Today, Inventor's Day, seemed a perfect time to revisit this English cartoonist and illustrator's work...I still gain great pleasure from viewing his quirky images, seeing little details that have not caught my eye previously.
He was born in 1872, dying in 1944. He studied at Islington Art School and the Royal Academy, Intending to be a landscape painter but instead he began his career as a book illustrator, including Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales and Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
He became best known for his drawings of complicated and outlandish inventions to achieve simple results, often gently satirising the self importance of those caught up with the age of the machine, their absurd solemnity, and pride at being very modern.
The Wallace and Gromit film series is perhaps the greatest modern embodiment of the quality of Heath Robinson-ishness.
I know it is a bit of a stretch to call him an inventor, as his string and stick devices would not be at all reliable, but they are great fun, do admit!
On a personal note, we have had a few visitors over the weekend, cousins Robyn and Cheryl called in for a chat and a cuppa, Tim's sister and brother-in-law stopped by to see our new residence, and Sarah, Karina and Hollie drove over last evening for supper.
Saturday afternoon Tim and I "manned" the Gallery in Sorell...we always meet some interesting folk even if the sales aren't huge for the afternoon.
A recent email from old friends in Sydney indicates they are visiting the State at present and will call by in coming days for lunch and a much needed catch up, I'm looking forward to that very much.
Also, other Sydney friends have asked if Tim and I would like to house-sit for them while they are away travelling in New Zealand for a couple of weeks at the end of the year...I am very tempted! They have three lovely cats and an apartment in Cremorne, beautifully central...I could visit friends I haven't seen for years, enjoy being back in the city I grew surprisingly fond of during my time there, and best of all, visit all the smalls!
We just have to work out the finances, logistics et al of a trip away, and very soon, too. Ferry berths during the silly season are soon booked. But, it has given us plenty to think about and it is so nice to have something to look forward to.
Bye for now,
Di