Local artist Ray Mutimer will be opening his home gallery to the public during the Knaresborough FEVA festival next month.
Mr Mutimer, a professional freelance illustrator and artist, is best known for illustrating Postman Pat for 14 years. His work appeared in eight Postman Pat annuals and in BBC magazines.
Some of this artwork will be included in a free exhibition of his lifetime’s work at his home in Calcutt from Friday, August 11 to Sunday, August 20. Details are available here.
Between 1975 and 2002, Mr Mutimer illustrated 207 books for various publishers including, Collins, MacMillan, Ladybird, and Scholastic. He was also head of art at St. Aidan’s Church of England High School.
A central part of the exhibition will be Mr Mutimer’s unusually shaped paintings, which he calls ‘landSHAPE’.
Mr Mutimer told the Stray Ferret:
“In the 1960s, frustrated with having to confine my images to square or oblong framing, I painted pictures on boards and began to cut them out.
“At the time they were semi abstract. Recent shaped pictures are realistic, and create a greater, sometimes amazing, illusion of depth and space.”
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This will be the largest collection of landSHAPE installations he has ever displayed.
The exhibition can be viewed at 8 Whiteway Head, Calcutt, Knaresborough HG5 8LE from 11am to 4pm daily during the 10-day FEVA festival.
FEVA is a festival of entertainment and visual arts that includes art exhibitions, workshops, music and spoken word events.
Original Postman Pat art exhibition in Knaresborough
Ray Mutimer from Knaresborough was the main Postman Pat artist for fourteen years.
Now 84 years old, Ray is holding what he believes will be his last exhibition and sale of his original artwork for the much loved children’s books.
Ray has lived most of his adult life in the Harrogate district. Before becoming a children’s book illustrator he was head of art at St Aidens School. It was only when his son was born that he started creating children’s picture books.
In 1989 he began illustrating the Postman Pat book series and quickly become the franchises’ premier artist.
Looking back on his career Ray said:
“I’m surprised I’ve been paid to do it, I enjoyed doing it so much. I like drawing, I don’t find it difficult. I tried to make the stories come alive as much as possible.
For example if Pat was talking to Mrs Goggins, I’d put Jess the cat in the background on a wall trying to jump on a bird. I liked to create a little subplot. “
Original artwork for Postman Pat can now sell for up to £600.00 but Ray said more commonly it’s around £250.00.
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In 2001 on its 20th anniversary, the creator of Postman Pat, Ivor Wood, sold the rights to Entertainment Rights and Ray lost his job. He told the Stray Ferret that he thinks it doesn’t have the charm it had.
“The original had a help you neighbour feel and a wonderful sense of community. When Ivor sold it, it changed and was brought up to date. I think they spoiled it.
“I followed the old look and was told I wasn’t allowed to and had to follow the new style”
The exhibition is part of Knaresborough’s FEVA festival. Roy said he could have sent his illustrations to London to be sold but he wanted to do it locally so people could enjoy them.
“I get Grandmother’s buying the pictures and want to take a photo with me and their baby grandchildren. It’s embarrassing but lovely” .
Ray’s exhibition can be found at 8 Whiteway Head, Calcutt, Knaresborough HG5 8LE.
It’s open between 11am and 4pm each day from August 12th to the 21st.
Some of Ray’s original illustrations