Back in November I met Alan and Marion Marshall at an event at the National Centre for Writing at Dragon Hall, Norwich. After a brief chat we agreed to meet up in the new year, and I’m delighted to announce that Bittern Books will now be selling and distributing a selection of their wonderful Mascot Media books.
Alan and Marion set up Mascot Media in the early 2010s, based near Stalham in Norfolk, and have produced over 50 books, specialising in reproducing the work of modern East Anglian artists, especially print makers. Their books are beautifully produced and printed to a high standard – mostly by Swallowtail Press in Norwich (they like to keep things local). More than just a coffee table book, Alan writes interesting and informative text to accompany the images, and many of the books include profiles of the artists. These books make super gifts for anyone with a love of East Anglia, or a treat to keep for yourself.
Initially we will be carrying a small selection of the Mascot Media range, but I hope to extend this over the coming months – they just have so many lovely books! I hope to be getting out on the road in the next few weeks to visit some of our retailers and show off these books – once you’ve seen them you won’t be able to resist stocking them! For now, here’s a brief summary of the range we’re carrying.
Norfolk Gems
44 Printmakers explore the county
As an artistic destination, Norfolk has become increasingly important for wildlife, landscape and even abstract painters and printmakers. This volume is a compilation of contemporary printmaking organised by location, taking readers on a journey from the south-east to the north-west of the county.
Norfolk Gems by Alan Marshall
Softback 168 pages; 220x220mm
ISBN 9780995465169; RRP £19.95
Suffolk Jewels
38 Printmakers explore the county
Suffolk is important for wildlife, landscape and even abstract painters and printmakers. This volume is a compilation of contemporary printmaking organised by location, taking readers on a journey from the south-eastern corner to the north-western tip of the county.
Suffolk Jewels by Alan Marshall
Softback 168 pages; 220x220mm
ISBN 9780995465176; RRP £19.95
Afloat and Ashore
The linocuts of H J Jackson
HJ Jackson was born in 1938 in the Norfolk town of Kings Lynn. At school in 1953 he cut his first piece of lino and produced his first print, which helped him secure a place at the Norwich School of Art. This book looks back at more than 60 years of printmaking and contains a selection of John’s 200-plus surviving prints, accompanied by a profile of an artist for whom the phrase ‘a colourful character’ could have been invented..
Afloat and Ashore by Alan Marshall
Softback 144 pages; 220x220mm
ISBN 9781739714413; RRP £19.95
A Fine Line
Rob Barnes, East Anglian Printmaker
Rob Barnes is a Norfolk-based artist specialising in linocut landscape prints often featuring wildlife. This book reproduces 120 prints from the 2010-2020 period, as well as work from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, showing how his distinctive style developed. Rob provides an illustrated explanation of his printmaking technique, and there is an abbreviated biography.
A Fine Line by Alan Marshall
Softback 144 pages; 210x240mm
ISBN 9781916478374; RRP £19.95
Blue Skies and Boat Trips
The Norfolk of Brian Lewis
Brian Lewis is one of Norfolk’s most colourful artists. His flamboyant character, bright yellow studio in Sheringham and an unrelentingly cheerful take on Norfolk life make for a memorable combination. ‘Blue Skies and Boat Trips’ contains 165 images representing a small part of an epic portfolio. Like a portable exhibition, this rainbow-hued volume acts as a memorable guide to Norfolk’s treasures.
Blue Skies and Boat Trips by Alan Marshall
Hardback 156 pages; 210x245mm
ISBN 9780957181168; RRP £22.50
Landmarks
The East Anglian Art of Robert Chaplin
Landmarks showcases the late Robert Chaplin’s colourful interpretations of familiar Norfolk and Suffolk scenes with his unique blend of draughtsmanship, graphic design and composition. Robert uses his combination of pastel, ink and crayon to illustrate familiar locations in Southwold, Cromer and the Broads in a way that contrasts strikingly with the myriad conventional watercolours and oils showcasing the region.
Landmarks by Alan Marshall
Softback 120 pages; 220x220mm
ISBN 9780957181168; RRP £15.95
Coulter's Coast
A Journey in Watercolour from East to West
More than 150 of Woodbridge artist Michael Coulter’s glorious watercolour images of coastal and seaside scenes. The portfolio goes back to the very beginning of his painting career, while teaching art at Woolverstone School. The collection also comes bang up to date with pictures completed in 2018. Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Sussex, Kent, Dorset, Cornwall and even Ireland are featured.
Coulter’s Coast by Alan Marshall and Michael Coulter
Softback 144 pages; 220x220mm
ISBN 9781916478305; RRP £20.00
But wait! There's more!
Yes, this isn’t all of the Mascot books we have, there are a few more and I will be featuring them in separate blog items. But if you want to see the whole range they are available now on our website.
