It may not be a renaissance painting, but it is a Moran.
La Contessa, by Tom Moran. Varnish on bamboo, c1995. I bought a postcard in the Uffizi last year of Raphael’s self-portrait, c1506. Cost me €2. Can’t make up my mind which one I like best, the Moran or the Rafael. Tough choice. May I offer some advice? Click on the picture to find out why you’d probably better choose the Moran.
Paul, have you been in the shed again?
Paul Witcher may make reels in a garage or a shed. One doesn’t like to ask. Actually, knowing Paul, I wouldn’t put it past him to have an atelier. I don’t think he’d have a studio though. Machining centrepin reels and ‘studio’ don’t fit, somehow. Anyway, this here is a Paul Witcher ‘1920’ Aerial. It’s number 14, completed in June 2002. It’s absolutely superb. Unused. Very rare. Click on the picture to see it jive.
Not just any old barbel rod.
It’s Chris Yates Barbus Maximus. № 10 of the first 21 I made. Chris Yates and I designed this rod when we were both young and had flowing locks of beautiful, naturally wavy hair that caught the light in a certain way that made people swoon. True story. This one is in mint condition. As new, made in 1991. Finished in the month of my 26th birthday. Now you know how old I am. You probably weren’t even born then. You youngsters and your carbon fibre. The MK I Barbus Maximus has a long, slender tip and a hollow built middle. Out of context, that really does sound fruity, but still, it’s also got a detachable handle so it’s quite nice to carry around. At 11’9″, it’s long enough for the large rivers you all fish these days. A perfect rod for today’s hefty chub and touch-ledgering for barbel. Equally good for tench with a float in your -moat?
Isn’t this weather glorious! Don’t worry about the news. It’s all tremendously dreary. Bob Marley’s your man.
Bob Marley’s your man:
Sun is shining, the weather is sweet
make you want to move your dancing feet
to the rescue, here i am
want you to know just if you can
where I stand
Well, I’d better let you get on with your electronic bank transfers and so forth.
Best wishes from Edward Barder and Colin Whitehouse