Thriller writer, archaeologist and traveller
You may think the Channel Islands are a bit out of the way, a backwater maybe, but in cultural terms they punch above their weight. My whole 'writer/archaeologist/traveller' persona kicked in over the past few weeks, but I take care in blogging when away from home because it makes insurance companies nervous. The featured image... Continue Reading →
A feel-good story in the news is that a guitar stolen from Paul McCartney in an opportunist theft in the 1970s has been returned. When I heard the news I thought “Hofner”, as in conversation with the artist Peter le Vasseur he mentioned including a Hofner in his painting Echoes of Liverpool. The painting came... Continue Reading →
When writing non-fiction, or indeed historical fiction, the temptation is to cram as much of your research as possible into the book. Firm discipline needs to be applied to fiction as you are not writing a textbook and explicit information-dumping must be avoided. In non-fiction the need for such discipline may relax because you are... Continue Reading →
It was a busy week in Guernsey. A Brush With Life - the Art of Peter le Vasseur was published in the UK at the end of July by Lutterworth Press. It had already been available for pre-order on Amazon but we decided to initially play it low key in Peter's home island of Guernsey... Continue Reading →
Peter le Vasseur's pictures can at first glance appear to be beautiful nature pictures. Look again, look closely and you can find detail that adds meaning to the work, sometimes indeed its title. This has been part of the fun of working with Peter and writing A Brush With Life. Picture 010 deer 5.tif The... Continue Reading →
Back in 2019 I was surprised and flattered when Guernsey-based artist Peter Le Vasseur asked me to write a book about his life and work. It has been a rewarding exercise but did not follow the path expected at the outset. Firstly, I left Guernsey to live in England at the end of that year.... Continue Reading →
Over the past weeks we've been discussing the artwork to be used for the cover of A Brush With Life with the publisher. Front runner at the moment is Special Offer as it is an intriguing work that leads into Peter's interest in the animals, plants and peoples of the South American rainforests. The brash... Continue Reading →
Greta Thunberg will not save the planet, and nor will Sir David Attenborough. Climate activists are frequently criticised for not offering solutions, but that is not their role. That role is to protest, make a noise, send a message through to that silent majority who will never pick up a placard or type an angry... Continue Reading →
Announcement of publishing deal for 'A Brush With Life'
Autumn is approaching in Britain. From my balcony this week I’ve noticed the trees browning day by day, and leaves starting to accumulate on lawns. It seems an opportune moment to share an image of Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness by Guernsey artist Peter Le Vasseur. It was part of a series of 20... Continue Reading →