My partner and I have just returned from a very wonderful short holiday in England, during which we attended a meeting of our 'local' Tolkien Society Smial (chapter) in Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos. among other activities. Obviously as Canadians, it's not going to be often that we can attend such meetings, but in lieu of a fall art show in this cozy Cotswolds village, which is now home to my ongoing exhibitions (thanks to Andy Compton), it was decided that it'd be nice to visit friends there anyway, and soon a proper Meeting was arranged, to coincide.
It was duly attended by some 30 of our loyal members, friends and supporters the afternoon of Sunday Nov. 25th. Drinks in hand, we began by sitting down to a delicious, hobbit-worthy meal of roast lamb and trimmings, followed by 3 or 4 choices of dessert/sweet (decisions!), all at the historic Bell Inn, local contender as the (certainly an) inspiration for The Prancing Pony itself. We then re-congregated for the meeting proper, discussing sundry items of significance, and clarifying plans for a spring exhibition at Redesdale Hall nearby. It is provisionally set for April 4th, through 7th, 2008, and will be expanded to include the lower floor of the Hall, mainly for dealer and demonstration areas, and will also introduce some other new features. I will announce these details closer to April.
I can tell you that the upcoming exhibition will include the new castle paintings I am currently creating for Random House. These are illustrations of a series of fictional castles belonging to the aristocracies of author George R.R. Martin's imaginary realm of Westeros. (Those works which have been completed are now available for viewing here on my site.) I will also include any other new works I manage to create between now and then. I have a very full agenda in coming weeks, with completion of the castles being the first priority, along with some newly commissioned Tolkien works which I will announce as they come along in early 2008.
Along with other reports, our meeting also included a reading of the two versions of the Riddle Game passage from The Hobbit, (thanks to Tess Venus), a new Tolkien quiz (thanks to Angie Gardner), and a performance by me of selected songs from The Hidden Door. Unexpected delays prevented my long time friend Alex Lewis and partner-artist Ruth Lacon from attending, regretably, but we trust they will return, and bring their gifts of music, scholarship, and art next time. Happily, we were not the only overseas members present; collector and enthusiast Joe Kraemer of Cincinnati, Ohio also arranged to be there as part of a UK-Spain business trip! All this contributed to a renewed sense of true Fellowship among us, as was remarked by Lyn Wilshire, and seconded by Angie and all of us.
Heartfelt thanks to Andy Compton for making the arrangements and composing the agenda, and also for being a constant, thoughtful and generous host during our stay in Moreton.
Posted by Ted on December 03, 2007
