Circus of Adventure, gouche, signed l/l,
21.25" x 15.5" unframed.

Note: Read by Joanna Monro when produced for Jackanory in 1986, the story, Circus of Adventure, for which this illustration was painted, comes from Enid Blyton's Mystery series and was written in 1952.

Nightbirds on Nantucket, gouche, signed, l/r,
15.25" x 20.5" unframed.

Note: This illustration was painted for the story Nightbirds on Nantucket by Joan Aiken, and presented by Charlotte Coleman when it was produced for Jackanory in July 1991.

About the Paintings: Both are in excellent condition and include production notes verso.

About the Artist: Born on 29 April 1923 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, Barry Thomas Wilkinson studied at Dewsbury School of Art. He served in the RAF during WW2 and on his release returned to the Royal College of Art (1947-1949), where he earned a diploma in design, A.R.C.A. (Associate of Royal College of Art). He worked in a stained glass studio, taught graphic design at Wimbledon School of Art, did animation designs for a film studio, and in 1961 became a freelance artist. He has written and illustrated several books for young children, and succeeded Peggy Fortnum as the illustrator of Michael Bond's "PADDINGTON" stories. In addition to designing jackets for many publications including Puffin and Puffins' Pleasure, he also designed first-day covers and stamps for Unicover in the U.S.A.

During the long running and popular Jackanory storytelling programme on the BBC, Barry Wilkinson A.R.C.A. produced a prolific output of illustrations spanning more than two decades. Many of these pictures were painted showing unusual and interesting perspectives, to facilitate appropriate angles for the cameras. There are reference numbers on the backs of the boards which relate to the studio production. Both of the illustrations are painted on board in gouache/water colour and ink, and are signed by the artist.

The following is from NOSTALGIACENTRAL.COM:

"For British children, 1965 heralded the arrival of a long-running and popular 14 minute series of children's stories read by various guests and celebrities (with the camera showing the illustrations from the book). Jackanory began as a short-term experiment and celebrated its 25th birthday in 1990. During that twenty five years more than 650 books had been read, 400 well-known actors and actresses had appeared and there had been folk tales and legends from 44 different countries.

The idea behind the program was simple: to tell the best possible stories, of all kinds from all parts of the world, and to have them told by the best storytellers available. When Jackanory started it was difficult to find storytellers who wanted to participate. No-one was very interested. By the time of its 25th birthday, the roll-call of presenters was like a distinguished Who's Who of British theater and television: Margaret Rutherford, Wendy Hiller, James Robertson Justice, Kenneth Williams, Geraldine McEwan, Joyce Grenfell, Judi Dench, Alan Bennett, Billie Whitelaw, and many many more.

The stories were generally illustrated with drawn pictures by distinguished illustrators, including Quentin Blake, Gareth Floyd and Barry Wilkinson. Sometimes film inserts were used and sometimes there were no pictures at all."

Circus - $ 145.00
Nightbirds - $ 145.00
inclusive of S/H/I*

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*Additional shipping/insurance charges for shipment outside the continental United States.