It's Boyling Point in Glasgow!

Anyone who woke up yesterday to the frost on the cars and on the ground, and who heard the weather forecasters say it was the coldest day this year, will be wondering what this blog is about.

Of course, if you come from Edinburgh, and are a reader of the Evening News, the

Frank Boyle and his work

suspicion may have already dawned that the reference isn't to the temperature at which water changes from a liquid to a gas, but to a well-known cartoonist whose work appears regularly in the pages of that blatt. And you would be right!

Glasgow-based cartoonist of the Edinburgh Evening News (as he styles himself), Frank Boyle is opening a solo exhibition of his work in Glasgow on Friday of this week. This will not only display some of his best known cartoons of the recent past, but in addition, Frank will be displaying some of his water colours and drawings.

Cuts Hurt - Part one of thePublic Works diptych 

 

 Frank has been drawing politicians, celebrities and the topical issues of the day, for many years. He also has done cartoons for trade unions and other good causes. - he drew the posters for UNISONScotland's Public Works campaign - but his watercolours and other work are a revelation.

It's well worth getting along to South Block in the centre of Glasgow between November 11-29 (closed 16,17 & 21-24) to check out Frank's work. and if you can't summon up the cash for an original, his current book Boyling Point 2, is on sale there for a measly £8.99. (Or you can get it from Frank's website with a pound off at www.boylecartoon.co.uk).

South Block itself is a new creative venue in Glasgow City Centre. Developed by the well known WASPS Studio it provides studios and work spaces on the corner of Osborne Street, and King Street.

Drawing a 70% strike vote

Frank's third book. No one is safe!

Our favourite Scottish cartoonist, Frank Boyle, is joining forces with the NUJ’s BBC Scotland chapel tonight (12 December) to feature their dispute over the threat of compulsory redundancies, and his launch of a new book of cartoons. Frank is a prominent NUJ member himself and well-known for his regular cartoons in Edinburgh’s Evening News. He has also drawn for a number of TU papers (including Nalgo’s old Public Service for those as old as me!) and for specific campaigns - Friends of the Earth’s anti M74 campaign and UNISONScotland’s Public Works campaign amongst others. The cartoons in his new (third) book Boyling Point 2, are as sharp and witty as ever. 

The (re-)launch, tonight, in Glasgow’s Beer Cafe also features the NUJ’s campaign for the BBC. A recent vote for strike action drew an over 70% Yes vote, and , although an immediate redundancy  threat to Asian Network journalists has been resolved, there are still areas of the BBC (including BBC Scotland) where compulsory redundancies remain a real threat. More details on the dispute are here.

The event is open to NUJ members, friends and other trade unionists and is taking place from 6.30-8.00pm in the Beer Cafe in Glasgow’s Merchant Square (because, whisper it, Frank is based in Glasgow while drawing for the News over in Auld Reekie). Food and refreshments will be provided. Frank’s book will be available to buy there or can be ordered from http://bit.ly/tFMAwx. It is priced at £8.99. A useful addition to anyone's Christmas present list!