When the Roll is Called…

My good friends in the band Young Feathers just released a new song called ‘End of Times’. I was pretty thrilled to get the opportunity to do the artwork to coincide with the song as Jared and Michelle are two people who have had quite the artistic influence on me.  I have been privileged to witness firsthand their passion for social justice and awareness (as seen through their work in the Beansprout Collective amongst other things) and fusing that passion into various artistic endeavours. Their passion, their openess and love of others, their creativity,  their willingness to look at issues through different eyes and their friendship have all had a great deal of influence on me. So thanks guys.

I really suggest you follow the link up top and shell out a few bucks to help support these people so they can make some more great music. (And while you’re at it, check out Jared’s old band, Barn Owl).

This weekend I finished a duo of shorter stories by J.R.R Tolkien entitled “Smith of  Wotton Major” and “Farmer Giles of Ham“, the stories were mystical, fantastical and all around wonderful. Adding to the wonder that the Tolkien weaved in his stories were illustrations that only added to his writing prowess.

After a bit of research I found that the illustrator was a  British lady named Pauline Diana Baynes, who has worked not only with Tolkien, but C.S. Lewis as well, illustrating many scenes of Narnia, which has captured my imagination ever since my teacher read “the Magician’s Nephew” out loud to me in Grade 4.

Tolkien was so pleased with Baynes’ work for him on Farmer Giles that he said her work “reduced my text to a commentary on her drawings”.