artful suburban surveillance

Between The Lines

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:45:00 +0000

I AM NOT AN ARSONIST

Human Frailty

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:31:00 +0000

When a genuine human tradgedy occurs, it is rare for me to observe genuine human empathy or sympathy for those involved among others. Recently round my way a normal, 'quiet type' went burgers with a shotgun and a .22 rifle. He beserked 13 people, including himself, over a period of a few hours. Straight in the face, no questions asked. Now this is obviously a profoundly shocking and incredibly difficult thing to deal with for those involved, however it is the reaction of those around me and in the wider national context that interests me. Whilst reacting to the initial, minute by minute (or as it later transpired wildly inaccurate) reporting of said incident, all I heard from those around me in the workplace, in shops, on street corners can only be described as gossip. Little emotional connection to either perpitrator or victim, just pure sensationalism. This I have come to expect from the town in which I live. It was only a matter of weeks ago that a rumour started by a girl working behind the counter of a local conveneince store, led to a veritable witch hunt revolving around a normal, 'quiet type' guy. The rumour being that he had won the biggest ever lottery jackpot in Europe. It took a remarkably short amount of time until it seemed everyone had heard about the junkie loser who had scooped the millions and the poor shetland had every Tom, Dick and Government Agency ( including Her Majesty's Department fo Tabloid Affairs) knocking down his door. Anyway the early rumblings about Mr. Bird initially filled me with the same amount of scepticism and equal amounts of annoyance.

As time passed, further so called details emerged via the media and the randomness and callous nature of the killings was played out. We even got to see Derrick running from the very top right hand corner of some mobile phone footage. Facebook groups sprang up, the Prime Minister expressed his immense sympathy and shock. Those around me poured out their fake surprise, my local paper covered the aftermath even though they barely ever ventured further north than Millom, people who had never met the victims went to the funerals just because they once watched a game of amateur rugby.

So here it is. As far as I can tell, this is just another form of natural disaster. Like an earthquake, a landslide, a flood or a hurricane. Sometimes human beings just go all short circuit in the nervous system. See no other way of continuing their existence. It's as natural as the movement of the tectonic plates, the geological shifting of the mountains, abnormal precipitation or extreme meetings of atmospherical pressure. It is an undeniable fact of life which can not be prevented nor legislated for. To express feelings of shock, anger, mourning is only to express selfishness, not genuine human empathy. I didn't hear you weeping when that Finnish kid went nuts in his school, or when our government and the Americans killed 100,000 Iraqis. You don't genuinley feel for those people, it just made you realise it could happen to you.

This piece is not good, very wonky surface, super absorption of all types of paint.

Do something different tomorrow, try being real, it really works.

Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check theae Barrovians doing something different today

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Shut Up and Dance

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:03:00 +0000

Long time since anything appeared up this junction, god knows who put these there...

Dawn time beats night time, top trumps.

Summer Session 001

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:28:00 +0000

Fine weather at last, summertime painting rules OK.

Do something different tomorrow, maybe, I'd rather do the same again.

Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

A Road Long Travelled

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:17:00 +0000

Just a quick one to show that the spot in my last post is by no means a virgin wall, a path travelled by RASE/ERA back in the day. It's had a good 20 years up on there but I did feel a little wrong mulshing over.

Indecision

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:59:00 +0000

So back in 'Flora and Fatcaps Pt.3' nearly a year ago I banjoed on about doing my first real piece. It never even got finished. Since then I've had a few little messes with freehand painting but have never really attempted another since. This has been a result of a few contributing factors;

Paint really is a luxury item, I'm nowhere near hardcore enough to go racking paint and I really haven't had the spare cash a lot of the time to get me a decent order delivered.

The weather turned all cold and dark and junk. Winter really does do something heavy to us all. A marked drop in energy and imagination ensued.

The Kings Arms closed...no legal wall.

Frustrating indeed and the only outlet has been a sketchbook which is now full of improving outlines. A couple have been hastily thrown up down the cockroach wall on the channel but I guess that this really is the first full scale, full colour piece I have actually (almost!) completed.
Very ragged around the edges and a few bits missing but I'm well smooched with the things I've discovered. A bit of a mix of paints experimented with, Montana Black (nice purples), MTN 94 (class as always), Belton (still not the biggest fan), Ironlak (only had few colours but i like it with the fatcap) and Kobra (nice smooth black). Ran out of many, took way too long, no skinny caps, bad shines; won't be doing those next time and damn it's hard holding tight lines down at the meeting of wall and brambles....I'm happy for sure. Shouts to Moony and RedVenom

Do something different with your tin cans.

Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.
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Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Underestimate

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:52:00 +0000

In the darkness, several unwelcome federal interruptions, not enough chrome, not enough black...turned out OK I suppose. I enjoyed myself anyway.

Do something different on Thursday, 2 weeks of painting makes noodles a tired boy with spazzed fingers.

Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Soulful Suburban Surveillance

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:47:00 +0000

Long time coming indeed, explanations are afoot, just not in this post.
This one harks back in a way to an earlier post I yanked back in 2008, namely Gripper & Andy Turner.
Moony aka The Funkmaster Moon aka P was as much a part of the old Invasion/Josephines/Yummy crew as Gripper and AIM and is most definately still grooving out today. I guess when I think back to my raving days I would never have thought that I would get to hang out with someone like Moony because back then the DJ's seemed that bit removed from us punters. Of course they were always mere mortals like the rest of us but in those hedonistic times they did seem like the untouchables, like they knew something we didn't know, something we would kill to find out. That definately says more about me than them though 'cause none of them ever acted in any way like they were above us, I suppose I'm saying I've romanticised the whole experience. Jehova knows I'm guilty of that a lot, just check the archive.
Since I've had the pleasure of meeting The Funkmaster it turns out he is indeed flesh and bones and not a comic book hero! On top of which he's one of the coolest fellas you're ever likely to meet and also has one of the most encyclopoedic music brains I've ever encountered.
A few years back Moony and Gripper started an online radio show called 'Soulshaker Radio' and although you may never have heard it, the show proved to be real popular across the entire globe. The beauty and justification for the internet right there, if any of y'all needed it....Two passionate DJ's broadcasting from a small town reaching global listeners...word up!

So anyhows, Moony now has a new project. I say new, it's actually a year old now, but SOULLOTTO is definately delivering the post, first class mail only! It's a collective of DJ's, local music lovers and some good friends from further afield, offering exclusive upfront mixes covering all types of soulful grooves you wouldn't normally hear on the radio. Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, Northern, Electro, Boogie, Roots, Rock Steady....just pure niceness for your lugholes. Check the events board and you can come and join us when some of the recordings are taking place at the very smooth pod cast parties, all inclusive!

I notice Moony has recently had a website re-vamp for the 1st anniversary and a lot of the content has disappeared but I'm sure if you check back all of the podcasts and blogs will be back up soon. Check yourself before you wreck yourself...

SOULLOTTO

Do something different tomorrow because tomorrow never comes.

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Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Last Orders

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:52:00 +0000

ICEA - SKUE 2009

The beer garden of the Kings Arms is now, like the rest of the pub, closed for business.

Last pieces of action from the man like ICEA.

What the fuck are we gonna do now? Anyone got a big wall they want decorating, re-decorating and then decorating again?

Get Well Soon Baby

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:11:00 +0000

I haven't crossed the channel for a while because I lost my passport. Walney immigration officials are very strict at this time of year, something to do with foreigners coming over, taking their jobs and marrying their womenfolk apparently. Anyway I was allowed over yesterday and on my way back I noticed that the OM shaped ball and chain had been removed. Thought it could have been the cruel sea that had buffed it but on closer inspection it looked like it had been powerblasted off. Those narky council cleaners have surpassed themselves this time, I have to admit that i'm a little bit impressed they got to it. Not that impressed though, I wasn't having it in fact and so returned on night time manouvres with another little burner.

S.A.S

Apologies for terrible snaps, will get more soon.

Nice little zombie has appeared here too, cute bombing! get in touch if this is thee...

Beginning to think that this might be the best way to learn, a little anxiety and trepidation makes for half decent freestyle throw ups...darkness makes for dodgy detail

Naughtiness Continued

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Naughtiness

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Spot of fishing??? Dubs are us..during the hours of darkness, Barrow's entire cockroach population gathers on the sea wall of Walney Channel, moving canvas style.

Wobblepops

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:19:00 +0000

After relocating my nozzle I've been fortunate to see one of these nearly every night this summer....even when it's been persisting down all day....dodgers

Flora & Fatcaps Pt.4

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:13:00 +0000

My first piece becomes my first fuck up very rapidly. What with my limited knowledge coupled with my limited experience of painting proper pieces combined and resulted in 2 empty cans of divinity. Went far too fat with the outline, and although that was the envisaged idea, didn't realise how much white would be needed to cover the black base. And them long straight lines are a tart to execute, but that was kind of the point....Take it from me, the pics do it a service, it is actually very poor indeed. However, lessons have been learned, emulsion over it and start gain. Which is how I've pretty much been living my life for the past month or so, why not extend it through the structure that existed before? It is after all the way most folks get by...I've no right to be any different, keep your feelings to yourself and pretend.

Like the sky holds the sun.

Bad moods...can't be arsed typing the rest!

Flora and Fatcaps Pt.3

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:59:00 +0000

Just like 'my first train set', 'my first dumper truck' or 'my first chemistry set'.....my first piece! Obviously only an outline so far but check it! Doesn't look too bad really, pretty close to my original sketch and in poportion (nearly). Look out for 'my first fill' in the coming peroiod, and don't take the piss.

Do something different tomorrow if you can make your mind do something different or just go over the same happy moments wondering why, wondering why you can't make it think of something different.

Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Highway to Hell/Stairway to Heaven Pt. 6

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Hiding from the dark

Zombie chant

Waiting for a stencil

Latest CUSP progress on 2nd piece - do the detail

The Infamous May 2009 Montana Feud - All is now well if not forgotten!

New ICEA Outlines - Gonna be big

Taking a while longer and using more paint than expected but the inner Kings is coming along nicely...much more to come...best believe.

Do something different tomorrow if the mood takes.

Go to the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Camberwell Interlude

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:03:00 +0000

A short interlude follows....shout out to Ricardo a.k.a. the hinged feline entry system a.k.a Barrow's 2nd most successful export, for sending us these beauties. Some loveliness from that there London. What are they like hey, cutting bloody shapes out of cardboard, sneaking about spraying paint through them and calling it bloody art. You wouldn't catch northerners like us getting up to such nonsense.

Top one is my favourite ever weapon of mass destruction, bottom one banksy with imagination. Have no idea who executed these bombs but I don't suppose it matters 'cause they just look jammie dodgers. Big up Rich and nice hunting, I know you've always got your peepers peeled so keep them coming jackie lad.

Oh and in case you were wondering, the most successful is gutrot.

Do something different tomorrow, give him 100 lines.

Go to the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Highway to Hell/Stairway to Heaven Pt.5

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:12:00 +0000

Friday's update from the King's Arms, with better snaps this time. Finish up and move on to the next wall.

CUSP's Jesus is complete and is simply marvellous.....nice up! homeboy

Still some bits and pieces to add but almost there.

Highway to Hell/Stairway to Heaven Pt. 4

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:13:00 +0000

Latest progress from CUSP.....as I said, this is gonna be ridiculously good.

Not easy to get good flicks in here, combination of weird lighting and confined spaces. Couple of bits left to do on this wall, but the clavical flares up.

Highway to Hell For The Weather Pt.3

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Sometimes I get mixed up in the braincogs. Ususally this is a result of something, or someone, challenging my perceptions of life, love and/or the universe. This is a good thing, but it does take time for me to process, analyse and rationalise the information. Much like mixing up the outputs of an audio device so that the sounds come out of the wrong speakers, or someone posing riddles in a previously unknown, indeciferable language. At first it sounds kind of right but you soon realise it's tripe. It has to be said that I do normally make sense of these things in the end, in varying degrees of time and depth but unfortunately sometimes it is too late. Better late than never, as they say. 'They' being pensioners who only talk in cliches.

All of the above is little other than the quacking of a man who has been held prisoner by a sling for 2 weeks. Not to say it is nonsense but only that when a man has too much time on his hand, then he tends to think on overtime and talk about himself in the third person. I find it incredibly important to try to understand the things we do and the way we interact, because it is only by understanding detail and nuaince that the smallest, most intricate simplicities can be appreciated as they should be. Life becomes beautiful.

So anyway...the only way I have of stopping myself from talking and thinking like this is being creative and letting out emotion and ideas via various childish passtimes. My favourite of these is spraying things on walls. Second favourite is playing with crayons.

So me and CUSP have been decorating the corridor in the Kings pub in Barrow. I have been at it for ages but CUSP joined me for the first time today...... today has been mint. My first attempt at freehanded pieceness (left the stencils at home, they weren't best pleased) with the purple 'cloud'. The 'highway to hell' and 'stairway to heaven' brief is continued with my attempt at evilness and CUSP's jesus piece. It's gonna take us ages but if Sunday is anything to go by, then it's going to be amazing. I have to say I'm well pleased with how it's looking.

It also helps lots with keeping me level. Actually, so does writing down nonsense on here in a previously unknown, indeciferable language.

Come down and check it out.

Some negative spaces which are ridiculously pleasing....gonna be part of a crown of thorns.

Early outline from the CUSPER

Little later outline from CUSP...trust me this is gonna be immense

Flora & Fatcaps Pt.2

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:12:00 +0000

As near as damn it the finished products from CUSP & ICER.

Excellence all round people!

Do something different tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that
.

Go to the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

Submissions always welcom - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Flora and Fatcaps Pt.1

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:47:00 +0000

Lo and behold..... new pieces from CUSP and ICER

These works in progress live in the beer garden of The Kings pub in Barrow. Our new legal wall, kindly donated by Bamber. Fear not, it will be used widley and wisely.

Loads of organic madness in both pieces, hopefuly will be able to upload the finished products v v soon.

Please go have a look because these kind of things can only be appreciated in the open air. Big up! boyos. Once I am liberated from the sling I'll be right there with you.

Do something different tomorrow, pick if they're ready

Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Highway to Hell Pt.2

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:49:00 +0000

The ongoing doodlings of contentment. Progress in the Kings pub, I was supposed to be waiting for a paint shipment to land before I tackled the 'cloud' but could wait no longer so threw up the rough outline over the last few nights, my first real attempt at some freehanded creativity, watch this space for finished product and some much anticipated new pieces from the men like ICEA and CUSP. Oh, and busted the double zombie stencil too, 9 layers.

Do something different tomorrow because silver bullets do not exist.

Go to the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

When The Bronx Came to Barrow Pt.8

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Here we go again....Fickr is proving to be a veritable diamond mine of typographical pornography of the Mad Transit Vandal variety.

Loads more flicks of the old masters, they range from the old hospital in Barrow, to walls in Newcastle, York and Southampton to trains in Blackpool, Preston and Hull.

Now I've said in the past that these boys were prolific but I really didn't know the half of it.

Scream if you wanna go faster..

One of my favourite ever pieces and it's not even finished. Sawit at the time at this stage of completion, don't know if it ever got any further.

Whoop whoop, it's the sound of tha police

Check out the Flickr pages, amazing to read the comments and realise how many people grew up being inspired by the exploits of a few talented writers who were most definately way ahead of their time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/old_skool72/
ttp://www.flickr.com/photos/36566485@N03/
Do something different tomorrow before you realise it's too late.
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Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today.
.
Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com

Bears in Space

noreply@blogger.com (opticalnoodles) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:53:00 +0000

Absolutely no reason nor inspiration behind my latest offering. Neither does it really have any relevance to it's location. For these reasons I'm not left with any real satisfaction, done for the sole purpose of covering up the board I made an utter rotjob of on the actual Van Der Waals night.

Background looks kinda cosmic and the bears have been seen before as short lived paste ups down Dalkeith St a couple of months back. Panda 6 layers, polar 9. Smoking area upstairs in the Canteen in Barrow. Oh well.

Do something different tomorrow, or just recycle your old shit

Go to the links at the bottom of the page and check these Barrovians doing something different today........***new links added today**

Submissions always welcome - opticalnoodles@gmail.com