Eldest son has a doctorate in Geology but deep within his heart he is a poet. Youngest son is a Special Needs teacher. He has a reputation for having a great affinity and understanding of his pupils, and is particularly succesful at getting the very best out of each of them. However, like his brother, deep within his heart he is an artist. Over the last few weeks eldest son has written 40 poems concerning the daily ongoing situation in Ukraine. He has also helped to raise money at a special Poets for Ukraine event held recently in London. Jonathan and Nick have now compiled a book together of Jonathan's poems complimented by Nick's linocut illustrations. They form a diary text of events covering the first weeks of the invasion.The linocuts done by Nick show scenes that we are all now familiar with having witnessed them on a daily basis. As I write, the book is already with the publisher. Costing £10 each, it is being limited to just 100 copies. However, I am delighted to report that every book has already been sold prior to publication. All of the money from the sale of the books will be donated in full to Ukrainian refugee charities.
Congratulations to both your sons. Is there a reason that they limited the production to 100 copies? If they decide on a second run, put me down for two copies.
ReplyDeleteThat is very kind of you David - I am not sure why they decided to limit the book to 100 copies, but I will forward your question on to them.
DeleteAs they are funding all of the printing costs themselves maybe they were concerned in case they did not sell. However, as it happens they were all spoken for within one week of being released.
I have given your name to them David as they now have a waiting list just in case any become available.
DeleteGreat. Thanks, Rosemary.
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DeleteLet me just add, Rosemary, that I would cherish a copy, yet further to that I have a very good friend, Greg Michalenko, whose parents came to Canada from Ukraine, and Greg was raised in a Ukrainian community in Saskatchewan. He is now retired from his position at the University of Waterloo where he taught mycology, and other aspects of biology. He would be moved to tears if I could present him with a copy, and tell him the back story. Please convey my deep appreciation to your sons for their initiative, and for everything else they have done. There are still good people in this world.
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry that I missed this comment David - I found it in a hidden blogspot box for spam. I only learnt about this box from another blogger so was very surprised to find this in there. If there is any chance of their being a spare copy David, then I will do all I can to get one for your friend. My youngest son is having an exhibiton of his work alongside his wife's paintings so I will be going over for the opening. I will be able to find out more then.
DeleteBlogger is really creating havoc with commenting of late. I have the greatest difficulty of all leaving comments on Australian and New Zealand blogs.
DeleteI think that my comment box was one of the first to show signs of something going wrong - it nearly made me give up. Things are still not working with for me but I have found some crafty ways of managing the comments.
DeleteWhat a lovely post to read Rosemary! Great sons with great hearts...
ReplyDeleteLove from Titti
💙 a heart from me to you too dear Titti.
DeleteWhat a great venture! So glad to see their creative spirits have come out in this manner, to help people, as well as to record the events that shocked us all in 2022!
ReplyDeleteThe youngest son is a busy teacher, he is also preparing for an exhibition of his art and yet he managed to find time to fit in doing the linocuts for the book.
DeleteWhat a wonderful and generous fundraiser for Ukraine! I love linocuts and those are magnificent! The "lady on the plank" footage from Ukraine touched my heart as well. As an older person with age-related mobility issues too, I don't know how those Ukrainian seniors are coping in a war zone. Fleeing under those conditions must be almost impossible.
ReplyDeleteThe Lady on the Plank is a good title for the book - it is an image that must have touched many around the world.
DeleteWhat smart, talented and compassionate sons you have. You must be very proud.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that they have grown up to be such thoughtful caring people.
DeleteThis is wonderful, amazing, and such a lovely story of how talented and thoughtful your sons are dear Rosemary. I do recall seeing those pictures of the elderly lady on the news and discussing it with Bob, especially concerned as to how the elderly were ever going to manage a horrific war on their doorstep!
ReplyDeleteIt's great the books have sold, and yes, I would love to purchase a copy if they run a second printing. The cover is breathtaking - a topnotch design!
Enjoy your weekend dear - Mary x
I have thought a lot about those elderly people too - just imagine so many are still living in basements with hardly and food or water and no washing facilities - how do they cope?
DeleteI dont think that there will be a second run Mary and they now have a list of people on a waiting list. I can put you on the waiting list should one become available.
What a worthwhile project. If the poems are anywhere near as good as the linocuts then one hundred people should be very happy purchasers.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the linocuts - I think that you would appreciate the poetry too.
DeleteWhat beautiful hearts your sons have, you must be very proud of them. The lady on the plank is an image that has stayed with me, too, and I think about what she and others like her face in the coming days. Please congratulate your sons on my behalf.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget seeing that lady with her walking stick walking the plank as it is something that I wouldn't care to do and I don't use a walking stick. I will pass on your kind message Lorrie - thank you.
DeleteYou raised your sons well :) Where did their talents come from?
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting question Hels - I cant claim any of their skills and neither can my husband.
DeleteVery good of them to do.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI like the illustrations. Hopefully Ukraine can win back the territory they recently lost but I fear, unless there's some kind of uneasy peace agreement, it's a war that could continue to rumble on for many years to come with neither side willing to give in.
ReplyDeleteI share those same fears too.
DeleteWell done to your sons. If there is a second run I would be interested as well.
ReplyDeleteSadly there will not be a second run, but thank you for your kind interest.
DeleteYour sons are so very talented, and generous as well with their talents. The book is so beautiful, and I think would sell thousands if available. I also would love to buy one! The image of the plank lady of course I recognised immediately - that was a deeply shocking piece of film. We have all been stunned by the ferocity and speed of the invasion of Ukraine. I think of them everyday, and read yesterday that 12 million have now left their country, some of whom are now in Australia.
ReplyDeleteReports about the behaviour of Russian soldiers towards Ukranian citizens both old and young are shocking to learn. The country needs all of the help it can get.
DeleteOh, what wonderful sons you have, Rosemary! Their talent and sensitivity is abundantly clear, as is the creative spirit to contribute in a meaningful way that is impactful on those far from the awfulness and helpful to those living with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pip - they have done a book together previously, but did not publish it themselves, so it is quite a big undertaking for them.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteYour Son's linocuts tell the awful story of this terrible conflict. opth of your sons are very talented artists. You have shared their work with us at other times. Even when they were very young it was obvious that they are very very fine artists.
Dear Gina - because you are such a fine artist yourself, I really appreciate your kind comment.
DeleteWhat kind and thoughtful children you have Rosemary. Congratulations to both of them and I do hope there is another print of their book.
ReplyDeleteThey are happy with the way that they all sold so quickly, but now they have to get on with their own very busy lives.
DeleteVery beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
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