"If people call me a Sunday painter I'm a Sunday painter who paints every day of the week!"

I've been watching the series

(for the second time around as I enjoyed it so much the first time!)

'A Picture of Britain' with David Dimbleby

The programmes focus very much on the artists of each area featured .

http://uktv.co.uk/blighty/homepage/sid/8230

I do have a soft spot for L.S. Lowry!

In the early 1970s, I remember visiting the Tate Gallery

where many of Lowry's creations were displayed.

They were not as brightly coloured as the reprints either!

I think that Lowry is one of those artists which you either love or hate.

He has had many critics.

But for me, he has been the source of much art work

and creative writing, with children

Indeed, I recently used some of his prints with my pupils.

And of course some years ago, there was even a song written about him....

it stayed for three weeks at number one in the charts

and for 19 weeks in the charts.

This proved quite a hit in 1978 for

'Brian and Michael'

A 'one hit wonder' but nevertheless one which will be remembered for many years.

Here are the lyrics, along with some of the lovely, Lowry pictures.

He painted Salford's smokey tops

On cardboard boxes from the shops

And parts of Ancoats where I used to play

I'm sure he once walked down our street

Cause he painted kids who had nowt on their feet

The clothes we wore had all see better days

Now they said his works of art were dull


No room all round the walls are full


But Lowry didn't care much anyway


They said he just paints cats and dogs


And matchstalk men in boots and clogs

And Lowry said that's just the way they'll stay

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 


He painted kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs 


Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates


To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Now canvas and brushes were wearing thin 


When London started calling him


To come on down and wear the old flat cap


They said tell us all about your ways


And all about them Salford days 


Is it true you're just an ordinary chap

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs


He left us kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs


Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates


To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs


He painted kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs


Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates


To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Now Lowrys hang upon the wall


Beside the greatest of them all

And even the Mona Lisa takes a bow


This tired old man with hair like snow


Told northern folk its time to go

The fever came and the good lord mopped his brow

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs


He left us kids on the corner of the street that were sparking clogs


Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates


To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs

Finally, this site gives plenty of information about L.S. Lowry:

http://www.thelowry.com/ls-lowry/his-life-and-work/