As well as trying to get to grips with my cigar box guitar during this time of great change, I have dusted off my oil paints and given them another outing. Since I started in 1997, virtually every painting I’ve done has been an experiment in trying to find the perfect technique to create the perfect end-product. I’ve tried acrylics and gouache too, but they just don’t seem to do it in the same way that oils do; they simply don’t capture the vividness of the colours.

This painting I did today is probably the closest I’ve ever got to achieving my artistic goal. As you would expect, the photo does not do it justice; there is so much incredible detail that has to be seen close-up. However, I’m really pleased with it and thought I would share it with you all.

Stay safe and happy!

And Now For Something Completely Different

Video

I thought that I would share with you another one of my interests. I’m a very lazy musician, I love guitars but 6 strings is too many! I have acquired a custom built, 3 string cigar box guitar. It was made by a real craftsman here in the UK. I’m still getting to grips with it, as it is a bit smaller than I anticipated and I’m struggling a bit still, to stop the box moving as I’m playing. But I’m getting there with it slowly. I’m also currently waiting to have a crystal glass bottleneck slide custom made, but the virus situation has put a spanner in the works with that for the time being. Below are some pics and a video; don’t forget your ear plugs!

: The Hemingway Cigar Box Guitar

Stuff!

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Author Richard F Holmes

Hi people. I thought it was time I communicated with an update of what “stuff” is going on. Firstly, my latest book, The Road To Nowhere. I had some real tech nightmares with formatting, which I thought I’d solved. As a result I added a temporary cover, which enabled me to order a couple of proof copies for the purpose of checking the interior. To my horror the problems had returned and I was unable to resolve them. So, I decided that I would download a fresh template and format the file again from scratch. I’m in the process of doing this now and I expect to be finished very soon. So watch this space!

I’ve also been painting again, and my latest piece is shown below. As ever, the photo doesn’t do it justice. I really like it; it looks fantastic “in the flesh.”

There is also the little matter of the latest edition to my family, namely my four-string box guitar; which is based on the classic cigar-box guitar. There’s another pic below for you to feast your eyes on. Isn’t she a beauty?