Friday 24 July 2009

Workshops for the Disadvantaged


Got very excited today as our MP Stephen Crabb came to see me. I am trying to get him interested in helping me set up workshops for those who are not easily able to get art experience. Specially those in prisons - I do believe that if they get a chance to try something new it helps them feel less hopeless about their future. Young people too who might not have the money or the encouragment to create art can make big changes in their lives just by knowing something new is open for them.


Everything seems to be happening at once. Have had to repaint the angel in the garden again. Also practising like crazy for my concert at St Davids Cathedral on 19th September - a once in a lifetime chance for me to play a piece of piano music I have been workign on for ten years. At the same time my new strand of work (art) is taking off and there is just a chance we might be able to go to Cuba in November. Haven't seen my family for 5 years so that would be wonderful. Not sleeping much in the excitement though and so driving Heather crazy.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Talk on Indian and Asian Architecture

Setting this talk up today and trying to get the sound stuff working right so that we can record what Ian Mc Donald says. Could do with more room at the Gallery really as have to take eveything to pieces every time we do a talk or anything audio-visual. Lot coming up to as you can see from below

5th August 2009 Ian McDonald Circling the Square – How Japan Broke the Grid. Audio visual evening on Japanese Architecture being held at Raul Speek Gallery, Solva. 7 for 7.30 Including glass of wine and light refreshments. £3 entrance fee. Tel 01437 721907 for details

19th August 2009 Raul Speek A Child of the Revolution. Audio visual evening at Raul Speek Gallery, Solva including showing of video made by The Slate ‘A Long Journey Home’. Entrance fee £3. 7 for 7.30 includes glass of wine and light refreshments. Tel 01437 721907 for details.

ARTists Pembrokeshire – Summer Exhibition featuring 3 Solva artists in the Tower and CafĂ© at Oriel y Parc. Heather Bennett Photographer, Ian McDonald Print maker and Raul Speek Artist. 14th July to 28th August 2009 9.30am to 5.30pm. Contact Oriel y Parc on 720392 for details.

September 19th 2009 at 7.30pm. at St David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire. ‘Pembrokeshire Weather Report’ Concert for Piano and other Voices composed and performed by Raul Speek (A Cuban in Wales). Contact 01437 721907 or email raul@raulspeek.co.uk for bookings and details.

Of course the one I am looking forward to is playing my semi-calssical piano piece in the Cathedral. Dream of a lifetime.

Wednesday 1 July 2009

Cuba


Cuba seems to be in the news all the time at the moment. Did you see the programme on Monday evening it was a bit over saturated but it still managed to make me feel homesick. I am amazed how many people come to the gallery and have either just been to Cuba or have just come back. They nearly always ask me how I got here and if I am wanting to tease them I say 'In a green MG'. It is true but not what they mean at all. They see Pembrokeshire as a very sterange place for me to be. But I loved Solva straight away - I came here with my wife on holiday and we never went away really. That was 16 years ago.


For me here has a magic all of its own. The light is fabulous for painting and there is a strongly spiritual feeling to the place. I know we live in an old Chapel which helps but it is all around. People come on one of our courses and they dont want to go home afterwards - they nearly always come back to explore more of the county or walk the coast path. You should come to the area and breath the freshness of the air - it will make you feel better.