Tuesday, 11 July 2017

RAINBOW NATION

A TRIP TO THE CAPITAL TO SIGN COPIES OF A NEW ANTHOLOGY,
...WITH AN ACCIDENTAL DETOUR VIA THE LONDON PRIDE MARCH!

There was a definite theme of colour prevalent during the weekend, when I went down to London for the launch party of 'Elasticity', a book compiled from the best stories of notable UK cult fiction imprint Elastic Press ( and for which, I had designed the cover ). I'm inspired by dynamic art like cubism, futurism, comic-books and speculative fiction, and I like to think that the artwork successfully evoked that feeling of dynamism.



Accompanied by Midlands author of weird fiction, James Burr, we inadvertently found ourselves amongst the enthusiastic crowds who were gathering for London Pride, so we wandered along Regent Street taking in the sights, and enjoying the unusually hot weather. 



Luckily, we just made it to the book launch on time. I was then introduced to the room of fans, bloggers, writers and editors, by publisher Ian Whates, and asked to make my way to the front to sign the book, along with the authors. Ian's imprint, Newcon Press, is a prestigious, multi-award-winning publishing house, and it was Newcon, with Elastic's editor Andrew Hook, who were publishing this best-of anthology.


Below: I really love the matte finish on the paperback. All my paintings have a matte finish, I never use gloss or varnish. 


The book cover ( above ) is based on one of my first 'Mood Flag' paintings GAMBIAN RAIN. Below, the unedited version is used on the inside front cover of the hardback...



...and a greyscale version several pages in. Seen here with the editor's signature.


Below: Inside back cover ( hardback ).


Many thanks to Newcon Press, Ian Whates & Andrew Hook, and also to James Burr.