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

[Iolanthe]

I haven't visited it often enough to spot the difference which is dreadful because I've been meaning to join the forums there for about a year, ever since elegaer told me how interesting they were .

I have no excuse now as I've been reading his 'Fantasy Art Workshop' (a Christmas treat to myself) and I love the self-effacing and informative way he writes. It's stuffed with useful and challenging information, as well as gorgeous pictures.

[marbretherese]

If it's any consolation, I couldn't spot the difference either. I meant to join at some point, too, but I despair of having enough time to be an effective member. So I might end up giving it a miss . . . Such a shame - it's the one item on my "2008 art-related resolutions" list that I never got around to!!

[Philipa]

and I love the self-effacing and informative way he writes. It's stuffed with useful and challenging information, as well as gorgeous pictures.

Yes I agree about his style. It's quite like blogging really where you write as you speak and it's out there.

His links page is fun too. Lot's of fun stuff to be had there.

[Parmastahir]

With the addition of the 2009 Elendilion and Parmadili issues to my collection, I have now been able to catalog 300 Tolkien calendars. Thank you to everyone who has helped me discover and collect these. Your support is very much appreciated. You can discover them all at:

www.angelfire.com/tn3/tolkiencalendars

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Iolanthe]

300 , that's amazing! Who knew there were so many. Only Tolkien could generate that level of interest with self-publishers and hand-made versions rubbing alongside the professional ones with the big print-runs.

[Philipa]

300 now that is a feat!

Parmastahir I wanted to let you know I've added your site on my Tolkien Guide. You'll find it under 'collector'.

[Parmastahir]

Hello Philipa -

Thank you for adding a link to my site on yours. I think your site is marvelous! I LOVED the links to JRRT audio recordings. I have not found such on many other sites. I appreciate your link to Dan Smith. I know him (if only virtually) through the M-e Fellowship. He has been a GREAT supporter of my efforts to make my catalog (if not my collection) compleat, and has sent me many of his own writings. (Which reminds me that I owe an answer on a matter!) I can not say that I have discovered everything that your site has to offer. But I did discover the link to the Ringbearer forums (and registered there.) I VERY much look forward to exploring it.

If 300 is a feat, it is not of my doing (although I have created two calendars for HI/NETS.) It is the doing of hundreds of talented individuals who created the illustrations and those who published the calendars. I have had the support of many excellent Tolkien fans in my quest for these calendars, and I remain grateful for that.

If all goes well, I should be moving the content of my Angelfire site to a new website address free of popups with better design and functionality. I will keep you all posted.

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Philipa]

Hello Philipa -

Thank you for adding a link to my site on yours. I think your site is marvelous! I LOVED the links to JRRT audio recordings. I have not found such on many other sites.

You are quite welcome. Your site is so unique it is a must to include on such and endeavor. I love the videos too.

I appreciate your link to Dan Smith. I know him (if only virtually) through the M-e Fellowship. He has been a GREAT supporter of my efforts to make my catalog (if not my collection) compleat, and has sent me many of his own writings.

You refer to the M-e Fellowship, have I missed them? I envy Dan and his ability to work with such an abstract subject like symbols and language.

I have had the support of many excellent Tolkien fans in my quest for these calendars, and I remain grateful for that.

And you do say so on your site. Where would any of us be without those who have gone before us? That is why I decided to bring to those that are new at the game a source to discover all there is to offer of talents and groups to share information.

If all goes well, I should be moving the content of my Angelfire site to a new website address free of popups with better design and functionality. I will keep you all posted.

I would greatly appreciate that Parmastahir. Yes, angelfire has it's uses but with your project you need something better equiped and easier to use.

[Iolanthe]

A new site! Fantastic. It will really showcase all your efforts, Parmastahir. If it's easier to get around people will surely delve more into all those treasures .

[Parmastahir]

Wellllll, I know A Dan Smith and he is a driving force behind the Middle-earth Fellowship. It is a society in California. He has created (and helped me collect) their many member calendars. He sent me some fonts a couple of years ago. So I just assumed that he is the Daniel Smith behind that font website. But I wrote to him this weekend asking him about it.

You can learn more about MeF by reading Dan's letter about it in that section of my website.

And, yes, I agree that Angelfire is a pain in the nether regions! But it was all I had when I first had an inkling to create it and learn html. But my son is WAY beyond what I can do. He redesigned the site for me as a course project in college. The intent is to move everything to www.tolkiencalendars.com and move all of the Angelfire content to his design. You can still view the few pages that he worked up at:

http://people.clarkson.edu/~gossrj/test/index.html

Let me know what you think!

Away from The Green Hill Country,

Parmastahir

[Riv Res]

Parmastahir, I never dreamed there were SO MANY Tolkien calendars out there and, indeed, so many unique Tolkien societies as well. It is just incredible how that man inspires people on so many levels.

Building a website is a daunting task (LOL...I have three) and you need good creative and techy friends to help you along the way if you are like me. But, I can honestly say that there is not much that is so fulfilling as building and maintaining a vibrant website, whether it be a vast international community, or a small intimate gathering of friends who share common interests, or a personal website to promote and sell your own artwork, or (like Philipa's) a place to assemble and categorize fascinating information.

The other thing that I can say is that websites are never stagnant. There are always changes and enhancements that pile up on your to-do list.

I am eager to see your transformation and appreciate your work with the calendars so very much.

Carry on!

[Iolanthe]

That looks much better, Parmastahir, and I think it's great that you will be able to profile the calendar of the month in a much more active way. I'm really looking forward you having the new version up and running with easier browsing .

[Merry]

Here's a question for you: if you had to choose one piece of Tolkien art, by JRRT himself or by anyone else, in order to awaken a typical college student to the wonders of reading Tolkien, which one would it be?

[Riv Res]

That's a tough one Mary. I think Tolkien's own art is exquisite, but some see it as rather unsophisticated. If it were me, I would choose a collection from Tolkien himself with smatterings from Howe and Nasmith.

IMHO

[Merry]

No collections, RR--it has to be one work. I'm making a small poster, probably 8 1/2 by 11, and the picture should take up only about half of that. I'll probably do color copies.

I think you're right about Tolkien. I love Lee and Eissman, but they don't really grab you as you're walking by a bulletin board, do they? Oh, yes, and it needs to be something from LOTR.