot of humor and a soft storytelling and this made it lovely to see, as the actors all had a very good chance to dig into the caracters and play as well as possible and even more. The story freely told and a bit like a fairy tale, touches and will not let you without tears of laughter and cry. 

It's not a big movie, not very long, but entertaining, marvelous and warming. You can watch it alone or with friends- it is always perfect. 

Maggie Smith who has the main part, plays that vagabond and a bit crazy women without any hasitation and completly without vanity. She shows age, she shows insanity, she shows hunger for life, but also fear and hope and the which of being human, being self. A stubborn person who seems to have her very own mind but not without logic. 

Alex Jennings who plays Alan Bennet and his second self is splendid in his douple role play. Naturaly and calm he declares this women, his story as something very natural, thought he shows how much this isn't the case. 

This idea is new in the movie as the book and play are telling the story more or lesson from his (Alan Bennets) point of view and kind of like he is sitting in a couch and telling stories for us to remember a women who declined and changed her name twice for not being noticed. Well, that lady will be remembered. Thought in the end you may say she is with us. 

So watch the movie and have your heart melt and your face with a smile in the end. 

P.S. you will also met two teachers from Hogwarts...

Love & Light

L-O-N-D-O-N or the stage for your holiday

Yes, this town never fails to show me new sides and as I have friends in town it is always great to see what to discover new or going to places I still have never been, thought I have been many times in London now. 

Again a rainy day and a storm warning from Gatwick and so my start was unsure and a bit of a bumpy ride then. Thought I had worse flights. 

But being much later in town as planed it was just to be flexible in making my decisions. 

As I arrived at London Bridge station, I went on to take a little walk through the South Bank to come to Waterloo station, where a dear friend of mine was waiting on a side of the station I have never been before and so it took me actually more time to find him, then the walk from one station to another. 

I really love the South Bank. There is all I want to see and always meet again when I am in London, from the Tate Modern, to the Globe, to the London Eye. 

But behind the Waterloo Station do people live and that was nice to see and as it also looked very like you imagine it, it was fun to stay at my friends home and area. Could also see from the window the Shark, as the trees have lost their leaves. 

That afternoon we went to the centre to Soho to eat in the Gay village and to walk around, look into stores and see what Oxford Street has to offer. 
The shopping malls have been dull and far to many H&M stores are in that area. Not a god sign I believe and usually shopping used to be nice there, but just now it seems very without fantasy. The musical theatre on the other hand, well there are many of them actually, all have been successful and a lot of people stood outside to come inside to watch the plays. 

The Carnaby Street was once a very good secret tip and you could shop alternative and special clothes there. Now it has changed totally. Blinking lights are fine but expensive shops and nothing special, alternative or something -a -like is there to find. Very sad. 

I so much remember the old way it was in the 90'tis. But Soho has nearly changed to the same thing, thought it is still Soho and the Pups are nice and the clubs are fun, but the shops have changed and it is much for tourists and people with money. 

The apple market was surprisingly nice and with mistletoes hanging around, I had to smile and wonder.  Thought all the stores are very expensive there too. 

Actually being around Soho and several streets from them made me feel it all is like a stage. All looked so similar to watching a movie in that area. It felt like being in a movie, not in a town. Wonder what people feel, who are going through this area every day. Do they still see? 

My friend and I had a very nice afternoon and eat good food and later went on to drink our coffee in a more quite place which we found not far away from Soho. Thought it was a stormy day, it felt like, the english people complain about something, which was not really that strong. I remember heavier storms in Berlin. 

Then our way was to go back and behind the Somerset House over the bridge where it has been very, very stormy and hard to make pictures of the skyline. The Waterloo Bridge is big and long but my decision for next day was made. Go back and take again some pictures in daylight.

Next day we came back but with a turn to Gabriel's Wharf, which is a little tip for amusing you, shopping nice and being next to the river and if you go round the house you'll see it is very old and very nice. 

Then after taking pics again, we went into the Somerset house and went through the portal and there we have the winter fun starting. Skate on Ice, a x-mas tree and x-mas shopping inside. How wonderful this was. Coming out of the Somerset to the street named Strand, you'll see the little Saint Mary -le-strand church in the middle of the street. No explaining to get. It just stands there. 

Now the Embankment was behind us and we walked on as our goal was to come to sky gardens. We booked our time before and you should do it too as it is not easy to get time to go up. So book in time!!!!

But we had time over and drove to science museum and it is as last time very interesting and we also watched two of the 3D movies - one was -The unseen and hidden world- and the other one was -Being in space-. Thought, I still must say the 3D movie about -Undersea- is best. But watch them anyway as it is fun and meanwhile you can also eat popcorn or if you don't watch it go to the museum coffee. 

Sky Garden then in the late afternoon is a spectacle up on the 35. floor, big, bigger then you believe and with palm trees, three restaurants and a bar more then just a place to look over town and see the sunset. Unlike the Shark. It is a place, a place to be, a place to meet, to celebrate and if you go to the restaurant, take the Darwin. Good food. Not too expensive and friendly and nice service. We had not booked a table but have been able to get one. The view was special and our time up there in the sky, between the clouds has been very amusing and nice. 

Later we went down to stroll around and took a coffee to go. 
Big towns always have an open coffee shop. :-)

But it was not that late and still time to do something. What can one do in the middle of the week? Go out dancing was not the plan so we went to cinema in the Odeon. Saw the -Lady in the van- and had fun that way. Yes, one should always go to cinema once in another country. 

Next day my way went to Hammersmith a very nice area and less tourist are to find and so you also see more how people do live and there are nice ways to take a walk at another river side. But on the way I stopped by again in Soho in the Greek Street to take our breakfast in the Maison Bertaux. Go there, best french breakfast, cake and so on in town I dare to say. Yummy and all self made and it is really very english and french in the same time being there. Little, with a bit of hustle and bustle in the morning, but then, charming and an original which is seldom now in that area. Just go there! 

In Hammersmith then, I was there to see the River House Trust again and to meet another friend. 

Of course we went into a Pup. England with not going in one of them would not be real. I just don't understand how one can drink beer before ten or eleven, or even 12 o' clock. 

Soon the time was over and I had to travel to airport, thought it seems always the same, the Gatwick Express can take a longer time then the normal Southern line train. Anyway, I was back in time and that was good as we had a lost baggage and police with big guns went around and all had to wait. I had also seen the many flowers in front of the National Museum by the way as Paris was not far away and long ago. 

But I am one of those who believes in now more then ever to live our life is best we can do instead of hiding. 

LOVE & LIGHT

...and of course PICTURES! 

Station London Bridge this pic and above

walk in the South Bank.. and pics below too

the Globe Theatre 

this place is well known, isn't it?

that is part of the apple market

x-mas decoration in SOHO

on the Waterloo Bridge

spot the LONON EYE

the same on daytime

Somerset House

in the science museum

sky garden just in front of the entrance 

right side is the Darwin restaurant

underground floor... many of them to walk along- that is LONDON

mince pie 

the golden swan in Hammersmith

Jan Bo Vinter Poulsen- an Interview

Hey Folks, here is another interview I made with a great artist, a painter whom I was lucky to meet and talk to. I hope you'll have fun reading it and look at his work! He is very god and a very amazing person.  

Jan Bo, you are a painter and an architect and are coming from Danmark but now you are living in London.
If I remember right since four years and since that time you are also working mostly as a painter. Is that right?

Yes, since 2011 I have been drawing and painting in London. I have slowly been transforming myself into a figurative artist, looking at people and making my emotional responses from what I see and feel - sometimes stories built from glimpses into human behaviour and the way fate brings people together, sometimes purely a transcription like a courthouse drawing. It is portraiture and storytelling for me. I do it from an observational perspective, and whether I'm noticed or unnoticed is often reflected in my work.

If I look at your work, I see a different style of technique and you use different ways of making a picture. You do arcrylic paint, but also oil. I also see that you use pins and so I see a mix of painting and drawing. How come? 

In the search to express my observations, exploring different and challenging materials has been essential. Sometimes the use of mixed media has been a way to show the complexity of the scene and capture different layers.

So, with those different techniques you create art and as I could see on Instagram and Pinterest you seem to go through a lot of stages before the last painting of a t.ex. human is finished. You also show those several steps to people- why?

I often find it very difficult to tell when a drawing or painting is finished. I do like to record the progress and I don't mind sharing my journey. Some earlier stages may tell a different story, and as the story progresses, the painting is changing, the drawing is changing, and the figures are somehow clarifying and dissolving at the same time.

You also show your sketches. You have a sketch book if I am right.

The sketchbook has over the years become a guideline - sort of a chronometer or diary. It is with me at most times, and I try to make notations and records of things I see and feel. I love drawing while I'm out - I have made the whole of London my studio. Whether I'm among strangers or friends and family, it is a dialogue - a language for me. I can step away from the conversation and make myself a spectator, but I feel I'm still in dialogue with them via my painting and making such a record of the whole experience.

Well, from what I saw of the sketch book I would call it art and cannot help but wonder if someone, when the book is finished, wants to buy this collection of sketches, as I have the feeling when going through them it is like reading a wonderful book, would it be possible to buy it?

To part with the book seems difficult right now. I would like to one day perhaps publish an edited version of the sketchbook or should I say several sketchbooks. There are some highlights, lowlights and experiments that I'd like to share. But mostly I see it as a tool for my development, and in the future I will be making more paintings from my sketches.

Is it right you paint every day? That would also mean you must have a lot of great sketch books at the end, is that right?

I paint and draw every day. It is essential for my being as an artist to produce and record. Lucian Freud said ...

I had the luck to watch you sketch people and you seem to have a fast eye and a good sense of catching emotions and feelings. Was it always like that or did this become stronger with time?

I would like to think there is constant progress but unfortunately it is not always like that. They are dead ends for me and sometimes I take one step forward and two steps back. I have developed a stronger certainty of my way of working and don’t get very concerned about the opinions of the people around me while I'm painting and drawing. Sometimes there can be quite an encouragement from bystanders to change things or from people who are not happy with their appearance.  

Next question leads us further to the question what or who inspires you as an artist? 
I read you have been many time to the National Gallery in London and studied t.ex. The Immaculate Conception by Diego Velázquez.  

I look to the old masters and I'm hugely inspired by their techniques, their concessions, and their ability to capture difficult and emotional topics. I draw often from other people's art to make it my own, to take it in, and I don't regard my drawings from them as copies but as individual works of art.

You know, the last question is actually about the fact that you paint mostly humans. Different kind of people, like a Punk Dj, naked women and man and also people in a Pub. You seem to like them, but the style is very different in which you paint them. Some portraits reminds us of pictures from Albrecht Dürer and Francisco Goya, because of the dark background. Others more of Van Gogh and other paintings of the way you did paint in 1910 till '40, as you use a lot of colours in them. 
You have mostly a more raw style, but when you paint naked people or others then your way of painting is more soft. Has this a reason or does it just happen to match what you see?

I love people and their diversity. I see people kind of like components in an electrical device in the way that they interact, working together and making life.

I saw you once or twice put out on Pinterest a series of variation of the same man you painted- like we could follow the process but as I saw all those five or seven versions I wonder if you can buy those as a series as you showed on the internet? I talk about the " Getting the man out of the canvas" series t.ex..

Those images are purely process and a way for me to guide me in the paint process. Posting wile the work is unfinished have given me feedback and further inspiration and I think this is one of the things I have learned from using Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Pinterest.

Looking on your pictures, paintings and sketches they seem all like old/ classic but new/modern in the same time, thought you just have started your work as an artist. 
But you started as an architect. Seems the connection to people is also very strong there as I saw your work in the Danish Design Centre at the exhibition "Honey I'm home". There you ask in your work- 2007: "Can a person live in a sandwich?"
Yes, how come an architect goes into painting?
How come that many architects have a near bond to art?

For me, it is all really linked. There are in theory no limits, it is very fluid, and while what I'm doing at the moment is not architecture, I could not have created it without my background.
Last question now.
Where can people see your work now or in the future? Is there any exhibition in planing?
I'm working on getting my first London show and finding a gallery to represent me in the future.

Now I will thank you for giving me the chance to ask you all those questions. For the readers will now follow the links to the sides on Pinterest and Instagram... and of course some of your paintings and work in process to see. Thank you.
https://instagram.com/jbvp8000https://www.tumblr.com/search/Dexx8000

Her are some of his works:

all pictures are made and owned by Jan Bo Vinter Poulsen!

LOVE & LIGHT