The latest notion for an art topic - "The Shepherd"

[ActionArt]

A big hello to everyone, I know I don't get on too often but sure is worth it when I do.

There is an idea I've been kicking around for a while but I'd like to run it past the aviation enthusiasts here to see if there is much interest. It's been suggested to me to do a scene from Frederick Forsyth's short story "The Shepherd". It is very well known here but I'm not sure how well known it is outside Canada. If you don't know of it, it can be found here: http://tailspinstales.blogspot.ca/2008/05/shepherd.html or if you like a shorter read version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2_bLEqmBi0

It is read every Christmas Eve on our national broadcaster the CBC (sort of like the BBC).

It is fictitious but I found the story exceptionally well written and has always stuck in my memory. It features a Vampire and a Mosquito at night.

It is navigation related and I know a veteran that worked on the OBOE blind bombing navigation system so I thought I'd get him to sign it. Of course, it would be targeted at the Christmas season.

Do any of you find this an interesting topic or is a real combat scene more compelling do you think? Just a thought at this point.

Cheers! - Len

[Xplumberlives]

YES!

Crack on Len, do you plan to place the aircraft on the ground or in the air?

Looking forward to another master piece!

[Gaz]

Yeah, do it!

ANYTHING with a Mossie in is always gonna be good!

[Dan4th]

Nice to see you, Len!

Should you do it? YES!

HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!

You are way too late for this year........

My suggestions:::::::

Lay your groundwork now for end of 2013 by
getting in touch with your local CBC affiliate
station and finding out who it is at CBC HQ
(Toronto? Ottawa?) who is in charge of the
annual program(me).

Even go as far as dropping by the local CBC
outlet and showing them some of your stuff
and telling them what you'd like to do. Then
they'll either give you some names and E-mails
or contact the "Home Office" on your behalf.

I know you have struggled at times to cover
your expenses, etc., but if CBC got on board
with this, you might make a nice profit AND
get some nice national exposure as an artist
if they were to dream-up some nice tie-ins
for this proposed work with the annual airing
of The Shepherd

We all know the quality of your work, and I'm
sure the network types will see it as well....

If they were to buy a lot of prints in various
sizes for promotional purposes, that would be
a GOOD thing, right???????

Sometimes it pays to take the proverbial BULL
by the HORNS!

I am in hope that this strikes a chord with you!

Dan4th

[Jigsaw]

A big YES from me as well. Ficticious makes no difference. Having seen your other work I think this would be extremely good to see from start to finish

[ActionArt]

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback! Looks like I'll pursue it further. And yes Dan, I'm starting to realize I'm way too late for this Christmas, so it will be targeted at next year. Thanks for all the great advice! I will do as you suggest.

I planned to do it from the air, probably with the Mosquito in the foreground (others have done it the other way) but I haven't really started yet so it's all variable. I'm thinking of showing the rather tense moment just before they both descend into the fog on final approach. I just imagine that as the height of fear of the unknown. It would also allow for using moonlight to light it and do something nice with the fog as it swirls around the aircraft. Just a thought.

I will have to check if there are any copyright issues with Fredrick, the author. I'm not sure what the rules are there.

Thanks again! Will keep you posted.

[Dan4th]

PS:::::::::::::

It couldn't hurt to make some contact
during the Christmas Season while it's
on the collective minds of CBC so that
the idea is planted for next year and
they can fill you in on their timeframes
for promotional activities

In other words, don't put things off 'til
next spring!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bon Chance!

Dan4th

[Ducati Boy]

A big hello to everyone, I know I don't get on too often but sure is worth it when I do.

There is an idea I've been kicking around for a while but I'd like to run it past the aviation enthusiasts here to see if there is much interest. It's been suggested to me to do a scene from Frederick Forsyth's short story "The Shepherd". It is very well known here but I'm not sure how well known it is outside Canada. If you don't know of it, it can be found here: http://tailspinstales.blogspot.ca/2008/05/shepherd.html or if you like a shorter read version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2_bLEqmBi0

It is read every Christmas Eve on our national broadcaster the CBC (sort of like the BBC).

It is fictitious but I found the story exceptionally well written and has always stuck in my memory. It features a Vampire and a Mosquito at night.

It is navigation related and I know a veteran that worked on the OBOE blind bombing navigation system so I thought I'd get him to sign it. Of course, it would be targeted at the Christmas season.

Do any of you find this an interesting topic or is a real combat scene more compelling do you think? Just a thought at this point.

Cheers! - Len

What a great story, just listened to it, forgot how good a radio story is at painting the picture. You should do it. Might I suggest a ghostly Mossie with pilot waving to the Vampire as it turns away over the runway lights?

[ActionArt]

In other words, don't put things off 'til
next spring!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too true!

I'll be testing lots of variations to see what works best.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[Dan4th]

I'm thinking all you'd need to show
is some of your best finished product
and have some good ideas for what
you might do on the new one

I know I'D be Impressed if I saw a few
large prints of your work up close!!!!!!!

Danf.

[Sploosher]

I would say go for it Action Art...............

The title rang a bell with me, a book title,so I did a bit of browsing and found this which reminded me of it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shepherd

[ActionArt]

Yes indeed, that's it. Looks like it has what I need to check on copyrights as well. It really is a well written tale isn't it. Makes you feel like you're there.

Will give the CBC my best pitch.

[Sploosher]

I do believe that I have actually read that book, many years ago though, and from what I remember it was a jolly good read too

[Hydealfred]

Please do - The Shepherd is one of my all time favourite stories and I would love to see a painting depicting it.

[ActionArt]

Great to hear! I have started a rough draft but I still have to check to see if there are any potential copyright issues.

[Dan4th]

Unless Canadian law differs substantially
from US law, I don't think you have any
problem here.....

It isn't as if you are quoting passages of
text and not citing the source....

You may legally create an image from
whatever it is that inspires you!

(...unless you're in the Middle East and
you draw a picture of the Prophet...)

Danf.

[ActionArt]

Ya I won't include any prophets.

I've done a bit of checking and it seem you're right. Should be no problem.