Doesn't that photo of Richard's above look dreamy? It is of the South Downs near Eastbourne in England. There is a British artist that might not be known to you who painted this same landscape in beautiful watercolors, his name is Eric Ravilious. Born in London in 1903, his family moved to Eastbourne where his parents owned an antiques shop. Eric Ravilious attended school at Eastbourne School of Art and also attended the Royal College of Art. Besides being an artist, he was also a teacher. In 1930, he married one of his art students, Tirzah Garwood. They had three children. (Just reading about them, the entire family seem such talented, interesting people! You may read more about his wife just here!) Sadly, Eric died on September 2, 1942 during active service when his plane was lost near Iceland and was therefore the first British war artist to die in WW2. He was only 39 years old.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone made a film about him? Someone has! It is called "Eric Ravilious: Drawn To War" and I just learned that it has been nominated for a BAFTA! It is my understanding that the movie will be released in the USA but not until Autumn of this year so...keep an eye out for it! Not sure how many theatres will have the film but I would drive many miles to see it!
The Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne has a permanent collection of his paintings. I have the link for you here.
Before you look at some of his paintings, let me leave you with quote from The Sunday Times from 1939....
"He managed to make every subject he painted to appear as something magic, almost mystic, distilled out of the ordinary everyday".
Just because this is such a lovely, dreamy song (I have been humming it all week), "Only The Lonely" by Chris Isaac. It was a huge hit for Roy Orbison who was also the songwriter.)
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Hope you are all doing well, my friends! Seems like it is boiling hot all over the world! Y'all need to go back and read my post about air conditioning. Thank you, Mr. Carrier!
Beautiful art, and just another loss of life way too early due to war.
ReplyDeleteQuite chilly here now in North Yorkshire after the record-breaking days last week! There is rain, too, something my folks back home in Germany would really, really need as well.
Kay, it was on your recommendation that we wnt to see the Elvis movie on Saturday - it was brilliant!!
Oh my goodness, wasn't that young actor's portrayal of Elvis amazing? Glad it's cooled off for you, I'm sure not too much air conditioning available! This artist was not very well known. I've read the director of the film had trouble getting anyone to take her seriously about the documentary!
DeleteWhat an interesting person. I'm sure the film will be a hit. We don't often think of the contributions of artists as anything more than their paintings, but he contributed much more. We are cooler here today in the mid 70's and it's a nice relief from the heat. Take good care and keep cool! Love, ma
ReplyDeleteYou know I love to see films and also to read books about real people! Fiction leaves me cold! Speaking of cold, it's end of July and I'm dreaming of when I can wear a sweater again. Take care!
DeleteI'd love to see that marvelous documentary too -- thanks for alerting me to it! I'll watch for it and hopefully find it somewhere someday?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you might see it in. Canada before we do? Oh well, I will look out for it!
DeleteRavilious was one of the 'Bardfield Artists,' just up the road from here. [ook them up.
ReplyDeleteYou know I have! They lived in Bardfield. The film is based on his wife's book, "Long Live Great Bardfield". I find the entire family interesting!
DeleteWar is such a heartbreaking horror.
ReplyDeleteHis works were magnificent.
I hope the film will make new fans of his art.
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