Artist Statement
This web site is dedicated to a large suite of limited edition etchings I am currently creating based on the writing of J.R.R.Tolkien, author of, “The Lord of the Rings”, and “The Silmarillion”. My goal is to create at least 50 of these, and then, along with making them available through this web site, to publish them in a limited edition fine art book.
During my first printmaking course I knew I wanted to do a series of etchings based on Tolkien’s, “The Lord of the Rings”. As a college sophomore I had already read this masterpiece three or four times in fewer years.The imagery was, and still is, to me the most vivid, and inspiring of anything I’ve ever read. Although many art projects have occupied my time in the years since, I have never completely abandoned this idea. The release of Peter Jackson’s films brought this project again to the front of my mind, and I decided it was finally time to do it. In creating this series my focus is perhaps somewhat narrower than other Tolkien illustrators. The exact representation of architecture, or landscape, or styles of clothing, etcetera doesn’t excite me. What I’m interested in is capturing the emotional essence of the powerful images Tolkien’s words conjure in my mind — whether the subject is human drama, or the drama of a place or an idea. And, just as Peter Jackson directed his crew to think of “The Lord of the Rings” as a part of the history of a real place, Middle Earth, so too do I attempt to give a seriousness to my representations.
There are many sophisticated techniques employed by etchers these days. I feel, however, that the simple, traditional form of of etching that I am using — building form and shadow through crosshatching, a la Rembrandt — is very well suited to Tolkien’s work. The great depth, richness, and subtelties of blacks that can be produced this way directly relate to the powerful conflicts of light and dark that Tolkien frequently uses. Line etchings (the name of this form of etching) also has a sense of age which fits in well with these ancient tales of Middle Earth.
Veracity to Tolkien’s words is also very important to me. Not only is it my aim to accurately portray the important elements of each scene, but also, as much as it is possible, to avoid arbitrary stylization.
In order to facilitate the needs of creating a fine art book, all of the etchings in this site are the same size, 9×12 inches, except for one or two I did at earlier times, and few I may do larger in order to fulfill my vision. These pieces will all have the actual sizes specified next to them.
Richard Claraval August, 2007
Biography
Richard Claraval’s drawings, paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the Pittsburgh area, including two sites in conjunction with the International Sculpture Conference in 2000. He has had two solo installations at The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. His etchings can currently be seen at the Digging Pitt Gallery, and will soon be presented in a solo exhibition at The Spinning Plate Gallery in Pittsburgh, from September 14 to October 31. Mr. Claraval has a sculpture in the collection of the Westinghouse Corporation, and won the Juror’s Award for a drawing in a group exhibit at Studio Z Gallery in 1997. He received a bachelors degree in Art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
The cluttered studio, and my gray cat Arwen.
