For the Snark was a Boojum you see

Actually I was hunting windows, not Snarks, but one never knows, I may have seen one sub-consciously since no-one really knows what they look like, not even their creator.
Anyway, my hunt took me to Borough Green. Had been assured the place would be open for a play practise but of course it wasn't, so thank goodness for ghastly mobile phones. Rang one of the churchwardens who kindly walked round and let me in. I found it rather a disappointing window, so pale it was almost acidic in parts, tooth-curlingly so, although I liked the autumnal leaves. Detail from the window above.
Thence on to Marden. WOW! Much more my style, bold, almost violent, colours and the energy in the east window and north and south lancets was palpable, frighteningly so. Semi abstract, but the more you looked the more detail you absorbed, like the piercing green eyes in the north lancet detail below.
If you're interested in seeing lots of Patrick's autonomous panels, there's an excellent website with super images - http://patrickreyntiens.com

gazeteer

In my usual mode of 'I'm going to get more information than I'd ever need', have now made a database and started entering a gazeteer of Patrick's windows, from which I gather there are two within spitting distance (I lived in Hong Kong for 17 years so have considerable knowledge of this discipline) - Marden and Borough Green - and have arranged to visit them tomorrow - all good background stuff. And since everyone at school (which was eons ago) thought I'd study geography at University, have also drawn out a UK map highlighting Reyntiens windows, so that whenever I am in a particular vicinity I can make a detour and 'bag' same. Jolly good fun, what?!

Chagall

Detail of one of Chagall's windows at All Saints', Tudeley

Have spent the last few days putting together the Glaziers Hall promo. Having sorted out the transcriptions I then put together a putative script, then went back to the tapes, got the exact timings and ugh - turned out at something like 11 minutes without breathing space, so then looked through all the Cochem film again, found some rather moving moments, added them, then started cutting out 'my darlings'. Then I mark up the script in different colours which indicates where words should be cut and where film or stills replace an image of the speaker. With the films I have to note the shot name, title, roll # and check the timecodes and of course ensure it's about the right length. With stills, I doctor them in Photoshop, save them as TIFF files, and have to note down the size and whether any moves are required.

I then decided a break would be a GOOD THING and I'd do some Chagall research since Cochem is Chagall related, so drove down to the Mascalls Gallery at Paddock Wood, run by Nathaniel Hepburn.
AMAZING - this gallery is in the grounds of Mascalls school (which set it up and helps fund the exhibitions) it's small but so professional and just such an inspiration to the children. A group were leaving as I arrived, really enthused and chatting about sending email information. An excellent exhibition about images of the crucifixion, including a whole series of Chagall's sketches for All Saints', Tudeley.
I whizzed off there afterwards, and can see the connection, although Graham Jones' colours are much more vibrant and confident, less reclusive, and Patrick is just another Chagall when he wants to be!

Today was also a TomTom experiment, having been the recipient of same at Christmas but not having used it since - Thornton and Film Farm being on the 'auto' list. So this was a try out prior to the Reyntiens rambles in April and May - not that I cast nasturtiums on my navigator, heaven forfend BUT .... (!)

Much binding ...

Arrived at Much Hadham (very attractive village and church, be good on film) to great clouds of dust, trillions of godly folk were spring cleaning. A spectacularly friendly bunch who offered me dusty tea and showed me the Reyntiens window - great fun, the lower portion is taken from a Moore etching with just abstract patches of blue above - completely secular. Titled the Tree of Life. It just looks like a tree outside! Only problem is the organ loft which blocks one's view of the entire window from the nave.

Since returning to Kent have succeeded in organising the week 10-14 May where we launch ourselves from Ampleforth and gradually move down the country taking in Southwell, Coventry, Anstey and Much Hadham.

The main job now is to prepare a 5 minute promotional film to show at the Glaziers 'do' 12 April - From Coventry to Cochem. To this end I started trying to transcribe Father Muller (speaking German - him, not me) but couldn't cope. Luckily my sister-in-law Carolyn (she was part of Miscellany, see FBSG!) is a German graduate and in 2 days had transcribed and translated said religious figure for me - noting what a lovely man he was! Not totally sure Graham Jones and Patrick would have agreed - a character maybe, but certainly a man who knows what he wants - and gets it! Like his beautiful windows. Anyway - Carolyn's a real STAR!

Yesterday I transcribed Wilhelm Derix and the Jones/Reyntiens interviews recorded in Cochem and did some research into who exactly bombed Cochem on 5 January 1945 - turns out it was the American 8th Air Force. Might be worth noting the difficulties of transcription. One needs to write down not only every word but also every um and ah and er and every burble. The point being that X might say something extremely interesting but in the middle has a large ER which one wishes to delete - if one cuts the film then there's a jump so you have to know where to cut to other images. When one is putting together a film sequence this can be quite tricky. Yesterday's transcribing session was quite fun because Patrick can be very droll and has wonderful analogies to music and food. Graham Jones was excellent, knew when to listen and when to speak up to stop Patrick going OTT. Graham also talks in a very energetic, enthusiastic way and is incisive - what a joy!

A stop designed by Henry Moore, Much Hadham

more organisation

About to whizz off to Thornton for a weekend with mea mater (yawn), hoping to visit Much Hadham on the way to have a look at Patrick's memorial window to Henry Moore. Then 3 days editing on FBSG with Charles next week. This last week have been re-reading and supposedly proof-reading all the book chapters but of course I can't see the proverbial wood ... so have also asked some friends who are discovering all sorts of silly little errors (no ENORMOUS boobs yet though). Stop it! Contacted Ampleforth or Amplefifth this week and the Father Prior has agreed a date for filming there but we have to await the Abbot's blessing. Coventry also booked, still waiting to hear from Southwell and Anstey. When one hopes to visit countless places in one week it's always problematic because if one venue can't accommodate it puts all the others out of kilter - but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. Grandmothers - eggs.

organisation

An hour to go before driving to Heathrow for my flight to Tokyo - YIPPEE! And just time to let you know about progress - I know you're all on tenterhooks. Well, this week I've been phoning round and have managed to organise equipment for our promo at the Glaziers 'do', plus some filming the following day, Patrick painting in John's studio and a trip to Sandersons. Plus the Somerset week which involves filming Charlie Higson in the library with Professor Plum and a candlestick - ah, no, sorry, wrong game - in the library with Patrick and multitudinous tomes. Also interviewing Patrick, photographing his autonomous stained glass panels, trying to discover if there are old photographs and press cuttings which might be of use, and visiting St George's, Taunton and Stoke St Mary where there are two recent Patrick windows.

Open Days and Film Benefit

Flying Birds and Flag Flying - Patrick's grandchildren show their support in true artistic fashion!

The week following our Cambridge meeting was an absolute nightmare, I arrived home a day later than anticipated because we had to finish FBSG, a lecture in London on the Saturday, writing a lecture for the Japanese translators to peruse and then making PDF files of all the FBSG chapters so that Charles could author the DVD and get copies made before my trip. Plus it snowed. Boy did it snow and we were once again marooned - the first time it was fun, succeeding events become a trifle tedious. The more tired I became the more mistakes I made. I was due to travel to London for the Reyntiens Open Day today and almost called it off due to the snow and lack of progress but eventually decided the break would do me good - which it did! I had to be pushed out of one snow drift, and had a few graceful slides through the icy village but once out on the main roads it was OK.

Anyway, yes, the Open Days. These are held at John's Studio on the top floor of a lovely 1930s building, great quality of light.

Inspecting the array of panels and the yummy luncheon

One arrives, has a look at Patrick's panels, chats, great luncheon spread including John's speciality green soup, and then Patrick performs! He paints a sheet of glass, jigging along to American hill-billy music today. He doesn't appear to have a design in mind when he begins, it just evolves. This one started with some trees, an island appeared, the sea, birds wheeled in the air, a nude figure came to live there, and a sunbather, and just when we thought it was finished he decided to add a pile of clothes - just in case! His mark making is extraordinary and he uses a variety of tools, brushes, paper, Somerset reeds which he gathers and sharpens himself, feathers. It's a real education and we were all mesmerised.

Patrick painting and the completed work

Details: Open Day dates - 27 February, 13, 14 and 27 March. Venue: Urban Glass Works, Acme Studios, 15 Orsman Road, London N1 5RA. For details and tickets contact johnreyntiens@mac.com

DOCUMENTARY FILM BENEFIT

This will be held at the Glaziers Hall, 9 Montague Close, London Bridge, SE1 9DD (nearest tube and train - London Bridge) on 12 April 2010. Graham Jones and Danny Lane are the guest speakers. A 5 minute promotional film about Patrick's work will also be shown.

Doors Open 6pm, Drinks Reception

Lectures and Raffle, 7-9.15pm

Bar, 9.15 - 10.30pm

Tickets £20 per person, advanced sales only

Contact John Reyntiens:

Tel: 020 7729 8718 or email: prfilmbenefit@gmail.com

Autonomous stained glass panels painted and signed by Patrick will be for sale:

200 First Edition painted and leaded panels @ £90 each (they come with authentication certificate and are already selling fast)

Limited Edition of 15 Artist's stained glass panels @ £160 each

Second Edition of 100 panels @ £130 each

Limited Edition of 15 Artist's Stained Glass Panels @ £200 each.

Every panel is unique and they are just fabulous and terrific value. And the Glaziers Hall has what is reputed to boast the best panoramic view of the Thames in all London!

The proceeds from the evening and sales go to funding 'From Coventry to Cochem', our documentary celebrating the life and work of Patrick. So please do attend, otherwise there's no money in the pot!