Art & Artists Inspired by J.R.R.Tolkien

[Cheyenne Angel]

very nice artist Riv, thank you very much!

now nice news from John Howe :

I've always wanted to be king of a castle.

Admittedly, it's not a popular category in the "Help Wanted" section, and such opportunities are limited.

So, when Cerigo Films came with the idea of a short documentary on Leo Schnug and the castle of Haut-Koeningsbourg, I thought well, this is about as close as I'm likely ever to get.
Haut-Koenigsbourg itself is a fascinating place, and Leo Schnug, the ill-fated painter and illustrator who decorated the banquet hall, is a tragic figure singularly emblematic of his time. Moreover, he is largely unknown, even in his native Alsace.

Of course I accepted the role of narrator, in exchange for a temporary stewardship of the High Castle of the King, and to shed a little light on the life and work of a remarkable illustrator.
And of course, it's about much more than quarried sandstone and painted plaster; it's all about history and myth, and how we are continually building one upon the other.

The film will be aired on ARTE Sunday March 4 at 8:15 p.m.
It will also be shown on FRANCE 3 ALSACE this autumn. (Exact date and time will follow.)

© John Howe,
and to see the Trailer click here, and after click on "ENJOY THE TRAILER"
I live not far away from this castel and I have allways loved this castel, that I was a little girl

[Iolanthe]

What a fascinating and romantic place! Thanks Cheyenne. And nice to see some of John drawing at the end . I'm always fascinated by the way he holds his pencil...

[marbretherese]

. I'm always fascinated by the way he holds his pencil...

It is an unusual way to draw, isn't it! and the castle looks wonderful. Lucky Cheyenne, to live so close!!

[Cheyenne Angel]

For members from Belgium...

During a whole week-end, enter the world of Fantasy

04, 7 & 8 2007

Around the theme of the Wizards & Magicians, enter the world of Harry Potter, Merlin and Gandalf, live two days of magic in the universe of the Fantasy, with concerts, animations, a convention of games, many entertainments for everyone, an fairy market and about fifty authors for an unforgettable moment !
Guest of Honour: Alan Lee and John Howe

© more read here in french, english and nederland

And, for those of you who get the main Swedish channels:
"John Howe - There and Back Again" will be aired on SVT2 on Wednesday 14th of March, at 10.30 in the evening.

© John Howe

[Merry]

Oh, what fun! Cheyenne Angel, will you be in attendance?

[Estel]

There is a retrospective exhibition of the works of Paul Raymond Gregory in Stockholm, Sweden, March 24th to Aug 5th 2007.

http://www.waldemarsudde.se/

There is very little info in English about this exhibition, if you try the English version of the site, except for a link to the gallery in London that owns Gregory's paintings.
http://www.leicestergalleries.com/

Going back to the Waldemarsudde website, click on the Gregory image or text on the main page and you will get to the page about the exhibition, sadly only in Swedish, on that page scroll down to the end to "press images" and click to see some of the paintings.

I will translate some of the info on the Swedish page:

Gregory has been inspired by Tolkien's stories, among them LOTR.
The fascinating world Tolkien created...is captured imaginatively and suggestively in Gregory's paintings.

About thirty works will be on display, from 1978-2006. Many of the paintings are in a big format with individual and especially made frames in almost Gothic style. The frames, works of art themselves, are made by John Davies. They show the importance of the interplay between art and frame and how framing can contribute to stressing the dramatic aspect of painting. The exhibition is organized in the spirit of Tolkien's works, as a journey from darkness to light.

Gregory was born in Derby 1949 and has been inspired by Tolkien since the seventies. All the works are the property of Peter Nahum, The Leicester Galleries, London. All the Tolkien inspired works have earlier been on display at the Barbican Centre in London.

Earlier exhibitions at Waldermarsudde have emphazized the history paintings [don't know the English term ] of the 19th century. This genre with its theatrical staging of history and mythology was once highest in the hierarchy at the art academies. Gregory's art can be seen as an example of how this classic, storytelling tradition goes on living in our age.

The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue with texts by Gary Svensson, Ph.D., Linköping University, Sweden, Gustaf Dahlander, Swedish Tolkien expert and Eva Mendgen, Ph.D., Bonn University, Germany. Graphic design Arne Öström.

Gregory has successfully visualized both literature and music. He has painted record covers for different heavy metal bands and the exhibition will have original paintings for covers to British bands Saxon, Dio and Company of Snakes, American Molly Hatchet, German Freedom Call and Swiss Battalion. There will also be poster originals and other material from the Bloodstock rock festival, Derby, England.

Looking at the paintings at the website I can't say that I like them , but I find the reference to the staged, rather unnatural 19th century painting very interesting. Plus that I can't help laughing at heavy metal cover art, sorry. This is about as far from Alan Lee you can get, but hey, any visualizing of Tolkien is interesting, because at least you will find out what ME doesn't look like, according to your own heart and mind.

[marbretherese]

Thanks for posting these links, Estel! some of the paintings are rather gothic for my taste (was 'gothic' the word you were trying to translate?), but I do like the Smaug pictures. Some of the others, such as the Dead Marshes and Mount Doom, are also extremely atmospheric - I can just imagine them on the cover of a Heavy Metal album - but not on my wall!

[Iolanthe]

Thanks for the links, Estel! Very interesting. I can't seem to enlarge the pics to look at them without being asked for authorisation (will try again at home) but from what I can see I rather like some of them. Smaug is terrific, really scary - I'd love to see that larger - and I like Fog on the Barrow Downs. By the look of the artist by his paintings he certainly does paint on a grand scale!

ETA: He has is own page at Rolozo Tolkien but they are tiny reproductions . I've looked at them before.

[Estel]

Thanks for posting these links, Estel! some of the paintings are rather gothic for my taste (was 'gothic' the word you were trying to translate

No, it was "history paintings", meaning staged paintings in a grand scale, showing an historical or mythical subject. Often quite anachronistic pictures with togas, no matter historical period, and 17th century palaces standing in for antiquity , but wrong costumes or buildings or whatever wasn't an issue back then , as long as the painting was impressive and technically accomplished. This genre was seen as the most distinguished of art forms by the European art academies up until about 1900, perhaps even later. A student would normally have to show that he could do this, before he was considered a real master. Not my cup of tea, anyway, suppose that is why I don't fancy Gregory.

[Cheyenne Angel]

SAINT-URSANNE
Preparation for this summer's event(s) at Saint-Ursanne is advancing apace.

Next summer, for two and a half months, during the summer of 2007. There will be exhibitions, concerts, all manner of things from and with John Hove

Only 74 days left until the opening of John Howe's exhibition in
Saint-Ursanne and of the programming of "Saint-Ursanne La Fantastique !"
The first press-conference of the year took place recently and we can
now unveil several elements:
1. The original poster signed by John, is ready, you can discover it in
the "Media" section.
2. In the same section you can read the press book, that gives an
account of the current status of the project.
3. The full calendar of events taking place in St-Ursanne this Summer is
available in the "Program" section. Around fifty events will be
organised during « St-Ursanne la Fantastique ». Details (schedules,
prices and guests will be announced in May)
4. Among all the dates we draw your attention on the joint presence of
John Howe and Alan Lee, both Tolkien illustrators on the same spot at
the same time!!!!!

[Philipa]

Wow are you going to that event CA? That would be awesome.

[Estel]

SAINT-URSANNE
Preparation for this summer's event(s) at Saint-Ursanne is advancing apace.

Next summer, for two and a half months, during the summer of 2007. There will be exhibitions, concerts, all manner of things from and with John Hove

Thanks for the heads up, CA . I would never have learnt about this event if it weren't for you. Not too late to make vacation plans. Sounds interesting, but expensive. I mean, Switzerland?!

4. Among all the dates we draw your attention on the joint presence of
John Howe and Alan Lee, both Tolkien illustrators on the same spot at
the same time!!!!!

Yes, yes, yes!!! Plus that I need protection provided by the very nice Mr. Lee , if I'm going to meet Mr. Howe again. I sort of hang by his side a whole evening at the Fantastc Film Festival in Lund, would have sat by his feet slurping words of wisdom, if people wouldn't have stared at me in that case and besides, there were enough chairs. He probably thought I was mildly creepy , so I need Alan Lee to tell John Howe that I'm just a nice, normally geeky Tolkien and art fan, nothing to worry about.

[Iolanthe]

Following this conversation on the Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator thread, if either you or Cheyenne go, ask Alan for us why his paintings in the Children of Hurin don't have the usual borders around them .

[marbretherese]

Great idea! and if you don't manage to go, or don't get the chance to speak to him, we can contact him via HarperCollins - I think that's the only other possibility!!

[Cheyenne Angel]

I don't know, not yet, if I can go... but If I can, I will do my very best for you all

The passion for the work of J.R.R. Tolkien can insufflate is big, …some creations can to amaze us… it is the case of this reproduction of Minas Tirith by Franck Boucher, painter of the North of France and fan of the Middle Earth.

High d'1m60 and of 42 kilos weight, this polystyrene sculpture took approximately 2000 working hours and the level of details and realism are really amazing.

all pics of Minas Tirith and the web site from Franck Boucher clic here (including paintings inspired by Tolkien )

© FRANCK BOUCHER