Art was the only lesson in which we could have the radio on. But only when we got to the fourth year and not in pottery with the fearsome Mr Wilson. Mrs Harrison, in her rainbow jumpers and handmade shoes and Mrs Sandoval in her floaty smocks and airy fairy sundresses didn't mind at all. In fact it was encouraged.
Unfortunately, those lessons were always at time that meant we got half of the Golden Hour first. Now that would be ideal listening, but back then I wasn't interested in the old. I wanted the new.
We did get some new of course, and you'd wait and see if your favourite came up or it would be a chance to hear something new. Vienna by Ultravox got its premiere in an art lesson, as did Fade To Grey to Visage and Piece Of The Action by Bucks Fizz. But it's this McCartney tune that sticks in my mind most. It was shortly after his Tokyo drug bust and so when he sang the line 'I need love' we gigglingly substitued 'I need drugs'. Oh, how we laughed. Anything not to have to do any work.
Though I liked art, I was never great at it. I could do still life no problem, but figures, forget it. Same goes for cartoons or perspectives. I'd usually draw delapidated old houses and run-down street scenes, things I'd spotted out of coach windows on daytrips to London. But it kept me busy and I enjoyed it.
My dad is a marvellous artist and used to have a nice sideline in drawing children for neighbours. He had a design scholarship with Sanderson though National Service put paid to that. Needless to say it was of great disappointment to him that I wasn't superhot when it came to art. But I did get the O level, and I know what I like.
