Connor / Chapman....it all begins with a C.

pink or blue 'load of fuss...'

Give me a shout if you have one you're looking to shift

Hi All

Have been a reader of these forums for some time but first post.
. .so hello.

Can someone enlighten me more on the Connor Brothers. I understand the whole backstory, more their process.

The pulp fiction illustrations – are these simply enlarged blow ups nicked off book covers or painted copies. Or are they original takes on the style? They then throw a slogan on them from one of their fave books?

To me they seem very derivative and it’s shame some of the original artwork by pulp illustrators doesn’t get much attention.

For example I love a lot of the stuff of Michael Johnson illustration and similar artsists at levergallery.com/collections/michael-johnson .

Some of the old book covers are great too – Look at the Peter Cheyney books on ebay. Considering doing some pieces on these myself or simply enlarging for my own walls.

In a similar vein the Harland Miller stuff maybe? The original Pelican book covers (and titles!) from the 60s were great too. www.thingsmagazine.net/projects/1960s/index.htm

I suppose you could most artists are influences similar and it’s all very post modern etc… just a shame that the originals are forgotten so much. Some of the 60s illustrators were amazing.

Any just my thoughts and interested in peoples view points

Thanks

PL

@blerb.. Ha! .. To be fair I didn't realise I had "lurked" for so long!! I can safely say that I have been only actively lurking the last few months!

They also use more contemporary images. I know that Ashley James has modelled and features in Connor Bros paintings. So not all are plagiarised from old book covers.

The short version is, you are basically right that they blow up old book covers, paint out existing text, and put a famous quote over them. They do have some later pieces that feature original paintings (I don't know who does these, but there's never been anything to suggest Mike and James do them themselves). The pieces that use original paintings are far, far less attractive than the ones taken from book covers.

All that said, while the Connor Brothers are neither particularly creative or at all versatile as artists, I think some of their work is very attractive. Those old pulp covers just look great on a large scale. I have a big version of If There's A Skeleton In Your Closet You'd Better Make It Dance and I love it. I don't think it's clever or meaningful, but it looks really good. It gets more comments than pretty much anything else I own.

If you were being generous, you could say that their skill is in finding covers of little-known books that will look good at large scale. Others have tried a similar style, unsuccessfully. Their skill is a good eye and good marketing, rather than ability to create anything themselves.

The difference with Harland Miller is that he makes up his own, usually very witty, titles. He takes the style of Penguin and Pelican as a template, but the substance of each painting is all his. You could easily argue he's a great writer who's also an artist.

Yes, looked at Met's posts on this just now. He certainly makes it clear! 
Interesting comments, thanks all. Will think I will continue with my plans of adapting and/or finding the original artwork.

Every now and again you see some nice Michael Johnson prints come up.

Just give the money to the NHS, no need for that dross.

..So just came across this guy... is this a "homage/copy" of a "homage/copy"?!

instagram.com/mr.controversial.art?igshid=jqe008jwaqb4

Looking for a "IF YOU'VE GOT A SKELETON IN YOUR CLOSET," let me know.

Not sure who would buy this.
Trump fans won't like it.
And anyone who doesn't like Trump won't want his name on the wall to remind them of him.

That penguin looks familiar.......

Politics in art is nothing new, it just comes down to whether or not the message resonated with you personally. This certainly nails how many people feel Trump has led via division.

Sold out......

Ask as many questions as you wish! In answer, yes. Printer’s proofs (PPs) and artist’s proofs (APs) are always more desirable. In part because of their scarcity and also because they can, on occasion, be unique in some way.