The Beanpole Chronicles

This exhibition of 40 watercolour paintings and book from the highly anticipated and extraodinary book “The Beanpole Chronicles” by artist Paul Czainski and writer and poet Andy Blackford.
As in many of Paul Czainski’s miraculous works, there is a strong narrative - illustrating an adventure story about the first crossing of the Eastern Ocean on stilts.
Signed limited edition books will be available at a ‘Meet the Artist’ event - 23 March and throughout the exhibition.
Czainski has exhibited works in WSG since our opening over 12 years ago, and a regular contributor to our many themed exhibitions, notably ‘The Gardens of Earthly Delights’, and ‘Fake, Steel, Forge, also joining forces with Chris, creating a replica working studio in the lower gallery ‘A Studio Shared”.
Paul studied Fine Art at Leeds College of Art and Goldsmiths College, London. He is one of the most sought after specialist trompe l’ceil artist in Britain, and beyond.

‘I love the challenge of being a trompe l’oeil artist and trying to paint things that look more real than REAL. Inspired by pattern, decorative effects, chiaroscuro and the fantastic.’

Biographies

PAUL CZAINSKI More generally recognised as a trompe l’oeil artist and decorator to the stars, Paul has made forays into illustration, sculpture, film, performance art and installations. These days he creates subtly sophisticated paintings that surprise and entertain, for galleries in London and Yorkshire. A long-time member of The Eccentric Club,and one half of The Fabulous Czainskis, he curates The Smallest Museum in The World (a converted telephone kiosk) with his artist wife Chris . He plays the fiddle and farms their allotment (though not at the same time).

ANDY BLACKFORD At university, Andy was voted Man Least Likely To Make Thirty. However, after careers as rock guitarist, skateboarder, scuba diving journalist, children’s author, advertising writer (Um Bongo, Um Bongo, etc) and Buddhist prison chaplain, he is now a poet and storyteller, the star of his own one-man show, The Stand-Up Tragedy Tour. Gap Year, written in collaboration with John Foggin, won the Sentinel Poetry Book Prize, and his story Spare Bear the Observer’s Children’s Story of the Year. 

The Making of the Book, In his own words ….

Illustration plays an important supporting role in my artistic life. It goes hand in hand with my regular studio practice, ie.figurative painting from life and works from the imagination. I’ve created artwork for top London interior designers and the Eccentric Club and I have also designed bookplates, logos, Christmas cards and suchlike for over 50 years.
I’m thankful for this, my second opportunity to illustrate a book. My first one was for children aged 4 and upwards; a physics book called-’The Theory of Almost Everything’. It was conceived by Martin Hogbin, a fellow Eccentric and long time candidate for ’the ‘Monster Raving Loony Party’. The illustrations for this exhibition,- ‘The Beanpole Chronicles’ came about after the author and poet Andy Blackford spotted a painting of mine - ‘The First Transatlantic Crossing on Stilts’ in a Yorkshire gallery. It inspired him to write this ‘children’s adventure story for adults’……. So I was the obvious candidate to supply some pictures for the book; about 37 in all.

There’s such wealth of imagery in the text, that coming up with ideas to illustrate it was easy in the extreme and I was given carte blanche; I could draw/paint whatever I wanted. I designed also the front and back covers of the book and organised the layout too.
We had the book printed in West Yorkshire so we could keep an eye on its journey from concept to printing and binding. Amadeus Press were a joy to work with. Looking forward to the sequel……….