Macdonald's Greek Myths and Legends was one of my favourite books as a kid in the Sixties. I still have a copy to this day [sadly not my original].
One of the huge draws for me was the artwork, which was done by the wonderfully talented twins Janet and Anne Graham Johnstone.
Their style is instantly recognisable, with tall muscular nymph-like figures with mod hair cuts. I love it and still do.
Another book they illustrated was the bigger hardback Jason and The Golden Fleece. I still have my childhood copy from a Zodiac Toys shop.
One of my favourite paintings in the Golden Fleece was of the Gorgons. I was mesmerised by the tusks!
Checking this artwork online I was amazed to see that this original illustration is actually for sale at the Book Palace! How cool is that! Not that I could afford the price but its great too see! How marvellous it would be to collect original art. Do you readers?
As you would expect the Grahame Johnstone twins' art is beloved worldwide and there is a lot about them online. One nice website is Daisy's online shrine to the pair https://beautifulbooks.info/illustrated-bibliographies/janet-and-anne-grahame-johnstone-a-complete-illustrated-bibliography/
Do you like the Grahame Johnstone twin's work?
have you any of their illustrated books?
I had Tales of the Greeks and Trojans, wonderfully illustrated -now lost I'm agfraid.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's nice to put a name the artwork.
Your welcome. I've seen that book too Andy.
DeleteHo hum! Breakfast in bed during the latest Covid Lockdown in NSW Australia. I scan MB and pass this article to my wife "Would this interest you?"
ReplyDeleteShe gasped, Marilyn is a BIG fan of their work, although she doesn't have any of the titles you mention above.
As she recalled "When I was in first class (in the early 1960s in Australia) our school used Look and Learn magazines to teach us. I saw the Grahame Johnstone's artwork and was blown away by it. A picture of a troll under a bridge and a winged horse being pursued by a dragon immediately come to mind. Even at that young age, I wished I could paint like that and be an artist..."
And she did! I suppose it was that spark that set her on her future course, much as the shows of Gerry Anderson did for me!
Marilyn adds that Look and Learn also inspired her with the Tragan Empire (although she could never aspire to Don Lawrence's artwork, unlike the Grahame Johnstones) But that conversation got us into conflicting memories. I remember as a kid, the new Ranger magazine which featured the Tragan Empire, an anglicized Asterix and a space cadet called Jason January (?) When Ranger went bust, the Tragan Empire was carried over into Look and Learn.
I'm not sure if Look and Learn ever carried the full Don Lawrence stories or just the Oliver Frey continuations.
Any thoughts, Readers?
Great that this brought back memories for you and the Missus. Brekkers in bed! How civilised! and Lockdown! Really! I thought Oz was clear? The Graham Johnstones did a lot of work for a publisher called Dean. Lots of fairy tales. Beautiful covers. As for Ranger and Look and Learn I will leave that to more erudite Trigans.
DeleteI originally read World of Wonder, which lasted about five years I think. When that folded, it was incorporated in to Look and Learn, which was where I first encountered the Trigan Empire stories. There have been some hardback reprints of the stories, and I have one somewhere.
ReplyDeleteWe've featured World of Wonder I think Paul. Wotan is a fan. I may even have some copies in the bulging attic.
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