Wednesday 11 July 2012

The Launch that Sank!

We had intended launching 'the pictures' with our first show at Wentworth last Saturday ... but it rained.

 When I say it  rained ...think Noah! 

For those that have witnessed Monsoons, you're getting the picture. We don't have monsoon drains in England  and so each drain became a fountain. The water rushed on down the hill.

I live near the Castle, and they, as you know, are all on the hilltops. After 2 hours the hill was more of an island.

 Here is the garage  (gas station) at the bottom of the hill ...that is the main road not a river!



... I repeat, this was  after TWO hours of rain. You can imagine what it was like after 24!

As you can now understand, we didn't 'launch' the pictures!


This has been freakish weather - all records have been broken for cold/rain etc. The highest temperature has been about 20 -22 C (70 F) and this is supposed to be Flaming June/July!


Pat and I are away for a week from Sunday. We will be touring Stately Homes and places of architectural interest in Norfolk - in the East of England - and I hope to record them as reference photographs.


So, it will be Sunny next week - I said to Pat that I would bring good weather because, "The sun always shines on the righteous!" She sniffed and said that, "The Devil looks after his own," was more appropriate. :0) .... whatever. 


Anyway, talking about castles, here is the one Walt Disney used as a template for the Disney World Castle.

        Schloss Neuschwanstein - Bavaria, Germany       John Simlett 1981                                
                Pen & Ink  on Cartridge Paper              
                 20" x 13" (51cms  x 33 cms)




Seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886, Neuschwanstein was opened to the public. The shy king had built the castle in order to withdraw from public life – now vast numbers of people came to view his private refuge. Why is it I always hear Wagner when I see this castle?

Pat and I used to take my daughter down to Austria frequently from North Germany, and often stopped off to see this fantastic building on the way.

I drew this 12 months after I had first started drawing. The USAF in Ramstein, South Germany loved it and bought more prints of it than anyone else. So I guess there are quite a few knocking around the US. Giselle says I should resurrect it, and so it will be off the the printers on our next visit.

I shall continue with the York project with another Street picture - it's part completed - but I had to stop to finish my next academic assignment, which I did today! Whoopee!!








34 comments:

  1. Wow (the flood) and wow (the castle)! That castle drawing is fabulous, the work that got into it! And such a fairytale castle indeed! And about the weather, it seems to be off all over the globe! We did not have so much rain as you have, thank God, but it is a ridiculous summer!

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    1. We could have done with a little Dutch Boy to put his finger into the leaking dam :0))

      Next week the sun will shine for me !!

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  2. What water worthy of Noah!
    Dear John,I wish the sun on your holidays!

    Your CASTLE is wonderful!
    Wonderful also the Castle of the King of Bavaria, called the "crazy" in my history books.
    Crazy... for shopping spree of this Castle-wonder?!

    Un sorriso ed un saluto affettuoso,Rita.

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    1. Yes he was crazy in our books as well, Rita.

      Thank you for your kind words.

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  4. Oh my goodness John! You most certainly deserve a vacation.
    Wishing you loads of sunshine. This castle image is stunning.

    Cheers!

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    1. Hya Laura...thank you. I'll be over for a cup of tea later

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  5. OMG, John, I knew it was cold and wet in the UK, but not THAT wet!!! You need to get away for some sunshine, and I hope you and Pat have a great time. Definitely resurrect your magnificent drawing of Neuschwanstein; it's fabulous, and intriguing, as it's from a slightly different angle than it is usually shown in photos.

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    1. It's all a bit crazy: the jetstream has gone to far south, and it's allowing all the weather to move down from the north.

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  6. What's going on with the weather, John? The floods are awful there...and the heat is unbelievable here in New York....I hope you get plenty of sunshine to dry it up!!! As for your Castle...it is another gorgeous piece...I love it!!!

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    1. Hello Hilda - nice to see you. Thanks for the nice comments, stay cool!

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  7. Ciao John,
    accidenti quanta acqua...così tanta da nuotarci dentro! E' un'esperienza che non ho mai fatto...
    Il tuo castello lascia a bocca aperta...Ho provato ad immaginarti mentre disegni un'opera così monumentale...chissà che concentrazione!!!
    Ciao, a presto, Floriana

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    1. Ciao Floriana - water everywhwere! But the sun shone today!!! Glad you like the castle

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  8. Monsoons in England, Waoooh !
    I hope such rains will never happened in the charming little place where I have my hollidays (Vézelay, do you know it, John ? a marvelous church in Burgundy you would surely wanted to draw !)
    Anyway, I am in the top of the hill too !

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    1. I don't know France very well, I'm ashamed to admit. I'd love to see a picture of the church.

      Us hill folk never get our feet wet :o)

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    2. I you want to dream about architecture, medieval history and light effects... :
      http://medieval.mrugala.net/Architecture/Vezelay/

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  9. Wonderful to visit your blog. This is a masterpiece! Amazing Art!

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    1. Gavin - welcome. Thank you for your kind comment.

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  10. Absolutely gorgeous castle drawing, John! Truly exquisite work and you are a master of the fine details. What a talent you are!

    This: "So, it will be Sunny next week - I said to Pat that I would bring good weather because, "The sun always shines on the righteous!" She sniffed and said that, "The Devil looks after his own," was more appropriate. :0) .... whatever."

    made me cackle aloud. I think I like Pat.

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    1. Thanks for the nice comments Sherry.

      You would like Pat. Most folk do ///she'sa a 'people person' ...unlike me, I'm more of a recluse

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  11. Hi John, I have no words to comment your Castle.....just one (and in Italian) : MERAVIGLIOSO!!
    As to the weather, it is really strange...here in Italy, the great heat and the prolonged drought, are spoiling the fields and crops in many regions. We need rain!

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    1. I will try to remember that word, Tito.

      It would be nice if we could do a trade ... some sun for some rain

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  12. Wow - you continue to ASTOUND me John! It is a wonder that you can possibly keep coming back with even more mind blowing art, but you do, every time!!
    The rain is getting me just a little bit glum right now, I want some sunshine! :0)

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  13. Thanks Sandra.

    I think the rain is getting everybody down, except me of course the all-weather pen & ink paddler

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  14. I told you that rain was headed your way. Pat was right. I can't believe the gas station photograph. No one has boots that high--well, except fly casting fishermen and most of us aren't. What about the Olympics? How close is York to London? Ellis loves the track events, (he used to be on the track team). How do they run in the mud?

    Marvelous drawing of the castle that became Disneyland. (I wasn't overlooking it; No one could. I was just blown away by how you got hit by the weather). Take an umbrella...and poncho...and boots...maybe a boat, on your reference photo hunt. No matter the cloud bursts, enjoy. Just imagine if all your rain was snow!

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    1. Weather men :0)) It's a lot drier now thanks. We live 60 miles from York, and York is about 200 miles north of London.(a long way in relation to the size of the country and weather differentials)

      I once spoke to an American who had travelled down from Scotland to London. He couldn't believe that is such a short journey (in US terms) he could have experienced every season from deepest winter to brightest summer.

      Living in the damp Atlantic air-stream makes us have odd weather. They reckon the only reason the British sailed out to colonise the world was to escape our weather!

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  15. Another masterful drawing that has my jaw dropping yet again. Stunning work. As far as the weather is concerned, I hope you do find the sunshine next week but if not remember ....
    Whether the weather be fine,
    or whether the weather be not,
    Whether the weather be cold,
    or whether the weather be hot,
    We'll whether the weather,
    whatever the weather,
    whether we like it or not.

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    1. Pat used to teach that to my kids, John. I can remember them chanting, "A wishee, wishee, washee."

      Thanks for the kind comments, John.....stay dry!

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  16. Holy smokes John!! That is some RAIN!! Hope you guys aren't getting flood damage to your home by now. Enjoy your week with Pat, tell her I lol'd about what she said about the devil watching over his own, although I think you are right about the righteous John, I'm sure you fall into that category.

    Your castle drawing is fabulous as always JOhn, just absolutely jaw dropping amazing!! Again, I don't know how you do it, it is just beautiful and the detail leaves me astounded!

    Ta ta guvnah! Hope all's well with you. ;)

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  17. Oh I LOVE that Castle. I have always loved it. I did not know it was the one Disney used as his model. wow and I used to live close to Disneyland in So CAl for years and went there several times. I learn that from someone in England. :) I Look forward to what you end up drawing from your trip. I sure hope it doesn't flood where you go.

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  18. Oh my word - I'm blown away, amazing detail and such a beautiful drawing of the Disney castle - and as for the rain - I honestly don't remember a summer like it - we've just had another torrential downpour now and me being a hill walker and all am getting slightly fed up of getting soaked to the skin - it's a good job I've got my painting passion too which can be done inside! Hope you're having a great hols and that you don't get too wet - apparently we're having a mini heatwave next week - hmmmm I'll not hold my breath! Ta ta!

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  19. I don't know whether to be more amazed by the rainfall or by the castle! Actually the castle wins hands down - its a glorious delight! I could look at it for hours!
    Have a safe, productive, fun and DRY vacation!

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  20. wow---what a drawing..! It is stunningly perfect!

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