An unknown artist now known

Driving while listening to Radio 4 - an increasingly common choice from the handful of available stations remaining after an unwise carwash decision, I caught the end of an interviewee passionately discussing the art, works & life of artist Frank Auerbach who's death the previous day had been announced. 

I didn't recognise the name and was unsure of its spelling given its, to me, unusual pronunciation but the passion of the interviewee and her assurance that his art would survive him caused me to make a mental note to check him out. Doing so I discovered that he had indeed lived a remarkable life but it was  the description of his painstaking method of painting that really stood out, the habit of starting each day by scraping off the paint of the day before and starting afresh on the same canvas, continuing the laborious process for weeks, months, sometimes years until the raw truth of the subject was revealed to him.

Almost as remarkable was the realisation that in searching for images of his paintings, I immediately recognised the style, being identical to the cover of a long treasured album from the band Japan, Oil on Canvas pictured above. Sure enough the release had used one of his paintings, Head of J.Y.M II created in 1980, a couple of years before the album's 1983 release.

I was not a huge fan of Japan at the time but for some reason I had bought and enjoyed this double album and the subsequent Exorcising Ghosts compilation on release. I eventually replaced it with it's CD re-master in 2003, which on checking doesn't appear to credit Auerbach as the artist, although the original vinyl sleeve may have?. 

(This incredibly insightful article goes into great detail about how Sylvian may have first encountered Auerbach's work and how it led him to use it on the album).

The Oil On Canvas album ultimately led me in the early 2000's to belatedly follow the solo releases and career of Japan's lead singer, David Sylvian which I continue to find rewarding, (along with the music of Vangelis), as a motivating soundtrack to my own creative endeavours. 

However it is only now, sadly on his death, that I now know the name of the enigmatic artist behind the album's distinctive artwork which has been in my collection for more than 40 years and I look forward to discovering more about the man and his art, Frank Auerbach.

Thought Bubble Time!

Looking forward to returning to Thought Bubble next weekend, arguably the UK's biggest and best comics convention! Always a firm favourite from its humble beginnings in Leeds Town Hall's basement to its subsequent moves to larger premises at The Royal Armouries, Leeds City Centre before moving to it's present home of Harrogate's Conference Centre. 

It has grown and grown and now attracts comic creators from across the world, attracted by its reputation for showcasing a diverse range of talents and the capabilities of the comics medium. You'll find creators behind the latest polished superhero juggernauts to small press publications telling the most intimate personal stories and everything else in between!

This year I'll be in the DSTLRY Hall (one of an expanded four halls this year!) at Table C45 with my latest releases, art and prints. If you're around please stop by and say hello and if you've never been or not been recently, it's not too late to buy a ticket here!

The Secret of the Samurai!

Delighted to see ol' comics chum Garen Ewing after the fab Battles Through History show, our first proper catch-up in ages - Actually Garen reckoned it was at the Copenhagen Comics show way back in 2017 and here he is in a photo I found from then, hard at work!

Garen's one of my oldest comic creating pals, bonding years ago over a shared enthusiasm for European Comics and Victorian Military History, so we've always enjoyed catching up even if it is a lot less regular than we'd like. This occasion was a lovely relaxed informal evening dinner with family and we'd such a nice time we forgot to take any photos, so here's an old one of us being social a long time ago, possibly the early 1900's!

Amongst many artistic achievements, Garen's probably best known as the creator of the wonderful Rainbow Orchid comic series (featuring the intrepid Julius Chancer) and character and background design and artwork for the card game, The Lost Expedition and subsequent computer game, Curious Expedition 2;

One of Garen's stories which had sadly eluded me was The Secret of The Samurai, originally serialised in the Phoenix Comic so when Garen surprisingly announced earlier this year that he'd received copies from his European publisher of a limited collected English hardback edition, I and other fans quickly pounced to finally devour this dynamic tale! Not surprisingly, it sold out, leaving many disappointed but Garen told me that he's received additional stock which he is currently offering on his website, with optional sketch which I highly recommend!

Here's hoping its not so long till we next meet up :)

Travelling Through Time!

Well what a fab fun time we had waay down south in the previously unvisited (by us) South of England showground in West Sussex showground for Battles Through History!

As previously mentioned this was the first of a new annual multi-period military living history show with many attractions from the fantastic arena battle and drill displays, encampments, vehicles, vintage village, traders market, wargames, steampunks, pirates & more!

I was invited to join their military authors upstairs in the fancy Norfolk Pavilion which had fab panoramic views of the arena showground below where we all had a fun time given a schedule of interesting talks and presentations in the well appointed facilities. 

For a first event it was very well organised but there were some unexpected late difficulties with signage which ultimately resulted in a reduced footfall for our area. That said we had a fine community spirit going and did what we could to make ourselves more visible and the situation improved over the weekend with those who found us being supportive of our work and leaving us positive about next year.

Karen & I helped fly the Steampunk Flag at the show!

 

With fellow Zulu inspired author DJG Palmer & Alec 

With Gentleman and 'Chosen Man' Jason Salkey!

We managed a couple of strolls round part of the vast showground during our lunch breaks and got a very small taste of the scale of the show and the varied sights and attractions on offer. Here then is a  snapshot of what we encountered which I'm sure doesn't do the event justice. All in all though, we really enjoyed the show and plan to return next year if we have the opportunity, Huzzah! 

Napoleonic War Display!

American Civil War Battle

WW1 Sussex Yeomanry in Action!

The Hampshire Pipe Band!

Deborah II on loan from Norfolk Tank Museum!

A small sample of the many military vehicles on display!

'The Thin Red Line' original army tunics (sadly not Zulu War)

A War game diorama of Tel-El-Kebir!

The UK Virtual Military Show!

Battles Through History!

Really excited about this forthcoming event! It's a brand new large scale multi-period historical re-enactment show with lots and lots of extra features including living history, military vehicles, movie props, model making etc and a military author pavilion of which I've been invited to!

The show has been planned for a long-time and I've been 'onboard' for some time - you may have had a flyer from me or in my special ZULU: Water Cart Rescue packs but its finally here, funny how these things creep up on you when you're busy!

Please visit their informative website for full details of the many re-enactment groups attending, the programme and many varied attractions including a Steampunk Corner from the Surrey Steampunk Convivial which I'll be sure to visit :)

I'll be based in the glamourous sounding 'Norfolk Pavilion' where I'm also providing two talks; 

Saturday 10:40: Some You Win, Some Zulus! 

Join Comic Creator Colin Mathieson for an illustrated talk on the making of his graphic novel, Zulu:Water Cart Rescue, inspired by a real life dramatic event not featured in the famous Michael Caine movie. Hear about his creative journey from a small Scottish town to the legendary Rorke's Drift battlefield!

Sunday 10:40: History of War Comics! 

From Victorian Story Papers, Boy's Own Adventures to Commando, The Victor and modern conflict journalism, illustrating war has proved a rich and inspiring subject for artists and writers as an effective means of reaching a wide and youthful audience. Join Comic creator Colin Mathieson in this informal talk and illustrated presentation of how comics have portrayed war over the last hundred years.

New Comic Surprise!!

Well I usually joke that when its quiet here it means I'm working on something but its true! Here in all its glory is my newest comic featuring an old friend, The Curious Chancer! Featuring two short stories of my reluctant escapologist character, told in three episodes, the longest of which is coloured by Owen Watts of Hocus Pocus & David Copperfield fame - yes that one!.

I'm pleased with how its turned out but as usual dashing off for another event, the splendid Asylum Steampunk Festival, so no time for further details or to tell you how my recent events have been but maybe next time when time allows, I've a few boxes to unpack!

Double Header Part 2: Lymm Historic Transport Day!

Saturday's Macc-Pow is followed by Sunday's Lymm Historic Transport Day in nearby Lymm, half-way between Altrincham and Warrington! 

This is something very different but aligns with my sensibilities and aim of seeking new suitable events for making comics more visible away from the traditional comic-con venues. The festival is long-running inspired by Lymm's canalboat and transport heritage links and is a popular event on the local calendar.

This year for I believe the first time, they're having a 'Steampunk Section' co-organised by the team at the Portland Basin Steampunk Group and I'm very lucky to be included alongside a small but talented crew of traders, makers and vehicles!

I'm really looking forward to this as its a step into the unknown to see how my comics are received but I do like to challenge myself now and then! Being local its also too good an opportunity to miss and being with fellow steampunks, guaranteed to be fun, I've even bought a gazebo for the occasion!

If the event is anywhere as good as their fab looking posters then I'll be happy!