Had a lovely time in Spain

17 748

Valentine's inspiration is Swiss artist Aloise Corbaz 1886-1964. She was hospitalised with schizophrenia for 46 years where she made these beautiful often huge crayon drawings. When working in Germany she developed an obsessive romantic passion for the Kaiser.

78 939

These are Fraktur, a highly elaborate illuminated folk graphics practised by the Pennsylvania Dutch and Germans between 1740-1860. Often used on birth certificates, love tokens or blessings. One common motif are distelfinks, or stylised goldfinches.

71 956

Todays inspiring works are the super sensual, eye popping paintings by the Grande Dame of British Art, Bridget Riley b.1931. She was inspired partly by the pointillist colour effects of Georges Seurat.

147 1618

Lucio Fontana 1899-1968 is most famous for his 'Spatial Concept' paintings where he slashed or punctured a plain canvas. I have a soft spot for his ceramics particularly these expressionistic figurines that relate to 18th century porcelain.

14 199

I have chosen one of my fellow Royal Academicians for today. Olwyn Bowey RA b.1936 began painting landscapes and portraits but concentrates now on still life, especially plants. I like her paintings because they take me back to exploring gardens as a child.

104 909

Today's inspirations are the technically superb but queasily disturbing paintings by American John Currin b.1962. His influences range from the renaissance, through Fragonard, Norman Rockwell, Robert Crumb and pornography.

33 603

Gwen John 1876-1939 studied art at the Slade the only art school at the time that allowed female students. In my opinion unfairly overshadowed by her flamboyant brother Augustus. Her small quiet paintings pack an intense punch.

137 1584

No artist has been as influential on me as Henry Darger 1892-1973. I first saw his work as a student a few years after his art had been discovered just before his death. A prime example of someone's unconscious pouring out into a lifetime of art and writing.

64 1062

Day 55. Final day of work on the pots. Dark brown transfers are platinum so will fire silver. The pinky orange will fire irredescent blue

57 408

Day 53. I thought the horse needed jazzing up a bit

44 463

Day 52. Second layer of transfers on

37 271

Transfers going on a treat

21 207