William Robinson | Recent Work
Get Up Ya Bum
So ended one of the quickest heavyweight title knockouts in history. Many in the crowd had not even settled in their seats when the fight was stopped.
Media: Charcoal, Indian ink, coloured Inks
Substrate: High quality Artboard
Size: 760 x 560mm
Katie Taylor
" as a young girl she wanted the be the first woman in history to Headline a professional boxing bout at Madison Square Gardens in New York City."
She achieved her dream !!
A Gold medalist at the Olympics Is among her many other achievements!
Bray is very proud of her !
Media: Indian Ink, charcoal and coloured Inks on high grade Artboard. Size : 760 X 560mm
"WHY"
PORTRAYAL OF THE AFTERMATH OF AN ATROCITY
Size: 1526 X 916 mm
Media: High resolution digital print on canvas mounted on wooden frame.
Limited Edition: Giclee prints available on a high grade water colour paper.
Size: 760 X 560mm
The Story:
Depicted is an imaginary scene, the aftermath of an atrocity of the Northern Ireland troubles which spanned the closing decades of the 20th Century.
Of the many tragedies, and the story which inspired this image, was the bombing of the van in which The Miami Show band travelled home after a gig in Northern Ireland in July 1975. Five people died including three members of the band. Cross border travel was a regular event for those in show business, and this attack continues to evoke sadness to this day. The story of this atrocity, has recently featured in a Netflix documentary.
I have previously painted Fran O'Toole, the very talented lead singer with The Miami Show Band and a Bray native, in a stylised Pop-Art influenced painting. Fran losing his life so violently at such a young age affected me greatly, and even more so as time goes by. I have often wondered how the perpetrators of this and the many needless deaths have reconciled themselves to their violent past, which resulted in innocent deaths and unspeakable misery.
The scene I portray in this art piece is one of the aftermath of evil deeds, and I was commissioned to produce this piece for a collector.
I decided that this photographic art type image would suit the concept. I was able to source the historic props through Brittas Bay Antiques Store in County Wicklow where everything required for a 1970's feel was available. I also needed military paraphernalia and here I was assisted in my search by the the photographer on the project Dermot Byrne. It was also through Dermot that comedian Dave Young volunteered as our 'model'. Dave's pastime of hunting and shooting provided the heavy metal! He was happy to provide the military pieces for the image. We even used the smoke machine from his stage show! Speaking of smoke and for the record, Dave doesn't actually smoke, but his efforts were very convincing for the sake of art!
The staged scene appears relaxed and realistic, as if the violence was normalised which did indeed symbolise the feeling at the time, that it was all removed from us, until one of our own died, the night the music stopped.
The photographer and I worked together on the visual, transferring the imagined scene from my imagination, adding the sepia tones and the final colour effects. This actual scene is only a representation of similar events which I imagine may have been commonplace in those troubled years. I can only continue to express my grief, sadness and abhorrence of all baseless violent acts and also the perpetrators of these acts.
I wish to express my thanks to:
Dermot Byrne Photographer.
Dave Young, Comedian. Niall O’Connor of Brittas Bay Antiques.
Luke Taglienti of Graphic Decor who helped me with producing the Retro Type Seventies poster design which appears in the image.
Graphic Decor for outputting the printed poster.
Ronan Hayes printer for his fabulous set of proofs which were required before the production of the giclee canvas print.
Lastly and by no means least the collector, Mr. Pat Stevenson who recognised the vision and commissioned the working of the project.
And it goes without saying but without Dermot Byrne’s Photography assistance this project would never have seen the light of the day!!
Brian O'Driscoll the Irish Rugby Legend
This painting of BOD is at the start of his illustrious rugby career, when he ran in three tries against France in Paris. Regarded by critics as the greatest rugby player of all time.
Media: Charcoal Sticks and pencils, Indian Ink, Coloured Inks and pencil on Artboard.
Size 760x560mm
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley singer, musician and actor. the King of Rock and Roll.
Elvis of Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Rock and roll, pop, rockabilly, country, gospel, R&B
Media: Watercolour, Indian Ink, Charcoal, and Gauche on high quality Artboard.
Size: 560x760mn
Joker
Jack Nicholson as the Joker from the movie "Batman" in this famous movie of 30 years ago he appeared with heavy make-up, the producer of this stylised film was Tim Burton, it was the highest grossing box office film of all time during the 80's.
Media: Watercolour, Indian Ink, Charcoal and gouache on Art-board.
Size 760 x 560mm
Jack
Media: Watercolour Fluid, Indian Ink and Charcoal on high quality Art-board.
Size: 760x560mm
God Bless his little soul
This horrible tragic image of a beautiful little boy washed ashore on a beach in the Mediterranean Sea has haunted me for a long time, so much so I just had to do a painting in remembrance of him "God Bless his little soul".
The City scapes represent the safety of the west to where is family were fleeing, hoping to escape the atrocities going on in their home city of Aleppo. A leaflet on the beach represents John Lennon's call for an end to war which he and Yoko Ono promoted in the early seventies, sadly the World wasn't listening then and unfortunately is still not listening now!!
Canvas Size: 1374 x 1119mm
Media: Acrylic
The Original has been SOLD to a client but limited edition Glicee Prints will be available to buy in a reduced size, please ask for details.
George Michael
Lead signer and lyric writer of many hit songs for Wham in the early eighties. George went on to have a prestigious solo career which gave him worldwide fame and millions of sales . Sadly departing this world to early although his generosity is still benefiting many worthy causes.
This painting was sold within days of posting on Facebook but Glicee limited edition prints are available.
Method: AirBrushed with the use of sable brushes.
Media: Indian Ink, Water colour, Gauche on Hot Pressed
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse the late great iconic singer who sadly passed away to soon.
Media: the background images were conceived and laid out as final artwork which was then Digitally printed on canvas by Print Decor. Canvas was stretched on frame and Amy's head was then hand painted in Acrylic by myself.
Size: 1220x1220mm (4'x4')
Limited Glicee prints are available: Size: 610 x 610mm.
Method: - Indian Ink, Water colour, Gauche on Hot Pressed art board.
Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher: My Warhol homage style painting of Noel Gallagher who as a musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist served as the lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the rock band Oasis.
As part of the Britpop popularity during the 90's Oasis' second album, ( What's the Story Morning Glory ), reached the top of the album charts in many countries and their third studio album, (Be Here Now) in 1997, became the fastest-selling album in UK chart history. Gallagher's run with Oasis was marked by turbulence, especially during the peak of Britpop, during which he was involved in several disputes with his brother Liam, Oasis also shared a personal rivalry with fellow Britpop band (Blur). In August 2009, following an altercation with Liam prior to a gig in Paris, Noel announced his departure from Oasis. He embarked on a solo career, going on to form (High Flying Birds).
Method: - Indian Ink, Water colour, Gauche on Hot Pressed art board.
Joe Dolan
Joe Dolan Chiefly known in Ireland for his association with the showband scene was also a very prolific recording artist, and pop singer who because of his high pitched singing voice had a wide appeal with many international fans. The only Irish singer to reach number one in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s,
In 1968 he had his first chart success in the UK with "Make Me an Island," reaching number 3 and led to his first appearance on the BBC's Top of the Pops which helped to make him the biggest Irish star in the world at that time.
"Lady in Blue" was his biggest ever hit, winning five gold records and selling one million copies.
Dolan's voice was high with a comprehensive range and the use of a technique known as melisma which gives the vocal a plaintive edge reminiscent of Arabic religious chanting. In 1978, he became the first Irish artist and one of the first Western acts to tour communist Russia.
In December 2007, He suffered a brain haemorrhage en route to hospital and never regained consciousness. He was 68 years old.
Method: - Indian Ink, Water colour, Gauche on Hot Pressed art board.
John Lydon
Lead signer and lyric writer of songs for Public Image Ltd. Lydon formerly known as (Johnny Rotten) is one of the great Rock and Roll survivors having front and formed The Sex Pistols in the mid seventies and they were very influential in changing the direction of the music industry at that time etc.
Method: - Indian Ink, Water colour, Gauche on Hot Pressed art board.
Joker/ Heath Ledger
This painting was inspired by my love of the Camp Batman TV series and the DC comics of my childhood. One of the most iconic characters in popular culture, the Joker has been cited as one of the greatest comic-book villains and fictional characters ever created. The Joker has been Batman's adversary in live-action and animated incarnations, including the 1960s television series where he was played by Cesar Romero the famous 50’s actor who made the series his own and gave us a great comical version of Batman’s arch enemy.
In the late eighties I was awe struck by Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker in the Batman film by director Tim Burton. Nicholson was amazing in this film stamping his own inimitable style on the film thus making it still one of the most favorite Batman films in movie history whilst ‘’Broadening our Minds’’ in the Process.
I thought at the time that it could not be bettered, but how wrong I was, as along came Heath Ledger’s fabulous acting in the part which again like Nicholson he stamped his own style on the character, stealing the show whilst making The Dark Night the most Iconic films in the Batman series etc. (earning Ledger a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor).
It is a both a fitting and sad epitaph to his future potential as an actor which sadly will never be seen again on the big screen.
Method: - Indian ink, Water-colour, Gouache on a 500gsm artist board
Philip Lynott
Original Now Sold
I knew Phil and met him numerous times as during our teens a friend and I went everywhere in Dublin to see him play when he was a member of Skid Row. The band also played the Rugby Club circuit and it was a great buzz for us to see them perform in our local club at Greystones. Phil was a very charismatic person and to us young teenagers was very polite. Many nights we asked him for a lift back to Bray and he always obliged, stashing us with their gear in the back of the bands VW van. This was a great thrill for the both of us!. Little did we realize that he was to become an internationally famous pop star and inspiration to so many of the Irish bands that followed.
Since those days I have always wanted to do a painting of him and this was the image that stuck in my mind every time I remembered him playing at our local hop.
The painting was done using Indian ink, water colours, opaque and coloured crayons on an artist water colour board and faced with glass in a wooden frame.
Katie Taylor
I was inspired to paint Katie Taylor as we are both natives of Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Long before she became a national hero and an international star I was very proud of this young sports woman. Her achievements in ladies boxing have promoted the sport as one accessible to women. Katie is an inspiration to everyone of what can be achieved if you set yourself goals and follow your dream.
I painted this canvas prior to Katie winning the Gold Medal at the London 2012 Olympics.
Method: - Indian ink, Water-colour, Gouache on a 500gsm artist board.
Francis Bacon
I am an admirer of the works of Francis Bacon. This internationally famous artist was born in Dublin.
Some of his works are on permanent display at The Hugh Lane Gallery along with a reconstruction of his chaotic studio. The entire contents of Bacons’ studio were donated to the Gallery by the artist's heir to preserve the memory of his genius.
I have viewed the studio at the Hugh Lane Gallery and I think that is amazing that such high quality work was produced from such a chaotic environment!
Method: - Indian ink, Water-colour, Gouache on a 500gsm artist board
Boy George
The first time I became aware of 'The boy' was when I visited my Mums house one Sunday afternoon for tea. There in the middle of her dining room was a poster stuck on the wall!
I thought at first that it was one of my brothers who had put it up, but to my amazement when I enquired of my Mum why she had allowed a poster of Boy George on the wall of her dining room, she said it was her that put it there. She said she loved her voice but was greatly surprised when I told her it wasn’t a girl but a boy! This was always a source of fun to her that she didn’t know what his gender was!
So when I decided to do a painting of 'The Boy' it was not just my admiration of him but a kind of tribute to my Mum!
The painting was done using Indian ink, water colours,opaque and coloured crayons on an artist water colour board, faced with glass in a wooden frame painted with a vivid green colour to match The Boys style!
Seve Ballesteros
It was in the mid seventies I became aware of Seve Ballesteros. It was while playing in the British Open that he swashbuckled his way around the links at Carnoustie Golf Course. Watching the BBC coverage, this made the game of Golf very exciting to me and the millions of viewers.
As a keen golfer myself and very sad at his passing, I was keen to do a painting of one of the Colossuses of International golf and the reason I myself came to play the Royal game. Most of my earliest memories of Seve were head high in the rough grass playing the most amazing shots ever seen on a golf course so this is my lasting image of him as the Matador of Golf!
The painting was done using water colours, opaque and coloured crayons on artist water colour board and faced with glass in a wooden frame.