Christopher.J.May - pencil art & sculpture

[Big_unit]

I had the good fortune of meeting Hervey Bay pencil artist Christopher.J.May recently. Chris does pencil drawings of fish and other Australian wildlife. His work is certainly something to be marvelled at, I had a viewing of his remaining original work " Australian Bass " and some limited edition prints at his home in Pialba. I am extremely impressed to say the least, he captures details that are not found in many photographs and I think its fair to say that Chris's work is eye catching, realistic and lifelike. All of Chris's original pencil art works have some very unique features apart from being superb drawings, these include the letter " J " being drawn as a hook and the point of the hook is also finished and coloured with his own blood. Giving his original works DNA coding which cannot be duplicated. The eye of each fish has a micro drawing which is unique to each original work.


http://www.pencilart.com.au/images/site-graphic/pencilart-link.gif

Chris is a progressive kind of guy who works from home with his wife Wendy and thier two young sons. Born in North Queensland and having served as an infantry soldier in the Royal Australian Regiment and holding jobs ranging from firearms instructor on Hamilton Island to skippering his own vessel along the eastern seaboard of Australia. Chris is a dedicated fisherman, familyman, wildlife enthusiast and artist. Having recently discovered that he is also capable of sculpting, he is now finishing work on his third piece.


http://www.pencilart.com.au/images/site-graphic/mangrovejackoriginal_th.jpg

The medium being used is Siltstone which is sourced from a quarry near Eidsvold and it is believed to be around 200 million years old. Being harder and stronger than Sandstone with a finer grain and better working qualities for an awesome presentation in the finished piece.

The first piece that was completed is a Barramundi fossil replica on Siltstone, which involved over 1000 hours of research & drawing in museums and university facilities in Darwin which also meant Chris was away from his family and home for around a month. The original piece took over 300 hours of pain staking sculpting & carving with needle files. Another interesting fact is, University of Darwin experts measured Chris' hand made Barra fossil and told him that is accurate to within 0.3mm of the real thing. I purchased a replica, couldnt help myself.

Below are some pictures taken today whilst talking with Chris.

http://www.fishntales.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1206.0;attach=1033 ;image

http://www.fishntales.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1206.0;attach=1034 ;image

http://www.fishntales.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1206.0;attach=1035 ;image

http://www.fishntales.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1206.0;attach=1036 ;image

http://www.fishntales.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1206.0;attach=1037 ;image

[Big_unit]

The micro drawing in the original works eye.

http://www.pencilart.com.au/new/images/gonefishingeye.jpg

[choppa]

the bloke is certainly talented james,,,,, to have the patience and ability to spend the amount of hours on a piece of work is unbelievable

i'm still trying to finish painting the deck around the pool/spa,,,,a loving job that has taken,,,100 or so,,,,,, days,,, but its the challange,,

i saw a pic of CM's of a barra skeleton,, and the detail was faultless,,,

wouldn't mind owning 1 o 2,,, but i believe there sold before he even starts them,,,,,sound investment for the future

choppa

[theoldlegend]

Betcha Michelangelo never had a battery drill to use when he was around.

TOL

[finga64]

The cooks been modelling again I see. She said she was going out to get the groceries..liar :'(

Brilliant artist never the least and I think you have invested in your kids futures in your purchase James. Well done :)

[ssbayguide]

Hey James

I have one of each of the fish prints, except the original Barramundi.

Chris's work is incredible and a biologist, even I am impressed with the detail.

Hope those rods are catching fish for you.


Peter R

[Big_unit]

Betcha Michelangelo never had a battery drill to use when he was around.

TOL


Chris only uses hand tools eg, cold chisels, hammer, files, wood chisels, wire brush, sand paper and others in creating his works, no electrical or air operated gear is used at all. Chris derives a great amount of pride in completeing his works in the traditional way.

Cheers
James

[theoldlegend]

Oh dear, I've made a huge boo boo!! :-[ :-[

When I saw the pic of him carving that statue, I glanced at it and thought he was using a battery operated drill of some sort. :-/

A closer inspection shows that he's using a hammer and chisel.

Please accept my apologies. Used to be a public servant, you know. No technical skills, no social skills. :'(


TOL

[Big_unit]

Its all good. ;D ;D

Here is a another shot.

[imnotoriginal]

Lol, I thought it was a drill too. Magnificent detail, I wouldn't have the patience for a job like that. Takes a special kind of person.
Joel

[MORFIN]

So whats the barra replica fossil worth? sure would like to order one.

PETE MATE

[Big_unit]

So whats the barra replica fossil worth? sure would like to order one.

PETE MATE

Your best bet is to check out your local garden centre / nursery as Chris only sells to those replica pieces on a wholesale basis.

Chris is in the process of moving back to Eumundi and will be setting himself up sculpting in the main street near the Eumundi Markets.

[ssbayguide]

Hi James

Well, I guess Chris will be just down the road from me now.

Cheers

Peter R

[Big_unit]

Yes he will, he has to be closer to his market otherwise he would be staying in H Bay.

[Big_unit]

For those that enquired the Barramundi fossil replicas are available from -

Capalaba Nursery - Capalaba.

Green Secrets - Redlands.

Timbarramentz Nursery - Thornlands.

Terra Cottage - Morayfield.

Cheers
James

[Sailfisher]

Anyone trying to obtain any prints, it might be worth a try giving Frameworks in Bundaberg a call. #I know he used to keep some.

Mrs Sailfisher

[Big_unit]

Or call Chris & Wendy direct on the mobile number which is on their site and they will put you in exactly the right place to get hold of thier drawings.

Cheers
James

[ssbayguide]

Hi All

Yes, certainly contact them direct as well - they are always helpful.

Cheers




Peter R

[rick_k]

bought one.

Very nice and our 20 month old girl loves it. So it has improved slightly in my wife's eyes.