The V's have it!

When, at 27 I went to London to become an Actor I was full of passion for my art.  I learnt under Dr Adrian James at Arts Educational about being an artist, not just a puppet on the telly.  We worked for 12 hours a day and talked about Chekov, Shakespeare and Brecht.  We wore masks, bought costumes from charity shops and created characters from animals.  Back then I wanted to change the world, to explore to make art for everyone.

So, 20 years later what has happened to the young man with Nottingham accent?  I will tell you, he conformed.  He sold out and got fat off television adverts and bit parts in pointless TV dramas.  He spent all his time and energy trying to get jobs, writing letters when he could have written art.

Don't get me wrong, I do think I have done a bit to open other's eyes to the vast world of creativity, but I should be doing more.

The point - all you young artists reading this listen up, because before you know life will take over your art and you will be feeling and looking like me.

BE STRONG, BE INNOVATIVE AND BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE.