The Way to Weathertop

The Way to Weathertop (Amon Sul) 2015

This newly posted piece dates back to a year ago and, as a combination of ink drawing and photographic study, was produced specifically for the exhibition 'Dales of a perilous Realm' featuring myself and Archaeologist Shaun Richardson that featured at Mill Bridge Gallery in Skipton, Yorkshire between February and June 2016.  The reference point is Ingleborough, one of the forbidding Three Peaks that lie in the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales.

ILLUMINATING TOLKIEN: An exhibition report. September 2016

Twelve Artists. Two venues. A castle. A cathedral. A love of Middle-earth. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

The months leading up to September this year were extremely busy with planning and discussion between a horde of artists and organisers for an exhibition that I had the good fortune of having a prominent role. It was an exciting time and an exciting exhibition too.

'ILLUMINATING TOLKIEN: An exhibition of Art and Illustration' was the show that resulted. In partnership with Time&Tide Events, a Gateshead-based events team (and Tolkien enthusiasts), we worked to a plan of putting on an exhibition inspired by Middle-earth to feature at their second annual Tolkien Weekend event in Newcastle.  The first Tolkien Weekend in September 2015 attracted an impressive footfall of visitors and even gained (surprisingly) coverage of BBC's Songs of Praise.  For 2016 Time&Tide managed to attract the attention of JRR Tolkien's great-grandson Royd Tolkien as guest of honour.

Over the course of one week, 19th-25th September, the show was installed at two venues in Newcastle city centre; St. Nicholas' Cathedral and Newcastle castle. The exhibition opened with the preview night on the evening of Monday 19th September.

The Artists on show: John Cockshaw, Jemima Catlin, Tomas Hijo, Soni Alcorn-Hender, Jay Johnstone, Anke Eissmann, Ted Nasmith, Stephen Graham Walsh, Katarzyna Chmiel-Gugulska, Peter Xavier Price, Tsvetelina Krumova and Archaeologist Shaun Richardson.

Of particular note was the appearance of recent Official HarperCollins illustrator Jemima Catlin. Catlin's illustrations graced the 2013 edition of 'The Hobbit' and it was a joy to have Jemima accept the invitation to exhibit with us, and most of also exhibited at The Tolkien Society's Oxonmoot earlier in the month. Archaeologist Shaun Richardson joined us again too, and being the third time of involving Richardson in an exhibition project it was a pleasure to have his unique Middle-earth inspired survey drawings grace the show. The array of art on show was quite incredible and as many of the artists were too geographically out of reach to attend the show we were able to put together a greetings video to give some of the artists a chance to say "Hello" and attend the exhibition in spirit.

New Art inspired by The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. August / September 2016

A succession of new posts will shortly be forthcoming to catch up on some very busy months that have flown by without any new update here.  The first is this one here, which presents the newest work from my portfolio inspired by both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien.  The most notable thing to mention is the return to traditional media that I've undertaken.  This has been a natural development especially following on from the book release from Oloris Publishing Wrath, Ruin and a Red Nightfall: The Art of John Cockshaw having underlined just how far my photography-centred approach to Tolkien Art could go.  This has both marked a return to previous ways of working and a completely new approach to making art than has previously appeared on this blog.  Please enjoy the new work and further news updates soon!

September in the Shire (2016, Acrylic and ink on canvas)

Original painting 30x30inches.  SOLD (Prints available)

Path to the secret valley of Rivendell (2016, Acrylic, ink and pastel on canvas)

Original painting 40x40inches.  Prints available 

Cirith Ungol (2016, Pen and ink on paper. Original A2)

Prints available

Cirith Ungol *Alternate variation* (2016, Pen and ink on paper. Original A2)

Prints are available.

Mountain of Fire (2016, Pen, ink and digital)

Prints are available.

Mountain of Fire *2nd variation* (2016, Pen, ink and digital)

Prints are available.

...Silent mountain listening... (2016, mixed media)

Prints are available

...The Lady spoke... (2016, mixed media on board)

Prints are available

Mile by mile to Mordor (2016, Pen, ink, charcoal and digital)

Prints are available.

PRE-ORDER 'Wrath, Ruin and a Red Nightfall: The Art of John Cockshaw' from Oloris Publishing

For the past three years things have been busy behind the scenes putting together an Art volume with Oloris Publishing featuring everything (and more) on this site into a single 276 page volume.

It is a huge pleasure to be able to say that 'Wrath, Ruin and a Red Nightfall: The Art of John Cockshaw' will shortly be available and the book can be pre-ordered by following the link here to the dedicated Oloris sales page.  It is available in a variety of packages with a choice of art cards or print bundle options. Shipping of the book is expected to begin from May.

I'm extremely excited about the imminent release and will post related information once the book makes it's official arrival!

DALES OF A PERILOUS REALM: An exhibition of work by Artist John Cockshaw featuring a collaboration with Archaeologist Shaun Richardson.

 

Official Mill Bridge Gallery exhibition poster (above)

 

Opens 27th February - 9th April 2016.  Mill Bridge Gallery in Skipon, North Yorkshire.

www.millbridgegallery.co.uk

 

One of the artist's own designs for a promotional poster for the exhibition is shown below:

LATEST EXHIBITION NEWS: DALES OF A PERILOUS REALM: An exhibition of Art by John Cockshaw

It has lately been a long couple of months without any news updates but I'm very pleased, and this is literally just on the eve of the event itself, to announce a new exhibition of my work along with contributions from a very valued collaborator; Archaeologist Shaun Richardson.  "Dales of a Perilous Realm" takes an intriguing approach to JRR Tolkien-inspired art and combines photography, archaeology, drawing with a loving tribute to our favourite locations and beauty spots in the Yorkshire Dales.  The area wouldn't have been unknown to Tolkien considering he was based fairly close by during his time as Professor at The University of Leeds, but the show is very careful not to make any claims that Yorkshire directly inspired his creation of Middle-earth.

The press release for the exhibition is included on the next page:

INSIDE LOOK: "Dales of a Perilous Realm" Tolkien-inspired exhibition

The video here is a behind-the-scenes look at the latest exhibition of mine "Dales of a Perilous Realm" that opens in the scenic North Yorkshire town of Skipton on 27th February.  I discuss my collaboration with Archaeologist Shaun Richardson, the thinking behind the show and give a glimpse at the finishing touches made to the exhibition whilst it was being installed on-site at the gallery.