Press Kit for "Tea 'n Turps"

“Tea ‘n Turps”

by Lynda Cookson

ISBN No: 978 1608 608 485

Book Specs

17, 052 words

65 full colour images

90 pages

Softcover

Size : 8.5" x 11"

ISBN: / SKU: 978-1-60860-848-5 / 1608608484

Publisher : Eloquent Books, New York, USA

Available: Worldwide

Where to purchase "Tea 'n Turps" online:

Author’s website : www.lyndacookson.com

Author’s blog : http://TeaNTurps.blogspot.com

www.Amazon.co.uk search under books with ISBN 978 1608 608 485

www.Amazon.com search under books with ISBN 978 1608 608 485

Book shops stocking “Tea ‘n Turps”

Ireland:

Co. Cork

Carrigaline Book Shop, Carrigaline, Co Cork

Co. Galway

Charlie Byrnes, 4 The Cornstore, Middle Street, Galway

The Village Bookshop, Moycullen

Clifden Book Store, Clifden, Co Galway

Andrea Rossi Gallery, Spiddal Craft Centre, Spiddal

Co. Mayo

Cong Art Gallery, Cong, Co Mayo

The Ladies Buttery, Cong, Co Mayo

U.S.A.

Borders Book Store, Manhattan, USA

Barnes and Nobles, 82nd Street, Broadway, New York

About “Tea ‘n Turps”

"Tea 'n Turps" takes a humorous look at the lives and work of 12 well- established artists living and working in Ireland. The book is sub-titled "Taking Tea with Artists" and show-cases Lynda's ability to draw the anecdotes and human interest stories from these sometimes eccentric folk. It showcases the artists as human beings before looking at their philosophies, influences and techniques.

A bit more …

Explore the philosophies and marvel at the stunning works of twelve talented artists living and working in Ireland. Artist and author Lynda Cookson conducted over one hundred interviews between 2004-2008, selecting artists whose images and stories create a fascinating mix of styles, personalities and unique history for this collection of visual artist profiles.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at paintings in progress as these artists share their fears, joys and triumphs in a heartfelt and often humorous account of their lives. Filled with inspiring stories and spectacular artwork, this book will forever change the way you experience a work of art.

Three Excerpts from the Introduction and the Artist Profiles:

Excerpt from the Introduction:

“I remember clearly the day I tried to find my way to County Cork artist, Yanagi.

It was raining and had been raining long and hard for a few days. This is beautiful, green Ireland after all. I was tired after a week of interviewing two artists a day, and the roads were muddy and twisty and turny. I was following Yanagi’s directions exactly as I had them written down, but the confusion came in not knowing whether rough and boggy tracks were farm driveways or public roads. Finally, late and desperate, I stopped at a newly built dormer house that I chose because it had a little porch at the front door under which I could shelter from the rain. Many houses in Ireland, especially the older ones, don’t have a covering over the front door.

Lots of loud little-dog barks later a farmer in his socks opened the door. I asked my question: “Do you know where the artist Yanagi lives please?” and a beaming smile broke out all over his creased and weather-beaten face. Yes, he knew the artist Yanagi and could tell me exactly how to get there … and he launched into his description. The only problem was, he didn’t have many front teeth, well, any front teeth, and when he spoke it wasn’t only his pointing arms that flew in my direction. I was drenched in his spittle as well!

There was a further problem. He was so happy to have someone to talk to and to help that not only once, but three times, he assured me of the directions. To be sure, to be sure, I suppose. Meanwhile I was getting wetter than if I’d chosen a house without a porch at the front door. I was so conscious of being hit by spittle that I couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying, or understand his broad County Cork accent.

I hastily bade him thank you and farewell, seeing the sparkle leave his eye and his arms droop to his sides … but I was still lost. Ha! But I had seen the postman in his little green van a while earlier and had an idea where he may be at that moment. So off I squelched, as fast as I dare, along muddy tracks, ready to head him off and hopefully get clearer directions.”

Excerpt ends.

Artist Profile Excerpt 1:

"In the rush of me arriving at his home, his wife leaving in a flurry for work, and cars being moved around in the driveway, artist Frank Sanford offered me coffee, made it, and then stood comfortably sipping it. Just before we adjourned to his plastic tunnel art studio outside, he realised his error and said: “Where’s your coffee? Oh, I’ve sipped it. Never mind, I’ll just carry it out there for you.” We settled ourselves in the warmth of the tunnel, surrounded by a mix of paintings and plants, with classical music whispering out from a small transistor radio—and he finished drinking my coffee."
Frank Sanford, artist.
Excerpt ends.

Artist Profile Excerpt 2:
"What lies beneath are layers and layers of paint, usually oil paint, on stretched canvas or cotton, or linen on board. It is also the title to one of Charlotte Kelly’s paintings. But what really lies beneath is, in her own words: “My feelings of being in a privileged position and gaining great and deep satisfaction, where all good things come from truth and honesty; where the sadness in losing a loved one can be reflected in paintings of the Crucifixion; and where there’s also a great comfort and reassurance of a deeper meaning in life. For me, this comes from working in the caring profession for many years, meeting the elderly, dealing with sickness, loneliness and death. I met wonderful people—wise and accepting—who gave me inspiration to search for meaning in life. Why are we here, and what is our purpose? This beauty, I hope, is reflected in my landscape paintings, which are not often your typical type of landscape but are more the way in which I feel and respond to it.”

Even Ebony, Charlotte’s silver-whiskered Black Labrador who sat heavily leaning against the glassed dining room door, with her dark chocolate-rich eyes trying to stare Charlotte into letting her in, has an air of wisdom and acceptance. Mind you, she was probably hoping she’d also be given a slice of oven-fresh, crispy-glazed apple pie with a steaming mug of coffee, just like mine, as we sat in a nook of Charlotte’s kitchen, talking about art."
Charlotte Kelly, artist.
Excerpt ends.

References:

“Lynda's poetic style lends a mystic air to the artists she writes about. Her writing can only be described as beautiful, and always with a great sense of humour. Her artist profiles are now an integral and treasured part of the magazines.”
Jo Lavelle, Acting Group Editor, THE ‘NOW’ MAGAZINES

"At first glance, you instinctively know that 'Tea 'n Turps' by Lynda Cookson will make for an interesting read. It won't be long before you're hooked! This is a book I would strongly recommend, not only to all art-lovers, but to all readers. You cannot escape Lynda's witty and anecdotal writing style."

Niamh Slack, Teacher.

About the Author:

Lynda Cookson was born in South Africa in June 1954. Her writing career began while she was working for a newspaper in Kwa-Zulu Natal, and in 1987 she wrote a children’s Christmas play called “Suzie’s Letter to Santa”, which was produced locally.

Writing took a back seat when she started her own handmade papermaking business called “Paperways”, although she wrote and published “How To Make Handmade Paper” to form part of the papermaking kits her business manufactured. It was only after Lynda and her husband, Alan, immigrated to Connemara on the West Coast of Ireland in 2001, that she felt able to pick up her career as a writer.

In 2005 she began writing monthly artist profiles for the “Now” group of glossy magazines (Galway Now, Limerick Now and Cork Now), interviewing thirty-three artists a year. That same year she wrote “The eArt Directory”, a workbook assisting artists in promoting their work through the Internet, and curated and part-authored the “Art In The West” catalogue. The second edition of “The eArt Directory” has recently been published as an ebook, and many of her articles can be found in Irish magazines.

Lynda is also an artist and her paintings are updated regularly on her blog http://paintingsonimpulse.blogspot.com/

She has three more books in the pipeline, including book two in the Tea ‘n Turps series. Lynda’s paintings and articles can be found at http://www.lyndacookson.com.