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News, not all relevant to being an author!!
June 2010
Check out the hip and happening online magazine, Style Bible. Girl about town Sophie Eggleton interviewed me this month for the uber cool mag - but I'm not sure I'm quite trendy enough!! You can read the interview by clicking on the link below:
Procrastination ...
Is the only excuse for allowing 6 months to pass me by without so much as a word on my blog page! BUT, in my defence, things have been very busy in the Pickeral office (and out of the office).
cover image If That's All There Is Let's Break Out The Booze, copyright Chris Gollon, 2010
NEW BOOK JUST OUT!!
After a pretty intense working period my latest book, Chris Gollon: Humanity in Art, has finally hit the shelves. We had the launch party on May 17 (a night to remember) at the fabulous Eastside Inn, St John's Street, London. What a fantastic night, and so much support from friends, family, collectors, a few critics and the odd hanger on. Surprisingly (for me) there were no major disasters, nearly all the guests stayed upright for nearly all of the evening and nearly all of them were remarkably well behaved. We managed to get through a fairly staggering amount of wine and canapes and as far as I can tell from feedback, everyone had a great time. My speech went off ok (rule number 1. ALWAYS keep it short) and I dont think anyone could see my knees knocking ...
Most importantly of all however is the book, which has turned out brilliantly, a truly quality and substantial tome - thanks in large part to the amazing team of people (photographer, designer, editor, printer) who worked on it. Without exception so far the response to it has been overwhelming - the back cover carries a quote by none other than the esteemed Bill Bryson ...
Chris Gollon is a contemporary figurative artist of both enormous talent and character. For those of you who are interested I have added an extra page to my web site with the introduction to the book on it.
Below is a photo from the launch with from left to right, the artist Chris Gollon, myself and celebrity chef Bjorn van der Horst, co-owner of Eastside Inn
photo courtesy David Tregunna 2010 copyright
And another one of me, holding the book and my (first) glass of wine all evening - honestly ...
photo courtesy of Myjam 2010 copyright
Signed copies of Chris Gollon: Humanity in Art are available direct through me or from the websites www.chrisgollon.com and www.IAPfineart.com. Alternatively the book is available on amazon.co.uk and in good book shops.
But that's not all ...
There is more excitement too in the form of new book in the pipeline, The Majesty of Horses. I have just signed a contract with a major publishing house for this fantastic new book, due 2011. The book, which is being written in conjunction with the work of two contemporary photographers, will trace the development and history of horses, their importance to human culture and the emergence of different breeds. A total of around 90 horse breeds will be featured with extensive information about the history and unique qualities of the breed, accompanied by stunning modern photographs. The rights to this book have already sold to Australia, North America and across Europe. It's going to be a big one ...
December, 2009
IMAGINE
The BBC culture program Imagine, hosted by Alan Yentob is back on tonight at 10.30pm and is featuring CHRIS GOLLON, who I am currently writing a book about.
HOLS
Off to Amsterdam in a couple of days - I cant wait! It has been a manic year and a short, restful holiday is definitely required.
November
Horse Stuff update
Well the talk was last night and the most super bunch of people came. It was a really lovely evening, with Wendy Jago, who is FASCINATING, being the other speaker. I couldn't have asked for a nicer and more interested audience. Phew!
Horse stuff
I will be giving a talk for the BHS London region at the Cardinal Pub, Westminster on Nov 30 about my horse books. Frankly I am terrified, calmed only by the knowledge that it is in a pub, and the hope that either the audience or myself or both are inebriated.
I hasten to add for those who take life too seriously, that the above is a joke and, of course, it goes without saying that as a professional I shall be delivering an entirely sober speech.
Dog in Art
Fabulous news!! A new art gallery is due to open shortly in Cirencester, The Dollar Street Gallery. Their first exhibition will be the Dog in Art, a subject close to my heart, and I have just written an essay to accompany their exhibition catalogue. If you can go and have a look, the gallery is at 34-36 Dollar St, Cirencester, there will also be copies of my Dog in Art book on sale at the gallery.
A dubious compliment
I was walking the dogs the other day, waiting, actually to cross the road, when a ford cortina slowed beside me. The window was rolled down and a burly bloke shouted, 'COR, you're a yummy mummy' before speeding off blowing his horn. I am troubled by the fact that I am not a mummy at all, never have been and have no aspiration to be.
October 2009
Where did it go?
Truly, I have been sidetracked and totally forgotten to update my website, and now that I return to it, I find October to be rather a blank. I shall put this down to my advancing years and move swiftly on to the rather more recent NOVEMBER. I dont wish you to think I lead such a boring life, I feel sure that something must have happened, but it is eluding me.
September 2009
The Dog: 5,000 Years of the Dog in Art
Thank you to 'The Monk', who just posted a lovely review of my dog book on Amazon!
Still on Dogs ...
Check out the following fantastic website, a real gem for any dog lover. The site is run by Rodin a hugely talented Schnauzer dog owned by the figurative artist Robert Coane. From-The-Doghouse is a treasure trove of information, art, ideas and humour and is a real breath of fresh air.
www.From-The-DOGHOUSE.com/PUPTRAITS/Puptraits_ARCHIVE.html
For a different, but equally stimulating experience try visiting Robert Coane's website,
www.atelier-rc.com/RCOANE.html
A sign of advancing years ...
Is when you have to take all your creature comforts with you when going on holiday. Currently my suitcase contains, gin, tonic, coffee, my OWN coffee cup, my OWN pint glass, several bars of chocolate, a cafetiere, canderal, orange squash and ear plugs. I have yet to pack any clothes.
Confusion in the morning ...
I was standing in the petrol station waiting for the machine to read my (over used) card when I decided to break the silence by commenting on what a lovely day it was to the cashier. He promptly broke into peels of laughter, gyrated his hips and gave me a knowing wink. I dont know what he thought I said to him, but clearly it differed greatly from my actual words.
For the horse lovers among you ...
My new book Budget Horse and Pony Care was published last month, and is 'Book of the Week' at the moment on the top equestrian web site Horseytalk.net. Visit the site and read a tip a day from my book, and follow the link to a bit more information about me. Also check out the rest of the site, this is a one stop shop for everything horsey, horse news, information, trivia and fun, and is presented with a good dose of humour, which is just what we need at the moment.
August 2009
I had my first meeting with the amazing PR company who will be handling the marketing of Chris Gollon: Humanity in Art, today. The meeting made me realise two major things, 1) I really need to get on with writing the book and 2) Just what a tremendously exciting project this is. Oh and 3) Being in a tiny lift with 5 strangers is fine, unless the lift breaks down.
Going Go Kart racing is like entering an episode of Eastenders when the entire cast is made up of lots of Phil and Grant Mitchells. But what FUN, we did the two person endurance race and didn't come last, which I considered quite an achievement.
July 2009
Meet William! This is William, one of the horses I am riding at the moment, who is the brother of MY WILL, ridden to third in the 2009 Grand National by Ruby Walsh. William is wonderful, handsome and smart, he is exceptionally talented and a great worker, but would really prefer ro be in the house, on the sofa with all four feet up and a good film (nothing scary) on the TV.
I just did my first interview with the artist Chris Gollon to prepare material for my forthcoming book, Chris Gollon: Humanity in Art. Interviewing is a slightly new thing for me, and evidently I need to hone my skills, as we spent most of the day laughing and telling stories not suitable for print.
April 2009
Chris Gollon
I came across this extraordinary artist when I was researching images for my The Dog: 5,000 Years of the Dog in Art, book. His work, Anubis and Charon, really struck a chord with me when I initially saw it, after sifting through literally hundreds of other works! To cut a long story short, I used the painting in the book, and shortly after publication received a letter from the artist's agent, David Tregunna, thanking me for using the image and thanking me for understanding it! This letter sparked my interest even more, so I arranged to meet David to see some more of Chris's paintings.
They were quite amazing, technically and also the cerebral thought processes that had clearly gone in to each and every work. He is an artist riding the first wave of enormous success, and will be featuring this autumn on the BBC's main culture program (check back here for more details later). Added to which he has this spring received a huge amount of air time on TV and radio, and media coverage, due to his Fourteen Stations of the Cross, unveiled on Good Friday at St John's Bethnal Green. The long and short of it is that he is an artist who has worked doggedly for years, sticking to his guns, not conforming and not dancing to the tune of the established art world, and that dedication is finally coming home to roost. His fellowship at the Institute of Advanced Human Studies at Durham University early this spring also brought with it much coverage by the media, but perhaps more importantly has inspired Chris Gollon to move in a new direction with his art.
So all of the above, combined with the advances he is making within painting and modern art have inspired me to write, Chris Gollon: Humanity in Art. This will be a new type of art book, which will be (I hope!) a great read, but also a serious study for art students. The book will be published by Hyde and Hughes Publishing, a company in which I am involved, and one that places quality of print production and content above everything. Hyde and Hughes does not outsource their printing to China, but does it all on British soil and are involved in every step of the process.