Up, Up and Away. United Airlines Posters
With the few springlike days we’ve been having lately, friends around me are starting to plan their
holidays and talk about far off places. I came across a United Airlines Poster and it reminded me of this
fiftes and sixties travel advertising. There is something comforting and fun about its presentation here.
Bob Wilvers. Rediscovered Illustrations.
For those of you who are still following me, regarding the story of Bob Wilvers which I posted
initially here and then here, there is yet a further addition and a surprising happy ending.
After a reader of my blog sent me an image he had of Bobs’ work, I was suddenly gripped
with an urge to see if there was indeed more images to be discovered. I was lucky to be able to track down
Bobs’ daughters Roberta and Tracy, and they very kindly sent me some images of the pieces of their
fathers’ work, that they had in their homes. Such beautiful work should be shared with many and I hope
that by blogging here, we can all appreciate what an amazingly skilled artist he was.
Roberta informed me that ” The images that you have on your blog came from the Ford Times
October 1956. It was an article that was written by my mom and illustrated by my dad.
One of the attached images is also from that piece. The other images are from the August 1957 issue.
The Ford Times had quite a few piecesof my dad’s work. They donated one of the them,
‘ Trinity Church ‘ to the Smithsonian in Washington DC. ”
I love the summery feel to his watercolours above and perhaps later images below where Bobs’ style
has developed and flourished into new areas.
My favourites however are still his beautiful landscapes, their rich colours and textures.
Sincere thanks again to both Roberta and Tracy for kindly allowing us access to the images above.
Amazingly, I’ve just managed to find an online copy of the Ford Times magazine October 1956
for sale, which features some of Bobs’ work. So a little piece of Mr Wilvers will live in my home too.
Many thanks to Marilyn for sending this image of two paintings of Bob’s that she saw an antique show
approx 10-12 years ago in the booth of W M Schwind Jr Antiques of Yarmouth, ME. They were marked $3500 each.
Another update (April 2017), just in from Tracy, who’s really enjoying seeing images of her dad’s work appear here. She sent me a link to the painting of Trinity Church at the Smithsonian (but not hanging at present). Another beauty, thanks Tracy.
Angela Harding was born in 1960 in Stoke-on-Trent. “I studied Fine Art printmaking and painting
at Leicester Polytechnic and then an MA in Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University.
The recurring inspiration for my work is the flora and fauna of the British countryside.
My studio looks out over the Rutland landscape; the view is of sheep fields and English farmland,
which are often represented in my work along with the theme of British birds.”
“The imagery I use comes from my interest in day-to-day surroundings and happenings.
The work often has an allegorical aspect that has strong reference to British painting
of the 30,s, 40’s and 50’s. The work of artists such as Eric Ravilious, David Jones and
Winifred Nicholson are a constant inspiration as well as the views of the beautiful
Rutland countryside from my studio.”
Some of Angelas’ other inspirations and styles can be found here.
If you happen to be in the North East, Angela is taking part in an exhibiton called ‘Flock’ taking place
at the Northern Print Studios between 17 March – 4 June 2011.
Michael Robertson. Vintage Modern Illustrator.
Michael Robertson isn’t really a cartoon bear, but in fact is an artist and illustrator living
and working in Cleveland. He says ” I love modern design, and have been a hardcore collector
of mid-century modern furniture, art and design since the 80’s. ”
He has a lovely style, quirky and animated with a great idea of how to layer an image,
with just enough textures to make it ‘ZING’ ! I love seeing his drawing style vegetable sheets too.
Much more work on his blog, click the link above through his name. Keep up the amazing work Michael.
Fishink Illustration.
I’ve been working on a commission piece for some friends of mine. It’s a new way of working
for me, collage and then drawing on top and reworking with chalks and pencils.
I kind of like the results.
Ok Mister De Mille we’re ready for the close up !
Any comments ?
The Aurora by Terje Sorgjerd
I came across this beautiful film by Terje Sorgjerd.
Terje says ” I spent a week capturing one of the biggest aurora borealis shows
in recent years. Shot in and around Kirkenes and Pas National Park bordering Russia,
at 70 degree north and 30 degrees east. Temperatures around -25 Celsius. Good fun.
Big thanks to the guys over at dynamicperception.com for their amazing
all-in-one motion control dolly. Music is Gladiator soundtrack “Now we are free”
How amazing.
Jiro Miyata . Snow, Sea and Surf in Illustration
Although I know little about the illustrator Jiro Miyata, I’m of the opinion that he’s a bit of a dude.
His work speaks to me of long lazy days in the sun, taking yourself off surfing in the VW Camper
or snowboarding with friends in places where the surf is high
and snow is always deep and crisp and even !
I love the way he plays with dappled sunlight to show spring like walks or warm summery days.
They inspire great emotion, roll on summer !
Harry Potter and Thunderbirds Stamps are Go !
The Royal Mail has launched eight stamps celebrating British magical figures,
including Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter books.
Joining JK Rowling’s creations on first class stamps in the series are failed student
Rincewind and witch Nanny Ogg, from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books.
Aslan the Lion and the White Witch, from CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia,
feature on other stamps in the series.
The Arthurian figures of wizard Merlin and Morgan le Fay make up the set.
Sir Michael Gambon and Ralph Fiennes appear in character on the Potter stamps
in images taken from the successful movie franchise.The Narnia stamps also use images
from the recent film versions, with Tilda Swinton pictured as the White Witch.
According to its website, Royal Mail commissioned research from experts in British folklore
and cultural history to determine the most appropriate characters.
“It soon became obvious that most of these tales, whether ancient or modern, involved more
than one magical character,” a posting reads.”It was decided to look at four different sets
of stories and extract two characters from each.”
The work of Gerry Anderson who made all those fab childrens classics like Joe 90, Thunderbirds,
Stingray, Fireball XL5 and Captain Scarlett is also featured on a range of stamps.
There’s even a set of four that have been printed using microlenticular technology
so that when tilted the stamps show each vehicle’s launch sequence ! how fab is that ?
Get to your writing desks everyone !!! More info and fascinating stamps to buy here.
Why not get some of my own Fishink stickers to put on the back of your letters ?
Available with many other products on the Fishink Site.
I had a superb day out on monday and went off into Newcastle to visit Seven Stories, in the
Ouseburn Valley ( you can find them here. )
Seven Stories is Britain’s gallery & archive that celebrates the wonderful world of children’s books.
It has exhibitons by visiting illustrators and authors and an amazing book shop and cafe to
encourage kids to read and read.
I loved the floor devoted to one of my favourite illustrators John Burningham. (Interview here. )
Lovely attic space with paintings by Oliver Jeffers… another favourite also mentioned here.
It’s a beautiful building and well worth the journey.
Bob Wilvers revisited.
I received an email from Terry who had read my blog about the illustrator Bob Wilvers
and for those of you who missed it (tut tut) you can catch up here. At the end of the article I asked
if anyone knew of any more of Bob’s work could they let me know. Terry not only knew of his work,
but had an illustration of his own and even sent a copy so that I could show you all.
Terry explains ” I found this WC in a very rural part of Indiana and it reminds me of an area
in West Allis, Milwaukee which was a district of homes which were bars/pubs on the first floor,
and homes/apartments above on second/third floors. The signature looks a little like “williams”
but on the back printed in pencil was Bob Wilvers on an entry form to an art exhibit in Milwaukee,
so I assume this was painted well before he moved to NYC. Bob thumb-tacked the paper to a board,
you can see 6 white holes around the edges where the water flowed around.”
Such wonderful work, again with such spirit and so well observed. I’m so grateful to Terry for
sharing this beautiful piece of Wilvers’ art with us, thanks again Terry.
News Update 2017.
Another generous reader discovered my posts about Bob and sent me two pictures that he has had hanging on his living room wall, since he was a child.
Many thanks Richard, the watercolurs are wonderful, how lucky to have them on your wall.
Are there any more out there ?
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