But is it Art? Our feline friend finds a comfy perch to snooze the day away on. Or perhaps reckons the seat makes a decent scratching post. Nevertheless tabby complements this custom ‘flat packer’ two wheeled piece of furniture by Italian designer Joe Velluto.
TRON – here’s a blast from the past. Early CGI from 1982’s outing into the realm of the program and user. Light Cycles race for domination of the grid with wall like trails. Jeff Bridges played main character Flynn in his typical laconic style.
Tee Triumph – once relegated to undergarment duty the ubiquitous t-shirt has become the mainstay of casual clothing. Whether the plain white tee as worn by US sailors in WW2 or the black concert tee adorning teens at their bands live show. Me? I’m fond of a soft cotton ‘shirt emblazoned with my favorite motorcycle marque. There are more and more out there every year. Vintage graphics work the best.
Miniature Portrait- Before the advent of photography people would have a small painting of their loved one prepared and mounted in a suitable pendant. Here is someone’s rendition of a Triumph Trident T160.
Woodworking Wonder – Russian Carpenter Yuri Hvtisishvili has created a marvelous full size replica of a Soviet era IZH 49 out of pine & beech. With superlative expertise in sawing, planing, routing, augering, chiseling and sanding; it’s a wonderful expression in wood.
Resolute – It is typical of the New Year for us to put on the mask of Janus and look back at what we achieved (or not) the previous year and thus look forward to the coming twelve months and make a determination of what we want to achieve. Usually in an effort to better ourselves; and, in a way, make this time we have count. Me? I’m not a big one for ‘resolutions’ but it’s fun to think of things that you would like to try and do. A list you ask? Well, here goes:
‘Ard as Nails – superb ink drawing of Tank Girl on a heavy booted Norton from the capable illustrator hand of Jamie Hewlett.
The Broons – every year growing up we’d have either an Oor Willie annual in our Christmas stocking or a Broons one. Beautifully pen & brush ink work by Dudley D. Watkins for DC Thompson they epitomized the straightforward Scottish character of the Twentieth Century.
Maw & Paw Broon with their eight children: Hen, Daphne, Joe, Maggie, Horace, the Twins and The Bairn. And Gran’paw too.
This is a great spread of the parents trying to get away for a peaceful weekend only to be overrun by their offspring and friends.
As they would declare: “Jings, Crivvens an’ help m’Boab!”
In the upper right Maggie rides in with one of her beaus (aplenty) .
Rural Idyll – what better way to enjoy the bucolic surroundings of the countryside than aboard a blue Thunderbird. This classically illustrated image evokes so much enjoyment for a riding experience. “Pet! Let’s gan oot for a spin! I’ll waam the bike up; best put yor Tweed skort on it’ll be a tad parky!”
Vanishing Point- nice graphic used for a screenwriter school ad. Using Easy Rider as an example of ‘write your own movie!’ The artist uses a tweed garbed scholarly academian with a worried look about him riding into town on a classic Triumph Bonneville.
Quilt – Another offering in attire from Lucky Brand. This one is a lightly insulated khaki jacket splashed with a proud Japanese inspired illustration bearing the Triumph logo, a crouching Tiger and catchy slogan.
Embroidered- I saw this very smart sweater on someone the other day. By clothes label Lucky Brand I’ve been looking for it online but it’s a past line and hence discontinued. High collar and zippered front it would make an ideal layer under an adventure oriented riding jacket.
The Real Thing – toy folk art. Creative use of an aluminum can to construct a plaything. Lollipop sticks and bent wire complete the item.
Badge – cute m’cycle brooch with an Auburn toy look to it. Looks like a 60’s British Twin. The striped top sets it off nicely.
Geordie Tradition – growing up in the North East of England one of the highlights of the season was a trip to Newcastle to see the window display at Fenwick’s department store. Several windows were set up in a theme of mechanical marvels. This year they bring to life The Snowman, that Raymond Briggs character introduced to British Christmas culture forty years ago. This photo has the frosty character haring across a winter scene on some red tanked motorcycle. A point of note for this image: Greggs is a bakery popular with Geordies for meat pasties and stottie cake sarnies… they reversed their Northumberland Street shop sign so when reflected in Fenwick’s window it would read correctly… cunning marketing!
