Dark places of the world
Available WHILST STOCKS LAST as WRATH, RUIN AND A RED NIGHTFALL: The Art of John Cockshaw from Amazon.
Welcome to the blog and this collection of original artwork inspired by The Lord of the Rings and J.R.R Tolkien's wider mythology of Middle-earth. Aside from the influence of the source writing of Tolkien influence is also drawn from Director Peter Jackson's film trilogy (2001-2003) and the highly regarded Tolkien illustrators Alan Lee and John Howe. The magnificent musical score written for the film trilogy by Howard Shore also holds a significant influence upon the atmospheric and evocative quality of the works in this collection. From Mordor to the Misty Mountains combines landscape, miniature-scale and composite photography to depict locations, dramatic scenes and characters from the enduringly popular stories.
Contact: johncockshaw@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: This blog showcases Artwork (completed and in progress) and related exhibition news. There is NO option to purchase Art through this site at this time. Please visit from time to time as this may well change soon.
Copyright of all images belongs to John A Cockshaw
30.12.13
Wild lands, dark paths...Monochrome series collection #2
Dark places of the world
27.12.13
Silver Leaves Journal Issue 5 and Oxonmoot Art Exhibition 2013
22.12.13
Exhibition at CURZON RIPON to tie in with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (12A)
This exhibition had been pending as a possible idea for a short time and as a fantastic and brand new local venue (opening only in November) it was with great pride to be able to hang a selection of pieces from the collection to coincide with the cinema's two-week run of the second chapter of The Hobbit trilogy.
Many thanks to Manager Penny Hartley (inc. James Hare and Bev Isherwood)
8.12.13
3 scenes to show them all...Monochrome series collection #1
4.12.13
Let sleeping dragons lie...
The deadly presence of Smaug quietly sleeps amongst the treasure-hoard of The Lonely Mountain. His massive trailing body is hidden except for his still head atop the piles of gold. Bilbo emerges into the dungeon-hall in the far centre of the image. Smaug here is composed from miniature rock photography and this piece offers a monochrome variation on 'Hoard of the dungeon-hall' (seen further below a few posts down) that featured in the Sociedad Tolkien Espanola's Exibition Niggle 2013 in Seville.
More monochrome variations of existing pieces will follow over the course of December...
4.11.13
Wrath upon the river (fire drake, fire lake)
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Final piece comprising elements photographed at miniature scale with multi-textured layers to shape the dragon form and fire damage |
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Detail of the dragon Smaug |
24.10.13
Dark tower, dark land
Well met, I say again...
The darkness and the fire...
7.10.13
Sailing suns and journey's end
25.9.13
Shadows of the house of stone
11.9.13
New work makes final of Premios de arte 'Niggle 2013' (La Sociedad Tolkien Espanola)
3.9.13
Ring at rest (a sunken secret)
26.8.13
Recent articles on Middle-earth news and Tolkien Library.com
5.8.13
Wrath Ruin and a Red Nightfall - An artist's film
This video was created to provide an insight into my creative process and my rationale for approaching art inspired by Middle-earth. It offers my motivation for taking the path of photography when visualizing Middle-earth, and illustrates the particular aspects of influence that are drawn from J.R.R Tolkien's writing.
As a book trailer that also employs the official Oloris Publishing logos it also looks ahead to the publication date of Spring 2014 as a means to begin generating interest. A good chunk of June was spent filming and editing this video piece, which proved to be a delightful challenge in terms of being both informative and enticing.
I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I enjoyed putting it together!
22.7.13
10,000 strong atleast!
8.6.13
Wicked words of a Wormtongue...
7.6.13
Shadow and flame descends...
A city ruined by wrath...
Source photographic elements: Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland, Whitby Abbey, East Yorkshire and architectural elements in the City of York and Leeds
2.6.13
Current works in progress
The ruins of Osgiliath
(fine tuning to be done and smoothing of atmospheric layers)
23.5.13
A love letter to The Shire...
1.5.13
Publishing project with Oloris announced for 2014

At the close of February I was invited by Lara Sookoo along with Gerda Marz of Oloris Publishing to collaborate on a book release for their Oloris Art Series. Now, after a couple of months and time spent organising much content, Oloris have officially announced this upcoming release (scheduled for 2014) via their website and social media.
Without doubt it is an extremely exciting opportunity and I look forward to the months ahead being involved in the development stages and the impending release.
28.4.13
Work selection on show at Sarehole Mill, Birmingham
The links the site has to the work and life of J.R.R Tolkien cannot be underestimated as the author lived nearby as a child and to the adjoining location of Moseley bog which both exerted an influence on his crafting of The Lord of the Rings. The site works wonders with the space it has, and much of it is dedicated to beautifully presented information about Tolkien provided by BMAG.
After a massive restoration process the site is now set up as a working water mill, and combined with its superb Tolkien museum elements the mill is a great spot for any fan of Tolkien. I am extremely proud to be associated with the site via my exhibition which continues until the end of October.
Its annual Middle-earth weekend (free to the public) runs 11th-12th May this year from 11am-5pm