Not having updated things in a number of weeks, I realize I'm neglecting my duty to keep you posted on my progress in general; I do apologize!
At present I am in the midst of painting a newer version of a work published in the 2003 Two Towers Tolkien Calendar called The Stranger in the Forest. I'm calling the new work simply Gandalf Returns; it is a private commission, and will show this key scene from a different vantage point. It will be followed soon by a painting depicting Frodo's first full view of Lothlorien from a flet, looking toward The Great Tree of Caras Galadhon.
At this date I am waiting for confirmation of additional castle illustrations for the George R.R. Martin concordance project I have been involved with since this time last year. The original commissioned series of thirteen works was completed in early March, and the originals were exhibited in England at my exhibition (see blog entry 'Castles and Conviviality'). I will inform readers of news on the book's publication as soon as I know more; I believe it is to be released sometime later this year.
I have also been toying with the idea of doing a new car painting; simply a vanity project. I've always liked the 1962 Pontiacs, and the official advertising illustrations, and hope to steal some time in the next few weeks to create a '62 as new homage to the genre.
As these and other works are completed, I will try to post them.
Lastly, I have just signed off on the colour proofs for the 2009 Tolkien Calendar, so remember to look for it and the accompanying Diary when they are published this summer. The Diary will feature a piece written by me about the illustrations, along with a few of the colour roughs. That's it for now!
Posted May 04, 2008 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
It was with much anticipation that my partner and I flew to England in early April for "Castles in the Mist", the latest exhibition of my work, held as usual at Redesdale Hall, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos. This new show and sale featured 2 levels of exhibition, with downstairs being dedicated to artisans, booksellers and a live birds of prey 'interactive', while upstairs was fully dedicated to the paintings and prints--aside from the stage area. As in the past, there were lively daily features, such as Tolkien talks, talks by the artists, our Tolkien Quiz, a costume competition, longbow archery demonstration (no participants were impaled!) and our daily live music sets.
We were also very pleased to have been able to display a small number of important artifacts courtesy of Chris Tolkien of nearby Evesham. Chris is the grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien's brother Hilary, and still operates the family garden nursery business. He kindly loaned us copies of letters and other memorabilia, allowing visitors a glimpse into this largely unknown aspect of Tolkien's life. We thank Chris sincerely for his time, interest and support.
The 'conviviality' of the title refers of course to the meals and general 'pubmooting' we all enjoyed so thoroughly after hours. The Bell Inn (aka The Prancing Pony) again was the venue of choice for our special Saturday evening dinner, along with less formal gatherings the other evenings.
The 'castles', on the other hand, are the subject of the newest paintings of mine being featured. These non-Tolkien works will be published in a book to be published soon titled The Complete Guide to the Ice and Fire Universe. It will be a concordance for the 'Song of Ice and Fire' novels by George R.R. Martin, arguably among the greatest post-Tokien fantasy writers alive.
This exhibition included two additional artists besides me and Ruth Lacon; Georgia-based Jef Murray and Cornwall-based Roger Garland. Jef's distinctly colourful Tolkien works in oil nicely complimented the other work, and we appreciated having him and his wife with us. Roger Garland's extensive variety of limited prints of his well known Tolkien illustrations rounded things out very nicely. We were disappointed that Roger was unable to attend on the Sunday as planned, however, but a volatile weather system bringing snow and dangerous driving conditions in its wake blew through early Sunday morning, unfortunately.
It takes a team of helpers, both paid and unpaid alike, to put on such an event, and I wish to thank you all very much! Most of all, thank you to Andy Compton as always for his organizing, generosity, promotion, and so much hard work in order to prepare this extraordinary event. And for his goodwill, humour, patience and overall passion and devotion to the promotion of Tolkien-inspired arts and crafts. I believe I can speak for Andy and say we are all very proud of the interest and loyalty our events are generating in so many of you, and thankful for the steady patronage of our work that these exhibitions help generate. See you next time, I hope!
Posted May 04, 2008 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
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 December 03, 2007 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
As it happens, the Northeast Tolkien Society, otherwise known as Heren Istarion, expressed a need recently for help, due to some very unfortunate events besetting its founders Anthony Burge and Jessica Burke. Fearing that the Society and its good work might be imperiled, fundraising ideas were floated, and soon a special, collectible Heren Istarion 2008 Tolkien Calendar was decided upon. It is now in production, and will feature artworks chiefly by me as well as dedicated Tolkien artist Jef Murray [http://userwww.service.emory.edu/~jmurra2/jefmurraystudios/]. Jef's work is often featured in Amon Hen, the Tolkien Society bulletin, among other places.
Calendar collector extraordinaire Phil Goss along with daughter Megan have generously volunteered their time designing it, and orders can be placed at: www.herenistrarion.org Here's the thing; the calendar will feature unpublished and recent new Tolkien artwork from me! Some of this art is presently available in limited edition giclee print form [www.adcbooks.co.uk], but this calendar, a first (but perhaps not the last), offers fans an affordable and highly collectible alternative. Thanks in advance for your support of my ongoing art, and the non-profit scholarly work of Heren Istarion.
Posted December 03, 2007 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
Posted December 03, 2007 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
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