My
‘Visual Approach’ Blog!
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!
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 -July.
01/06/2009
AIRSHOW POSTER COMMEMORATIVE POSTCARDS
Been
talking to the Airshow Office at Waddington today for an update about an
exciting new range of postcards featuring poster artwork by Wilfred Hardy
GAvA (poster artist from 1981 to 2004) and myself (poster artist
from 2005 to present). The cards will be on sale at the show (4/5th
July) in commemorative packs to raise funds for charity. More details will
be posted as and when I receive them.
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.
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. I am currently
preparing the 'groundwork' for a third painting - more details to follow.
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.
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 the opportunities arose!
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.
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.
10/02/2009 THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY
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 popular and 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 late July 2009.
Hardback, plus dust jacket
●
Size 175 x 250 mm. 288 pages ●
Colour and black & white photographs, paintings and drawings throughout
● Approx 40,000
words ● The book is about the life of RAF Newton, Nottinghamshire and
covers all aspects of life on the station from the day it opened in 1940
to when the last person to leave switched the lights out in 2001!
The book includes many archive and contemporary photographs, plus
specially produced line drawings and paintings.
To reserve your copy of
the second/revised edition please email
tobrienart@hotmail.com or phone 01949 877590.
In
addition, much of the original artwork produced specifically for the book
is also available for sale. If you would like to purchase one of the
paintings or drawings from the book please contact for more details.
Prices –
various, starting at £70.
