Book cover illustration:
Harri webb poetry collection
Harri Webb and Merthyr Tydfil: Poems and History by Malcolm Llywelyn
Just over a year ago now I was asked by Malcolm Llywelyn to make an ink drawing for the cover of a collection of poetry that he had compiled, along with his own writings about the history and peoples of Merthyr Tydfil, Malcolm's own home town. The book is a fascinating read, whether you are familiar with Webb's writings or not, and especially if you have an interest in South Wales and its industrial past. Malcolm focuses on the poetry that Webb, the 'people's poet', composed while he lived in Merthyr, and while he was the librarian at Dowlais library. Before industrialisation, Dowlais was a small village community and part of the parish of Merthyr. Dowlais ironworks were founded in 1759, and went on in the 19th Century to become the largest ironworks in the world with the area becoming a booming, busy town, known as the 'Iron Capitol of the World'. The population in Merthyr rapidly increased in the early 19th Century, growing from less than a thousand to almost 50,000 by 1860. Iron production eventually started its decline in Merthyr from 1860 onwards, although the population continued to rise because of the emergence of coal mining in the area, peaking at around 81,000 in 1911.
The library building itself is an impressive piece of architecture, built between 1903-1907, in an Arts and Crafts style with Portland stone; one of the Carnegie libraries, so-called because they were subsidised with money donated by the Scottish-American industrialist (a total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929 around the world). It was great to be able to visit the library, although sadly I wasn't able to look around inside on the day I visited. It is still an imposing architectural statement; a reminder of the value set on learning and self-development within those industrial communities in Wales.
Definitely worth a read!
Just over a year ago now I was asked by Malcolm Llywelyn to make an ink drawing for the cover of a collection of poetry that he had compiled, along with his own writings about the history and peoples of Merthyr Tydfil, Malcolm's own home town. The book is a fascinating read, whether you are familiar with Webb's writings or not, and especially if you have an interest in South Wales and its industrial past. Malcolm focuses on the poetry that Webb, the 'people's poet', composed while he lived in Merthyr, and while he was the librarian at Dowlais library. Before industrialisation, Dowlais was a small village community and part of the parish of Merthyr. Dowlais ironworks were founded in 1759, and went on in the 19th Century to become the largest ironworks in the world with the area becoming a booming, busy town, known as the 'Iron Capitol of the World'. The population in Merthyr rapidly increased in the early 19th Century, growing from less than a thousand to almost 50,000 by 1860. Iron production eventually started its decline in Merthyr from 1860 onwards, although the population continued to rise because of the emergence of coal mining in the area, peaking at around 81,000 in 1911.
The library building itself is an impressive piece of architecture, built between 1903-1907, in an Arts and Crafts style with Portland stone; one of the Carnegie libraries, so-called because they were subsidised with money donated by the Scottish-American industrialist (a total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929 around the world). It was great to be able to visit the library, although sadly I wasn't able to look around inside on the day I visited. It is still an imposing architectural statement; a reminder of the value set on learning and self-development within those industrial communities in Wales.
Definitely worth a read!
New release: WILHELM & LASZLO
and a New edition of Niedermayer & Hart
Very happy to have been involved in the cover design and artwork of Wilhelm & Laszlo by MJ Johnson - the long awaited second part of his trilogy and the sequel to Niedermayer & Hart (which has also been given an updated cover to coincide with this new release).
Both books are available in paperback as well as Kindle edition and more info can be found at http://www.mj-johnson.com/
Both books are available in paperback as well as Kindle edition and more info can be found at http://www.mj-johnson.com/
Cover Design for new thriller: Roadrage by MJ Johnson
Roadrage by MJ Johnson recently had its release and is gathering very positive reviews already on sites such as Goodreads and Amazon. For reviews follow the link:
http://www.mj-johnson.com/reviews-for-roadrage.html
Once again I've had the pleasure of working with my father on the design of the cover artwork for one of his books and hope I'll have the opportunity to do so again on his next work.
If you fancy a thrilling read, Roadrage is available as an e-book, paperback from Amazon,
can be ordered through any decent bookshop, or directly from the author's website at:
www.mj-johnson.com
http://www.mj-johnson.com/reviews-for-roadrage.html
Once again I've had the pleasure of working with my father on the design of the cover artwork for one of his books and hope I'll have the opportunity to do so again on his next work.
If you fancy a thrilling read, Roadrage is available as an e-book, paperback from Amazon,
can be ordered through any decent bookshop, or directly from the author's website at:
www.mj-johnson.com
Animations and films for Niedermayer & Hart
Niedermayer & Hart is a horror/thriller written by my father Martin Johnson and released earlier this year. The book is available as an e-book or paperback from Amazon, can be ordered through a bookshop, or directly from the author's website: www.mj-johnson.com
My father asked me if I would design the cover and sleeve artwork for the book. I didn't realise initially just how much time and effort goes into making a book cover work, but it was a hugely rewarding and enjoyable process and I'm really glad the old man asked me to do it (and that he trusted me to!).
Shortly after it had been released I helped with filming the prologue of the book as an internet promo, starring the old man himself as narrator (his training at RADA came in handy for that) on a cold and spooky night. Later I made the short teaser trailer: As Night Approaches, also narrated by my father (good voice-over Dad). This was made using some animation, and a whole lot of desiccated coconut (you'll see why - I was running on a tight production budget and couldn't afford the snow machine).
I also made the following stop-motion animations as a bit of light-hearted promo for the book. All credit due to my Mum, who I think had the idea of the cat and mouse duo in the first place (at least that's what she says!). I hope you'll enjoy - it has absolutely nothing to do with the actual plot of the book if you're wondering - and by the way, it is a great read!
My father asked me if I would design the cover and sleeve artwork for the book. I didn't realise initially just how much time and effort goes into making a book cover work, but it was a hugely rewarding and enjoyable process and I'm really glad the old man asked me to do it (and that he trusted me to!).
Shortly after it had been released I helped with filming the prologue of the book as an internet promo, starring the old man himself as narrator (his training at RADA came in handy for that) on a cold and spooky night. Later I made the short teaser trailer: As Night Approaches, also narrated by my father (good voice-over Dad). This was made using some animation, and a whole lot of desiccated coconut (you'll see why - I was running on a tight production budget and couldn't afford the snow machine).
I also made the following stop-motion animations as a bit of light-hearted promo for the book. All credit due to my Mum, who I think had the idea of the cat and mouse duo in the first place (at least that's what she says!). I hope you'll enjoy - it has absolutely nothing to do with the actual plot of the book if you're wondering - and by the way, it is a great read!
A Gripping Tail
The Purr-fect Crime
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