Ah Bless! The smiling face, that look of determination, the feeling of being impervious to the flurries of accepted wisdom : yes, that is my brother Roger. I suppose the photograph must have been taken about 65 years ago and I publish it here to celebrate the fact that in a few days he will become a Sepia Seventy. Happy birthday, dear boy.
So what on earth has all that to do with our theme for Sepia Saturday 184? Marilyn suggests "commemorative plaques, memorials, sculptures/ sculptors, group portraits, medical science, famous (or not) scientists/doctors, anything French, mad dogs!". Well Roger isn't French, nor is he a doctor or a scientists. Having lived in the tropics for quite some time he tends to go out in the midday sun, but that is because he is an Englishman rather than a mad dog. But luckily he is an artist and a sculptor and therefore I am able to meet my thematic requirements and my fraternal duties in one single post.
One of my favourite examples of his work can be found just up the valley from here at Sowerby Bridge. Entitled "The Lock Keeper", it was commissioned to mark the regeneration of the old canal basin and has become a well-known local icon. But perhaps my favourite piece of his, is the head he did of our son Alexander, fifteen or so years ago. It proudly sits on top of our old piano, acting as a permanent reminder of The Lad when he was young. And as The lad is due back in the country in a few days time, I can add to the list of ticks this post achieves : theme image, birthday card, and welcome home card.
Thank you for sharing your brother's art with us! I do like The Lock Keeper, but what a joy to have a sculpture of your son made by the hands of your brother.
ReplyDeleteSome great choices, there! And a Happy Birthday to Roger!
ReplyDeleteTime just keeps moving along. 70 used to seem so far away. The face of the Lock Keeper reminds me of you. Were you the model?
ReplyDeleteAnother masterful demonstration of connecting the links, Alan. All beautiful examples of art.
ReplyDeleteOh, my! Beautiful works of art, Roger, and happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
The Lock Keeper so evokes an era. It could as easily be any tradesman and son. What is the tool the lock keeper is holding?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Roger.Yes I Love His Work.a Great Mix Of Strength & Tenderness.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful and powerful examples of your brother's work, especially the lock keeper. Happy 70th birthday to Roger.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Roger. I spent lots of time wandering through his interesting blog and admiring his art. Fabulous. What a brother!!
ReplyDeleteI agree -- the Lock Keeper does look like you! He's a very talented man, this brother of yours! Happy Birthday to him...
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture of the lock keeper and the boy really do convey what it's like going through those locks, the knowledge and experience that hopefully comes with age, and the exuberance of youth.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sculptures, and best wishes on Roger's birthday as well. Great post.
ReplyDelete"The Lock Keeper" is a wonderful piece of art. What a talented brother & it's easy to see HE has a loving brother proud of his accomplishments! :))
ReplyDeleteGreat sculpture. I can see a resemblance between your brother's photo and your son's sculpture and you.
ReplyDeleteThe boys is not only adorable, he's got talent as well! Happy Birthday, Roger!
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely post.Happy birthday Roger.
ReplyDeleteThe Lock Keeper is an awesome piece of sculpture ... someone entirely in control.
ReplyDeleteHe did the lock keeper. That is such a neat piece.
ReplyDeleteGreat sculpture - you should show us more of his work.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Roger.
I love the way that he is wearing a tie while in a tent, camping?
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that answered the theme! Happy Birthday Roger!
ReplyDeleteStunning work. Simply stunning. Did he model the man and boy of the Lock Keeper from local people? I would love to see this someday.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for all your good wishes.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was thirty I came across Judith Viost's poem "It's hard to be hip after thirty" and I've followed her poems through every decade since. I'm hoping that someone will have taken a hint and bought me her collection titled "I'm too young to be seventy".
Oh I love these kind of realistic sculptures. I can understand why you love the piece of your son, but the Lock Keeper is marvelous.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful sculptures. Happy Birthday to Roger!
ReplyDeleteIt seems the prompt was well-timed for you. Did you put Marilyn up to it?
Happy birthday to Roger.
ReplyDeleteGreat sculptures to admire. The Lock Keeper is magnificent.
What fabulous sculptures. Happy birthday to Roger. I must go looking for The Lock-keeper one day. Seems a pity your brother moved from these shores. We might have had more of his lovely work to feast on around the area.
ReplyDeleteYour brother is so talented. Those sculptures are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Wonderful sculptures..Happy Birthday to you much older brother:)
ReplyDeleteWe had our photos taken by your brother's wonderful sculpture last May after a curry in Sowerby Bridge, posing in suitable positions to be part of the vignette. I wonder how many other people have done that! I'm interested to know about your connection.
ReplyDelete