THE OTAKI BLOG"    Issue One .  

  Warm Greetings from Otaki

.   Introduction.

When John kindly suggested I consider writing a blog for LRU I must admit one of apprehension.  How is it possible I thought to write from the other side of the world and feel its connecting to events so far away , but then having enjoyed reading everyone's input over the past few weeks , not one to let a challenge slip by I said ,"okay , lets try it" .

During my working life in Barrow I was employed firstly as a labourer at Sovereign Chemicals, they made paints and industrial glues in Ainslie Street, the manager was Roger Fisher son of Fred Fisher a well known builder. A four year apprenticeship at Vickers Engineering followed  and came out of my time in the engine shop on submarine steering gears.

About this time I went through a very conscience period and decided to try something completely different , an outside job with the GPO. Working as  a postman from Abbey Road depot it was long hours for relatively low pay but boy, did I enjoy it. Up for 4am to take the bags off the first trains to arrive -usually a class 40  or 47 hauled, then the Huddersfield -Whitehaven T.P.O (Travelling Post Office)would arrive  followed by the overnight sleeper from London

. Two deliveries on foot or bike then knocked off around 1pm. Several of my friends from the yard had continued their Engineering into the Merchant Navy , but all left after just one trip. At 21 I was single and no ties , so signed up to give it a go. I will mention more on those days in future entries.   As some will know , today I work from my studio  and produce both commissioned work and spec ' , and this includes deadlines to meet for publishers of newspapers and magazines.

Also company presentations. Mearsk Shipping have prints of my work from commissions they requested in Europe on all deck levels of some of the worlds largest container ships afloat today. Its hoped to feature  a painting on the blog each week , whilst not wanting to make it seem a commercial venture I would like to mention more UK scenes are planned .

I publish calendars and postcards from my work and soon placemats , also a newsletter is sent out on the 21st of each month to clients with updates.. For anyone interested or would like more information please email on wallace.t@paradise.net.nz   This weeks is " The Pride of Launch Day"  -the launch of Oriana at Vickers Armstrong's yard in 1959.

Based on a lovely b/w shot by the late Lawrence Dunn ,painted in 2003 oil on canvas 15x30", the painting also features my father -waving r/h side, with two tugs in attendance. When the ship left Barrow for sea trials I recall seeing her heading out of Morecambe Bay , her bright ochre hull glistening in the morning light. The scene attempts to capture the unity of all shipyard men at that time .

The work won top prize on the Kapiti Coast -this region, and whilst on show in Wellington was almost bought by comedian Billy Connelly during his motor bike tour in 2004. He mentioned however  it was not Govan Yard , Glasgow where he had  worked ,-as a welder before becoming afull time entertainer nor a ship he felt connected to but really liked it.   Whilst working in the studio I always listen to music and radio talkback shows. This weeks favourite Brit song from me is Jimmy Nail ," Only Love can bring us Home", from his 'Growing up in public' album of 1992.  Until next time , kind regards and take care everyone.

  Wallace.   The Anchorage Studio. Otaki.