Forum artwork/appearance discussion

I was checking out the format of this new forum, Paul, trying to figure out where I should comment on your request for creativity. Could you be more specific on what you might be looking for? I did my icon a year or so before I adapted it for Stormcock (and later Yahoo!). I think anyone tempted to contribute wants to improve their chances it will be appropriate in your mind. I typically spend many hours, weeks, or longer, studying a subject or inventing a design. (I studied/sketched Bulls for a long time doing one-of-a-kind stationery and note paper for my Dad. His suggestions helped me make it what HE wanted, and we both loved it for that reason).

I love the photo of Nick and Roy, and it would be hard to improve on that.

I'd love to contribute if I'm not the only one! So please, everybody who loves to create art, let's help our "fearless leader" make this new site even more dynamic and show the world what an inspiration Roy has been to us all!

Perhaps this needs it's own Forum?

 

Now the photo's in the middle! Even Better!

Does Roy or Nick have an official logo?

I've always loved the Stormcock concept. Are there some good photos to study besides the "mistlethrush" and the mini-icon in the web address?" Is there some activity or other association with Roy? Perhaps the bird with a megaphone and a strait-jacket or a gag over its beak in the eye of a hurricane? Playing a guitar, singing into a mike, writing poetry with a quill pen, wrestling a jabberwocky... C'mon, somebody, EVERYBODY, I'm sure there's more free association than I can come up with. Or modify one of my suggestions. This can be a community effort -- these ideas of mine are free for others to use to promote Roy and Nick, even if I end up using them.

Perhaps Roy staring into a mirror with some religious icon (or GOD!) staring back at him, pointing at Roy or winking as if Roy got the real message of LOVE the Popes and Ayatollahs missed (okay, that's probably stretching things a bit!). I think this idea is also highly derivative.

I've always wanted a lapel pin and/or decal/bumper sticker/art to start a conversation about or an introduction to Roy. I finally ordered some merch from the Shop with the new CD for that reason. Perhaps the art you seek can be used in more ways to promote Roy's music.

In the meantime, perhaps a display of his best loved album covers across the top.

I know Roy has always avoided crass commercialism, and that's why his true fans are so loyal, but sometimes we're frustrated he isn't better recognized except by association with his famous fans.

(Paul, I saw you opened a new thread, so I pasted my latest comments here from "It's here")

 

That gets my vote, I never tire of old covers and for better or worse they are like milestones along the way: Roy's to the right, Nick's to the left, to tie in with the photo?
Of course, there are quite a few to choose from, and a variety of possible 'weightings' to be considered, like number of releases and number of years since started releasing records, so perhaps you could use the poll feature for a truly communal approach (see how easily I'm influenced!)
With best wishes, Spiderdlb.

 

Now I'm wondering if a typical display of album covers would confuse the forums with the shop. Still, the art might work as a collage of sorts to suggest the depth of creativity in the Harper catalogue.

 

A few hours after posting the above, I had a "Well, duh!" moment.

I checked some old Audubon books in my parent's library.
Mistlethrushes do not exist in the New World.

Next, I checked the internet for photos. I did this a few years back, but now there are hundreds of good photos. Only adequate eye and beak detail is missing, but the books help me there. Still, I need to practice sketching several poses and positions before I feel comfortable drawing an imagined Stormcock design from memory.

This is the kind of thing that might stew for a long while. I'm sure Paul would like other sources of inspiration than just mine, so please don't assume I'm claiming this for myself.