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.
