The Lonely Dog

Writing Lonely Dog x 2

2010-08-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

It is seriously full on at the moment! Friday we met with Warner Bros for a quick update. They came through NZ en route from Sydney to LA, and stopped over briefly. Their main focus is scripting with the hope of having draft one complete by the end of September.

We are currently sorting diaries so that the screen writer can come to New Zealand, visit Queenstown, catch up with Ivan, see the home of the Lonely Dog, and pick up a feel for the landscape that has inspired the fantastical world of Alveridgea, and use this as fuel as he completes the script. Can't wait.

At the same time we are deep in plot outlines as we craft the novel version of the book. This will be a largely text based book, with only the maps and one or two pencil sketches. Those of you lucky enough to have a copy of the source code - The Almalogue - will know how important Ivan's sketches and paintings are in bringing the world to life. ( Along with all the ephemera and found pieces inserted into it as well). Without these, we need to pay attention to adding extra descriptive passages to the writing so that those not in possession of an Almalogue still get a good idea of the world of Lonely Dog. Our goal is to have the book ready for worldwide release hopefully next May. For that to occur we need to be ready for the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. That is putting some pressure on!

The book editor is flying from London to New Zealand to be with us over the next few weeks and keep us on track. Ivan has been drawing, and has come up with a simply sensational sketch as a basis for a painting that will be the feature of the cover. Awesome.

As you might imagine, one of the things we are trying to do is to keep the two developments running in tandem, being informed by each other. It is great that over the next few weeks we will have both parties here getting immersed in the "real oil". It is quite humbling to be getting this level of attention from large international companies. It certainly feels as if the world of Lonely Dog is about to be enjoyed by a whole lot more people!

Warner's Test Results. A lot is going on!

2010-08-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

OK, it's been a while. So what has been going on in the world of Lonely Dog? The big news is that on a recent trip to the US Ivan and I met with Warners. They were really keen to show us their work on the "test". This is a short piece of a few minutes that will never see the light of day. It is to see what the concept looks like, how the world feels, how the digital properties look, and so on.

Well, test it might be in their language, but it looked extremely impressive! A few impressions. We were both bowled over by the opening voice over. None other than Morgan Freeman! What a compliment to The Lonely Dog to use the 'voice of God' as the test narrator! Sensational.

To set the scene, as Morgan Freeman narrates the opening a motorcycle approached the small seaside town of Port Alveridge. It pulls in, riders (2) dismount, and enter a seaside bar. A hand pulls out the power cord to a jukebox that is pumping out atrocious cat pop. The shadowy small character from the back of the bike takes to the stage, plugs his guitar in, turns, and reveals himself to be not a hound, but Lonely Dog himself. With a flourish of power chords he gets the hounds up and dancing, the cats trying to join in but being pushed to one side.....

Warners had fun with the props at a real seaside bar at Marina Del Ray. All the bottles behind the bar had appropriate houndish labels - Jack Russell Whiskey, with a slightly familiar black label! Etc. Every bottle created! Posters are on the walls, showing various famous catside and houndside artists. One of these actual posters is in the Auckland Gallery and another in the Wellington Gallery - we brought them home with us!

The footage was shot live action, motion capture, head replacement. Lonely Dog - and the other characters of hounds and cats - were played by real people, and filmed in a real set. Their heads were 'replaced' electronically. LD's head looked incredibly realistic. In fact Ivan felt it was too realistic. Stunning. It is easy to see how this is going to work. It looks like nothing else, and is very captivating.

It was quite fantastic to see tangible evidence of the project coming to life.

Next steps are to press on with scripting. The test was a resounding success. Things are getting interesting ....!

Hamilton is all go!

2010-06-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Ron, who runs Exhibitions Gallery and manages the Auckland Lonely Dog Gallery for us, has secured an outstanding venue on Victoria Street in Hamilton. The old Sohl and Oliveto restaurant site no less!

Opening is this Friday the 18th of June and gallery - a true pop up - will only be open until Saturday 3 July. The 2010 Collection is on show, as are many of the other works, including sculptures. I spent yesterday helping Ron John and Garry set up, and it looks amazing! Half slick, half rough. Perfect Alveridgea! The hounds would love what we have done.

The temporary gallery will be open daily from 9am. (Sundays 10am) and closing hours will be a bit flexible as we are in the heart of the restaurant precinct. So come to the Field Days, come to the gallery, and enjoy a meal at the local hostelries! See you there.

PS. You are most welcome to the opening preview Friday night, 6pm onwards.

2010-04-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

2010 Collection Venues and Dates.

2010-01-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

The wine is sourced. The glasses are polished. It is going to be a fabulous series of openings!

Before giving you a few more details, here are the dates and venues.

6 February Queenstown

11 February Lonely Dog Gallery Auckland

17 February Exhibitions Gallery Wellington

21 February Gallery Beneath Maloolaba

27 March Borsini-Burr Gallery San Francisco

Now, a few extra details.

Queenstown. The preview and ongoing show will be held in Alveridge Hall, Bob's Cove. The property is the home of the Lonely Dog and contains much of the intrigue and inspiration for Ivan's works showcased in this museum style exhibition. This fantastic venue has the ability to display the entire Legacy Series - Series One, Series Two, 2009 Collection and the new 2010 Collection. It will be a treat to see the entire series of works together in one place.

Auckland. The dedicated Lonely Dog Gallery continues to thrive, with a large tourist component to its sales. The Cruise Ship season is wonderful! Ngaire and Lorna can't wait to hang the new Collection and to host you on the opening night, and throughout the exhibition.

Wellington. Ron is coming off a real high. The launch of Lonely Dog at Exhibitions Gallery mid last year was huge fun. And a real success. He has recently hosted the Doctor Seuss collection, again with great success. Now the Lonely Dog 2010 Collection. OK, he's done one or two other things in between! It is a delight to continue to work with Ron and we are looking forward to seeing you in Wellington in the middle of the Wellington Arts Festival. Perfect!

Maloolaba. Brent and Claire are thrilled that the roadworks outside the gallery are over! On the 21st of February the 2010 Collection will launch on the Sunshine Coast. Come and see the new works, and have a catch up. Brent and Claire would love to see you there.

San Francisco. Early one morning I received a phone call from a bundle of Californian energy known as Dianne Borsini - Burr. Within minutes of speaking I knew I was talking to an extraordinary individual. Acclaimed as an entrepreneur, lover of art, very successful art dealer, full on character, Dianne is introducing the world of Lonely Dog to SF and her clients throughout the wider US in March. We will be there to meet and talk. We can't wait. Look out the USA.

All that to say, as I have written previously, Ivan has excelled himself. Ivan, Garry and I can't wait to see the reaction to the new collection. We hope you love these works as much as we do.

2010 Collection Simply Stunning.

2009-12-13T18:17:00.000-08:00

The selection process is complete. The Giclee printer is running furiously. Ivan's signing hand is getting sore.

The 2010 Collection sees the introduction of the Legacy Series. Each year Ivan will be choosing a group of paintings to feature as the part the Legacy Series. These will follow on from Series One, Series Two, and the 2009 Collection. These collectively, along with the 2010 Collection and future selections, will be known as the Legacy Series. The Legacy Series will continue to be the backbone of the Lonely Dog collection.

The 2010 Collection is simply stunning - as the headline says! Ivan's work just gets better and better. I know you are all itching to see them, and see them you will! We are currently putting the final touches on a series of exhibitions to launch these outstanding new works in each of the galleries. Don't fill your diaries too full in February is all I can say!

We'll be in touch with dates and venues shortly. Stay tuned!

We have a winner!

2009-12-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

We have a winner!!

Ivan had a lot of fun judging the competition. I've included part of his note so you can see his thoughts, and see if he mentions yours! Thanks to all those who gave such creative ideas. What fun! Here is Ivan's note....

Guys,Wow, I'm really impressed at how much people are into this competition. Most people have got a good grasp of the LD world.So... The winner???

"The Janitor" after hours cleaning port Alveridges Planetarium exhibit. NUTS!!!!! Love it.

This is from Meg Witchalls

It was hard to choose from some great ideas. I loved a lot of them. I enjoyed getting acquainted with Fluer another Feline from Tolleston and also meeting the Seawolves Ice Hockey team.

I have returned Amy's (10) little picture and included a little sketch and note for her as she went to a lot of effort.

Win Marmalade Mountain Open Edition. "Picture This" Promotion.

2009-09-27T18:02:00.000-07:00

Ivan has often said that his best Lonely Dog ideas come from real life - seeing something that sets off a rapid fire chain of images in his mind.

Playing with this idea we suddenly thought it would be great fun to invite Lonely Dog fans to contribute to the world of Lonely Dog, by giving us their ideas for a new Lonely Dog painting.

Ivan will select the winner, and maybe, just maybe, even paint the picture! Now wouldn't that be something! Your idea as a part of the awesome world of Lonely Dog. So here is the opportunity to get that picture into reality - that event, that occasion that you think will enhance the world of Lonely Dog.

The winner be given a Large Open Edition of Marmalade Mountain - valued at $870. And you never know, you might get the pleasure of seeing your idea painted by Ivan.

So how do you do this? Simple. Study the website to get the world fully in your minds eye. (Or check out the art in one of the galleries). Pop into one of the four galleries, and on the entry form provided, write, sketch - or both - your idea. It is that easy. Entry forms are only available at the galleries - locations are on the website. The competition is open to New Zealand residents only and terms and conditions are on the entry form.

Happy thinking and dreaming. We are looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Can't wait.

What's up with Ivan Clarke?

2009-08-17T01:40:00.000-07:00

After enjoying the opening days at the new Lonely Dog gallery in Auckland I went on to enjoy our usual three week winter escape Maui-style. My early love of windsurfing took me there years back. We've been returning as a family ever since. Remember this is where the early roots of Alveridge have grown from.
A subconscious influence from the rustic North-Shore sugar-cane mills and the up-country cattle country of Makawao towards to 13000 ft summit of Haleakula.
This along with my Kiwi roots helps percolate the fantasy world of Alveridge that lies embedded in my imagination.

2009 has been a busy year for the team at Lonely Dog. As many know the earlier than expected media announcement in Variety magazine about the Warners deal along with news about our publishing contract with London based Grove-Atlantic started a ground-swell of international exposure and interest in the world of Lonely Dog that we were not expecting.

Graham Burt (Lonely Dog Ltd. CEO) along with Garry Phipps (behind the scenes CFO) and Leanne and my Gallery team have done a spectacular job dealing with a thousand enquiries and demands that have come our way guarding my headspace and valuable time to keep me freed up to "create" which is essential to this project.
As there are now more galleries representing my Lonely Dog art now, I would encourage those that make purchases through those galleries to stay dealing with the same sales consultant and gallery for the long term. If you are interested in purchasing further works they will look after you.

As we pride ourselves in keeping detailed art provenance records and edition numbers set aside for existing clients to offer them "first look", the sales consultant that originally dealt with you and that gallery that will look after you.
Graham Burt has been busy "tooing-and-froing" from LA. A more recent adventure could headline the ongoing adventures of "A Kiwi goes to Hollywood". Part of the tale would be about a jet-lagged Mr Burt attempting to drive his over-sized SUV the wrong way up an LA freeway, and quick to react, rectifying the situation in true Kiwi style by using the SUV capabilities of jumping the median onto the "correct path".

Later the same day he became aware he was the ONLY vehicle on the freeway heading his direction. Something was wrong? The sound of helicopters overhead soon concerned him. Graham without knowing it had got onto the freeway that led to the final resting place of Michael Jackson. This part of the freeway had been closed to the public as the helicopters and procession carrying Michael Jackson’s casket travelled in the same direction as Mr. Burt headed towards Warner Brother Studios in Burbank Hollywood.

Some people wonder where I get my on-going inspiration for this fantasy world when it's all around us everywhere!
I am currently engaged in creating an exciting new body of artworks and paintings.
I've also enjoyed being involved in LD movie development tests and ideas with WB which is an exciting new experience for me.

Attached is a sketch of Maui-based, Hound Killett, my long-time friend and Art dealer of over 30 years. Yes he can be seen as a local identity riding a scooter just like that along Front Street most days.

All the best,
Ivan.

Lonely Dog In Mooloolaba - free coffee!

2009-07-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

Brent and Claire Torrance, owners of Gallery Beneath, Mooloolaba make a mighty fine cup of coffee. You'll find them, and their new friend Lonely Dog, ready with a brew in the Sirrocco Plaza right in the heart of the town. (Head off down the Plaza away from the beach and the gallery is on the right hand side at the end. See address and map details below.)

Giclees, Bronzes, Books - the world of Lonely Dog - they will be only to happy to introduce you to to all things Lonely Dog.

Check out their website too - www.gallerybeneath.com.au

Phone +61 (07) 5444 7775

Sirocco Plaza, Mooloolaba (First Ave steps)

Email: claire@gallerybeneath.com.au

How to Find/Contact the Auckland Gallery.

2009-07-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

We have had hundreds and hundreds of people through the gallery in a little over a week! However, we have been remiss in not telling you how to find it! Here are the details..

The gallery is on the corner of Customs St and Commerce St. (Next to Nood and in front of Smith.) This is one block east from Queen St on Customs St. Opening hours and address details are below...

Mon - Fri 10.00 - 6.00

Sat - Sun 11.00 - 4.00

Lonely Dog Gallery

20 Customs Street East

Britomart

Downtown Auckland

(09) 550-7170

lonelydogauckland@hotmail.com

Pictures From the Lonely Dog Auckland Opening.

2009-07-12T16:46:00.001-07:00

Lonely Dog Gallery Auckland Now Open.

2009-07-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

Thursday night saw a large crowd gather at the new Auckland gallery. Standing room only would be a fair description! The gallery looks amazing. The walls are painted the Lonely Dog dark colour, the paintings overframed and gorgeous. The sculptures bask in pools of light.

After introductions by Ron Epskamp, Gallery Director, and Garry Phipps, Lonely Dog CFO, Ivan Clarke spoke and introduced the new painting "After Midnight". This stunning new work is based on "Big Night Out" from the drawing series, but reveals much more of Revellers Green, with the coterie of hounds playing Houndskiffle under the Tumbleroot trees. The still of the evening, the wonder of the wee LD at the privilege of being out with his elders way past his bedtime, and more importantly, the magic of music that was to capture to soul -all brilliantly caught in this new picture.

Graham Burt, Lonely Dog CEO, spoke briefly of his recent travels, with particular reference to progress on the storyboard for the test shoot of the LD movie. Current plan is "live action, motion capture, head replacement!"

It is great to see the art and story of Lonely Dog having a home in Auckland. The gallery is open seven days, and is located on the corner of Customs and Commerce Streets on the edge of the Britomart Precinct.

Auckland Opening. You're invited!

2009-07-06T04:33:00.000-07:00

Yes it's true. Lonely Dog has found a permanent home in Auckland. And you are invited to the opening night. Thursday 9th July, 7pm. Ivan will be speaking at 7.30pm and surprising us with "something"!

The gallery is on the corner of Customs and Commerce Streets in Auckland. See you there, opening night. And feel free to make the gallery a place to drop in when you are in the city. There's a great cafe, just through the door way as well!

Lonely Dog has Home in Wellington.

2009-05-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

A huge thank you to all those that came an viewed the Lonely Dog showing at the Exhibitions Gallery in Wellington. It was a huge success. Record numbers of people through the gallery, great interest from the media, and lots of smiling faces as people wandered in and met the world of Alveridgea and the Lonely Dog.

Ron - gallery director - is so happy with the way things have gone that he offered Lonely Dog a permanent space in the gallery. Of course we accepted! We are delighted to have someone of Ron's enthusiasm as part of the Lonely Dog team. We are in the middle of preparing a poster to go outside the gallery announcing that this is Lonely Dog's Wellington home.

If you are in Featherston Street please drop in and visit. Ron would love to see you.

Lonely Dog at London International Book Fair

2009-04-24T12:45:00.001-07:00

Atlantic Books Editor-in - chief Ravi Mirchandani, and his team, have been representing the work "Alveridgea and the Lonely Dog" at the London International Book Fair over the last week. Articles have appeared in Book Trade, and The BookSeller Publications. Interest in sub publishing is strong, with two countries expressing immediate interest despite not having seen the test fully! The Atlantic press release reads, in part:-

Atlantic Acquires Alveridgea And The Legend Of Lonely Dog

Today, Atlantic Books announced that they had acquired world rights to the book that has Hollywood talking.
Ravi Mirchandani, Editor-in-Chief of Atlantic Books, has acquired world rights to Alveridgea and The Legend of the Lonely Dog by Ivan Clarke. The book first appeared in New Zealand as a limited edition book that in and of itself is a work of art, selling to collectors via the author's website and art gallery. Only 95 copies have been made, selling for NZ$60,000 (US$30,000). Retaining much of the beautiful and striking artwork of the original edition, this will be repackaged for general readers and published by Atlantic in Summer 2010. Warner Bros have acquired the screen rights for a seven figure sum, attaching Oscar-winner Akiva "Beautiful Mind" Goldsman as writer/producer.

Ravi Mirchandani says, "I am delighted to be publishing The Legend of the Lonely Dog. A children's fable for grown-ups, it is as striking a retelling of the Ugly Duckling story as, in their different ways, were Ratatouille and Billy Elliot, one of those unique works of the imagination that enchants the reader by taking him or her into a fully realized world, in this case one of street-wise dogs and cats that walk on their hind legs and play guitars. It is a book that I fell for in much the same way as I did for Jonathan Livingstone Seagull when I was a child and it's immensely exciting to be publishing a book like this as an adult."

Wellington Lonely Dog Exhibition Setting Records.

2009-04-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

I've included the whole newsletter from the Exhibitions Gallery in Wellington. Ron has had more than doubled his previous record of visitors to his gallery in one month as hundreds upon hundreds have flocked to see the Exhibition.

Lonely Dog Heads off to the World!

2009-04-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

Queenstown, Wellington ... what next?

Ron at Exhibitions Gallery in Wellington has been run off his feet! I got an excited call from him on the Monday after the Thursday opening. "Graham", he said, "I'm getting four times the usual number of people through the Gallery and the response is amazing! I'm loving this!" So are we! It is fantastic to see a new audience falling in love with the world of Lonely Dog and the town of Alveridgea.

I have to say the Gallery looks awesome. As people walk past on the street they, slow, pause, point and look. Many come in. And the standard response - the slow smile moving across the face - takes place. Ron has done a magnificent job of hanging and displaying. If you are in - or near - Wellington, please make a point of visiting. Ron would love to see you.

The exhibition has gone so well - and we are only two weeks in to its four weeks run - that Ron has said he will keep a Lonely Dog presence permanently installed.

So where to next I hear you ask? Well ... stay tuned, but the answer is Australia. More details later.

Lonely Dog a raging success in Wellington.

2009-04-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Exhibitions Gallery in Featherstone St was jammed. So many people that you could barely see the art! Speeches were made by Ron Eskamp the gallery owner, Ivan Clarke the artist, Richard Taylor from Weta Workshop and Graham Burt CEO Lonely Dog.

Wine flowed, tales of Alveridgea were told, and art was purchased.

Ron had done a fantastic job setting up this month long exhibition. The gallery looks exquisite. Ivan and Brent drove a truck load - literally - of art from Queenstown to Wellington, and the three of them hung the art Tuesday and Wednesday. I arrived Wednesday morning and got straight into organising the wall cards and price list to match the flow that the team had hung to.

All the while, the phone was ringing with those invited to the opening giving their rsvp's, and a huge flow of people walking in off the street, curious, and then surprised by the collection. You got the feeling that the opening was going to be a big night! You could feel it building.

In a sense, it is unusual for a gallery like this to run an exhibition based only on limited edition collectible art. As opposed to original. The response however, has been overwhelming!

It was fascinating to sit and watch the responses as people walked into the gallery while we were setting up through the day prior. Have seen the paintings and sculptures in the window, the urge to walk inside was very strong. Many entered with a slight frown. Why this painting of hounds and cats? Who is this Lonely Dog anyway? On entering, you could literally see the "lights go on". Comprehension dawned. This is a whole world! The wall cards are read, with sections of the story. A smile breaks. Then a full on grin.

And then it hits. "I know someone just like this hound!" "I have a neighbor just like this cat!"

Alveridgea and the world of the Lonely Dog is a happy place. People seem to love to visit there. We certainly do!

The night was a blur. Questions upon questions. High enthusiasm. Lots of compliments and congratulations - especially as many had heard about Warner Bros acquiring the screen rights to the limited edition collectible book "Alveridgea and the Legend of the Lonely Dog."

The gallery opened at 7pm. By 10.30 there were still a hard core group, enjoying the ambiance, and digging into the world of Lonely Dog. The sound system was playing selections of Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. It was warm inside, and decidedly cool outside. A happy glow diffused the group.

A great night spent at Alveridge!