It's with sadness that I learned recently of the unfortunate destruction of much of the exquisitely carved sculpture installed in a facility near Marysville, Victoria, Australia, known as Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden. [Please have a look at the following link; www.brunosart.com/helpus.htm to see the slide show and learn more.]
Artist Bruno has spent years creating beautiful, magical sculptures in a Faerie style, installed in a park setting adjacent to his gallery and residence, only to see them mostly destroyed in the recent fires. Words can hardly sum up the heartbreak this would represent for any artist. Of course the human cost is unquestionably the greatest matter in this situation, and those now in the process of attempting to recover in the aftermath of so much horror are mustering extraordinary courage, and deserve all the help they can receive. But restoration of as much as possible of the material destruction is nonetheless critical to the survivors and their morale, plus support--financially, practically or emotionally--from outside, is most urgent.
On behalf of myself and my colleagues within the Three Farthing Stone Fellowship in Gloucester England, we wish to offer our sincere condolences and solidarity as you mourn what was lost, and as you rebuild and restore in the weeks and months ahead.
Posted March 02, 2009 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
It's my pleasure to announce our upcoming 2009 exhibition and sale, Lands of Enchantment! Date: April 3 through 6 2009. Place: Redesdale Hall, Moreton in Marsh, Glos., England.
Along with my newest Tolkien paintings (see previous entry) the exhibition will feature the latest art by Ruth Lacon, Jef Murray, and Peter Procownik, along with books, memorabilia, craft and activities geared to attract and interest our many friends, supporters and clients. As in the past, I and my fellow musicians will perform songs and music each afternoon (and some evenings unofficially). We invite you to be a part of our gathering.
This spring's event will also officially launch the first book of collected notes and stories by JRR Tolkien's late brother Hilary. We have lately been entrusted by the Hilary Tolkien family with publication of their grandfather's papers and letters, a first. Up to now, there has been very little known of the very warm relationship John Reuel had with Hilary throughout their lives. ADC Books has now published the first of two volumes presenting a glimpse of the story ideas Hilary made up in their youth so long ago. Angie Gardner has done a lovely job editing and contextualizing the often difficult-to-discern notes, and Jef Murray has created just the right whimsical illustrations.
Posted March 02, 2009 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
Hi Everybody!
Like Smith of Wootton Major (or Samwise) I'm BACK. Back from further adventures in Faerie, I suppose, and it wouldn't be too great an exaggeration (NaSmith of Wootten Way??)! In the weeks since I last returned, it's been mostly a succession of new works in a Tolkien vein, as is my wont. In late summer, shortly after painting a commissioned work called Frodo and Haldir in Lothlorien, I went on to a work I'd long considered interpreting, called Eagles to the Carrock. I'm very happy with this one. I'd like as often as possible in coming months to add to my body of Hobbit paintings in fact. With a movie version in production I feel keen to revisit anew the book.
Once Eagles was finished I offered it for display at Oxonmoot, where I also presented slides of how several of my works have evolved in successive versions. Of course, it wouldn't be an Oxonmoot without "Ents" (Entertainments), the Saturday night Party. Once again I had an opportunity to perform a set of songs, starting with a duet with Caspar Reiff of The Tolkien Ensemble, and then on to a solo song from my CD before bringing in Alex Lewis and Maddy Anderson for another couple of numbers.
In the weeks afterward, I got down to more serious work, sending Caspar a series of small colour pieces depicting scenes from the pre-history of The Hobbit. Then, taking advantage of a lull during November and into December, I decided I'd like to reimagine Rivendell once again. I hadn't painted a full size version since the 80s, and felt it was time to revisit it, in order to demonstrate how my techniques and ideas have evolved. Just about when it was nearing completion I was contacted by HarperCollins about illustrating the 2010 Tolkien Calendar and Diary, interestingly enough. After accepting (of course) I immediately suggested inclusion of this Rivendell (which I'm calling The Fair Valley of Rivendell) to HC, along with several other newer works. The theme for 2010 is landscapes of the Third Age, to complement the 2009 Calendar/Diary which features landscapes of the First Age.
Only this week, after adding some final touches, have I sent The Fair Valley of Rivendell to Andy Compton of ADC Books and Art for inclusion in the upcoming exhibition scheduled for Apr. 3 to 6, '09 at Redesdale Hall in Moreton in Marsh, UK. It will be the keystone piece.
Following that work, I've been working up two new pieces. One is a cover piece for a CD by Irish rock group Dead Heroes Club, while the other is an important new Tolkien commission. They're both in production now, the latter to be called Thus Came Aragorn. It will depict his landing at The Harlond in the Black Ships with his mustered army from Southern Gondor, bearing the standard of Gondor and Anduril reforged. It too will be included in the exhibition, and at least one further work which I intend.
And that brings us up to date! I hope to see as many friends, supporters, and (of course) patrons as possible during the four day event in April, which will also feature new art by Ruth Lacon, Jef Murray, and Peter Procownick. You won't be disappointed!
Posted February 10, 2009 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
Summer 2008 has been a wonderful mixture of things. It's been structured around my Tolkien appearances, as well as personal excursions near and far on most weekends. Now, alas, it is passing into fall, and as I write the wind outside is gusting--or should that be 'Gustav-ing'?--it being the last remnants of that recent very damaging storm.
Two Tolkien Events
In mid-July I flew to Frankfurt Germany and was taken to a castle built of red stone amid forested mountains in Bavaria, atop a village called Reineck. Here I was welcomed to the 2008 Tolkien Thing, the 10th anniversary celebration of the German Tolkien Society. Marcel Bulles and his very dedicated committee threw a truly memorable and magical party July 10th to 13th, attended by a diverse number of hobbit-fans and friends from places like Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Holland, Denmark and beyond. It was almost completely perfect, I thought, and along with my slide presentation I sat on an anecdotes-of-our-careers panel with Rene van Rossenberg and Caspar Reiff, as well as did a live painting demo for the first time. That was a challenge, but despite logistical difficulties (the question of light to work by offset by the need to see the projected image for the audience) in 90 minutes I successfully produced a small painting of Bilbo and Gandalf outside Bag End (you know the scene!), and even sold it straight away.
I also performed a set of original songs in the castle chapel Sunday morning, and felt almost hallowed (certainly humbled), having managed not to wake up semi-hung over after the Saturday night revelries. Those wonderful Greeks entertained us well, and about midnight were passing out the ouzo! The chapel featured fabulous acoustics, so that no sound equipment was needed. Happily--unlike last year at this event at a different castle (Diez) during a song--the steeple bells did not go off! Thanks to everyone who made my visit so great!
Later, in mid-August, my partner and I drove to New Britain, Connecticut (USA) for Mythcon 39. My last Mythcon was the Tolkien Society / Mythopoeic Society joint event known as Tolkien 2005, held in Birmingham over several days in August that year. So it was with anticipation that I renewed my acquaintances and friendships there. The location in nearby Connecticut meant a saving on travel costs, significantly. Marian was new to Mythcon, but agreed to assist me (very expertly) with a sales table in the dealers room. After considering alternatives like air or bus, we decided on a scenic, day-long drive through New York State as part of the experience. This proved well worthwhile, giving us a glimpse of the stunning Adirondack Mountains area after we crossed into the U.S. at the beautiful Thousand Islands. (It almost sounds Tolkienian, doesn't it? Rather like The Thousand Caves of Menegroth...)
All in all, it was a very enjoyable time at the campus of Central Connecticut State University. We arrived during a monsoon-worthy thunderstorm, but as everyone who lives in this part of the world knows, it's been a remarkably stormy spring and summer; cooler than average but generally very pleasant (and featuring many memorable sunsets). For us it's been nearly perfect, with the minimum of stale, humid swelter one normally must endure.
Featured at Mythcon for me were my 08 slide presentation, two concert performances, and the sales from the dealers room of CDs, card sets, prints, and calendars. While the first concert was of my serious music (similar to the one in Germany), the 2nd featured fellow musicians/singers Lynn Maudlin, David Emerson and Anne Osborn. Together we gave a comedic performance of The Lord of the Ringo, a spoof based on the trivia that The Beatles seriously considered making a film of LotR in the mid-60s (yes--mind-boggling). Mike Foster and I took the idea forward based on the embryo of it as conceived by Mike and David a few years back. The idea is/was to alter various applicable Beatle songs to LotR lyrics, all to comic effect. As performed with Mike, me and my brother Bruce in 2006 at The Gathering of the Fellowship 2 (Toronto), we and the audience had a blast. Sadly, Mike himself was unable to join us this time, due to combined circumstances, but we gave our all in his honour.
Work and Leisure
This summer I have been busy working on several pieces. Adding to the 13 castle paintings completed by March (for the George R.R. Martin companion book The Complete Guide to the Ice and Fire Universe; Random House; Sept. 09) I painted The Twins in May-June. Later in June I managed to fit in a vanity piece: My car illustration mania needed something to accomplish, so I decided to do a 1962 Pontiac Parisienne Coupe for fun. It's among my nostalgic favourites, and I never felt I'd done the car justice in the past. I'd been toying with the idea since acquiring some new/old illustrated brochures a bit earlier, one of my hobbies. I felt I wanted to research the car as carefully as possible, so I got hold of a GM (General Motors) paint chip sampler from the year, and also managed to locate an actual car in rural Ontario (with uncanny luck; a needle in a haystack if there ever was!) during a weekend away in the backroads. Colour? I selected Honduras Burgundy Metallic.
Since then, I all but completed the Pontiac, and also did a red 60s Mustang semi-sketch in gouache for a friend. In between, I created a Tolkien piece on commission called Gandalf Returns, as well as more recently, Frodo and Haldir in Lothlorien for the same private client.
Along with these works, I'm currently working on the now-in-progress painting Eagles to the Carrock (I'm inclined to focus more on The Hobbit nowadays). Aside from these ongoing works at the studio, and as hinted at above, I've gotten much inspiration from various weekend day-excursions with Marian, along with our camping trip in late July. It's all about piling our stuff into the ol' car and leaving the domestic stress behind as often as possible. We've explored areas in/near the Madawaska Valley to the northeast, rural splendour in Ontario's farming heartland (Holland Marsh; central western Ontario and my home town Goderich), Muskoka (forest, lakes and cottages) for a family reunion, and the aforementioned camping, which was a return to the Lake Huron shores and the Bruce Peninsula, and the clear waters of Georgian Bay. Along with excellent luck weather-wise (including one overnight storm--but every camper wants THAT), it was a chance to compare notes on places both of us have visited separately, but could now appreciate together. As often as possible, we took photos, sketched, and drove nearly randomly along scenic, forgotten roads. Often there was a sublime calm as the sun slanted towards evening. We both feel very lucky indeed to live in a place with such a wealth of beauty within a day's travel.
Next--and it'll be the final Big Trip of 2008--we're off to Oxonmoot later this month. I'll report on that sometime before Christmas with luck...!
Posted September 05, 2008 | Comments (0) | Permanent link
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 (1) | Permanent link
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