Above: Tim in the BBMF Lancaster PA474 during an evening flight over Bracknell, May 1999. "Ten years ago - doesn't seem like five minutes!!!"

Above: The Mini-Poster packs.

Above: The 2009 Waddington International poster artwork complete with wording and logos. "This year saw record crowds of 170,000 over the weekend".

Below: Postage stamps produced for CASCO Philatelic Services to celebrate 100 years of Naval Aviation.

Above: The Guy Gibson VC book cover. See www.speedmanpress.co.uk for more details.

Above: Copies of the first 'collectors' hardback edition of 'Last Post at Newton' that sold out in just four weeks! A second and revised edition is due out late August 2009. "The book's success came as a pleasant surprise and has encouraged me to publish more subjects as and when time allows!"

 

 

COLOUR PRODUCT LIST

PHONE 01949 877590

OR EMAIL

tobrienart@hotmail.com

TO REQUEST YOUR COPY

 

 

 

Welcome

Welcome to my website showcasing a small selection of artwork from my portfolio. Before I start to ‘Twitter’ I thought I would introduce a ‘Blog’ as a new addition to chat about my latest projects.

My ‘Visual Approach’ Blog!

21/12/09 RAF SYERSTON BOOK – Update.

 Bright, cold day today; with a dusting of snow and a layer of ice to make it very seasonal!

As 2009 draws to a close and I reflect upon the Syerston book project, which I have been working on for nearly a year now in my spare-time; I would like to thank the many people I have met who have contributed stories, photos and information; plus the staff at ACCGS for the opportunity to visit and photographically record the few remaining historic structures before the modernisation scheme sweeps them away. The basic design and layout of the book is now complete: my next task is to finish off numerous paintings and the all important text - if I can make sense of all those scribblings in notebooks!

 Have a feeling that this might be my last blog of 2009; so if it is; have a great Christmas and New Year!

 15/12/09 RAF NEWTON BOOK – Best-selling local history book.

 The latest batch of Last Post at Newton books, that arrived at the end of November are continuing to sell fast from retail outlets such as the Nottingham branch of Waterstone’s; where it has been one of their best selling local history books. A big-thank you to everyone who has made this book a success.

 30/11/09STEAM AROUND BRITAIN” POSTCARDS 

Started research work today on the next two postcards in the Steam Around Britain series for Nottingham based publishers; Reflections of a Bygone Age. The previous two cards, launched in early November featured the Llangollen and Strathspay Railways. These were the first in the long-running series painted by myself following the retirement of my father, Michael O’Brien from the postcard artwork scene.

 27/11/09  WADDINGTON 2010 AIRSHOW POSTER

 Just returned from a photo-shoot at RAF Waddington. My mission on this bright and chilly autumn day: to gain reference material high-up on a ‘cherry-picker’, looking down on an E-3 Sentry, specially parked out on the pan; which will help me with the composition for the 2010 poster illustration. The opportunity has also been taken to incorporate the show’s new logo (which can be seen on the airshow website) into a brand new poster layout for the new decade.

27/10/09 RAF NEWTON BOOK SELLING FAST – ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!

Last Post at Newton is selling fast from retail outlets such as Waterstone’s in Nottingham, Newark Air Museum, the Nottingham Tourism Centre on Smithy Row and the BookCase in Lowdham. As the publisher, I have sold out completely after another large order from Waterstone’s today. This means that I am currently unable to accept any direct orders, but copies are still available from the stores mentioned above. I have ordered another batch of Last Post at Newton copies which should arrive to me from the printers by the end of November; to keep the Christmas supply chain stocked.

01/10/09 RAF SYERSTON BOOK PROGRESSES

Since the last update, my 256 page colour mock-up is now at an advanced stage and has met the approval of the select few who have seen it. Phew, glad I’m on the right track! Since the Spring I have interviewed many of those directly connected with the airfield and managed to source over 200 images; many taken myself since the mid ‘80s, including some from a recent aerial photo-shoot; although I am still interested to see what other archive images are out there. Just need to get started on the 24 aviation paintings, 10 line drawings now and….. make a start on the text! So, if you have any old photographs, memorabilia or a story to tell, please get in touch on 01949 877590. Finally: a big thank-you to everyone who has helped with the project, as I couldn’t have got this far without your support.

09/09/09 RAF NEWTON BOOK – Second (Revised) edition on sale

Following the sell-out success of the first collector’s edition of Last Post at Newton – the life of RAF Newton back in November 2008; the second and revised edition goes on sale from 22nd September 2009. Revisions include:

1) Rare unpublished plans of the proposed concrete runways that were never constructed. Plus other wartime plans printed on the endpapers.

2) An unpublished photo of the Vulcan bomber that landed on the grass runways 45 years ago this week. The new photograph shows the Vulcan in No.2 Hangar along with other instructional airframes.

3) The latest photos of Balfour Beatty’s “occupation” of Newton during the A46 work.

4) The story of 93-year old Polish pilot Jozef Warchal who has given his untold story of his escape from Poland through German occupied Europe to the safety of England. He then flew Spitfires over France taking the fight back to the enemy before serious head injuries sustained in a crash took him away from the frontline and was posted to Newton as an instructor.

In short, 35 new photographs have been added to bring the total up to 432 colour and black and white illustrations throughout. The page extent remains the same at 288 pages as do the overall dimensions at 240x170mm, Hardback plus colour jacket. All the above for £21-95 per book: the same price as the first-edition; despite the increase in printing costs.

Local free delivery / collection can be arranged, otherwise please add the following Postage and Packing rates per book:

UK Postage and Packing = £6-00

AirMail to Spain = £8-00

AirMail to Australia, USA and Canada = £14-00

To purchase a signed copy direct from myself, please make a cheque payable to ‘Timothy O’Brien’ and post to: Timothy O’Brien, Tobbit Publishing, 15 Angelica Court, Bingham, Nottingham, NG13 8SU. England.

BOOK SHOPS THAT ARE STOCKING THE SECOND EDITION:

Newark Air MuseumWinthorpe, Newark, Notts

Bingham News & Card CentreEaton Place, Bingham, Notts

The BookCase – Lowdham, Notts

Strays Bookshop - Newark, Notts

Waterstones – Nottingham, Bridlesmith Gate branch

Nottingham Tourism Centre – Smithy Row, Nottingham

31/08/09 MADCAT ILLUSTRATION FOR AEROPLANE MAGAZINE

A colour illustration I recently produced of a US MadCat Catalina attacking a U-Boat appears in the latest edition (October 2009) of Aeroplane and accompanies an article titled “Madcats & Mousetraps”. NOTE: Original painting available for sale

14/07/09 NEW AIRSHOW MINI-POSTERS – Raising funds for RAFA and RAFBF

Special limited edition packs of 14 classic Airshow posters; are now available to buy. Each card is A5 size and features Finningley and Waddington poster artwork of Tim O’Brien GAvA and Wilfred Hardy GAvA dating back to 1981. Cost: £5 plus £1-50 P&P. Overseas purchasers: please email for up to date Airmail fares. Please send cheque payable to: Timothy O’Brien’ and post to 15 Angelica Court, Bingham, Nottingham, NG13 8SU. England. Proceeds will support RAF Benevolent Fund and RAFA.

03/07/09 POSTAGE STAMPS – 100 Years of Naval Aviation

Twenty-eight pieces of artwork I produced for CASCO Philatelic Services; part of the 288 Group are now available as postage stamps. A set of four designs are for each of the following 7 countries: Solomon Islands; St Helena; Kiribati; Indian Ocean Territories; Bahamas; British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. All feature Fleet Air Arm aircraft from 1909 to the present day: available direct from CASCO or the Westminster Collection.

23/06/2009 SIGNING PRINTS

Busy signing Lancaster midi-prints today for the Westminster Collection. This one seems to be proving as popular as the Spitfire midi-print judging by the quantity! NOTE: Many original pieces of artwork produced in this print series are available for sale; POA.

03/06/2009 VISIT TO BBMF / RAF NEWTON BOOK SECOND EDITION

Visited the BBMF at Coningsby today along with 93 year old Polish pilot Jozef Warchal who, courtesy of Sqn Ldr Al Pinner MBE. was re-united with a Spitfire Vb (and in Polish markings too!) for the first time in 67 years since crash landing his Spit in Kent. Due to his injuries, he then became an instructor at RAF Newton. Armed with some photos taken today and more anecdotes, I can now add his story to the revised second edition of 'Last Post at Newton'. Jozef's story is the final revision to the book which I hope will be ready in late -August.

01/06/2009 AIRSHOW POSTER COMMEMORATIVE PACKS

Been talking to the Airshow Office at Waddington today for an update about an exciting new range of mini-posters (A5 size) featuring artwork by Wilfred Hardy GAvA (poster artist from 1981 to 2005) and myself (poster artist from 2006 to present).

28/05/2009 CHRISTMAS CARDS

Painting snow scenes and Santa Claus during May is bizarre I know, but this week I am working on two new TOB Cartoon Christmas card designs. I'll post images when the cards are printed. NOTE: Originals available for sale; POA.

18/05/2009 A PAINTING FEATURES IN THE RAF YEARBOOK

Just bought my copy of the 2009 RAF Yearbook and was pleasantly surprised to find my second commission for 5 (AC) Sqn featured on page 79 in a photograph next to the CO, Group Captain Harry Kemsley.

6/05/2009 LATEST 'AEROPLANE' ILLUSTRATION 

I have just delivered two pen drawings for the 'Halibag Down' story for the next edition of Aeroplane, a Special ‘Handley Page’ issue which is out on 1st June. NOTE: Originals now sold.

30/04/2009 MORE SYERSTON BOOK RESEARCH

This week I have been carrying out more interviews for first-hand accounts of those stationed at Syerston. Its amazing that once you scratch the surface you find a wealth of stories that are lying 'un-tapped' out there. Even though I hadn't planned to carry out this work until later in the year; it was a case of striking while the iron was hot as opportunities arose to talk to those involved!

18/04/2009 FINISHED COVER TO ‘GUY GIBSON VC – THE GLORIOUS DAMBUSTER’

Here is a testimonial from Susan Econicoff, MD of Speedman Press in response to recieving the finished book cover; “We needed a cover design for our new book Guy Gibson VC –  The Glorious Dambuster and, knowing of Tim O’Brien’s aviation illustrations, asked him to help. We had only a vague idea of what we wanted so left it to Tim to provide us with some suggestions.  The resulting book cover has exceeded all expectations – it is a stunning, atmospheric piece of art and we are delighted with it. Tim is a joy to work with and we will definitely be asking for his help with our future publications.” If you would like to purchase a copy, please go to www.speedmanpress.co.uk for more details. NOTE: Original now sold.

31/03/2009 WADDINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW POSTER

I am in the last stages of completing the poster artwork for the 2009 Waddington International Airshow which takes place on 4th/5th July and this year incorporates the 60th Anniversary of NATO. A last minute addition for the ‘Inset’ artwork is of course the Vulcan which has now secured its much needed funding. I hope they repeat the Lancaster and Vulcan flypast this year!

17/03/2009 ‘SECRET PROJECTS’ & GUY GIBSON BOOK COVERS

I am currently working on two book cover illustrations, one for Midland Counties (Ian Allan) as part of their on-going Secret Project series and another for a book about Guy Gibson for Speedman Press.

05/03/2009 ‘AEROPLANE’ MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION

My latest pen illustrations for ‘Aeroplane’ magazine (IPC Media) feature a Royal Navy Phantom and a US Navy Skywarrior involved in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in 1972. They will appear in the May issue, published on 1st April 2009. NOTE: Originals now sold.

10/02/2009 THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY BOOK COVER

Have just been ‘googling’ to see if a book cover I produced last summer for ‘The Fantastic Journey’ by Martyn Croft, an adventure fantasy published by Arima Publishing had in fact been published. And it has and can be seen on Arima’s website. Will have to buy a copy myself!

02/02/2009 RAF SYERSTON BOOK

After publication of the second/revised edition of the RAF Newton book, see details below, I will start in earnest on the next book project which will concentrate on RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire. If you, or you know of anyone with a story to tell about Syerston, or have photographs/paper ephemera/memorabilia (airshow programmes, menus, Christmas cards etc) that you would like to see appear in the book, please contact me on 01949 877590 or write to me at 15 Angelica Court, Bingham, Nottingham, NG13 8SU. Note – any material loaned will be returned and images credited.

09/01/2009 RAF NEWTON BOOK

“LAST POST AT NEWTON” by Timothy O’Brien GAvA

The books were initially launched on Saturday 15th November 2008 at the successful 'O'Brien' family art exhibition in Nottingham; with a follow up 'meet and greet' session at the former RAF Newton base on the 6th December. This first edition proved very popular and sold out in just four weeks. A second/revised edition is currently in production which I hope to release in late September 2009.