Nineteen Eighty Something

Every once in a while a show comes along that just get's inside your heart. You're not sure how, or even why, but there it nestles and...as the familiar theme plays, you begin to smile. A warmth enfolds you and you just know, for half an hour at least, you're going to have a fantastic time...such a show is The Goldbergs.
To those as yet unfamiliar with it's easy charm, ready wit and charismatic cast, I suggest you seek it out immediately. The image above is a pencil rough of my proposed caricature tribute.
Guys, I hope you like it.

Excelsior out!

Thank you for the days...

Finished at last...my tribute to one of the greatest bands this country has ever produced,The Kinks, with the battling Davies brothers front and centre. With an older Ray looking down on his younger brother (and an older Dave doing likewise) as they "discuss" the bands next move...amid a tattered, but unbowed, Union Jack. 

The piece speaks to the wisdom of age looking back at youth's excess and finding it amusing. Perspective gained on the battles of the past and, hopefully, in the process, a healing discovered.
I'm a fan, not a historian, so I cannot claim to speak with authority on the minutiae of the stormy relationship enjoyed/endured by the brothers...but my take on it is this:

The creation of such iconic music is, without a shred of doubt, a turbulent process...with many punches (both real and metaphorical) thrown in the process. Once that music takes flight, however, and reaches the hearts of it's fans...all the rancour disappears. Whatever the suffering that led to it's inception is replaced by pure, unadulterated love in it's affirmation. The clamour for Ray, Dave and Mick to take to the stage again will never go away precisely because of the depth, breadth and strength of that love. The West End smash, Sunny Afternoon, is the only way that fans have of expressing their love for The Kinks as a band...and they are flocking to it in their thousands to do so. 

It should come as a surprise to no one, least of all the band themselves, that people who have The Kinks music nestled in their hearts should be desperate for a chance to lift their voices in celebration of it's genius.

Were I to be able to speak directly to the band I would simply say this: All we're are looking for is a chance to say "Thank you for the days..." please give us that opportunity. Not for the cash, or even the glory, but for the sheer love of it.

Thank you for the days...Excelsior out.

Sunny Afternoon is here

Ladies and Gentlemen here is my take on the excellent West End show..."Sunny Afternoon". I've tried to capture the power, emotion and energy of this wonderful show...I'll leave it to others to decide whether or not I've succeeded.

Excelsior out!

Thank you for the days (finished linework)

Here's the finished linework for my Davies brothers caricature. Colour version to follow soon.

Excelsior out!

Sunny Afternoon finished linework

Ladies and gents, boys and girls...I give you...the "Sunny Afternoon" linework. All that awaits now is my colouring and...bingo, we're done!

Excelsior Out!

Thank You For The Days (pencil rough)

My new offering is made in light of the massive effect "Sunny Afternoon" has had on me. My reinvigorated love of The Kinks has led me to create a caricature portrait of the Davies brothers,this is the pencil rough. The two (in younger incarnations) are fighting amid a tattered Union Jack whilst their older selves look on in wry amusement. That the older Ray stands behind the younger Dave, and vice versa, is a comment on the perspective of age...or not, as the case may be.
My daughter Grace has tickets for she and I to see Ray live, in August, and I cannot wait. His legendary prowess with both word and melody will transport me...I'm sure. Hopefully a reunion of the remaining band members won't be too far away.

Guys, thank YOU for the days.

Excelsior out!

Sunny Afternoon Tribute

Recently, the West End triumph that is "Sunny Afternoon", captivated my family and I. I've always been a Kinks fan but, experiencing this fantastic show, provided me with a reminder of WHY. The mind-blowing level of talent, passion and energy on display moves the audience to laughter and tears...until finally bringing them, cheering, to their feet.

That being said, I decided to celebrate it with a composite caricature. Above is the first rough pencil layout for the composition.

We're going again in June, cannot wait!!

As long as I gaze at Waterloo Sunset I am in Paradise!!

Excelsior Out!