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| Norman
Weaver - Photographer,
Artist, Author & Illustrator |
Resulting
from the sale of pieces of artwork I have been priviledged
to learn of the man who painted them.
I believe the words of his daughter, Sarah tells some of
his story far more eloquently than can I.
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| "After
originally drawing maps for Ordnance Survey, Norman
became General Eisenhower's personal map-maker in
World War 2. Moving on to official photographer for
UNRRA , recording the rehabilitation of refugees,
evacuation, hospital work, setting up of new schools,
workshops, etc. From several hundred photographs the
Imperial War Musuem mounted an exhibition of his work.
After spells working for Heals and teaching at the
London School of Art he moved into commercial illustration
producing the Glass and a half milk poster for Cadburys
Chocolate, the Wilkinson Crossed Swords, wrappers
for Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles, Heinz Tomato Ketchup,
Salad Cream and many more that are instantly recognisable.
Later he wrote a book of his own, "How to Draw
Insects", and that really started the wildlife
illustration. He illustrated many of the plants and
animals in the Readers Digest and AA books and Atlases,
along with numerous other educational books about
insects, fish, whales, dolphins.His final work was
a three year project for all the illustrations in
a large book called "The Fresh and Saltwater
Fishes of the World" |
"He
had a vast knowledge of natural history, and knew
all the names of plants and animals, passing this
onto us when we used to go for our daily walks with
the dog or helped in the garden. I've never forgotten
it, and sometimes I surprise myself by being able
to name some obscure little weed. He had a huge respect
for all forms of life, however small (partly due to
the sense of wonder he felt at having to draw the
intricacies of, say, the workings of joints of tiny
insects), and could never bring himself to kill anything
- another legacy he passed on to me. Many a wasp should
be grateful to him!
He worked from home in a studio which was a converted
bedroom. The room was chaotic, and you had to wade
through a sea of crumpled up bits of paper, discarded
tubes of paint, and right in the middle of this appallingly
messy scene would be a tiny little painting, intricately
beautiful and accurate in every detail.
My walls are festooned with original artwork which
he just did for himself. Lovely pieces, and we never
tire of looking at them. Most of all, he was the most
terrific Father to my sister and me - enormous fun,
with a zest for life and zany sense of humour. He
was disorganised and funny, and used to disappear
into the garage from time to time to make and invent
things (his carpentry skills were legendary). "
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" It's good fun remembering
some of this - he really was very special. "
Sarah Starsmore
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