Reflections on the Final and other Sketches!

Australia take the Big Prize with disappointing England a worthy Second

And so we return to Chennai after a week of reflection and some soul searching by my erstwhile companion on tour the Artist and England player JB

From his position from Beyond the Boundary. JB has created a few reflections of our World Cup encounters in Chennai. Starting with the Final played at The Sri Ravichandra cricket ground my mate ‘Butters’ has sketched a few scenes which represent his own personal impressions of the ground and backgrounds of where England Seniors played some of their games.

With limited opportunities to sketch on the spot JB has been adding to the Sketches made at the games since returning to England. With memories still fresh in his minds eye he has been enjoying extending the flavour of his Imagination into his work as well as seeking to represent a moment captured in time& for prosperity. JB’s painting methods are multi faceted as he both enjoys creating details as in his representation of buildings etc and also ‘fleeting moments’as seen on the field of play. It may transpire at a later date that the artist may choose to home in on the Individual characters playing the game but for now at least he seems to be happy to present a general view of the moment depicted,in his own definable style! Some have referred to his depiction of the players as ‘Loweryesque’! a reference to the paintings of LS Lowery who represented the Northern working men and women in his own distinctive yet personal way. You might say stick men& women but this is to underplay the significance of his impression of their working lives. Much as in a game of cricket and especially fielding depends on the players working as one to defend their total or restrict the oppositions. Perhaps JB’s depictions seek to represent the team as just this a cohesion of purpose all for a collective cause? I have sort to discuss his methods with the artist on many occasions and he like many other artists I know prefer to ‘present their views’ and hope that the spirit of each work communicates positively with the audience. Butters seems to believe that the spirit should be free to express itself at any given moment in a way that represents the feeling in that moment. Be it colourful, expressive or process driven. It is the artists prerogative to represent a personal view and upon this he or she will be judged or valued. His Job is to be honest and true to his process and vision so here it is.

From Waheguru ground v’s New Zealand the first group game of England seniors World Cup

Finally and from the perspective of JB The Artist. I would like to say how much it has been a pleasure for me to be ‘Along for the ride’ with the England seniors Cricket Squad and everyone else. Making this a memorable trip for me ‘ Melvin’ and how delighted I am to see myself featured by the Artist in his final painting! Hope you can spot me in there too cheering on the team!

Let’s end with JB’s fist painting from the Tour which was his depiction (also at Sri Ravichandra ground) of England Inaugural encounter with India seniors team. It’s been a pleasure alround and I hope the artist will do further justice to his and our experiences through his representation of this Unique Cricket World Cup.

England v’s India at Sri Ravichandra ground in Chennai

Finally and again congratulations to Australia Veterans Cricket for their Winning the Over 60’s Cricket World Cup 🇳🇿👏🏆