Monday 8 August 2011

"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:

9 comments:

  1. Lovely post! Remember the song well : ).

    Sharon XX

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  2. What an absolutely delightful post, Sal. I love Lowry and I do agree that he is a painter you either love or hate. The picture in your header is one of my favourites, as is the one where the chap is pulling the bowler hat down over another chap's ears. These pictures are so full of life - and he was such an interesting man, wasn't he? Thank you for the art tour.

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  3. The Lowry in Manchester have done him justice.
    xxx

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  4. I love his paintings and was singing the words of the song.The are often sad paintings if you look at they closely.

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  5. I like Lowry too. Lots to look at, plenty going on.

    I think the cartoons by Giles have the same kind of atmosphere.

    I went to a Lowry exhibition at the RA in London in the 70s. One painting sticks in my mind. It was a brown bird on a branch. The title of the painting was 'Bird looking at something'. It made me laugh. xx

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  6. Hi Sal - my hubby is a "Salford lad" and we have Lowry prints in the house. I was not sure about them at first but they kinda grow on you! Thanks for the post - lets me see even more of his work..Jewels

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  7. I too very much like Lowrie
    I think she is a talented painter and a dab hand with a roller
    She's much better than Bridget and Nick Knowles is very lucky to have her

    Yours sincerely

    Constable (rtd)

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  8. (There's always one!!) ;-)

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  9. Simple lovely painting of everyday life...can't beat that:)

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! ;-)